Tomb Flats Campground

- Yoder Ln, Cammal, PA 17723

For Pennsylvanians seeking a genuine escape into the wilderness, Tomb Flats Campground offers a quintessential rustic camping experience. Located within the vast and scenic Tiadaghton State Forest, this destination is a favorite among local outdoor enthusiasts who appreciate peace, quiet, and minimal modern distraction. It is not a commercial campground with paved roads and full hookups; rather, it is a state forest rustic campsite—a prized experience for those who want to feel truly "lost in the wilderness" while maintaining car access.

Tomb Flats is nestled in the picturesque Pine Creek Valley, an area famous for its stunning natural beauty, high-quality fishing, and exceptional recreational opportunities. The campground is located on the floodplain of the legendary Pine Creek, offering level ground for easy setup. Visitors consistently describe the area as peaceful and beautiful, emphasizing the feeling of being deeply immersed in nature while still being only a short distance from their vehicles. This unique balance makes it an excellent choice for local Pennsylvanians looking to reconnect with the state's rugged, beautiful state forest lands.

Historically, the area, also known as Tomb Flats (Yoder), was a family campground, but is now under the management of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) as part of the Tiadaghton State Forest. This public management ensures the preservation of its primary conservation values: public recreation, water resource protection, and special scenic quality. A key consideration for prospective campers is the rustic nature of the site, which encourages a Leave No Trace ethic and requires careful preparation.

Tomb Flats Campground is located at the address: Yoder Ln, Cammal, PA 17723, USA. This places it in Lycoming County, deep within the heart of the Pennsylvania Wilds—an area known for its immense, largely unpopulated forest tracts and the famous Pine Creek Gorge, often called the 'Pennsylvania Grand Canyon'.

Accessibility to the site is generally straightforward, but it is important to note the secluded nature of the state forest. Tomb Flats is situated along the banks of Pine Creek, near the village of Cammal and just south of the village of Slate Run. The campground is conveniently located near State Routes 44 and 414, making it reachable for locals traveling from central and northern Pennsylvania.

However, as a rustic State Forest campground, visitors should be prepared for traveling on dirt and gravel state forest roads, and should consult local road conditions before departure, especially outside of the primary summer season. Importantly, the campground's setting is immediately adjacent to major recreational assets: the Pine Creek Rail Trail runs parallel to the area, and public access to Pine Creek is readily available for paddlers and anglers. This proximity to the Pine Creek Rail Trail makes Tomb Flats a perfect 'bike-in' or 'drive-up' base camp for local cyclists looking to explore the trail's length.

Tomb Flats Campground is managed by the DCNR as a 'rustic' facility. This designation means the services are intentionally limited to promote a primitive, low-density recreational experience. Campers should be fully prepared to be self-sufficient.

• Campsites: The campground offers a concentration of individual rustic campsites, which are reservable through the state reservation system and are generally level and on the floodplain of Pine Creek.
• Vehicle Access: Tomb Flats is one of the campgrounds in the region that allows for immediate vehicle access, a convenience for loading and unloading gear compared to hike-in only sites.
• Campfire Amenities: Each site typically includes a fire ring for cooking and campfires (when permitted by fire danger levels) and a picnic table.
• Water: No electric, water, or sewer hookups are available. Campers must bring their own water for drinking and cooking, or be prepared to filter and treat water from Pine Creek. The use of a garden hose for washing is prohibited on state forest land.
• Sanitation: The campground is equipped with vault toilets or pit latrines. Users are strongly advised to bring their own toilet paper, as customer reviews indicate the supplied paper can frequently run out due to high usage. There are no sinks or showers available at this rustic location.
• Waste Disposal: Tomb Flats operates on a strict 'carry in, carry out' policy. All garbage, waste, and refuse generated by campers must be removed from the site and properly disposed of off-site.
• Pet Policy: Pets are permitted on State Forest land if kept under control and attended to at all times, with proper disposal of animal waste required.

Tomb Flats' greatest features are the immediate access to the region's best outdoor activities and its stunning natural setting:

• Pine Creek Access: The campground provides easy public access to the magnificent Pine Creek, allowing for quick entry for fishing, paddling, and swimming. A popular activity, noted by a real customer, is an inner tube float down the river.
• Canoe Launch: Tomb Flats features one of the few boat launches in Tiadaghton State Forest that allows users to back a vehicle to the water's edge to deploy watercraft, offering a significant convenience for local paddlers.
• Pine Creek Rail Trail: The entire campground is adjacent to this famous, nearly 62-mile-long rail trail, which is ideal for local bikers, hikers, and runners.
• Hiking and Exploring: The Quarry Mountain Trail trailhead, which provides access to the challenging Golden Eagle Trail, is located just across State Route 414 from the campground entrance, offering immediate access to rugged mountain hikes.
• Fishing: The area is known for excellent trout fishing, particularly near where Trout Run flows into Pine Creek, making it a prime location for local anglers.
• Unplugged Environment: The site's lack of modern amenities fosters a truly disconnected, peaceful experience, allowing visitors to fully appreciate the quiet of the forest.

Tomb Flats Campground is a DCNR State Forest facility. All information and reservations should be directed through the Tiadaghton State Forest District Office or the state's reservation system.

Address (Campground Location): Yoder Ln, Cammal, PA 17723, USA (Note: Use for GPS navigation; official mail should go to the District Office)

District Office (for permits and information):

Tiadaghton State Forest District Office

Phone: The State Parks and Forests Reservation system can be reached at (888) PA-PARKS (888-727-2757) for reservations and availability. For specific information about the Tiadaghton State Forest or to inquire about permits, please contact the district office during business hours.

Tomb Flats Campground is a quintessential Pennsylvania outdoor experience, ideally suited for locals who possess a passion for the state's rugged beauty and primitive camping. For those who embrace self-sufficiency and seek genuine tranquility, this campground delivers an unparalleled experience of being "fully lost in the wilderness." It provides direct, easy access to one of the Commonwealth's most treasured natural resources, the Pine Creek, and the adjacent Rail Trail—amenities that are highly valued by Pennsylvania residents.

The campground offers a valuable and authentic rustic alternative to commercial parks, allowing locals to enjoy the state forest without the noise and high density of more developed sites. For anglers, paddlers, cyclists, and hikers, the location is a superb base for multi-day recreation. The minor inconvenience of the pit latrines and the need to bring one's own supplies is a small price to pay for the massive reward of peaceful, excellent camping on the banks of Pine Creek. This is where Pennsylvania nature lovers go to truly unplug and embrace the outdoor heritage of their home state.

Tomb Flats Campground

Yoder Ln, Cammal, PA 17723, USA