Best Tent Camping near Altoona, PA

Tent camping options near Altoona, Pennsylvania include several secluded and natural settings within a reasonable drive of the city. Long Acres on Clover Creek offers private tent camping with creek access in a peaceful setting, while Penn Roosevelt State Park Campground provides primitive tent sites in a wooded environment approximately 40 miles east of Altoona. STAR LEE Farm features a small number of tent-only sites with basic amenities in a rural setting.

Most tent campgrounds in the Altoona region provide modest amenities geared toward wilderness experiences rather than developed camping. Drive-in access is common at campgrounds like Long Acres and STAR LEE Farm, while some areas of Penn Roosevelt also accommodate walk-in tent camping. Basic facilities typically include vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables, though drinking water availability varies by location. STAR LEE Farm offers shower facilities despite its otherwise rustic setting. Campers should note that several campgrounds permit alcohol and pets, but generators are generally prohibited at tent-focused sites.

The tent camping experience near Altoona emphasizes natural surroundings and relative seclusion. Sites often feature proximity to water features, with creek access at Long Acres and a pond at Penn Roosevelt State Park. Tree cover provides shade at most locations, particularly valuable during summer months. Tent campers can access nearby hiking trails and fishing spots from most campgrounds. Penn Roosevelt State Park is noted for its quiet atmosphere. According to a reviewer on The Dyrt, "It was so secluded, I heard nothing but nature for over an hour before a plane flew over." Another camper mentioned that STAR LEE Farm is "perfect for those who want to completely escape the business of modern world."

Best Tent Sites Near Altoona, Pennsylvania (9)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Altoona, PA

4 Photos of 9 Altoona Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Altoona, PA

337 Reviews of 9 Altoona Campgrounds


  • S
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Rothrock Roadside Campsites — Rothrock State Forest

    Nice spot to camp in the mountains

    First I'll just say that the Rothrock campsites should probably each be listed separately, rather than as a group; they are very spread out throughout the State Forest and each is a different experience.  This review will be for site 002 Colerain Road.  

    This site is accessed by driving up a bit of a winding dirt road up the mountain.  It's easy enough during the summer, though the road is narrow and you've got some sharp bends depending on which way you come from.  This road is not safe to access in the winter in my opinion.  

    The parking is just right off the road, and there's a picnic table and large stone fire ring near the parking.  There's a small path further up the hill into the woods where there is a tent pad, another fire ring and another picnic table.  There are also a lot of flat spots nearby for additional tents to be set up.  

    Just behind the upper tent site is the top of the mountain, and the site has their own private overlook to the valley below.  The site is pretty remote, though there were vehicles and the occasional biker coming up the road.  Traffic may have been busier than usual the weekend we went because there was the Mid Atlantic Overland festival nearby at the same time.  At one point a family parked in the campsite's parking to start a walk... (there's a better trailhead up closer to Indian Lookout they should have used).

    No hookups, water, bathrooms, etc; its fully primitive camping here.  Cell coverage was fine on Xfinity Mobile (Verizon). 

    These sites used to be totally free but they're now $10 a night.  You still need to book a while out if you want to be here on a weekend, especially during the fall when Penn State is playing.

  • Joann&WellsThePup I.
    Jul. 14, 2021

    Penn Roosevelt State Park Campground

    Quiet camping

    Beautiful primitive campground (tent only). Get a site on the outside towards the water. They are spaced out and peaceful. Has restrooms (no shower), picnic table, and fire pit at each site. Short walk to creek and beautiful pond.

  • Johanna B.
    May. 31, 2021

    Duman Lake County Park

    Nice local park

    Duman lake review notes.

