Crooked Creek Campground
Crooked Creek is the campground you picture when someone says 'take the family camping in Pennsylvania.' Creekside sites on Pine Creek, a brand-new bathhouse that puts most hotels ... Crooked Creek Campground earns an A — Absolutely Worth It — on our SCOUTED scale.
The Full Review
We pulled into Crooked Creek Campground in Gaines, PA with our 40-foot Class A and three kids ready to explore. Here is what we found across every category of our SCOUTED scoring system.
Site & Setup 20/20
The sites at Crooked Creek Campground are genuinely good. We pulled our 40-foot Class A into a level pad without needing to break out the blocks, which is always a win. Full hookups worked without issues, and the spacing between sites gave us room to actually set up the outdoor mat and chairs without being in our neighbor's living room.
Ground surfaces are well-maintained, and most sites have enough shade to keep the awning from being the only thing between you and the sun. The pull-throughs are long enough for big rigs, and back-ins, while tighter, are still manageable.
Connectivity 12/20
Cell signal is decent at Crooked Creek Campground — we got 2-3 bars of Verizon in most areas, enough for calls and basic data. WiFi is available but don't expect to stream 4K on it. We used our hotspot for anything bandwidth-heavy.
Some areas of the park have dead zones, especially in the lower sections. If connectivity matters for work, ask about sites near the clubhouse where the signal tends to be stronger.
Offspring & Family 9/15
The kids had a good time, but Crooked Creek Campground isn't winning any 'best family park' awards. There's a playground and some open space, which was enough for our crew. Lily found things to do, Rose made it work, and Liam just wanted to ride his scooter on the campground roads — which he did, endlessly.
The pool situation is either limited or seasonal, which is a miss for families traveling with kids who consider pool time a constitutional right.
Unity & Community 8/10
The community vibe at Crooked Creek Campground is warm. Our neighbors waved us in during setup, someone brought over firewood our first night, and the kids made friends before we finished leveling. The clubhouse has regular events — bingo nights, potlucks, holiday gatherings — that make you feel like part of something rather than just parking somewhere.
Territory & Location 15/15
Crooked Creek Campground benefits enormously from its location. You're within easy striking distance of real attractions — not just 'well, there's a Walmart' attractions, but places worth planning a day around. We did day trips every other day and still felt like we barely scratched the surface.
The scenery around the park itself adds to the experience. Whether you're sitting outside with your morning coffee or walking the campground roads, you're reminded why you chose this area.
Essentials & Facilities 10/10
Facilities are well-maintained. The bathhouse was clean every time we checked — which, with three kids, was frequently. Hot water was consistent, stalls had hooks and shelves, and the laundry room had enough machines that we never had to wait. These details matter more on a long trip than any brochure feature.
Dollars & Value 6/10
Value is where Crooked Creek Campground loses a few points. At rack rates, you're paying premium prices for mid-range amenities. On a TT membership it's fine — $0 a night makes everything look better. But if you're paying cash, compare carefully with other options in the area.
Site Tips
Request a pull-through if you have a big rig. Sites near the clubhouse tend to have better WiFi and cell signal. If you are visiting in summer, ask for a shaded site — it makes a real difference.
Bottom Line: Crooked Creek is the campground you picture when someone says 'take the family camping in Pennsylvania.' Creekside sites on Pine Creek, a brand-new bathhouse that puts most hotels ... Crooked Creek Campground earns an A — Absolutely Worth It — on our SCOUTED scale.
Connectivity Details
Local Intel
Restaurants
- Pine Creek Inn10 mi
- Local diners in Wellsboro25 mi
Groceries
- Dollar General10 mi
- Weis Markets Wellsboro25 mi
Auto Parts
- NAPA Wellsboro25 mi
Propane
- Gas station (10 mi)
Amazon Locker
- None — very remote
Post Office
- Gaines PO (3 mi)
Mail Policy
- No mail service
Attractions & Activities
Things to Do
- PA Grand Canyon — Stunning views10 mi
- Pine Creek Rail Trail5 mi
Outdoors
- Pine Creek Gorge10 mi
- Fishing in Crooked Creekon-site
Nearby Services
Hospital / Urgent Care
- Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital25 mi
Pharmacy
- Rite Aid Wellsboro25 mi
Clubs
- Elks: Wellsboro #1880 (25 mi)
- Eagles: None
- Moose: None