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Cowans Gap State Park is a diverse landscape nestled within the scenic Allens Valley of Fulton County. Campers come to enjoy the park’s 1,085 acres which offer a large lake, a full-size campground, provincial lodges, and many climbing trails throughout. Aside from the attractions, Buchanan State Forest encompasses the park, offering up fun and beauty regardless of the season. Open every day of the year, the park is a great place to visit for day-trip recreation. That said, if planning to camp here you’ll want to prepare in advance as campsite availability changes by the season.
One of the unique offerings that Cowans Gap features is a number of environmental educational programs for the local public. These programs serve to help the pubic, especially the youth, foster a sense of responsibility for the nature that surrounds them every day. There are guided walks, hands-on activities, and even evening programs for those up to it.
Aside from the educational opportunities, Cowans Gap is also right in the center of over 71,000+ acres of protected land thanks to Buchanan State Forest. There are 19 tracts of forest which occupy the acreage, showcasing numerous ravines, gulches, and brooks as well as groves of pine, hemlock, and maple.
Subsequently, this wild and rugged backdrop attracts hikers, campers, fishers, and outdoor enthusiasts from all over. A number of state game lands located nearby are also popular visiting places for season hunters looking to bag an elk or other large game.
Within the campground itself, there’s a variety of fun activities to get in on. During the winter, the park lake freezes making it perfect for ice-fishing and other winter fun. There’s also a maintained skating rink, so you can even come and ice-skate or play a quick game of hockey.
It’s during the warmer months however that Cowans Gap state park really starts to shine. Once the lake unfreezes, campers flock for kayaking, canoeing, and pedal boating. The campground itself starts to bustle as children and families visit the local volleyball courts, and check out the nearby trails on Horseback. The lake offers a sandy beach area to recreate, as well as a pier for fishers to get easier access to deep water.
Campsites are fully serviced here, and spacious enough to accommodate most families. There are restrooms available throughout the park, and a full-service concession stand for firewood and other conveniences. There are also cabins available for rental, but like most parks be sure to plan ahead as they tend to fill up quick.
$29 / night
The 1,125-acre Caledonia State Park is in Adams and Franklin counties, midway between Chambersburg and Gettysburg along the Lincoln Highway, US 30.
The park is nestled within South Mountain, the northern terminus of the well-known Blue Ridge Mountain of Maryland and Virginia. Within South Mountain there are four state parks and 84,000 acres of state forest land waiting to be explored and enjoyed. The soils on either side of South Mountain are ideal for fruit production, proven by the abundance of orchards in the surrounding area.
Flush toilets, warm showers, some electric hook-ups
This activity or structure is ADA accessible.
Seventy tent and trailer sites are available from late March to mid-December.
Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring. A sanitary dump station is near the campground entrance.
A seasonal camp store is one quarter-mile from the campground.
Pets are permitted on designated campsites for a fee.
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads.
$10 / night
Seven Points Recreation area, located in the central region of Raystown Lake, is perfectly situated for outdoor recreation. Within a short walk from every campsite, visitors can find everything from interpretive trails to a visitor center. Plus there's easy access to swimming, boating, fishing hiking, and biking. For more detailed maps and information on the Seven Points Recreation area visit our website.
Boating is always popular at Raystown, but there's more than just boating. Fishing for muskies, small and large mouth bass, brown trout, and many other Pennsylvania species is excellent. Every summer weekend there are education and entertainment programs at the amphitheater. The Greenside Pathway, a recycled rubber tire hiking trail, provides a safe walking route that connects the campgrounds to all of the recreational facilities within Seven Points; and world class mountain biking is available on the Allegrippis Trails and mountain biking skills park near the Visitors Center. Other nearby trails include the Lower Trail (Rails to Trails), the Terrace Mountain Trail, the Old Loggers Trail, and the Mid State Trail.
Raystown Lake is located within the ridge and valley province of Pennsylvania. The lakeshore is lined with an old oak-hickory forest giving way to mountain ridges and cliffs. The man-made lake is fed by the Raystown Branch tributary of the Juniata River and is the largest lake completely in the state of Pennsylvania. Recreation season temperatures range from the 60s to 90s, with three to four inches of rain per month. The nights are cool and the days are pleasant through spring and fall.
