When the kids are asking where the water is, central Pennsylvania’s Susquehanna Valley has an answer most people drive right past. Splash Magic Campground in Northumberland, PA is built around a full water park, water slides, splash pads, a kids’ pool, and a full-size swimming pool, all on the campground grounds. You do not have to pick between a campsite and a water park. Here you get both, in one place, off one entrance.
This is the trip where you park the rig or check into a cabin on Friday and never need to start the engine again until Sunday. Between the slides and pools, there are bumper boats and paddle boats on the pond, a jumping pillow, glow-in-the-dark mini golf, pedal carts, and an arcade. Below is the full rundown of the swimming and water fun at Splash Magic, plus the nearby water destinations worth a day trip when you want to venture beyond the gate.
The Water at Splash Magic, From Slides to the Pond
Splash Magic stacks more water recreation into one campground than most water parks offer on their own, and you can walk to all of it from your site. Here is what is on the grounds.
Water Slides, Splash Pads, and Pools
The water park headlines the property: water slides for the older kids and thrill-seekers, splash pads for toddlers who are not ready for the deep end, a dedicated kids’ pool, and a full-size swimming pool for laps and lounging. Families regularly spend entire days here without leaving the deck. On hot days, arrive early for the best pool deck spots, and check the posted pool hours at check-in.
Bumper Boats, Paddle Boats, and Pond Fishing
The water fun continues at the pond. Bumper boats let kids bump and splash through the afternoon, paddle boats give families a slower cruise, and the stocked pond is a hit for first-time anglers. A staff tip worth keeping: the fish love hot dogs, so grab a pack from the camp store, break off small pieces, and watch the kids go wild.
Dry-Off Activities When You Need a Break
When everyone has had enough sun, the campground keeps the fun going on land. Glow-in-the-dark mini golf runs into the evening, pedal carts and rentable golf carts cover the property, the jumping pillow burns off energy, and the arcade is the rainy-day backup. The entertainment pavilion runs a full summer calendar of crafts, foam parties, pool volleyball, and outdoor movie nights.
Why a Water-Park Campground Beats a Day Pass
A day at a standalone water park means packing up, fighting parking, paying per head at the gate, and driving home tired. Splash Magic flips that math. You sleep where the water is. The slides and pools are a short walk from your RV site or cabin, the kids can come and go through the day, and there is no second drive when nap time hits. Add the bumper boats, jumping pillow, mini golf, and pavilion activities, and a single booking covers a full weekend of water fun for the whole family. Stay a week and you still will not run out of things to do, all of it included with your site and an easy walk from your door.
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Splash Magic Campground by RJourney
Splash Magic Campground by RJourney sits at 213 Aspen Lane in Northumberland, Pennsylvania, along the Susquehanna River. The name is not for show: the property is built around a water park with water slides, splash pads, a kids’ pool, and a full-size swimming pool, which is exactly why families book here over a standard campground. Beyond the water, there are 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 running a packed summer activity calendar. 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. The Dolphin Cove cabins front the water with direct river views.
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
4.0 stars across 1,243 Google reviews. The water wins the praise. The water park, pool area, and the sheer volume of kid-friendly activities pull the most mentions: water slides, bumper boats, the jumping pillow, glow golf, and pedal carts keep children entertained for days. Repeat visits are the strongest theme of all; families come back year after year, often booking the next trip before they leave. Cleanliness in the cabins and the helpfulness of the campground team show up consistently, and long-term guests highlight the riverfront sites and the relaxed atmosphere. It is the kind of place where kids make friends on the first day and parents finally get to sit in a camp chair while the slides do the babysitting.
Other Places to Swim and Play in the Water Near Northumberland
Splash Magic keeps the swimming and water fun on-site, but a couple of nearby spots are worth knowing if you want to mix in a day trip. Hours and pricing change, so call ahead.
Knoebels Amusement Resort & Pool
Knoebels offers free admission, free parking, and a large pool complex alongside two world-class roller coasters, running spring through October. It is the area’s go-to for combining amusement-park thrills with a swim. Knoebels also runs its own adjacent campground with water and electric hookups and limited sewer if you want to camp on-site, though full-hookup RVers may find the infrastructure basic. Visit website.
More Water and Outdoor Fun Worth the Drive
The Susquehanna River runs right past the campground, with direct fishing access from the property and a stocked on-site pond for the kids. Just across the river from Northumberland, Shikellamy State Park’s marina provides boat access for fishing and paddling, and the bluff overlook above it offers one of the best views in central PA. It is a short drive from Splash Magic and an easy morning add-on when you want open water beyond the pools.