    • Well-maintained small park, stocked lake, popular with local fisherman. Kayaking/small boat fishing. I’ve seen bald eagle and osprey.
    • Six campsites, w/mature trees, level, w/paved drive & gravel area, large enough for mid-sized RVs. They state 40 ft., but all are back in. All have (lighted)30 amp & water. We did not see the tent sites. Not sure if they are developed, ask.
    • Number one is closest to the bathhouse, number five was less shaded. Number six is closest to the road.
    • Newer restroom, w/two stalls each. Push-button, hot showers. Men’s worked best.
    • Campsite number one is closest to restroom, but also behind picnic shelter number 12, so if the shelter is booked for a party could be noisy? Day use people bugged out quickly at dusk.
    • We were in #1 in May & had the entire campground & upper park to ourselves.
    • They have a kids’ train in summer.
    • Nice playground.
    • The only real downside of this campground is that the local road is close by and you do get some traffic noise before dark. It is not a high traffic road however. Dumpsters were overflowing with weekend trash & bathrooms needed a bug sweep-out. Sportsmen were target shooting nearby before dark FYI.
  • Brian C.
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Cowans Gap State Park Campground

    Solid State Park Camping

    Stayed in a walk-in tent site. Much better spacing than typical sites, though sites 2 & 3 were basically connected. The non-walk in sites in Loop B are typical to smaller than average and mostly suited for campers/RVs.

    Pros : Site spacing/privacy was good Bathrooms and showers were clean. Firewood available at the park ($5 for 6 pieces self-serve). Location near the dam and lake trail is nice. Cell service was limited, but had reliable (but low) signal with T-Mobile at my site. Easy access (on foot) to all of the hiking trails.

    Cons: The tent pads could use some leveling and there was some trash around the site. The major negative was generator noise coming from the facility just beyond the dam. Droning generator noise was on/off at all hours of the day and went on until 10pm in the evening. Not sure how far up in Loop B this was heard, but it was pretty loud in the walk-in site area.

  • Travis S.
    Jul. 27, 2017

    Black Moshannon State Park Campground

    Red Mo

    Nice campground, wooded sites and most were okay for tent camping however some required your tent to be set up a small distance from the fire ring. Clean showerhouses and bathrooms. Big Lake and a few miles of hiking and biking trails right from the campground.

    The Iron Ore mines from the past have left the creek water stained red which is why its called the Red Mo with the locals.

  • Travis S.
    Aug. 28, 2017

    Greenwood Furnace State Park Campground

    Small quiet scenic park with fascinating history

    Beautiful campgrounds with spacious camp sites. Well maintained bathroom and firewood plus ice available at the entrance (this is a great plus for those car/tent camping.

    extremely close to the rothrock forest mountain biking trails. Less than a mile to trails that take you to the IMBA epic coopers gap loop.

    Campgrounds and surround park area were well maintained with a few picnic shelters, a beach and sand volleyball courts. Camp was full and all day use areas were occupied during our stay.

  • G
    Oct. 6, 2020

    Cowans Gap State Park Campground

    Lots of trash and noise

    If you are used to primitive/secluded camping this is not the campground for you. We arrived and there was a ton of trash in our site. Someone left their air fresheners, handbag tags from marshalls, and a ton of other junk. This campground is also very noisy. There are supposed to be quiet hours but people were playing loud music from their cars, from speakers, and whatever else until at least 11pm. Our site had no privacy either, we were right next to several other sites (closer than other state parks we've been to). Physical distancing and mask wearing was not enforced/required. People in the close quarters of the restroom were not wearing masks and didn't seem to mind getting within 6 feet of other people. The woman at the front office who we checked in with even took her mask off because it was fogging up her glasses. Oh, and the wood that we purchased from the camp host was wet, so the fire was a dud until a friendly neighbor gave us some of his wood. 

    The only positive thing about this campground was the hiking. The first day we hiked up the mountain to the west of the campground, and the second day we hiked up the Tuscarora Trail to the east of the campground. No other campers were hiking these, so we got to appreciate nature by having the trails mostly to ourselves.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 15, 2023

    Black Moshannon State Park Campground

    No cell, no problem!

    General: 73-site campground; most have electric hookups, and some are FHU. Pets are only permitted at selected sites. There are also 20 (13 rustic and 6 modern) cabins. Cell service is extremely limited to non-existent (Verizon). 

    Site Quality: Pads are gravel and most appeared to be level. Site 70 was at the end of the loop which is why we picked it. A picnic table, fire ring, and lantern hook complete each site. 