Campers can take day trips to the Lincoln Caverns, Altoona Railroaders Museum, Swigart Antique Car Museum, or other nearby attractions. Visit www.raystown.org for local attractions and activities. The nearby city of Huntingdon, 11 miles north, is a good place for restaurants, shopping, and theaters.
$30 - $200 / night
$15 - $130 / night
If you are looking for a fun way to spend time with your family and friends outdoors, you will love everything the Gettysburg/Battlefield KOA has to offer. When you choose to go camping in Gettysburg, you get to enjoy a tranquil nature retreat while learning about one of the most important historical events of the nation's Civil War era. Gettysburg/Battlefield KOA is a campground near downtown Gettysburg that is built for campers of all types and experience levels. Situated just five miles from downtown Gettysburg, Gettysburg/Battlefield KOA gives you access to all the local attractions while ensuring you have a peaceful camping experience.
You can secure a site for rugged tent camping, luxurious RV glamping or even cabin camping, depending on your party's preferences. Regardless of what type of camping experience you choose, you will have access to many modern amenities and conveniences, including essentials such as Wi-Fi and a laundry room. You can even participate in planned activities at our campground or rent bicycles for a unique way to tour the Gettysburg area.
Located just 3 miles West of the center of town, our Gettysburg Campground is bordered by beautiful Marsh Creek, with both shady or sunny RV sites, and a primitive tent area along the creek. We offer 260 sites, accommodating everything from a tent to literally any size RV. Gettysburg Campground is also the only campground in Gettysburg with an on-site RV repair facility. We also have rustic cabins and full-facility cottages
Owens Creek Campground offers families and individuals enjoyable primitive tent camping. Located just five miles from Thurmont, Maryland, in the rolling hills of Catoctin Mountain Park.
As a primitive camping area, Owens Creek encourages visitors to use healthy doses of imagination while surrounded by the natural landscape. Nature hikes and campfire circles are popular activities. The Deerfield Nature Trail connects directly to the campground and is a 1.5 mile loop with a connection to the park's western system of trails. Browns Farm Trail is nearby in the Owens Creek Picnic Area and offers budding archeologists with a peek into the history of the area. This trail is also a youth friendly 'Track Trail'. For more information go to: www.kidsinparks.com. Catoctin Mountain Park boasts 25 miles of trails.
The campground is surrounded by a rolling landscape, perfect for hikes of any level from easy to extremely strenuous. Owens Creek flows past the campground providing a peaceful setting beside a bubbling brook. Whether blanketed in snow in winter months, brilliant with color in the fall or blooming with wildflowers in the spring, Owens Creek offers beautiful scenery all year.
Other National Park Service units in the area are: Antietam National Battlefield www.nps.gov/ancm/index.htm 26 miles, Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park www.nps.gov/choh/index.htm 28 miles, Eisenhower National Historic Site www.nps.gov/eise/index.htm 20 miles, Gettysburg National Military Park www.nps.gov/gett/index/htm 20 miles, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park www.nps.gov/hafe/index.htm 37 miles, Monocacy National Battlefield www.nps.gov/mono/index.htm 18 miles, Appalachian National Scenic Trail www.nps.gov/appa/index.htm , 8 miles, Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail www.nps.gov/pohe/index.htm , 26 miles. Other Attractions: Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo www.cwpzoo.com , Cunningham Falls State Park www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/western/cunningham.asp , Tourism Council of Frederick County www.fredericktourism.org , Washington County Hagerstown, MD www.marylandmemories.org/home.html .
Important Information on Late Cancellations A cancellation is considered late if it occurs the day before or the day of arrival. Customers will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.
$30 / night
Greenbrier State Park will be making improvements to the park entrance and camper registration building during the 2024 season. Effective immediately, the park will not accept new reservations for the Ash and Birch camping loops and the Evergreen youth group camp site, as well as all gazebos, bus reservations, and special events. In addition, the South Parking Lot will be closed to Day Use visitors and the Camper Registration Building will be closed. Campers will register at the Greenbrier Visitor Center. Be advised that the left hand turn lane into and out of the park will be closed from Memorial Day to Labor Day, please utilize Exit 35 if traveling to the park from Interstate 70. The park will not be accessible from westbound Rt. 40, all visitors must enter the park from eastbound Rt. 40. Guests are encouraged to check https://parkreservations.maryland.gov/ or this page for closure updates. Thank you for your patience as we make these needed improvements.
