Getaway Goals: Family-Friendly and Pet-Friendly Campgrounds in Central PA

Hidden Valley Campground - Cabins Sitting beside calm waters of their campground pond As summer winds down and fall beckons, now is the perfect time to take a staycation at a local campground.

I know what some of you might be thinking – “A campground? But I’m not a people person!”

The truth is, you’ll never find a more close-knit community of strangers (who will become fast friends) than at a well-established, well-managed campground.

Campgrounds offer a plethora of benefits compared to other “traditional” lodging options – they provide quick and convenient access to nature, opportunities to fish and swim on-site, and organized activities to keep kids and their adults busy.

There are dozens of campgrounds in the region, but we’re going to highlight four family-friendly AND pet-friendly options that are ahead of the pack due to their locations and amenities.

Jellystone Park, Milton

Jellystone Park at Milton features cabins, cottages, RV sites and tent camping. They even offer Covered Wagons for a truly unique overnight experience.
Jellystone Campground Water Park Area
Year-round, visitors can enjoy a swimming pool, Splash Pad, golf cart rentals, volleyball and basketball courts, horseshoe pits, hiking and nature trails, three playgrounds, and catch-and-release fishing ponds to name a few amenities.

They also offer fun themed weekends like Jurassic Weekend, Halloween Spooktacular, Witches & Wizards, and many more.

Check out their website to see availability, pricing, and special events happening at the campground.

Little Mexico Campground, Winfield

Little Mexico Camping Spanning 42 acres, Penns Creek runs through the middle of this campground, so kayaking and tubing is highly encouraged!

Little Mexico has three ponds for fishing, two new playgrounds, a jumping pillow, and a Little Mexico Campground Cabin laser tag court, to kick-off their list of amenities.

They also offer the largest above-ground swimming pool in the United States (who knew?), plus volleyball and badminton courts, mini golf, horseshoes, cornhole and a GaGa pit. Guests can pay a small fee to play BINGO and create a ceramic keepsake.

Check out their website for availability and themed weekends.

Williamsport South Nittany Mountain
KOA Campground, New Columbia

KOA Cabin This campground has the benefit of being close to the Interstate (and tons of attractions) yet it’s still tucked away to provide peace and quiet.

It’s also part of the KOA family, so campers know what to expect from the quality of the offerings.

Amenities here include baseball and soccer fields, volleyball and basketball courts, horseshoe pits, swimming pools, a game room KOA Picture of Couple Camping and arcade, jumping pillow, bike rentals, petting zoo, theme weekends, arts and crafts on the weekends, live entertainment, hay wagon rides, movie nights, and more. They even offer panning for gems, fossils, emeralds and rubies in the Nittany Mountain Gold Mining Sluice.

While all of the campgrounds highlighted in this post are pet-friendly, this special KOA has a Kamp K-9 Dog Park, which is a safe, fenced-in area created especially for the most loyal member of your family.

Knoebels Campground, Elysburg

Knoebels Campground I know, I know, the fun, food and fantasy at Knoebels get a lot of love in the summertime – and for good reason!

Knoebels also offers two campgrounds: Knoebels Campground and Lake Glory Campground. Both are ideal options if your family members love spending long days at the amusement park or the Crystal Pool, because you’ll be mere steps away from your pillow!

In addition to “standard” amenities like a playground, basketball court, camp store, and covered pavilions, they also offer Father and Son sitting by the fire at Knoebels Campground complimentary shuttles to the park, discounted park tickets, and golf discounts at Three Ponds Golf Course.

Lake Glory also offers an arcade, a campground pond, and a 5-acre lake where fishing, frog catching, and family time are all encouraged.

In all honesty, their camping facilities may be fully booked for the rest of this season, but keep them in mind for next summer and fall. Reservations are by phone only; Knoebels maintains this very traditional method and they are proud of it!