    Bathhouse: As has been our experience in all PA state parks, the bathhouse was pristine, and the shower (for no additional cost) was clean with plentiful hot water and was very much appreciated. 

    Activities/Amenities: Coin-operated laundry. A playground is in the campground and there is an additional one at the swimming beach. The swimming beach is open from mid-May to mid-September, from 8 am– sunset. Electric motorboats are permitted on Moshannon Lake. Boat rentals are available in season. Permits are required. 24 miles of hiking trails, including two trails directly from the campground to the lake. In the summer, there is a camper store/concession stand. Hunting is allowed in season. There are 4.3 miles of mountain biking trails. 

    I used to think Oregon State Parks were the best, but Pennsylvania State Parks have them beat by a mile. We have yet to be disappointed by the amenities(especially the clean bathrooms) offered at the half-dozen state parks we have visited so far.

  • Tim J.
    Sep. 27, 2020

    Seven Points (PA)

    Pleasant Surprise

    We looked at this campground in early August, but I wasn’t too sure about the elevation. I booked our site #6 in Ridge Camp. From the time we arrived and filled up the fresh water tank at the ultra-cool 4 lane dump station, I knew we were in for a great weekend. The signage was very well marked and the fresh water spigot was more like a little tank, super-solid, clean and modern. We pulled into Ridge Camp (RCAM on Recreation.gov) and drove a little bit down a hill to our site. One backup attempt into the site and (according to our LevelMatePRO app) it was perfectly level...that was definitely a first for us. We set our chocks and started our setup. The picnic table had a new seat on one side and was in great shape. Our pad was limestone and very flat and level, so setting out our rugs was easy and comfortable underneath our feet. The campfire ring was in great shape with a fully functioning adjustable grill plate....we even had a lantern pole. Looking at some of our neighbor’s sites, depending on where the camper site was located, some had their picnic table and fire ring either above or below them. Definitely worth looking at the pictures. Our site in Ridge, along with most others from #6-24 were very well shaded. One thing to note is Ridge is on an incline with a loop at the end. Perfect for turning around to head out. With the slope, however be aware of the kids and adults riding around on bicycles and skateboards. With the many bike trails in Seven Points, there were a lot of adult mountain bike riders.

    We took a drive around through the other six campgrounds and decided Point was our favorite, but obviously crowded because it is right on the lake. Senoia camp was (our) tied with Ridge, but only the lower portion. Once you go up the hill to sites above #231, it gets very steep and far away from the water. Probably not too safe for kids on bikes, although the only playground appeared to be at the top of the hill..again, probably too steep for kids. We drove through Meadow Camp (MCAM) but it was too open for us with not many trees for shade. Bay camp (BCAM) was a bit nicer than Meadow with ample trees, but it wasn’t close to anything except for one portion that had access to the lake/bay below. Finally, Valley Camp (VCAM) was a single in/out with a loop around the playground, but the sites appeared too small for our 28’ TT.

    We liked this campground so much that I tried booking (and cancelling our reservation at Red Bridge in Kane, PA) for our last seasonal weekend in October, but there was nothing in Ridge or Point. Later that day, I received an email from Reservation.gov that our Oct 23 booking at Red Bridge was going to be refunded because Red Bridge was under construction. I quickly opened the reservation.gov website and a site across and up the hill a few sites from where we stayed was suddenly available, so I booked it. Another item worth noting is Ridge has a laundromat at only 25¢/load. Also, the restroom at Ridge has 4 shower stalls which were very clean with hot water at a great water pressure. On our way out, we visited the dump station again and got in one of the 4 lanes with no wait. The dump station, as noted above had wide lanes and made the experience an easy and clean one. We can’t wait to go back to Ridge again next month. I took pictures of our site #6 plus several other sites in Seven Points. Each site is sequentially numbered, depending on which of the seven campgrounds - reference the map for the actual locations.


