State park camping near Northumberland, PA works a little differently than first-timers expect. The closest state park, Shikellamy, sits about 10 minutes away across the Susquehanna River, but it’s a day-use park: a marina on the West Branch and a bluff overlook with one of the best views in central Pennsylvania, and no campground attached. For actual state park campsites, the standout is Ricketts Glen, about an hour north, where electric and non-electric sites put you near the Falls Trail and its 22 named waterfalls.
That gap between day-use parks and drive-to campgrounds is why many campers base in Northumberland itself. Splash Magic Campground by RJourney offers full-hookup RV sites with 30 and 50 amp service, tent sites, and cabins at 213 Aspen Lane, with the river out front and Shikellamy’s overlook a short drive away. You get sewer at the site, an on-site water park for the kids, and both state parks within day-trip range. This guide lays out where you can actually camp, how the fees work, and how to split your days between the parks.
State Parks Near Northumberland: Where You Can Actually Camp
Two state parks define the area, and only one of them lets you stay the night. Here’s how the pieces fit.
Shikellamy State Park: Day Use Only
Shikellamy sits about 10 minutes from Northumberland in two sections: a marina on the West Branch for boat and paddle access, and a bluff overlook that looks straight down on the river’s fork, one of the best views in central Pennsylvania. There’s no campground, so treat it as the morning add-on it’s built to be: coffee at the overlook, paddle at the marina, back to your site by lunch.
Ricketts Glen State Park: The Camping Headliner
Ricketts Glen, about an hour north near Benton, is where the region’s real state park camping lives. Electric and non-electric sites put you near the Falls Trail, a moderate-to-strenuous loop past 22 named waterfalls with stone steps and creek crossings. Fees are set by Pennsylvania DCNR and vary by site type and season, so check current rates before you book, and budget at least a half day for the falls.
Searching Near Prince Gallitzin?
Prince Gallitzin State Park sits in west-central Pennsylvania near Patton, a couple of hours from Northumberland, so it’s a different trip entirely. If your plans center on that side of the state, look for parks in the Altoona area. If your route runs through the Susquehanna Valley, Knoebels, or Ricketts Glen, the parks in this guide are the right set.
A Full-Hookup Base Between the State Parks
State park sites in Pennsylvania mostly run electric or non-electric, which means tank discipline on longer stays. Basing at Splash Magic Campground flips that math: every RV site is full hookup with 30 and 50 amp service, there’s an on-site dump station, and tent sites and cabins cover the rest of the group. The location does the scheduling for you. Shikellamy’s overlook is about 10 minutes out, Ricketts Glen is about an hour, and Knoebels Amusement Resort is 20 minutes east for the day the kids outvote the hikers. Back at camp, the water park, pools, glow-in-the-dark mini golf, and the pavilion’s summer calendar mean a rained-out state park day still counts as a good day. Nightly rates start at $37.80, and the office at (412) 730-2170 runs daily 9AM to 3PM.
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>These are the parks and day trips that anchor a state park camping plan near Northumberland. Confirm seasonal hours and current DCNR fees 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 Visit the State Parks 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
Can you camp at Shikellamy State Park?
No. Shikellamy is a day-use park, split between a marina on the West Branch and a bluff overlook above the river’s fork. The closest camping is in Northumberland itself; Splash Magic Campground sits about 10 minutes from the overlook with full-hookup RV sites, tent sites, and cabins.
Does Ricketts Glen State Park have camping?
Yes. Ricketts Glen, about an hour north of Northumberland near Benton, has electric and non-electric campsites with fees set by Pennsylvania DCNR. It’s the area’s state park camping headliner, with the Falls Trail and its 22 named waterfalls as the draw. Check current DCNR rates and availability before you go.
Is there an RV park near Prince Gallitzin State Park?
Prince Gallitzin sits in west-central Pennsylvania near Patton, a couple of hours from Northumberland, so this guide’s parks won’t be next door. If your trip brings you east into the Susquehanna Valley instead, Splash Magic Campground in Northumberland has full-hookup sites within an hour of Ricketts Glen and 20 minutes of Knoebels.
What do state park campsites cost near Northumberland?
Pennsylvania DCNR sets the rates, and they vary by park, site type, and season, so check the current fee schedule when you book. For comparison, Splash Magic Campground in Northumberland starts at $37.80 a night with full hookups, which state park sites in this area don’t offer.
State park camping or a private campground: which fits a family trip here?
Ricketts Glen wins on waterfalls, woods, and quiet. Splash Magic Campground wins on full hookups, an on-site water park, pools, and a summer activity calendar. Plenty of families split the difference: base at Splash Magic for the amenities, then day-trip to the falls with the tanks question already handled.
Do Pennsylvania state parks allow pets at campsites?
Many PA state parks designate specific pet-friendly campsites, but rules vary by park, so check the DCNR page for the park you’re booking. At Splash Magic Campground, dogs stay free at RV and tent sites, select cabins take pets for $30 per stay, and leashes are required outside the dog area.
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