Major city · United States
BentonBenton, Pennsylvania
Benton is a 1-hour stop for the dam and a meal, or a base for Ricketts Glen State Park: 2 nights if you hike, otherwise pass through.
Benton is a small borough in the Fishing Creek valley, 30 min north of I-80. It has a dam, a July rodeo, two restaurants and a cider maker. Most visitors use it as a launch point for Ricketts Glen State Park (several miles north) or as a quick stop on Route 487. One night covers the park; a half-day is enough for the borough itself.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, some businesses close)
- Airports
- AVP · IPT
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Benton911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Benton, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe rural borough.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportAVP Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International (About 1 h 15 min drive via I-81 and PA-487).
- Getting aroundBy car or on foot.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Sit-down mealLunch at a local restaurant$10–15
- Budget bedCampground near Ricketts Glen, a night, per personUS$25
- Mid-range bedMattress and Muffin Inn or similar B&B, a night, per roomUS$130
- High-end bedMattress and Muffin Inn or similar B&B, a night, per roomUS$180
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$120 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- AVP Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International (About 1 h 15 min drive via I-81 and PA-487) · IPT Williamsport Regional (About 45 min drive)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Feb
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Mar
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Apr
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
not flagged
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C) low), wettest Apr (12 rain days), driest Sep (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Benton: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
11 rd
Feb
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
10 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
11 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
12 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
12 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
10 rd
Dec
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
By car or on foot. Main Street has sidewalks. No public transit within the borough.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Ricketts Glen State Park
goDoor to door: 10 min
Drive north on PA-487, about 10 min
Famous for 22 named waterfalls; hiking trails from easy to strenuous. Parking fee (check).
Bloomsburg
goDoor to door: 20 min
Drive south on PA-487, about 20 min
County seat with a historic downtown and Bloomsburg University.
Door to door: 30 min
Drive east on PA-239 to PA-61, about 30 min
Abandoned town with underground mine fire; limited access, some areas closed.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Main Street (PA-239/487)
The Mattress and Muffin Inn and a few other options; walkable to the dam and restaurants.
Ricketts Glen area
Cabins and campgrounds closer to the park; about 10 min north by car.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $100–150 excl. bed
- High
- $180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mattress and Muffin Inn or similar B&B1 × 1 night × US$130 | US$130 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Ricketts Glen parking fee2 × US$10 · check | US$20 |
| Gas round trip from I-801 × US$15 | US$15 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$41 |
| Trip total≈ US$223 per person per day, bed included | US$446 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Lunch at a local restaurant | $10–15 |
| Dinner at a local restaurant | $15–25 |
| Colonel Rickett's Hard Cider tastingcheck | $8–12 |
| Gas (per gallon) | $3.50–4.50 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Benton Rodeo in July draws crowds; book accommodation early.
- Fishing Creek can rise quickly after heavy rain — check conditions before canoeing.
- Ricketts Glen State Park has a parking fee (check current rate).
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
BentonBenton, Pennsylvania
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No consulates in Benton. Nearest major consulates: New York City or Philadelphia.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- AVP airport to Benton: about $60–80 by taxi/rideshare, 1 h 15 min (check)
- I-80 exit 236B to Benton: about 30 min drive, no toll
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Benton. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, some businesses close) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Ricketts Glen State Park, Benton Dam, Colonel Rickett's Hard Cider.
- Eat pages for the two restaurants with verified hours and menus.
- Sleep page for The Mattress and Muffin Inn with room types and rates.
- Seasonal event page for Benton Rodeo (July).
Sources
Ask about Benton
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