The best hiking trails near Northumberland, PA cluster around water. The town sits at the fork of the Susquehanna River, and the signature hike in the region, the Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen State Park about an hour north, follows a hemlock gorge past 22 named waterfalls. Closer in, Shikellamy State Park’s bluff overlook delivers one of central Pennsylvania’s best views about 10 minutes from town, and the riverfront parks in Northumberland and Sunbury cover easy, flat walking when you want miles without elevation.
A hiking trip works best here with a comfortable base camp, and Splash Magic Campground by RJourney fills that role from 213 Aspen Lane in Northumberland. Full-hookup RV sites, tent sites, and cabins put you within day-trip range of every walk in this guide, and the on-site pools and water park give tired legs somewhere to recover after the stone steps at Ricketts Glen. Below: the trails worth your boots, how hard each one runs, the best seasons to go, and how to stack them into a long weekend.
The Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen: The Hike Worth the Drive
About an hour north of Northumberland near Benton, the Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen State Park is the hike people plan whole trips around: 22 named waterfalls stacked through a hemlock gorge, with the trail switchbacking past one cascade after another. Rate it honestly as moderate to strenuous. The route runs on stone steps and creek crossings that stay slick even in dry weather, so wear real shoes, pack water, and budget at least a half day. Spring is the showpiece, when snowmelt puts every fall at full flow; summer trades volume for shade, and the gorge stays cool when the valley bakes; fall wraps the whole loop in foliage. Pennsylvania DCNR sets day-use details, and the park also runs a campground with electric and non-electric sites if you’d rather wake up next to the trailhead than drive up for the day.
Closer to Camp: Overlooks and River Walks
You don’t need an hour in the car to earn a view. Shikellamy State Park, about 10 minutes from Northumberland, splits into a marina on the West Branch and a bluff overlook that looks straight down on the spot where the Susquehanna’s two branches meet; it’s the best effort-to-payoff ratio in the area and an easy morning before a pool afternoon. For flat miles, the walkable historic districts and riverfront parks in Northumberland and neighboring Sunbury string together an unhurried hour or two along the water. And the laziest option sits inside the campground: Splash Magic fronts the Susquehanna with fishing access from the property and a stocked pond where the kids can cast (staff tip: the fish love hot dogs) while the adults log a slow lap around the grounds.
Basing a Hiking Weekend in Northumberland
The geography makes the itinerary simple: sleep in Northumberland, day-trip in every direction. Splash Magic Campground covers the base-camp job with full-hookup RV sites at 30 and 50 amp, tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings for hikers traveling light, and cabins (from cozy 2-person units to the multi-bedroom Tubby Family Lodge) for groups that want beds after a day on stone steps. Nightly rates start at $37.80, and summer weekends book 2 to 4 weeks out, so reserve before you commit to a falls-season date. The recovery program is built in: pools and a water park for sore legs, glow-in-the-dark mini golf for the evening, and Mateo’s Pizza across the road with 10% off for guests when nobody wants to cook after the trail.
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>Trails first, then the rest. These nearby parks and attractions round out a hiking weekend near Northumberland; confirm hours and trail conditions before you drive.</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 Hike 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.
The Falls Trail (about an hour north) is a moderate-to-strenuous loop past 22 waterfalls with stone steps and creek crossings. Wear real shoes, pack water, and budget at least half a day.
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 hiking trails near Northumberland, PA?
The headliner is the Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen State Park, about an hour north, with 22 named waterfalls in one loop. Closer in, Shikellamy State Park’s bluff overlook (about 10 minutes away) delivers the area’s best view, and the riverfront parks in Northumberland and Sunbury handle easy, flat walking.
How hard is the Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen?
Moderate to strenuous. The loop runs on stone steps and creek crossings that stay slick, and you should budget at least a half day. Wear real shoes, bring water, and check trail conditions with DCNR before you go, especially in early spring when the falls run hardest and the rock is wettest.
Are there easy walks near Northumberland for families?
Yes. The riverfront parks and walkable historic districts in Northumberland and Sunbury cover flat, stroller-friendly miles along the Susquehanna, and Shikellamy State Park’s overlook delivers a big view for minimal effort. At Splash Magic Campground, kids can fish the stocked pond between bigger outings.
When is the best season to hike near Northumberland?
Spring puts the Ricketts Glen waterfalls at full flow, fall wraps the Susquehanna Valley in foliage, and summer hiking works best in the shaded gorge while the valley heats up. Winter trails stay open for cold-weather hikers, though you should confirm conditions with DCNR before driving north.
Can I bring my dog on trails near Northumberland?
Most Pennsylvania state parks allow leashed dogs on trails, but rules vary by park and area, so check the DCNR page for the park you’re visiting. Back at Splash Magic Campground, dogs stay free at RV and tent sites, with leashes required outside the designated dog area.
Ricketts Glen or Shikellamy: which should I pick with one day?
Pick by energy level. Ricketts Glen is the full outing: an hour’s drive each way and a half-day loop past 22 waterfalls. Shikellamy is the 10-minute option, a marina and bluff overlook you can cover in a morning. Plenty of campers do Shikellamy at sunrise and save the falls for a fresh day.
Where should I stay for a hiking weekend near Northumberland?
Splash Magic Campground by RJourney at 213 Aspen Lane makes a practical base: full-hookup RV sites, tent sites, and cabins from $37.80 a night, within an hour of Ricketts Glen and 10 minutes of Shikellamy. The on-site pools and water park double as the recovery plan after the stone steps.
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