Ricketts Glen State Park is about an hour north, where 22 named waterfalls along the Falls Trail make one of the most scenic hikes in Pennsylvania, a cool, shaded payoff on a hot day. Plan a half-day minimum; the trail is moderate to strenuous with stone steps and creek crossings. Knoebels Amusement Resort, about 20 minutes east, pairs free-admission rides with its own pool complex, running spring through October.
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 Splash Magic makes a solid base camp with the water park to fill the downtime between games.
When to Visit for Swimming and Water Fun
Summer (June through August)
Peak water season and the reason families rebook before they leave. The water park is open, the slides and pools run full, the bumper boats are busy, and the activity calendar is packed. Summer weekends and holiday weeks carry the highest rates and book fastest, so reserve 2 to 4 weeks ahead. Arrive early on hot days for the best pool deck spots.
Fall (September through October)
Pool season winds down after Labor Day, but the foliage along the Susquehanna is excellent and the Bloomsburg Fair anchors the season. Confirm with the office which water amenities stay open into early fall. Winter monthly long-term sites open September 1 at $600/month for snowbirds and seasonal workers.
Winter (November through March)
Quiet season. The water park is closed, but the winter monthly rate of $600/month runs through April, making the property a practical extended-stay option. Dollar General and Surplus Outlet are both within a 5-minute drive for everyday essentials. Confirm which amenities stay open with the office.
Spring (April through May)
Shoulder season. The pools and water park begin opening for the year and the activity calendar ramps toward summer. Knoebels opens for its season and the river runs high. A good window for a quieter stay before peak crowds, though confirm pool opening dates with the office before you book around the water.
Practical Tips for a Water-Fun Trip
On hot summer days, the pool deck fills fast. Arrive early for the best spots. The WiFi password and pool hours are provided at check-in.
Pool and water-park hours shift by season and are posted at check-in. If the water is the reason for your trip, confirm seasonal opening dates with the office before booking shoulder-season dates.
Bring a pack of hot dogs from the camp store for pond fishing; the stocked fish hit them reliably and it is a guaranteed kid-pleaser between pool sessions.
For health and safety, only service animals are allowed at the pool, water park, or beach areas. Plan pet care accordingly during pool time.
Summer weekends and holiday weeks fill early. Book 2 to 4 weeks out for peak season, and reserve extended-stay or seasonal sites as far ahead as possible.
Mateo's Pizza, right across the road from the campground, gives Splash Magic guests a 10% discount (excludes specials). Skip the camp stove after a long pool day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a water park near Northumberland, PA?
Yes. Splash Magic Campground by RJourney, at 213 Aspen Lane in Northumberland, is built around an on-site water park with water slides, splash pads, a kids’ pool, and a full-size swimming pool. It also has bumper boats and paddle boats on the pond, a jumping pillow, and glow-in-the-dark mini golf. The campground is rated 4.0 stars across 1,243 Google reviews.
Can you go swimming at Splash Magic Campground?
Yes. Splash Magic has a full-size swimming pool plus a kids’ pool, water slides, and splash pads as part of its on-site water park. Pool and water-park hours are posted at check-in and shift by season, so confirm seasonal opening dates with the office if you are booking outside the summer peak.
What water activities are there for kids at Splash Magic?
Plenty. Beyond the pools and water slides, kids can ride bumper boats, paddle the pond in paddle boats, fish the stocked pond (the fish hit hot-dog pieces), bounce on the jumping pillow, and play glow-in-the-dark mini golf. The entertainment pavilion also runs foam parties and pool volleyball during the summer.
Do I have to stay overnight to use the water park?
The water park is a campground amenity for guests, so a stay at Splash Magic includes access (some water park access may require a wristband; confirm at check-in). Booking a site or cabin means the slides and pools are a short walk from your door, with no day-pass gate fees or second drive home.
When is the water park open at Splash Magic?
The water park and pools run during the warm season, with summer (June through August) as the peak. Opening and closing dates shift each year, and hours are posted at check-in. If the water is your reason for visiting, confirm seasonal dates with the office at (412) 730-2170 before booking shoulder-season stays.
Are there other places to swim near Northumberland?
Yes. Knoebels Amusement Resort, about 20 minutes east, has a large pool complex alongside free-admission amusement rides, running spring through October. For open water, Shikellamy State Park’s marina, about 10 minutes away across the river, offers boating and paddling access on the Susquehanna.
Book Your Water-Fun Getaway at Splash Magic
Splash Magic Campground by RJourney puts the water park outside your door: water slides, splash pads, a kids' pool, and a full-size swimming pool, plus bumper boats, paddle boats, a jumping pillow, and glow golf. Stay in a full-hookup RV site, a tent site, or a riverfront cabin, and let the slides handle the entertainment all weekend.
See all site types, rates, and live availability on the Splash Magic Campground page.
Check Availability (412) 730-2170