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Hammond Lake - COE/Ives Run Recreation Area
Overview
Ives Run Recreation Area is a premier outdoor destination managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Hammond Lake. Located in the picturesque Endless Mountains region of Northern Pennsylvania, this park offers a blend of modern convenience and rugged natural beauty. The park is part of the Tioga-Hammond Lakes project, which provides a massive footprint for outdoor recreation. RVers appreciate the well-maintained grounds and the serene atmosphere that defines this federal recreation area.
Location & Surroundings
Situated just south of the New York border in Tioga, PA, the park sits within a valley carved by the Tioga River. The landscape is characterized by rolling green hills and the expansive waters of Hammond Lake. Visitors are surrounded by lush hardwood forests that come alive with vibrant colors during the autumn months. The dual-lake system creates a unique geographic feature where two distinct dams manage the water flow, providing a vast area for exploration and discovery.
Amenities & Park Features
The campground features over 160 sites, many of which provide electric hookups and level gravel pads suitable for large rigs. Guests have access to modern bathhouses with hot showers, a convenient dump station, and a dedicated swimming beach. For those bringing watercraft, the multiple boat launches and fish cleaning stations are significant draws. Additionally, the park boasts a complex of hiking and biking trails, including the popular Lakeside Trail, which offers scenic vistas of the water.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Beyond the park boundaries, the town of Wellsboro offers charming gas-lit streets and local dining. A short drive away is the Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, offering world-class hiking and photography opportunities. Anglers often spend their days on the lake targeting bass and walleye, while birdwatchers frequently spot bald eagles nesting along the shoreline. The Tioga Central Railroad also provides seasonal excursion trains through the historic countryside.
Who This Park Is Best For
This recreation area is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts who prioritize natural scenery over commercial resort frills. Families will enjoy the safe environment and various playgrounds, while boaters and anglers will find the facilities perfectly suited for a week on the water. It is a fantastic choice for budget-conscious travelers looking for a high-quality, government-run facility that offers spacious sites and easy access to Pennsylvania’s most famous natural landmarks.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Ridge C
We camp here every year and love this place. Stayed again in October 2025. The volunteers do a great job and so does the staff. Warning, the Hickory loop have the water and electricity sometimes up to 60 feet away. This is noted on when you view the spot so read carefully before you show up. Make sure you have a electric extender.
Greg Thomas (lionpaw38)
Fantastic campground but I see that the state or federal parks are going to have to come up with rules for electric bikes. Only for the morons who, from behind yell , then go blazing by at 20 mph while you're walking your dogs. Now if they had enough common sense on their own to slow down as they go by that would be different but we all know thats not going to happen.
Ingrid Wedel
Ives Run came highly recommended so we decided to try it over Labor Day weekend. We arrived to find that no one was available at the gate(the building was closed) to check us in. So we had to find our own campsite. "Hick" BTW is short for Hickory Run. They do have "hosts" that drive around the campground. We were lucky to find one who informed us that there is no camp store, there is no firewood, and there are no kayaks to rent. We could drive back into town for ice and find wood for sale on route 287. We have a Class C and did not drive an extra vehicle as we had no plans to leave the campground for the weekend. We drove our camper back to town and got ice and wood which we had to load INSIDE our camper. There is barely enough room to get off the road to do this. We forewarned our friends as they have a large Class A. We were just glad we found this out before we set up camp. The site we had was large and the view was beautiful. Bathrooms were decent. I recommend skipping the amenities list as it is a hit and miss as to what is actually available. We truly would not have minded if this was noted on the website and we could have come prepared. Not sure that we will be back next season if the nothing is available. My intention is only to forewarn other campers of this campgrounds current situation.
Amanda K
What I loved most about this campground are the campsites. They’re all fairly spacious. Ours in particular sat on top of a hill and had a wonderful view. Each bathroom was individual with a shower and toilet. I really liked the privacy it provided. The beach was decent. Not a huge sand area to play in though. Found a neat little archery trail that you could test your archery skills with. Had several different stations along a mile path. Only downfall is that we didn’t find too much to do in the area, other than visit the dam. This place would be more ideal for boaters. Side note *campground store not operating
P O
It’s a pretty place. Sites were large and well maintained. Never met the camp hosts as we didn’t need them. Older crowd, entirely white as far as I could tell. If you go to Kayak, direct water access sites are in the pine loop. Camp store was closed the entire time we were there, laundry also closed. Showers and restrooms clean. No parties happening, really quiet considering the number of campers. Only saw a few in tents. Free mooring of boats for campers, life jackets available free for use.