PA - Hills Creek State Park

Wannabes · 10-24-2013, 06:36 PM

On our way to the Finger Lakes in NY, we decided to just travel a little over halfway the first day and stay at Hills Creek State Park, a "new" state park for us. It is about 10 miles west of Rte. 15 in northern PA.

Located on Hills Creek Lake, there are 4 loops, 3 of which were closed because it was their last week of camping for the season. We were in the 'A' loop, which not only had electric and non-electric campsites but also cabins and yurts. Our site (#25) was on the edge of the woods and had a partial view of the lake. We walked the rest of the CG, which was extensive, and had quite a few very nice sites. Each loop had a bath house; the one in 'A' loop was very clean. There was a boat launch close to our campsite; the lake permits non-motorized and electric motors only but looked really good for kayaking. There are quite a few hiking trails as well.

It was a very quiet, pleasant park. We had hoped for more Fall color but, as you can see by the pixs, the color in most of PA this year has been fairly subdued. It is about 2.5 hours from where we live so we'll camp here again.

For more info on Hills Creek SP, go to PA*DCNR*-*Hills Creek State Park .

(There were a couple of A's and some big fivers at HCSP when we stayed so this park can accommodate bigger RVs.)

Janalee · 10-24-2013, 07:17 PM

You really need to visit nearby Wellsboro and the "Grand Canyon of Pa."----both are outstanding sites to see..there is dry camping at the canyon also..

Janalee · 10-24-2013, 07:23 PM

Also...Tioga-Hammond Dam campground,name is Ives Run,is just beautiful and just a few miles off rt.15 ..it is a COE park,full hkps.,and seniors and disabled get half price with the govt. card!! We like it better than Hills Creek...

Wannabes · 10-24-2013, 07:38 PM

Actually, Ives Run was the CG we wanted to stay at but didn't realize that it was COE and wasn't sure how the government shut-down might affect it so we played it safe with Hills Creek. We did check it out on-line and while it's about $5.00 more per night ($32-34. for Ives Run vs. $27. for Hills Creek), we noticed that it's full hook-up and that the sites are paved. We hoping to catch that one next season.

We also want to get to the PA Grand Canyon and Pine Creek as we've been in the area before, just not with our 2363, but as JohnB stated, "too many campsites, too little time."

**Tweety** · 10-25-2013, 05:51 AM

Ives Run...ah I'm relaxing just thinking about being there

. It's my all time favorite! If you're willing to forgo the sewer hook up and just have water and electric, the Hickory loop has beautiful lake views.

**JohnB** · 10-25-2013, 07:24 PM

If you know where Ives Run is, Cowanesque Lake also an Army Corp park is just up north a little. We stayed there one year when we could not get into Ives. Cowanesque is very nice too with some lake sites. Just book real early as they go fast. Corning glass measum is in the area and I highly recommend a visit if you can. Unbelievable what they have in there.

Wannabes · 10-25-2013, 09:39 PM

We'd like to camp at Cowanesque Lake too (and visit the Corning Glass Factory) but, for some reason, we can't find a way to turn camping full-time into a paying job.

RdgRnrZombie · 12-06-2016, 06:53 AM

THIS IS MY HOMETOWN! I grew up in Keeneyville which is a bit north of Wellsboro. My folks still live there. My dad blew glass at Corning. I graduated from Wellsboro High School. I learned to swim at Hills Creek, water skied at Cowanesque, and enjoyed kick ASS fireworks at Ives Run. Because I have family there and always have a place to stay, I doubt I'll ever camp there, but if anyone wants info about this area I'm so proud of, please don't hesitate to send me a message!

Though I've never camped there, it's run by a friend of my sister's... Cedar Run. It's beautiful, but the drive to it is precarious! Stoney Fork is another, and they have a great Blue Grass Festival.