152 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Buffalo Mills area of Pennsylvania features a mix of state park campgrounds and private camping facilities offering varied accommodations. Shawnee State Park Campground provides over 300 campsites with a combination of full-hookup, electric-only, and non-electric options for tents and RVs, plus cabins and yurts. Just a few miles away, Choice Camping Court offers 75 developed sites with amenities for both tent and RV campers. Several campgrounds in the region like Friendship Village and Hidden Springs provide cabin rentals alongside traditional campsites, making the area suitable for different camping preferences.
Campground accessibility in the Buffalo Mills region remains consistent year-round at several locations, though some private campgrounds operate seasonally between April and November. Many sites require advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends when the swimming beaches and fishing areas attract visitors. The region experiences typical Appalachian seasonal patterns with humid summers and cold winters. Road access to most campgrounds is straightforward with paved approaches, though campers should note that not all sites within campgrounds are level. As one visitor noted about Shawnee State Park, "Many of the non-electric sites were decidedly not level but many of the FHU and electric sites were fairly level."
Campers consistently highlight the lakes and water features as primary attractions at several campgrounds in the Buffalo Mills area. Shawnee State Park receives particular praise for its sandy swimming beach, fishing opportunities, and trail system around the lake. Reviews frequently mention the campground's cleanliness and well-maintained facilities, though some note that certain campsites lack privacy or shade. According to one visitor, "The lake and the trails around it are beautiful. Great swimming and kayaking/small boating." Despite proximity to the Pennsylvania Turnpike, most campgrounds maintain a natural setting with reasonable noise levels. Visitors seeking more seclusion should consider weekday stays, as one camper remarked that Shawnee State Park is "quiet on the weekdays" despite being a very large campground with over 300 sites.
"We stayed in cabin 170 in Fir loop and the site was incredibly spacious, heavily shaded, close to the bath house, path to the beach, and well distanced from other sites."
"Our friends were in the site next to us (17) which was also nice and there was a wide walking path between them. Family also stayed in one of the rental cabins (21)."
from $23 - $29 / night
Check Availability"Was pleased by the quiet despite size of campground and proximity to highway. Sites not overly large or private. Has wood vending machine at entrance for firewood."
"The morning drive started early, had several stops and starts, and I was once again glad that my big dog was along for the ride."
from $20 - $110 / night
Check Availability"The campground is nestled on the outskirts of Bedford Pennsylvania and is a very easy location to travel to regardless of your rig size."
"One of the best campgrounds I have stayed at so far the pond is nice and has a 1/2 mile walking path around it with trees and beaches to stop and sit dog park is big and has a place for small or large"
"All are roadside, but plenty are tucked away so you feel alone in the woods. You can occupy a site as long as you register at the parks main office. $10/night."
"Very few sites are within walking distance of each other. The exception is a group of sites near the Potomac Riverand the C&O Canal."
from $10 / night
Check Availability"The trucks passing by on the highway can be loud at night so keep that in mind when choosing a spot if it would bother you. After a little while it was just background noise to us."
from $25 - $50 / night
Check Availability"We had a very positive experience at Hidden Springs. We stayed 4 nights, the first two were very quiet at the campground."
from $58 - $70 / night
Check Availability"Me and a small group of friends stayed here for a weekend and we had a blast it was so peaceful we where right next to the river and had some great trails too hike on."
"Great stay at a well located spot. Beautiful and quiet. Don was very helpful with any request that we had. Would return again. Thanks Don."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"Extremely family friendly, lots to do for kiddos on weekend, stocked ponds, bathhouses very close to all sites. Laurel hill cricks/lake are 2 miles up the mountain!"
"The roads around the camp ground could use some maintenance, especially on the hill side by the pool! All in all, a wonderful place to take your family camping!"
"Nestled between wind turbines on a mountain ridge within sight of the nearby Flight 93 memorial, this is 2500+ acres of atv, utv, and dirt bike riding trails with camping."
ScoutWow, the weekends were fun. They were quite a bit of people there and my kids had a good time. The weekdays were different story we were told we had to be quiet. We had a lot of craziness go on
TravelerWe LOVED our visit to Kentuck campground and Ohiopyle. We went mid-week in early June and had very few neighbors Tuesday and Wednesday, with more rolling in toward the end of the week.
