After a long, cold winter and a spring full of weather fluctuations (Should I wear many layers or no layers? It’s anyone’s guess!), the steady summer months are on the horizon. It’s time to take some deep breaths and soak it all in…
This summer, lean in to your adventurous side and try something new, like exploring the beauty of the SRV by camping.
I know what some of you are thinking – camping?!
While camping can mean sleeping in a tent under the stars, there are lots of other options to consider, like cozy cabins and RV sites with access to water and electricity.
Whether you’re an experienced Girl Scout or have never camped a night in your life, this blog post is for you. Bring your sense of adventure and let’s explore the options!
For a complete list, check out our new Visitors Guide or the Campgrounds section of our website.
Campgrounds with Pools & Family-Friendly Activities Onsite
Knoebels Campground
Knoebels is the ultimate family-friendly camping experience since it’s located within the Amusement Park and next to their epic Crystal Pool. Knoebels’ campground boasts all kinds of lodging for families of all sizes, including tent sites, small cabins and cottages, larger cabins, and RV sites.
One of my favorite small cabins is located near the Twister, so you can actually hear (and feel) the coaster as it roars by – it’s super fun if you’re traveling with kiddos.
A few things to note: accommodations fill up very, very quickly, because some visitors re-book their return stays a full year in advance. Plan ahead or call to see if you can snag a cancellation.
Knoebels Campground bookings can only be done over the phone, not online. While Knoebels has modernized nearly every other area of their Park experience, they still choose to service campground bookings in this “low tech” way.
Have a pet? While the Campground and Park are technically pet-friendly, pets are NOT permitted to stay in cabins or cottages.
Little Mexico Campground
Located on the lovely and accessible Penn’s Creek, which is ideal for tubing, kayaking and fishing with a license, Little Mexico offers 42-acres of recreation. They also offer three ponds onsite for fishing and a camp store that includes live fishing bait, two new playgrounds, a jumping pillow, laser tag court, plus crafts and games for the whole family.
This video offers an awesome look at their onsite amenities. Their website also mentions that they have “the largest above ground pool in the United States”. Cool!
Check out their full list of offerings here.
Sunsational Family Campground
Located on ½ mile of Penn’s Creek, this family-owned campground is owned and operated by Ron and Irene Geiswite. It’s the perfect spot for fishing and tubing as you take in the natural beauty and simplicity of #CreekLife.
They have spacious campsites, some of which are located right on the water, plus RV sites with water and electric hookups, an in-ground salt water pool (for real!) plus lots of seasonal activities for the whole family.
Williamsport South/Nittany Mountain KOA Campground
One of the benefits of this campground is that it comes with the trusted KOA brand, so you can expect an exceptional and reliable camping experience. It’s owned and operated by local residents Dan & Michele Socola.
This campground offers fire truck rides, swimming pools, jumping pillow, a petting zoo, theme weekends and more. It’s tucked into the beautiful Susquehanna River Valley, yet it’s also convenient to the interstate so you can easily access points north, south, east and west.
They’ve racked up some notable awards, as well: Kamp Green for its green initiatives, World Class Guest Service (2026), and the KOA Icon Award, which honors the top 10% of KOAs that offer the highest standard of excellence.
Check out their Facebook page for the latest updates.
Hidden Valley Camping Resort
Hidden Valley has been called “the best kept secret in Pennsylvania” – it’s located on 100+ acres (it was originally a dairy farm) near R.B. Winter State Park.
The Campground offers a unique blend of rustic charm and modern amenities with full hookups and wooded tent sites. They also offer an adult AND a kiddie pool, a ceramic workshop for kids, paddleboats, shuffleboard, basketball, volleyball, miniature golf, playground and more.
Check out their website to see the current events schedule.
Campgrounds with Family-Friendly Activities, But No Pool
Gray Squirrel Campsites
This Beavertown area hideaway is located at the base of Jack's Mountain bordering Bald Eagle State Forest and within two miles of great fishing at Walker Lake.
Gray Squirrel offers RV and tenting sites, cottage rentals and a full schedule of events, plus a playground, outdoor chapel, an outside pavilion, and even laundromat services. The large indoor Activities Center is a central hub at the camp, offering an indoor shuffle board court, piano, and plenty of open gathering space.
