Tompkins
Tompkins Campground is on the north shore of Cowanesque Lake in the northern tier of Pennsylvania, less than one mile from the New York state border. Surrounded by lush forested ridges, the lake offers recreation for the entire family, including picnicking, swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, hunting and wildlife watching. The campground is a great place for kids of any age.
More like this: electric hookups in Pennsylvania · full hookups in Pennsylvania · reservable in Pennsylvania · big rigs in Pennsylvania · pets allowed in Pennsylvania
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard with electric | 80 |
| Standard, no hookups | 23 |
| Hike-in | 16 |
| Host/management | 3 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 68 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
119 sites in 5 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | BENC | Electric | Pull-through | 49 | Paved | 50 amp | Yes / Yes | 7 / 2 | ||
| 38 | BENC | Electric | Back-in | 36 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / Yes | 7 / 2 | |
| 39 | BENC | Electric | Back-in | 38 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / Yes | 7 / 2 | |
| 40 | BENC | Electric | Back-in | 45 | Paved | 50 amp | Yes / Yes | 7 / 2 | ||
| 41 | BENC | Electric | Back-in | 56 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / Yes | 7 / 2 | |
| 42 | BENC | Electric | Back-in | 51 | Paved | 50 amp | Yes / Yes | 7 / 2 | ||
| 43 | BENC | Electric | Back-in | 50 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / Yes | 7 / 2 | |
| 44 | BENC | Electric | Back-in | 44 | Paved | 50 amp | Yes / Yes | 7 / 2 | ||
| 45 | BENC | Electric | Back-in | 48 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / Yes | 7 / 2 | |
| 46 | BENC | Electric | Back-in | 45 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / Yes | 7 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 4:00 PM, checkout 3:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric, water, sewer |
| Max vehicle length | 68 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Fees | Shelter Weekdays-$40.00 (Reservations can be made as well as first come first served) Shelter Nonelectric Weekends $75.00 Shelter Electric Weekends $100.00. |
| Accessibility | Sites 46, 48, N are listed accessible |
Tompkins has a variety of shoreline sites, most of which have electric hookups. The campground includes 109 traditional campsites and, 16 tent only hike-in sites. A boat ramp, drinking water, hot showers, playgrounds and a dump station are also provided. There are two overlooks and two downstream fishing access points.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Take U.S. Highway 15 to the Lawrenceville/Route 49 exit. Go one mile east on Route 49 to Lawrenceville. At the traffic light turn left onto State Route 287. Cross the Cowanesque River Bridge at the edge of town and make an immediate left turn onto Bliss Road. Continue 5 miles to the campground entrance.
| Nearest town | Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania |
| Coordinates | 41.9808° N, 77.1894° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
Reservations to include any reservation changes, such as cancel, refund requests, site transfer, or date changes cannot be made at facility location.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Outdoor gear ↗ | 15.4 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 23.7 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 26.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Tompkins Bend RV Campground Review
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- James Ford HouseBuilding · Lawrenceville · 3.3 mi
- Judge John Ryon HouseBuilding · Lawrenceville · 3.4 mi
- Parkhurst Memorial Presbyterian ChurchBuilding · Elkland · 6.5 mi
Natural features
The partially forested campground sits in the pristine setting of the Endless Mountains region of Pennsylvania, along the Allegheny Plateau in the Appalachian Mountains. The surrounding land paints a scenic picture of rolling mountains and open fields.
Recreation
Cowanesque Lake offers a variety of outdoor activities. With a boat ramp and overnight mooring, campers can easily spend time on the water. There are a variety of indigenous fish that inhabit the area's streams and lakes, and fishing tournaments are held frequently. The North and South Tailrace areas provide access for fishing downstream of Cowanesque Dam. The fields and forests around the lakes are popular destinations for both local and out-of-state hunters looking for large and small game species native to the eastern hardwood forests. The 4 mile Moccasin Trail within the facility leads hikers on a trek through reclaimed farm fields and wood lots inhabited by a variety of watchable wildlife.
Guidebooks for Pennsylvania
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Tompkins?
Sites at Tompkins are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Tompkins?
Shelter Weekdays-$40.00 (Reservations can be made as well as first come first served) Shelter Nonelectric Weekends $75.00 Shelter Electric Weekends $100.00.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Tompkins?
Check-in 4:00 PM, checkout 3:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Tompkins have?
122 sites, including 80 standard sites with power, 23 standard sites without power, and 16 hike-in sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Tompkins?
The longest site here provides 68 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Tompkins have hookups?
Yes, electric, water, and sewer hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Tompkins?
A boat ramp, drinking water, hot showers, playgrounds and a dump station are also provided.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Tompkins?
Yes, pets are allowed at Tompkins. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Tompkins?
Sites 46, 48, and N are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Tompkins?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Tompkins?
Cowanesque Lake offers a variety of outdoor activities. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Tompkins?
Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania.
Source: Getting there