Located in central Pennsylvania, Raymond B. Winter State Park, consisting of 695 acres filled with the beautiful wooded forest that surrounds the glistening Halfway Lake, is a great spot to get away in your RV for a while. When you stay here, you’ll get to immerse yourself in the abundant nature that many wildlife calls home. Enjoy it all by heading out on the trails, going wildlife watching, and simply sitting back and relaxing. Halfway Lake, which was formed from a man-made dam and is fed by various streams, offers abundant opportunities for both swimming and fishing. These are great summer activities, but it just so happens to be that Raymond B. Winter State Park is open year-round. So if you decide to come during the off-season, you can still enjoy fun activities such as cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Many people come here to enjoy this area, but there was one such man whose experience shall forever be remembered in history. And that man is Raymond B. Winter, who wrote of his experience and of the history of this area. You can see his writings for yourself in a brochure when you visit Raymond B. Winter State Park.
Located in the middle of Pennsylvania in Union County, Raymond B. Winter State Park is fairly easy to find and get to, even in the largest of RVs. Once inside, you should find it easy to navigate around, just be sure to follow the signs correctly, and you should have no issues. There are also plenty of parking lots at certain areas where they are most commonly needed. Some of these parking lots are paved, while others are not. Keep that in mind when going to park your RV. However, it’s easier to just set up the big rig at your designated campsite than to travel around the park in it. Be sure to check the weather before heading to the park though, as snow and ice can be a potential problem if you’re bringing your RV to the campground.
New Columbia, PA is a 200-year-old town close to where I-80 meets I-15, with the west branch of the Susquehanna River to the east. When you're visiting, make Williamsport South / Nittany Mtn. KOA your home base. Non-wooded/wooded spots with full hookups, patio, outdoor furniture, and fire pit await. Get propane and firewood on-site. Water/electric sites in the shade are also offered. Stay connected with Wi-Fi and cable TV and keep fit at the pool, play mini golf, rent bikes and go fishing. Bring rigs up to 85 feet. Pets are allowed.
The campground that you will find at Raymond B. Winter State Park consists of 61 total campsites, many of which can accommodate RVs and campers up to 50 feet long. Each site is completely unique, offering you with a different view. However, they all also guarantee you with a picnic table, fire ring, and a spot to hang a lantern. Most of the campsites also offer electric hookups for you to enjoy, and these can range from 20 and 3-amp to 50-amp hookups. Nearby, you should find showers, hand washing stations, a dump station, and drinking water. Even though you won’t have full hookups, you’ll still have everything you need within walking distance. There is also a playground in the area for the kids to enjoy. Many of the sites are ADA-accessible. Pets are also allowed at the campground. The campground is open from April to December, so be sure you go ahead and reserve your site ahead of time.
If you don’t really want to go cross-country skiing and you brought your snowmobile instead, you can take it out on the roads located within Raymond B. Winter State Park. You are allowed to go snowmobiling from December until April, but do be sure that your snowmobile has been registered. You will also want to check the weather conditions before heading out. After all, the perfect weather can make for the most fun adventure.
Just because there is snow on the ground doesn’t mean that you can’t get out of the campervan and explore the trails at this state park. In fact, five of the six miles of trails are open for you to go cross-country skiing on. Just keep in mind though that the trails might not be groomed, and many of them can turn out to be steep and narrow. This activity is definitely recommended for only those who have previous cross-country skiing experience.
Don't forget your ice fishing gear in your camper or trailer. Fishing is allowed pretty much anywhere on Halfway Lake, except at the swimming area, for obvious reasons. Many prefer to fish from the fishing pier or the sandstone dam though. Most of what you will catch will be different species of trout, as the lake is regularly stocked with it. If you decide to come ice fishing, be sure to test the thickness of the ice, as this is not going to be done for you. The main thing is to stay safe at all times.
There are plenty of picnic tables located throughout the park, in fact, that number is around 150 tables, to be exact. Many of them also come with grills, restrooms, drinking water, and fun activities such as playgrounds and horseshoes nearby. If none of these areas suit your needs well enough, you can also reserve one of the three larger picnic pavilions here. If they are not reserved, you may use them on a first-come, first-served basis.
At Halfway Lake, you will find a clean, white sand beach for you and the family to enjoy during the warm season, from May until September. Here, you will find restrooms and dressing rooms for your convenience. You can also indulge in some fun at the volleyball court and kids’ play area on the beach. If you get hungry, there is a snack bar here as well. Please remember to swim at your own risk and do not smoke at all on the beach.
There are a little over six miles of trails at Raymond B. Winter State Park. Most of the trails are actually less than a mile long, but don’t let the shortness fool you into thinking that all of these trails are easy. You will find that many of them actually feature rough inclines and rugged terrain, so be sure that you’ve put on only the best hiking shoes that can be found in your RV.