These 8 Pennsylvania Hilltop Campsites Offer Stunning Views For About The Price Of Takeout
One Pennsylvania campground sits on the rim of a gorge so deep it earned the nickname Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon. Payment there can work on the honor system, with an envelope dropped into a locked box. I love that detail. It feels like a handshake deal with the mountains themselves.
Another spot on this list sits on a plateau at 2,300 feet, famous for skies dark enough to make the stars look crowded. A third has a vista about 600 feet up, in country where elk roam. None of these places asks you to spend a fortune for the view.
A tent, a crackling campfire, and a sunset that looks like it belongs on a postcard. Hard to believe a night under the stars can cost less than your usual takeout order.
1. Mountain Top RV Campground
The name doesn’t exactly keep secrets. Mountain Top RV Campground sits on a hill above the Pennsylvania hills and valleys near Tarentum, northeast of Pittsburgh.
Some sites here overlook the valley directly. When the sun drops, those spots turn into front-row seats for the evening show.
Getting one of those valley-view sites is the prize. If the view is your main goal, ask about them when you book.
This is a place built mainly for RVs. You’ll find electric, water, and sewer hookups, so your rig can plug in and settle down for the night.
The basics are covered well. Picnic tables, restrooms, showers, and running water make the stay easy, even if you’re out for several nights.
Wi-Fi is also on the list. That means you can post your sunset photos right away, or quietly ignore your email while staring at the hills.
Dogs are allowed, so your four-legged buddy can come along. Parking is free and on site, which is one less thing to plan.
The office keeps daytime hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. Try to arrive in that window so check-in goes smoothly.
The quiet setting is a big part of the appeal. You get a peaceful hilltop without driving deep into the wilderness, since the Pittsburgh area isn’t far.
That makes it a smart pick for a quick weekend escape. Pack dinner, grab a chair, and let the valley handle the entertainment.
Address: 873 Sun Mine Rd, Tarentum, PA 15084
2. Colton Point State Park Campground
An envelope and a locked box might be the most trusting payment system in camping. At this rustic spot, you can pay on the honor system, then go stare into a canyon.
Colton Point State Park sits on the west rim of Pine Creek Gorge. Most folks know it as the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.
The overlooks drop off to views more than 600 feet down. Rugged rim trails let you wander from one vista to the next.
The campground keeps things simple, with about 20 rustic non-electric sites. Each one comes with a picnic table and a fire ring.
You’ll find vault toilets and potable water nearby. There are no showers, so think of this as a back-to-nature weekend.
Cell service doesn’t reach the park. Honestly, that might be the best feature, since the gorge deserves your full attention.
The Civilian Conservation Corps built much of the park in the 1930s. That old stonework and timber gives the place an old-school charm.
Wildlife sightings can include bear, deer, turkey, bald eagles, and ravens. Keep your food stored well, since the bears can read a cooler like a menu.
Sites are first-come, first-served, and the season runs from early May to the third Sunday in October. Arrive early on busy weekends.
Pine Creek, far below, is a Pennsylvania Scenic River. Anglers and paddlers can head down in season for fishing and floating.
Address: 927 Colton Rd, Wellsboro, PA 16901
3. Leonard Harrison Campground
Across the canyon from Colton Point, the east rim offers its own showstopper. Leonard Harrison State Park sits at about 1,800 feet above sea level.
The campground is right next to the main overlook and visitor center. That means a gorge roughly 1,000 feet deep is a short walk from your tent.
Morning coffee with a canyon view? Yes, please, and you barely have to put your shoes on.
The single campground loop has fewer than 30 sites. You can choose electric or non-electric, depending on your gear.
Comfort is a step up from the west rim. A modern bathhouse has flush toilets and hot showers, plus drinking water.
Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. A seasonal gift shop at the visitor center is handy for postcards and souvenirs.
Feeling bold? The Turkey Path trail heads down to Pine Creek, passing waterfalls along the way.
Remember that going down is the easy part. The climb back up will remind your legs exactly how deep this gorge is.
Cell service doesn’t work inside the park. It returns about five miles east on Route 660, so plan your calls ahead.
Dogs are allowed only at designated sites. Book through the state park reservation system, and lock in a spot early for fall color season.
Address: Leonard Harrison Campground, 4797 State Rte 660, Wellsboro, PA 16901
4. Seven Mountains Campground
Penn State fans, your tailgate might have a new home base. Seven Mountains Campground sits at the top of a mountain in Spring Mills.
It’s well located for trips to State College. Interstate 80 is about 10 miles away, so getting in and out is easy.
The grounds feel open and roomy. Level sites, wide open areas, and plenty of shade trees help on hot summer days.
Here’s a fun twist for tent campers. Some tent spots are raised off the ground and sit under a roof.
That roof could save a soggy weekend. Rain can drum overhead while you stay dry and slightly smug.