Woodward Cave Campground
If you’ve visited Woodward Cave, you may have noticed that they have a campground onsite. The entire 13-acre campground is level, with electric and non-electric sites, and all sites feature grassy turf (pretty plush, as far as campgrounds go!) that is ideally suited for tents as well as RVs. They also offer one, two- and three-bedroom cabins.
While you’re there, explore local nature trails and of course, visit Woodward Cave and their colony of bats! Woodward Cave is one of the largest winter habitats for bats in PA. For over a hundred years, local and federal agencies have closely monitored the cave to track the health of Pennsylvania’s bat population. Every winter, they close the cave so as to not disturb hibernating bats, and to ensure our state’s biological resources are preserved.
Woodward has been featured in many cool media outlets like PA Bucket List, Outside mag, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, Uncovering PA, Trip Savvy, and many more!
Bonus: the cave is a consistent 48 degrees, so bring a jacket, even in the hottest summer months.
Camp Near the Water
Camp Karoondinha
Known as Camp K, this campground is semi-private, as it’s owned and operated by the Susquehanna Council, Scouting America, and is located on more than 400 acres in western Union County along Penn’s Creek, approximately 15 minutes from Mifflinburg.
The camp is utilized during the summer season for the Susquehanna Council's resident camping programs. It features 11 campsites with tent platforms, latrines and water, five cabins that can be used year-round, an air-conditioned dining hall with a commercial kitchen, 2 modern individual shower and restroom buildings (handicap accessible), a swimming pool complex, a lake for boating, over 5 miles of marked hiking trails, numerous areas and pavilions with lighting and electricity.
If you’re a member of a local Scouting organization or have a large group that you’re looking to host, check out their website for opportunities to join in the fun!
Fantasy Island Campground
Located on Packer Island, along the banks of the Susquehanna River between Northumberland and Sunbury, this Campground provides direct access to the Susquehanna River. They offer 100 sites that have water, electric, and sewer hook-ups. Each has a poured concrete patio.
If you don’t have an RV, they also offer cabins and a rental RV – this is the perfect way to experience #RVLife before diving into purchasing one!
Check out their busy activities schedule on their website.
River Edge RV Camp & Marina
Located on the clean, clear west branch of the Susquehanna River, River Edge Camp & Marina is the ideal respite from life in the fast lane.
River Edge offers tent and RV sites with full hookups. Relax by the outdoor pool, spend the day fishing or get to know your neighbors at an organized camp activity.
River View Campground
River View Campground in Milton, along the Susquehanna River, is your ultimate riverfront RV escape, offering spacious, full-hookup RV sites, kayak rentals and amazing fishing opportunities.
The Chillisquaque Boat Launch is right next to the Campground and visitors can walk to the Susquehanna Smokehouse BBQ or to the nearby Fence Drive In.
Penn Avon Campground
Located along the banks of Penn’s Creek near Selinsgrove, the campground offers the perfect retreat with family and friends.
Kudos to them on their wonderful Google reviews:
“Excellent, quiet campground. We camped right on the creek. Electric and water hookup were a bonus. Beautiful place!”
“Well maintained campground with an exceptionally clean bathhouse and an easy check in process. We will definitely be back again in our travels!”
“Great family-oriented campground. Clean and orderly bath house. Playgrounds, picnic, pavilion are well-maintained. Friendly staff!”
Keep tabs on their happenings on their Facebook page.
State Park and Forest Camping (hiking trails nearby)
Bald Eagle State Forest Camping
Offering 44 tent sites only, Bald Eagle State Forest offers an adventurous option for experienced campers.
Bald Eagle State Forest includes 194,000 acres in Snyder, Union, Centre, Mifflin and Clinton Counties. The forest spans across the high, sharp ridges of central Pennsylvania and features miles of pristine mountain streams and tracts of old growth forest. Bald Eagle offers unparalleled beauty and boundless recreational opportunities such as an extensive network of trails, awesome scenic vistas, flaming fall foliage and picturesque drives.
For a camp site reservation, which are limited, check out their website.
R. B. Winter State Park Camping and Halfway Lake
R. B. Winter State Park covers 695 acres and offers tent and RV sites (some with ADA accommodations), as well as a few cabins.
The focal point of the park is Halfway Lake which is filled by spring-fed mountain streams and contained by a hand-laid, native sandstone dam. A playground is available in the campground and some sites are on the waterfront.
