Campgrounds and RV parks near Girardville, PA

Locust Lake State Park is the anchor for outdoor activity in the area. The 52-acre lake supports trout fishing, swimming at a sandy beach, and non-powered or electric boating, and the park has more than six miles of hiking and mountain-biking trails through the surrounding forest, including a paved path that circles the lake. A state park launching permit or state boat registration is required to launch a boat. Amusement park trips are the other main draw. Knoebels Lake Glory Campground runs a free shuttle bus to Knoebels Amusement Resort, which features multiple roller coasters, water rides, an arcade, miniature golf, and a large picnic grove. Closer to camp, private grounds such as Springbrook Family Campground and Red Ridge Lake Campgrounds typically add pools, playgrounds, stocked ponds, and weekend activities for kids.

The core camping season in this part of Pennsylvania runs from spring through fall. Locust Lake State Park Campground typically operates from early spring through mid-October, and Knoebels Lake Glory Campground runs on a similar late-April through October window that tracks the amusement park schedule. The Locust Lake beach is open from late May to mid-September, with lifeguards on duty at scheduled times. Summers are warm and humid, with occasional afternoon thunderstorms and stretches of muggy weather from early July into early September. This is peak booking season, especially on weekends aligned with Knoebels events, so reserving well ahead is important. Fall brings cooler nights, lower humidity, and foliage color across the ridges, making late September and early October a strong shoulder season for RV travel. Winters are cold and snowy and most private and state campgrounds are closed for the season, though day-use areas at Locust Lake remain open sunrise to sunset year-round for activities such as cross-country skiing and ice fishing when conditions allow.

Locust Lake State Park Campground is wooded and divided into two areas, with tent-only sites on the north side of the lake and mixed tent and trailer sites on the south side. Sites include a parking pad, picnic table, and fire ring, and the campground offers modern restrooms with hot showers, a dump station, and a camp store. Some trailer loops include electric and water hookups; verify amenities at the specific site when reserving. Cell service can be limited in and around the park, so download maps before arrival. Pets are permitted at designated sites under leash rules. Knoebels Lake Glory sits on a small lake and offers a playground, arcade, camp store, bathhouses, and pavilions, with pets welcome on leash in both Knoebels campgrounds under standard rules.