Few places on Earth can inspire as much as the diverse landscape found throughout the Appalachian Mountains. Greenbrier State Park is no exception, nestled right on the 42 Acre man-made Greenbrier Lake. Campers that visit will be greeted with white sandy beaches and family-friendly recreation. Camping here is an experience to remember, thanks to the multitude of options available to entertain yourself.
The lake provides a great location for practically any water activities you can think of. While you’re not allowed to put a motorized boat in, you can use a a small electric motor boat, or even paddle boards. There’s areas to rent Canoes, Kayaks, Paddle Boards, and more nearby. In addition, fishing is another extremely popular activity here. If you bring a rod out, you can find Trout, Bass, and Blue Gill. For anyone over 16, a Maryland Angler's License is required, and all Maryland fishing laws apply. There is also a 500 acre hunting area, where general hunting is permitted.
Perhaps most notable is the various hiking trails found throughout the park. More than 11 miles of trails wind through and twist around the local geography, revealing the various quirks and features of the land. On the eastern edge of the park, Bartman Hill can be found, which is also where part of the Appalachian trail passes through. Aside from hiking, there is also an ADA accessible visitor center. What’s more, there’s even a beach wheelchair!
Throughout the park, there are 165 campsites available for reservation. 40 of these campsites even have electric hookups. Furthermore, there are bathhouses located throughout with hot-water showers. There’s also a dump station for those planning on staying here in a van or RV. Fires are allowed on all campsites but must be kept within the fire rings. According to the state park website, pets are allowed in the Cedar and Dogwood camp loops with a few conditions. For one, Pets are only allowed on trails outside day-use area. Additionally, pets are allowed in day-use area and lake from the day after Labor Day to the Friday before Memorial Day.
Nightly rates for campsites start at $21.49. If you choose to reserve a campsite with electric, expect to pay $27.49. Lake Front Gazebos (capable of sheltering 32) are available for day-use rent at $100. Other fees and fares may still apply, so check out the Maryland State Park website for more information before booking.
There are 165 campsites offering conveniently located bathhouses with hot showers. Forty sites have electric hookups.
$23 - $29 / night
Guide
This was my first experience camping with no hookups. The park is very large, with interesting trails to explore. I had not been aware of the abandoned PA turnpike that runs through the park; very interesting and haunting. It’s extremely quiet, with not a whole lot to do, but very peaceful. A terrific place to see the stars. And while it’s not free, it’s only $10/night.
Guide
I’ve camped here twice, two years ago in a Kodiak tent and this year in my Airstream GT24. Such a lovely spot! It’s spotless, and Raystown Lake is gorgeous.
Scout
The resort had great amenities for all ages. We stayed in October so there was plenty of activities for kids from crafts, games, dancing, to trick or treating. The resort ensured safety for the kids during trick or treating and closed all vehicle traffic for 2 hours. The location also had golf cars to rent to explore the sites. All employees were easy to talk to, always had a smile and personable.
Traveler
This was a great park! Very clean and quiet. The facilities were clean and felt safe. Some of the sites were a little close together but very large and well maintained
Scout
Decently spaced out campsites for the most part, good service connection (Verizon), and pretty solid bathrooms make it a great spot for families or newer campers. Wish there were some more hikes/things to do at the state park itself, especially with the lake having toxic algae in it right now.
Guide
Arrived, quickly showed how to get to our site. We setup without issue and spent 3 nights without anyone bothering us on our tent site. The place was quiet by about 11:10, not sure if it was enforced or happened naturally. The out houses could have been cleaned a bit more regularly as it was a busy long weekend. Overall it was a great experience.
Legend
This campground is nice, convenient for one 🌙 night, but is very tight and almost no privacy . The staff here are very friendly and nice.
ScoutThe campground had a good feel to it. We had a nice view of the lake. We booked a non electric site for our tent camping. The bath houses need updated though. The only negative I can say is that our site did not have a great spot for the tent except by the parking spot and not down by the fire ring.
Traveler
Reservations are made through the National parks service "recreation.gov" website. Arrived for tent camping for 2 nights and found a pleasantly prepared raised bed area to pitch my tent on. My stay was quiet and the bathrooms were clean and well stocked. This is a great base camp for getting out to the Gettysburg National park and battlefield. town is less than 10 miles away that has a grocery store and restaurants. FREE split firewood. So quiet i swear i heard a squirrel burp.
