Campgrounds and RV parks near DuBois, PA

The Clarion River is the region's main paddling corridor, and Clear Creek State Park provides river access, with canoe and kayak trips running downstream toward Cook Forest State Park. A popular ten-mile float from Clear Creek to Cook Forest takes about four and a half hours. Hiking options range from short loops inside Simon B Elliott State Park to longer routes in the surrounding Moshannon State Forest and Clear Creek State Forest, including a connection to the Quehanna Trail. Wildlife viewing is a major draw. The Elk Country Visitor Center near Benezette is the hub for spotting Pennsylvania's elk herd, with the best sightings around dawn and dusk, especially during the September and October rut. Families also find beach swimming on the Clarion River, disc golf, trout and smallmouth bass fishing, and seasonal environmental programs inside the state parks.

The main camping season runs from spring through mid-fall. Simon B Elliott State Park's campground is open from early May through October, and Clear Creek State Park's tent and trailer sites operate from the second Friday in April through the third Friday in December, with campground access not guaranteed during severe weather. The DuBois / Treasure Lake KOA Holiday typically operates from spring through late fall, while its deluxe cabins stay available longer into the shoulder seasons. Summer brings warm, humid days and the most reliable weather for swimming and paddling, along with the highest demand for reservations. Late September and October deliver fall color across the mixed hardwood forests and coincide with peak elk viewing near Benezette. Winters are cold and snowy, and most private campgrounds close, though Elk Crossing 555 Campground stays open year-round and the area draws snowmobilers using Moshannon State Forest trails that start near Simon B Elliott.

Hookups vary widely. DuBois / Treasure Lake KOA Holiday offers 30 and 50-amp service with water and Wi-Fi, with deluxe sites adding sewer connections. Clear Creek State Park has 52 campsites, 41 with electric hookups on 30 or 50-amp service, plus flush toilets, hot showers, potable water, and a sanitary dump station. Simon B Elliott is more rustic, with 25 non-electric sites, modern restrooms without showers, and a dump station. Cell service is unpredictable throughout the region and is often weak inside the state parks and around Benezette. Downloading park maps before arrival is recommended. Black bears are active in the area, so food should be stored in a hard-sided vehicle or camper. Firewood should be sourced locally to limit the spread of invasive pests.