The best campsites near Northumberland, PA sit where central Pennsylvania’s outdoor calendar actually happens: along the Susquehanna River fork, 20 minutes from Knoebels, within an hour of Ricketts Glen’s waterfalls, and close enough to the Bloomsburg Fair to build a September trip around it. Campers searching this stretch of the valley tend to want full hookups, a site the rig can reach without a 12-point turn, and something to do when the campfire burns down.
Splash Magic Campground by RJourney covers the spread from 213 Aspen Lane in Northumberland: full-hookup pull-through and back-in sites with 30 and 50 amp service, tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings, and cabins for the no-rig crowd, with nightly rates from $37.80. The campsites here come with a rare extra, too: an on-site water park with slides, splash pads, and pools, plus bumper boats, a jumping pillow, and glow-in-the-dark mini golf. This guide walks through the site types, how to pick the right spot, and how to land a reservation in peak season.
Picking the Right Campsite at Splash Magic
The property splits into 3 ways to stay, and the right answer depends on what you’re towing and who’s coming.
Full Hookup RV Sites
Every RV site is full hookup with 30 and 50 amp service, in both pull-through and back-in configurations, each with a picnic table and fire ring. The entrance off Aspen Lane is a straight shot with no hairpin turns. One honest note: sites sit closer together than at a wilderness campground; that’s the trade for sleeping next to a water park. If elbow room matters, request an outer-loop site when you book.
Tent Sites
Tent sites keep it simple: picnic table, fire ring, and the same full access to the pools, water park, bathhouse, and activity calendar as every other guest. Dogs stay free at tent sites, and the bathhouse and on-site laundry cover the comforts a tent doesn’t.
Cabins When the Weather Argues
The cabin lineup runs from 2-person units to the multi-bedroom Tubby Family Lodge, with the Dolphin Cove cabins fronting the water. Air conditioning, hot water, and basic kitchen supplies come standard, which makes them the fallback when a forecast turns or the group outgrows the tent.
Campsites With Water Slides: Yes, That's a Real Category
Plenty of people search for campsites with water slides and assume they’ll have to settle for a campground near a water park. Splash Magic skips the commute: the water park is on the property, with slides, splash pads, a kids’ pool, and a full-size swimming pool a short walk from every site. The rest of the list reads like a kid’s negotiation strategy: bumper boats and paddle boats on the pond, a jumping pillow, glow-in-the-dark mini golf, pedal carts, an arcade, and a stocked fishing pond where hot dogs outfish every lure in your tackle box. The entertainment pavilion layers on ceramics, foam parties, bingo, and outdoor movie nights all summer. Some water park access may require a wristband, so confirm details at check-in. The practical upshot for parents: the campsite itself carries the trip, and Knoebels 20 minutes away becomes the bonus rather than the whole plan.
Permanent and Long-Term Campsites Near Northumberland
Searches for permanent campsites usually mean one of two things: a seasonal site you hold all year, or a monthly rate that beats nightly math. Splash Magic’s published long-stay program is the winter long-term rate, $600 a month from September through April, which lands around $20 a night and suits snowbirds, seasonal workers, and anyone wintering over in central Pennsylvania. Summer monthly availability and pricing run through the office, so call (412) 730-2170 (daily 9AM to 3PM) before planning a full-season stay. Long-term guests use the same infrastructure as everyone else: full hookups with 30 and 50 amp service, park-wide WiFi, on-site laundry, and propane at the camp store.
Splash Magic Campground by RJourney
Splash Magic Campground by RJourney sits at 213 Aspen Lane in Northumberland, Pennsylvania, along the Susquehanna River where the West Branch and North Branch converge. The property is built around a full water park: water slides, splash pads, a kids’ pool, and a full-size swimming pool. Beyond the water, the activity list runs deep with bumper boats and paddle boats on the pond, a jumping pillow, glow-in-the-dark mini golf, pedal carts, golf cart rentals, an arcade, and an entertainment pavilion that runs a packed summer calendar of crafts, foam parties, pool volleyball, and outdoor movies. Stay options cover full-hookup RV sites, tent sites, and a cabin and lodge inventory from cozy two-person units to multi-bedroom villas like the Tubby Family Lodge, with the Dolphin Cove cabins fronting the water. It is a base camp where a good share of the trip’s activities are already on the grounds.