Scout
Nice family campground that offers alot. Its very big, only 1 central bathhouse for very large area. Female restrooms has 6 toilets and 6 showers (push button, luke warm water). COME PREPARED WITH LEVELING BLOCKS!!!! Our site was very slanting!!
Scout
I've stayed at Cordorus a number of times as it's not too far away for a weekend getaway. Last time was in Sept. 2023 when some tropical storm poured rain for three days. I'm booked for next weekend now in Sept. 2024, so I hope it's a dry one. I pulled up The Dyrt to see if anything has changed, but I see it's still the great place it always is.
I usually end up in a dry site as I book late and the electric sites are all filled.
Scout
We've stayed here at least a half-dozen times with a popup. The smaller B loop is nicer, but no electricity. Pets allowed only on a certain portion of the A loop. The bathrooms are clean, the lake is small but pretty, and the hikes around the lake, and up the mountain on the ridge, are as easy or as challenging as you want. Cell service is pretty much nonexistent so you definitely get unplugged.
RangerCodorus state campground provided a comfortable and quiet stay. The trailer sites in loop C are spacious enough with plenty of shades and trees. The open field pet friendly sites are also large but provide no shade and it gets hot! You can feel the difference between these sites and the interior loop sites. No cross winds, no breeze, just hot! The trails from
Campground are ok for a short walk, not much of a lake view but mostly shaded trail. The pool is conveniently located maybe even walking distance for some. But be advised, this is a public pool open to everyone and folks start showing up at 7am, separate entrance road and entry fee was around $10 pp. The lake is great! Lovely areas to relax and explore. No swimming allowed anywhere but you can find places to sneak a dip 😉 just look past marina near state park public recreation area. The park staff won’t give you a hard time they just ask that you don’t go further than waist deep. It is a very large lake. We highly recommend that you rent a pontoon boat to head out and explore! Very worth it! All grounds and areas are clean and kept in great condition.
RangerWe stayed in the smaller camping area B, which we enjoyed. Even on Labor Day weekend, it didn’t feel busy because of how few sites are in this section. Our site was level and sizable. The bathroom was clean and there was access to the very pleasant hiking trail going around the lake. We had no cell service with Cricket or Verizon.
Traveler
We stayed during Bigfoot weekend. It was super fun as our family likes bigfoot fun. We started out Friday night getting the offered $12 bbq plate that included pork burnt ends, beans and potato salad that were "oh it's so good". On Saturday was rock painting and then bingo and ended the night with a DJ dance party. The pavilion where all those activities happened were right next to our site (22 with the doggie den). Then Sunday we had pancakes and later a visit from RayCEP which is an education program that PA DNCR provides talking about various outdoorsy type things. This is primarily for kids, but we sat and listened too and our 17 year old helped out with the craft.
After the weekend though, all the activity slows down. There are seasonal campers that stay around, and they're constantly working on improving and fixing up sites during the week. Expect lots of quiet time just relaxing during the week. There's the pool, dog park, bounce pillow, playground, but not tons to do which if you're looking for is great. Raystown Lake has multiple access areas that are probably 15-20 minutes away - we fished at Tautman Run and Aitch - both were accessible and had lots of bluegill to steal our worms.
Now to the site description: Site 22 is a deluxe patio back in site with a patio, 4 nice Adirondack chairs, a double glider, a weber propane grill and built in fire pit AND a dog fence just for that site that was maybe 6 ft x 6ft. it was big enough for our 2 labs to fit into when we fed them. The site wasn't hard to level our RV but overall the sites are hilly and in fact the whole park is on a hill.
The owners and workers were friendly and great hosts! We love what they're doing there.
One last tip: if traveling from the Altoona area, go out through Martinsburg over Cove Mountain Rd - it saves you 30 minutes to an hour.
Scout
Stayed with family over the weekend. Very quiet, secluded and peaceful. The bathrooms are a bit of a walk if you're tent camping but they were clean and well stocked. The shower is a little tricky washing all your bits because the shower head doesn't tilt enough and the water is a bit warm (not adjustable) but when you're camping in August clean water and soap is all that matters lol.
Traveler
This lake was beautiful! A short walk from the campsite. We had the lake to ourself both evening and morning. $61. No WiFi. Leveling was fine. Verizon service was fine.
