It’s early fall in the Susquehanna River Valley – arguably one of the best times of year to experience all that the region has to offer. Fall festivals in nearly every town are the perfect excuse to plan a last-minute overnight getaway! Extend your stay – affordably – by considering a cabin or RV rental at a local campground.
If you own an RV, you already know this secret: fall offers the best of all worlds – breathtaking scenery, cooler temps, fewer crowds, and lower prices.
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Fall foliage: Trees in Central PA will soon turn vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow, creating a gorgeous backdrop for drives and hikes.
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Fewer pests: Mosquitoes, flies, and gnats become much less active as the weather cools down.
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Seasonal activities: Campgrounds are close to pumpkin patches, apple orchards, and harvest festivals.
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Cool evenings make for great sleeping weather without needing to run the air conditioner.
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Enjoy some breathing room! Now that school is back in session and summer vacations are over, popular parks, attractions and campgrounds empty out.
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Many RV parks and campgrounds lower their rates during the shoulder and off-seasons, helping you save money.
The SRV offers dozens of campgrounds with RV sites, including:
Gray Squirrel Campground: Open April 1-October 30. The campground sits on 129 beautiful acres in the heart of central PA between the two sections of Bald Eagle State Park. Gray Squirrel is currently owned and operated by Dennis and Julie Zimmerman.
Hidden Valley Camping Resort: Open mid-April to mid-October. A family campground located on 100 acres in Mifflinburg. The campground was originally a working dairy farm and currently provides a unique blend of rustic charm and modern amenities. They also have a full house and a cabin for rent – more info later in this article.
Sunsational Family Campground: Open April 15-October 15. Owned and operated by Ron and Irene Geiswite, Sunsational is located along over 1/2 mile of Penns Creek making it the perfect spot for fishing and tubing.
Woodward Cave Campground: Open April-October. Discover a beautiful campground retreat, nestled in the heart of quiet Amish country and the mountains. Enjoy world-class trout fishing on Penns Creek and spend time on extensive nature trails in Bald Eagle State Forest. Woodward Cave, a karst formation from bedrock that is over 400 million years old, is located onsite. In addition to unique geological features, Woodward Cave is home to one of the largest winter habitats for bats in Pennsylvania. For over a hundred years, local and federal agencies have closely monitored our cave to track the health of Pennsylvania’s bat population. Every winter, the operators of Woodward close the cave so they don’t disturb hibernating bats.
Penn Avon Campground: Open April 1st to October 31st. All sites offer full hook-ups for RVs with WiFi and Cable TV. Open November through March for monthly site rentals. Located along the banks of Penns Creek, the campground offers the perfect retreat with family and friends. A camp pavilion is also available to rent for parties during your stay.
R. B. Winter State Park Camping: Camping is open mid-April to mid-December, but the park is open year-round. R. B. Winter State Park covers 695 acres. 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. The park provides diverse opportunities for recreation including hiking and biking.
River Edge RV Camp & Marina: Open April 1st to October 31st. Located on the clean, clear west branch of the Susquehanna River in Winfield, River Edge Camp & Marina is the ideal respite from life in the fast lane.
River View Campground: Open from April 15-October 15. A few key benefits of this campground: amazing fishing for smallmouth bass, walleye, and catfish, plus kayak rentals on-site. Guests can also walk to the locally famous Susquehanna Smokehouse BBQ and have access to the Chillisquaque boat launch, which is right next to the campground. 
Little Mexico Campground: Open April to October. Situated on 42 acres that includes the soothing sounds of Penns Creek and spectacular views from its banks, Little Mexico is a one-of-a-kind campground. In the winter months, they also offer an amazing drive-through Christmas light display (don’t miss this one!)
If you are looking to “rough it” in a tent, tent campsites are much less expensive and closer to nature. We suggest any of these reputable SRVVB member campgrounds.
Casual Cabin Vibes
If you don’t own an RV and don’t want to camp, consider a campground that has cabins onsite for a spontaneous getaway. We suggest three:
Williamsport South/Nittany Mountain KOA, open April through October, offers the consistency and high-quality of the KOA brand, but is owned and operated locally. The campground is tucked into the rolling hills of the beautiful Susquehanna River Valley, but is easily accessed by the interstate. Onsite visitors will find a variety of lodging options, including tent sites, RV rentals and RV sites, and updated cabins. Their deluxe cabins are anything but rustic offering a full kitchen, full bathroom, 1-2 bedrooms (some with a loft), and even a patio with Adirondack chairs and firepit. Linens are also provided, allowing you to pack light and focus on the adventure.