Sites & Hookups
Splash Magic offers full-hookup RV sites in both pull-through and back-in configurations, with 30-amp and 50-amp electrical service to handle rigs of any size. Tent sites are available for guests who prefer to keep it simple, and cabins range from couple-sized units to family lodges. Each site comes with a picnic table and fire ring, WiFi covers the property, and propane is available on-site. The campground entrance on Aspen Lane is a straight shot off the main road with no hairpin turns or tight corners. Sites sit closer together than at a wilderness campground; that is the tradeoff for having the water park, pools, and activities right outside your door. If you want elbow room, request a site on the outer loops when you book.
What's On-Site
The water park is the whole point. Water slides, splash pads, a kids’ pool, and a full-size swimming pool give families a reason to spend entire days without leaving the campground. The water fun does not stop at the pool deck: bumper boats and paddle boats run on the pond, a jumping pillow draws a crowd of kids, and pond fishing is a hit with the little ones (a staff tip: the fish love hot dogs). When everyone needs a break from the water, there is glow-in-the-dark mini golf for evening play, pedal carts and rentable golf carts, and an arcade for rainy days. The entertainment pavilion runs a full summer calendar: ceramics, tie-dye, pool volleyball, foam parties, adult bingo, and outdoor movie nights. The on-site camp store stocks essentials, snacks, and propane, and restrooms, showers, and laundry are on-property.
What Guests Say
4.1 stars across 1,215 Google reviews. The water and the activities win the praise. Families single out the water park, pool area, and the sheer volume of things for kids to do: water slides, bumper boats, the jumping pillow, glow golf, and pedal carts keep children busy for days. Repeat visits are the strongest theme of all; families come back year after year, often booking the next trip before they leave. The campground’s spot near Knoebels and the Susquehanna also comes up, with guests using it as a base for amusement-park days and river outings. It is the kind of place where the activity list is long enough that nobody gets bored.
More Attractions and Day Trips Near Northumberland, PA
<p>A good campsite earns a good itinerary. These nearby attractions are the standard day trips from a Northumberland site; hours and pricing change, so call ahead.</p>
Knoebels Amusement Resort
One of the country’s largest free-admission amusement parks: free to enter and park, pay only for the rides. It runs two world-class wooden coasters (the Phoenix and the Twister), a large pool complex, and a tree-shaded layout, open spring through October. It is the area’s signature day trip and an easy 20-minute drive from the campground. Visit website.
Shikellamy State Park
Two sections sit across the river from Northumberland: a marina on the West Branch for boat and paddle access, and a bluff overlook that delivers one of the best views in central Pennsylvania, looking down on the river’s fork. A short drive from Splash Magic and an easy morning add-on. Visit website.
Ricketts Glen State Park
Home to the Falls Trail, where 22 named waterfalls cascade through a hemlock gorge, one of the most scenic hikes in Pennsylvania and a cool, shaded payoff on a hot day. Plan a half-day minimum; the loop is moderate to strenuous with stone steps and creek crossings. Visit website.
More to Explore Beyond the Campground
The Susquehanna River runs right past the campground, with direct fishing access from the property and a stocked on-site pond for the kids. Across the river, Shikellamy State Park’s marina provides boat and paddle access for fishing and flatwater paddling, and the bluff overlook above it offers one of the best views in central Pennsylvania. It is a short drive from Splash Magic and an easy morning add-on when you want open water beyond the pools.
Knoebels Amusement Resort, 20 minutes east, is the marquee land attraction: free-admission rides, classic wooden coasters, and a pool complex, open spring through October. Ricketts Glen State Park, about an hour north, delivers the area’s best hike, 22 named waterfalls along the Falls Trail through a shaded gorge. Closer in, Northumberland and nearby Sunbury have walkable historic districts, local restaurants, and riverfront parks for an easy afternoon.
The Bloomsburg Fair, the largest in Pennsylvania, runs each fall about 25 minutes northeast with concerts, demolition derbies, agricultural exhibits, and carnival rides; check the official fair calendar for current dates. Williamsport, about 45 minutes north, hosts the Little League World Series each August and has the World of Little League museum year-round. Splash Magic makes a solid base camp, with the on-site water park filling the downtime between trips.
When to Camp Near Northumberland
Summer (June through August)
Peak season for everything. The on-site water park is open, Knoebels runs full hours, the river is warm for boating, and the campground activity calendar is packed. Summer weekends and holiday weeks book fastest, so reserve 2 to 4 weeks ahead. It is the best window if the water park and amusement park are the point of the trip.