Traveler
Uunder new ownership & management many upgrades , including updated bathhouse and new friendly staff
Guidejust pulled in and 1st spot looks great except it says on the sign THAT YOU NEED A PERMIT , DYRT So F'ing glad I paid for pro to show me the free campsites OH WAIT I JUST PAID $51.50 FOR 3 NIGHTS TO STAY AT THIS "FREE" SITE. Greed Is Killing America. Dyrt should give refunds.
TravelerNice creek running through. Pool. Appalachian trail runs right by it. About 20 minute drive to Gettysburg
Scout
We really enjoyed our stay here. Sites, amenities, and bathrooms/ showers were all clean and well kept. Staff was always friendly and accommodating (we even extended our stay and while our first site was booked they found us a near by site that was open). No problems with hook ups or dump station.
Guide
We love this campground. The staff really make sure the traffic is circulating and organized during the weekend when it’s crazy busy!! The only negative that stinks is that campers have to drive down and park their cars in the parking lot by the lake EARLY or you won’t get a spot (especially for the campers in the further camp loops like Dogwood, where we stay). I wish the campground had their own access to the lake like at Rocky Gap State Park. Other than that, we love the park. The bath houses & sites are always clean, camp hosts are friendly and park rangers are present and helpful.
Traveler
Would go back here again! Very primitive, only 2 sites with electric and no playground (but 4 swings), however the creek is beautiful and the kids were so happy to play in it. We had site 108 and had a site path right to the creek. I wouldn't recommend big campers as most of the spots would be a pain to back into. But if you're looking for a quiet campground in the woods, this is it!
GuideLeathermen's/Falling Water Campground is ideal for layovers or short-duration trips, offering a convenient and hassle-free experience. Booking was simple, and the on-site general store provided everything a camper might need. The proximity to the road resulted in some road noise throughout the night. Despite this, the campground's amenities and ease of access made it a practical choice for travelers.
Scout
non - refundable deposit Beware do not stay here read the reviews
Guide
Spent a weekend at Gettysburg. We camped at Artillery Ridge Campground, which served as an artillery storage/staging area for the Union during the battle. Behind the campsite we stayed at, we learned connected to Stangler Farm, which served as a hospital for the wounded. Literally right outside the entrance of the campgrounds is where the battlefield starts. So close to history. We have been to Gettysburg before, but going with the kids again being older, we all had a greater appreciation of the sacrifice of this 3-day battle. We did Park Ranger tours to learn about the 1st shot and how the war started to stand in the footsteps of General Buford at Senitary Ridge in the cupola overseeing the battlefield. Later in the day we took a horse carriage ride through the battlefields, Picketts Charge and the peach orchard with a private guide to learn every ounce of the battlefield and the major players to learn about the 3 days of fighting that took place to how the civilians of Gettysburg were impacted. The three day battle claimed over 50,000 lives and we toured the town of Gettysburg to learn how the community had to deal with the aftermath of the masses who perished, the smell which went on for over 30 miles and limited resources such as clean water. It's amazing to see how history was so preserved but right across the street from battlefields where so many died stands fast food restaurants, and hotels. A little surreal. Would definitely recommend a ride out to Gettysburg and this campground, which is right next to the battlefields. Clean facilities. If you are into horses, this is the place for you! Though sites are not very private, everyone is very respectful, and you are not on top of each other. Quiet hours are observed, which is nice too. Store has a great variety of souviners, treats, and emergency camping items. You can't get any closer to history than here. Would definitely recommend if you are looking to visit Gettysburg.
RangerI cancelled a reservation at Tuckahoe SP due to traffic over the Bay Bridge. I wanted to find something close enough to home, but far away from the hustle and bustle of our suburban lives. This fit the bill. There are 10 sites….some are occupied by seasonal guests. It was very quiet and peaceful! The site was large and there wasn’t a lot of people. You can swim in the lake if you wish or rent boats/canoes for the day. Our water pressure wasn’t great, however not sure if it’s the campground or us as hubby found a possible issue with our hookup. Bring quarters if you are going to use the showers….25 cent a minute. Great way to get away and close enough to our home. We will for SURE be back!
Discover the best spots for pets-allowed camping near Amberson, Pennsylvania, where you and your furry friends can enjoy the great outdoors together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Amberson, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Amberson, PA is Cowans Gap State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 30 reviews.
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