Fantasy Island Campground, open April through October, offers cabins so you can experience the joys of camping but with some of the comforts of home. Fantasy Island is situated on Packer Island along the Susquehanna River (Lake Augusta) between Sunbury and Northumberland. Their campground features a 9-hole miniature golf course, boat ramps/docks, arcade, and sports courts, especially nice in the cooler months.
Cabins are equipped with central air conditioning and heat. Each cabin can sleep up to five people, with a bunk bed, a futon that flips down into a double bed, along with a twin bed above. They come with a full kitchenette, full bathroom, and walk-in shower. Outside, each guest has a picnic table and fire ring. Once you're all settled in, relax on the front porch as you reconnect with nature – and yourself!
Hidden Valley Camping Resort has two great options on-site: a full house for 12 guests and a Deluxe cabin for 6 guests and is open April 15-October 15. 
With 4 bedrooms and 8 beds their grand home sleeps 12. Equipped with a full kitchen stocked with cooking essentials, the house has two full baths, a dining room, game room, living room, loft area, laundry room, back porch and yard. They also provide all linens and basic toiletries.
The deluxe cabins are a wonderful option if you want to camp, but don’t want to go without everyday conveniences. The cabin is outfitted with a queen mattress and a futon, plus a loft space that’s great for kids to sleep in. Cabins have kitchens, bathrooms, and air conditioning.
RV Rental
Did you know that Fantasy Island Campground also has an RV that you can rent?
Their on-site RV rentals start at $175 per night on weekdays and $185 per night on holidays. The RV can sleep up to six people and includes: A/C, microwave, stove, refrigerator, TV, full bathroom, two slide outs, front queen bed, rear bunk room, sofa bed and booth dinette.
Traveling with kids or pets? Check out our camping post from this time last year for a few ideas that are accessible and affordable.
After exploring an SRV fall festival, consider extending your stay in an RV campground or cabin this fall – the memories will last a lifetime!
You, Too, Can Own the Thrill of the Open Road
If, after reading this post, you find yourself daydreaming about RV ownership, I’d encourage you to check out the offerings by two of our members: Susquehanna RV and Kelly RV.
For over 42 years, Susquehanna RV has proudly served campers and RV enthusiasts with unbeatable prices, no hidden fees, and a commitment to exceptional service before, during, and after the sale. Their motto “A Camper’s Best Friend” really rings true.
With over 250 recreational vehicles in stock, Susquehanna RV is proud to be one of the largest RV dealers in Pennsylvania. They have two locations: Selinsgrove and Bloomsburg and are open year-round.
Whether you’re in the market for a fifth wheel, lightweight camper, destination trailer, or a Class B or C motorhome, they carry a full line of affordable RVs ready for your next adventure.
Kelly RV in West Milton is a family business specializing in RVs, campers and RV accessories such as parts and supplies. From its humble beginnings in 1957 in a backyard in Kelly Township, Kelly RV Inc. has grown into a full-service RV dealership.
Kelly RV’s website offers featured new and used inventory, plus a custom showroom, where you can peruse the latest models available for custom ordering.
Their physical store offers a wide variety of RV parts and accessories to keep camping fun, ranging from basic supplies to the latest in high tech conveniences.
Both businesses also offer parts, accessories, and repair services for RVs (some exclusions). Their service departments offer services ranging from PA Inspections to appliance repair to rebuilding damaged superstructures.
Tell them we sent you!
Mandatory Pre-Trip Viewing: “RV” with Robin Williams
One final suggestion if you’re heading down the RV path: take two hours to watch the hilarious movie “RV” before heading out on your adventure…and maybe don’t involve your family in the naming process, as proven by this memorable scene:
Right before the family starts their road trip, Bob tries to name their massive rented RV, leading to this exchange:
- Bob Munro: “Welcome aboard, everybody. Before we embark, I think we should give this beauty a name. Suggestions?”
- Cassie Munro: “The Big Turd.”
- Carl Munro: “The Big Rolling Turd?”
- Bob Munro: “In that spirit, we set forth.”
Happy trails, everyone!