Fall (September through October)
A standout season. The Bloomsburg Fair anchors September, Knoebels runs into October, the foliage along the Susquehanna is excellent, and Ricketts Glen’s waterfalls are at their most scenic. The on-site pools wind down after Labor Day, so confirm which water amenities stay open if that matters for your trip.
Winter (November through March)
The quiet season. The water park is closed and Knoebels is between seasons, but the river and state parks are open for cold-weather hiking, and the winter monthly rate of $600/month runs through April for extended stays. Confirm which amenities stay open with the office before booking.
Spring (April through May)
Shoulder season. Knoebels opens for the year, the pools and water park begin opening, the river runs high, and the waterfalls at Ricketts Glen are at full flow. A good window for a quieter stay before peak crowds; confirm pool and water-park opening dates with the office if the water is part of your plan.
Practical Tips for Exploring Northumberland
The classic itinerary is a Knoebels day (20 minutes east, free admission) followed by an evening at the campground pool. Knoebels runs spring through October; check its operating calendar before you build your days around it.
On-site pool and water-park hours shift by season and are posted at check-in. Some water park access may require a wristband; confirm at check-in. If the water is your reason for visiting, check seasonal opening dates with the office first.
The Bloomsburg Fair (about 25 minutes) and the Little League World Series in Williamsport (about 45 minutes) are big fall and August draws. Confirm current-year dates on the official calendars before planning your stay around them.
Shikellamy State Park's bluff overlook, about 10 minutes across the river, is one of the best views in central PA and an easy add-on before a pool afternoon. The marina below it handles boating and paddling.
Sites sit closer together than at a wilderness campground; that's the trade for the water park. If elbow room matters, ask for an outer-loop site when you book, especially on summer weekends.
Mateo's Pizza, right across the road from the campground, gives Splash Magic guests a 10% discount (excludes specials), handy after a long day out exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campsites near Northumberland, PA?
Depends on the trip. For full hookups and family activities, Splash Magic Campground in Northumberland has pull-through and back-in sites with 30 and 50 amp service from $37.80 a night, plus an on-site water park. For wooded state park sites, Ricketts Glen sits about an hour north with electric and non-electric options.
Are there full hookup campsites near Northumberland?
Yes. Every RV site at Splash Magic Campground is full hookup, with water, sewer, and 30 or 50 amp power at the pad, in pull-through and back-in layouts. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring, and the entrance off Aspen Lane is a straight shot for bigger rigs.
Are there campsites with water slides near Northumberland?
That’s Splash Magic Campground’s whole premise. The park is built around an on-site water park with water slides, splash pads, a kids’ pool, and a full-size swimming pool, all a short walk from the campsites. Some water park access may require a wristband, so confirm details at check-in.
Can I get a permanent or seasonal campsite near Northumberland?
Splash Magic runs winter long-term sites at $600 a month from September through April, the published long-stay rate. Summer monthly availability and pricing go through the office at (412) 730-2170. Long-term guests get full hookups, park-wide WiFi, and on-site laundry like everyone else.
What is the Dolphin campsite people mention at Splash Magic?
They usually mean Dolphin Cove, the row of waterfront cabins at Splash Magic that front the water with direct river views. They’re cabins rather than bare campsites, and they’re among the most requested units on the property, so book ahead for summer weekends if you want one.
How far ahead should I reserve a campsite here?
Reserve 2 to 4 weeks ahead for summer weekends and holiday weeks, which book fastest. September fills around the Bloomsburg Fair about 25 minutes away, and Knoebels’ October weekends keep fall busy. Winter is the open season, when the long-term sites carry the campground.
Splash Magic or a state park campsite: how do I choose?
Choose by what the evening looks like. State park sites at Ricketts Glen deliver woods, waterfalls, and quiet, with electric at most. Splash Magic delivers full hookups, a water park, mini golf, and a packed activity calendar. Families often base at Splash Magic and day-trip to the falls.
Base Your Northumberland Trip at Splash Magic
Splash Magic Campground by RJourney puts a big share of the activity list outside your door: an on-site water park, mini golf, bumper boats, and a packed pavilion calendar, with Knoebels, Shikellamy State Park, and the Susquehanna River all an easy drive away. Stay in a full-hookup RV site, a tent site, or a riverfront cabin, and let the campground handle the downtime.
See all site types, rates, and live availability on the Splash Magic Campground page.
Check Availability (412) 730-2170