We stayed on Hickory Loop with our dog and saw quite a few other dogs while we were there. Not all sites are equal at this campground - ours was huge and lovely with adequate flattish area and a stream running along two sides of it. Others were quite small and not very level. I think we had one of the best sites on the loop, with great trees for hammocks and big rocks nearby, as well as good privacy from other sites.
The campground is very shaded and was regularly several degrees cooler than elsewhere in the park, which was great to home 'home' to. There's a lot of poison ivy in the area, so be watchful.
Firewood is available for purchase on entrance to the campground.
The bathhouse was relatively clean, with a large kitchen sink for washing dishes, three toilet stalls, and two shower stalls. We never had to wait for any of it.
TravelerThis place is so relaxing! As soon as we stepped out of our motorhome it felt like we could relax. You could hear the birds tweeting and see squirrels playing and even butterflies dancing in the sunlight. It felt so nice to just set down in our chairs and take a break from life here. The owners are so friendly! I loved being able to pet the donkey/mule. This place is beautiful. We stayed in site 9 this time and site 8 last time. I honestly have no complaints about this place!!!
GuideThis campground's foliage is interesting, I saw fernes growing and trees that looked older than me. I also noticed the campground has some history shown by the rust of the firepits. There is Billy's Pizza and general store which sells firewood if you go a little further down the road that maps takes you and take the second left instead of taking the first left. I think the campground also sells firewood on site. You can order Billy's Pizza and I saw them deliver to the campsites, which is amazing, havent seen that before. I'm a light sleeper and could hear truck engine braking sounds echo through the forest from the nearby highway, so the proximity to the road ruins the feeling of seclusion and the quiet. There's a restroom with a large sink outside which is nice.
TravelerThis is one of six campsites that can be reserved through PA's DCNR website. The six campsites are spread throughout the Laurel Highlands. This is the only one at Mt. Davis. We camp with three dogs, so we really appreciated the privacy. There were occasionally the sounds of distant ATVs or farm equipment, but, overall, this is a peaceful site. The campsite does not connect to the trails at Mt. Davis and there is no vault toilet here, but both vault toilets and a trailhead are just a few minutes away at the Mt. Davis picnic area. There is only one obvious tent site, so, if you need more than one tent site, you will have to get creative. The site is along a gravel road that leads to a field which you can use to walk your dogs. There are no water features here which our dogs enjoy, so that is the only reason for the 4 out of 5 stars. We will be reserving this site again!
ScoutThis was a great place to camp. Lovely. The price was affordable. We stayed in the cabin. Electricity. Air conditioning. Running water. The property owner manager is very accommodating and pleasant to talk with.
Highly recommended.
~Robert
art505.com
GuideI come here at least twice a year for the wonder campground. The hiking trails, water falls and white water rafting. The town is small but filled with tons of great shops and outfitters. Campground is clean, every sight is nice and spacious, not all are private. Get gas on your way here, once here their are no gas stations for 40 minutes in every direction. Ice and wood at campground suck. Go into town for ice or see Butch out rt 381 on the left just outside the park boundary. Highly recommended.
TravelerWe stayed one night here (didn't even unhook from the truck). Arrived in the rain and were leaving early the next morning, so I didn't want to disconnect. Our gravel pad was over 6" out of level, requiring me to use leveling pads and a leveling jack to get trailer level. All the short-term gravel sites looked like they needed some love!
Campground is about 80% seasonal, and apparently has no housekeeping restrictions on residents - some sites were pretty full of old dead golf carts and various debris. Not sure I would want to stay for a destination camping experience, but it was cheap and fine for a one night stay.
TravelerThis campground (now named "Orchard Station Campground" is under new management, and is open all year (I think). They are in the process of upgrading sites with new utility lines and level gravel pads.
Owner was very friendly & helpful.
Allowed me to charge my Rivian onsite (I paid him for the extra power).
Adjacent huge cemetery site is accessible via a goat path at the back of the campground and provided a great place to walk our dog every day.
We were attending the Alleghany Ukulele Soiree at the Altoona Grand Hotel, and this was a perfect spot (less than 5 minutes away).
Will definitely return!!
Rocky Gap State Park in Maryland, just southeast of Buffalo Mills, Pennsylvania, features campsites situated within heavily wooded areas. The elevation change from Buffalo Mills to Cumberland provides scenic overlooks of the Appalachian landscape. Many camping spots near Buffalo Mills remain operational through winter months, though amenities may be limited during colder seasons when temperatures frequently drop below freezing.