Guide to Altoona

Tent camping near Altoona, Pennsylvania offers several options within Pennsylvania's Allegheny Mountain region, which features elevations ranging from 1,000 to over 2,500 feet. The area's four-season climate creates distinct camping experiences throughout the year, with summer temperatures typically 10-15 degrees cooler than in urban areas. Most tent campsites in this region are situated within state forests or on private land with minimal development.

What to do

Hike the Mid State Trail: Penn Roosevelt State Park Campground provides direct access to the 327-mile Mid State Trail system. "A quiet, peaceful campground. The area has lots of hikes to offer including the Alan Seeger State Forest, Midstate Trail and several others," notes Denise D., who recommends bringing all supplies as "there isn't a store nearby."

Fish in local waterways: Long Acres on Clover Creek offers creek access for fishing. According to Sarah A., the campsite provides "close access to state game lands and nearby hiking trails and fishing spots" making it ideal for anglers seeking variety.

Night sky viewing: The minimal light pollution at many Altoona-area campgrounds creates excellent stargazing conditions. At STAR LEE Farm, Tiana S. mentions "a huge field to star gaze as well as taking pictures" and notes the property is "perfect for those who want to completely escape the business of modern world."

What campers like

Secluded camping experiences: Penn Roosevelt State Park Campground offers primitive tent sites that feel removed from civilization. Chuck M. reports, "It was so secluded, I heard nothing but nature for over an hour before a plane flew over."

Water features: Many campers appreciate the proximity to ponds, lakes and creeks. Joann mentions that Penn Roosevelt has "beautiful primitive campground (tent only)" sites and recommends you "get a site on the outside towards the water" where sites "are spaced out and peaceful" with a "short walk to creek and beautiful pond."

Wildlife observation: The wooded settings around Altoona provide opportunities to observe native Pennsylvania wildlife. Paige L. noted that while camping at Penn Roosevelt during winter, "the sites are tent only and pretty close together but some still feel secluded. Very accessible and the park has some good trails."

What you should know

Access limitations: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. At Nancy's Boat To Shore Campground, Kristen H. notes that "these campsites are accessible by boat ONLY!" while John H. adds the campground "has a maintenance road and is patrolled by college kids with summer jobs."

Limited amenities: Most tent sites near Altoona provide basic facilities only. At Penn Roosevelt, Chuck M. found that "the water was off" during his visit, highlighting the need to be prepared for occasional service disruptions even at established campgrounds.

Seasonal considerations: Winter camping requires additional preparation. Paige L. mentions that when staying at Penn Roosevelt "during the winter so the park wasn't very busy but there was one other group of campers," suggesting lower occupancy during colder months.

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly swimming: Several campgrounds offer water access appropriate for children. Jill R. visited Penn Roosevelt State Park for a picnic and found "there were not many people around so the kids could frolic and be slightly loud without bothering any other people."

Educational opportunities: STAR LEE Farm offers unique learning experiences for children. Tiana S. notes that "if you're a bee enthusiast they grow their own honey in the property and you're more than welcome to walk around and look at all the boxes."

Safety considerations: Some campgrounds have heavy boat traffic. Kristen H. warns that at Nancy's Boat To Shore Campground, sites "are in an area of the lake that has a lot of boat traffic" and "the waterfront spots usually book a few weeks in advance and are in a wake zone."

Tips from RVers

RV size restrictions: The best tent camping near Altoona, Pennsylvania often has limitations for larger vehicles. Chuck M. cautions about Penn Roosevelt: "If you have a trailer, I do not recommend this spot. There is a very tight hairpin turn on the way in. My six foot long trailer barely made the turn!"

Weekend planning: Some campgrounds experience different atmosphere changes between weekdays and weekends. Kristen H. shares that at Nancy's Boat To Shore, "Some weekend get slightly loud because of college kids, but most are mindful of younger children if you ask them to keep it down."

Electric hookup availability: Most tent-focused campgrounds near Altoona lack electric hookups. John H. advises campers at Nancy's Boat To Shore to "follow the rules and you will have a wonderful time," suggesting adherence to campground policies is important when facilities are limited.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Altoona, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Altoona, PA is Long Acres on Clover Creek with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Altoona, PA?

TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Altoona, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.