Prefer real walls? Cabins are available too, along with RV sites that offer electric, water, and sewer hookups.
Families will find a playground for kids to burn off energy. Restrooms, showers, running water, and Wi-Fi round out the basics.
Dogs are welcome to join the trip. Parking is free and right on site.
The surrounding Seven Mountains region is packed with outdoor options. Poe Valley and Poe Paddy State Parks are both nearby for paddling, hiking, and creekside picnics.
The office is open Monday through Saturday and closed on Sunday. Plan your arrival so you’re not stuck waiting at the gate.
Address: 101 Seven Mountains Campground Rd, Spring Mills, PA 16875
5. Riverview Campsites
Your neighbors here might weigh 700 pounds and wear antlers. Benezette sits in the heart of Pennsylvania elk country.
Riverview Campsites makes the most of that setting. Guests often spot elk, deer, bald eagles, and other wildlife around the area.
The campground also has a vista about 600 feet up. From there, the mountain ridges spread out in every direction.
After dark, the show shifts to the sky. This part of the state is far from big-city lights, so stars come out in force.
The campsites are clean and spacious. You won’t feel squeezed in next to someone’s generator.
You’ve got options for sleeping. Bring a tent, camper, or RV, or book one of the cabins or the canvas tent.
RV sites offer electric hookups. Restrooms, running water, and Wi-Fi help keep the stay comfortable.
The location is secluded, just off Route 555. That road is a famous route for elk watching, so keep your camera ready while you drive.
Dogs are allowed, but keep a firm grip on the leash. Elk are wild animals, and they deserve plenty of space.
The office keeps hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Parking is free, which leaves more cash for snacks.
Address: 2 Riverview Road, Benezette, PA 15821
6. Cherry Springs State Park Rustic Campground
Forget the mountain view for a second and look straight up. Cherry Springs is famous for having some of the darkest night skies around.
The park sits on a plateau at 2,300 feet in Potter County. That height and the lack of nearby lights make the stars almost shocking.
On a clear night, the Milky Way can stretch right across the sky. It’s the kind of view that makes your phone camera feel useless.
The rustic campground has 30 sites. Each one includes a picnic table and a fire ring.
Campers can use the sanitary dump station, and some sites offer electric hookups. Restrooms are available, but keep your expectations rustic.
A quick tip about lights here. Stargazers prefer dim red lights, so bright flashlights and headlights can ruin the moment for others.
Be kind and switch to red mode after dark. Your fellow sky-watchers will silently thank you.
Dogs are allowed, and parking is on site. Pack layers, since a mountain plateau can get chilly at night, even in summer.
Check the moon calendar before you book. A new moon brings the darkest skies and the best chance to see faint stars.
Address: Cherry Springs State Park, Cherry Springs Rd, Coudersport, PA 16915
7. Chinquapin Hill Campground
Bring leveling blocks and a sense of adventure. Part of Chinquapin Hill Campground is built right into the side of a hill.
This campground belongs to Caledonia State Park near Fayetteville. It sits on the slopes of South Mountain in south-central Pennsylvania.
Sites have paved pads and some are tight. Many sit on a steep slope, so leveling a camper takes patience.
The reward is that hillside setting among the trees. You’re camping on the mountain, not just near it.
The park around you is full of creeks. A large pool with slides is a big hit when summer heat rolls in.
Hookups are a strong point here. RV sites can include electric, water, and sewer, which isn’t always common at state parks.
Tent campers are welcome too. Restrooms, showers, and running water keep everyone fresh between hikes.
Dogs are allowed, and parking is free. Reservations go through the state park system, so check dates early for summer weekends.
Want a tip for a smoother stay? Look over the site details before booking, and pick a flatter spot if you’re hauling a big rig.
Smaller trailers and tents will have an easier time on the slope. Either way, the hill makes for a memorable home base.
Address: Chinquapin Hill Campground, Caledonia State Park, Fayetteville, PA 17222
8. Scenic View Campground LLC
With a name like Scenic View, this place made a promise. The view delivers, stretching out from high ground in Tioga.
Hikers, pay attention. The Mid State Trail runs right through the property.
That trail is a long-distance route across the state. You can lace up your boots and start walking without leaving camp.
Many campers here are seasonal, settling in for the long haul. Full hookups make that easy for RVs parked through the warm months.
Tent campers have a place too. Sites for tents are available alongside the RV spots.
Restrooms and showers are on site. After a long day on the trail, a hot shower feels like a five-star upgrade.
Dogs are allowed, so your trail buddy can come along. Parking is right on site.
The office keeps hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. That later closing time gives you a little more room on travel day.
Tioga County is also home to Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon, about a short drive away. You could spend one day at the gorge and the next on the trail.
End the night with a simple campfire and that long view. It beats eating takeout on the couch by a mile, or maybe a hundred.
Address: 283 Scenic View Dr, Tioga, PA 16946