Lake activities: Rocky Gap State Park Campground offers a 5-mile hiking trail around Lake Habeeb with multiple water recreation options. "A lot to paddle. Easy to get to from I-70," notes visitor Marcandpatti B. The park includes canoe, kayak and paddle board rentals for water enthusiasts.
Primitive camping: Green Ridge State Forest provides secluded sites for those seeking a true wilderness experience. "What it does have is solitude. There are nearly 100 campsites within the forest boundaries and with the exception of the Kasekamp sites most of them have no neighbor within half a mile," explains Bill G. Sites cost under $75 for a full week.
Historical exploration: Cumberland, Maryland sits 20 miles south of Buffalo Mills and contains cultural sites accessible from nearby campgrounds. The C&O Canal Trail connects to Cumberland from several camping areas. "This is a 1 3/4 mile walk along the C&O Canal Trail to the outskirts of Cumberland. A fantastic museum is near that 1 3/4 mile point," states Roger W.
Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the generous site sizes at Friendship Village Campground. "Sites are very spacious and the gravel pad was level upon parking. Good connections and solid cable," reports Brittany V. The campground maintains well-defined site boundaries despite high occupancy.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds maintain stocked fishing ponds. "We stayed here to go to the flight 93 memorial so we didn't do much at the campground except fish caught a few nice bass," writes Rich E. about Pioneer Lakes. Most campgrounds allow fishing without requiring additional permits.
Clean facilities: Bathhouses receive consistent positive reviews across multiple campgrounds. "The bathhouse was kept very clean, even though the campground was full," notes Kimberly H. about Rocky Gap State Park. Multiple reviewers mention prompt maintenance of restroom facilities even during peak season.
Road noise concerns: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise due to proximity to highways. Aaron S. describes Friendship Village Campground: "This campground is located by 2 major highways and truck traffic and Jake brake are constant all night long. The road noise made it hard to hear when we were sitting around the fire."
Seasonal operations: Many private campgrounds operate from April through October. Choice Camping Court specifically lists their season as "Apr 15 to Oct 1" while Hidden Springs operates "May 1 to Nov 1." State parks typically maintain year-round access though with reduced services.
Reservations recommended: Weekends fill quickly at most established campgrounds, particularly during summer months. Primitive sites at Green Ridge State Forest operate first-come, first-served. "You can't make a reservation in advance, you have to take a chance that there will be a site available," explains Benjamin L.
Kid-friendly activities: Hidden Springs Campground provides multiple recreation options for children. "Swimming pool available and pond for fishing. Nice little store. Lots of pavilions for large family outings," notes Jordan B. Most family-oriented campgrounds schedule weekend activities during summer months.
Beach areas: Rocky Gap State Park features a designated swimming beach. "We love that the campground has their own beach so it's not over crowded with the public. Near the beach there is a nice playground near shade for parents to watch," reports Katie H.
Site selection: Families should research specific site locations before booking. "We absolutely loved our stay at this park once we changed sites. We have a 35' TT and there was no way it was going to fit in the site we originally booked," explains Brittany V. about Shawnee State Park, emphasizing the importance of checking site dimensions.
Leveling challenges: RV campers frequently mention uneven sites at several campgrounds. "The site we were assigned was easily accessed and had a nice view of the campground. However, as we drove through the rest of the RV park area we noted that many of the sites had very awkward back-in approaches," reports Gerard about Shawnee State Park Campground.
Utility hookups: Many campgrounds offer varied hookup options. "We got the pull through at the end of one loop so we could face the woods. The site wasn't so level, but we made it work," explains Paul B. about Nature's Getaway RV Park. Full hookup sites typically cost $10-15 more per night than electric-only options.
Site accessibility: Some camping areas have challenging access roads. "Remember a good portion of the campsites are reached by notoriously thin and rough roads," warns Bill G. about Green Ridge State Forest. RVers should research road conditions, especially for primitive camping areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Buffalo Mills, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Buffalo Mills, PA offers a wide range of camping options, with 152 campgrounds and RV parks near Buffalo Mills, PA and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Buffalo Mills, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Buffalo Mills, PA is Rocky Gap State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 54 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Buffalo Mills, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Buffalo Mills, PA.
What parks are near Buffalo Mills, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 23 parks near Buffalo Mills, PA that allow camping, notably Youghiogheny River Lake and Raystown Lake.
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