Centre Hall is located near the central Pennsylvania mountains where elevations range from 1,200 to 1,400 feet. The area experiences typical four-season climate with warm summers averaging 80°F and cold winters that can drop below 20°F. Camping options include both state parks and private facilities, with most sites situated within rolling terrain that can create challenges for leveling equipment.
What to do
Water recreation at Bald Eagle State Park: The park features a large lake with sandy beaches and multiple access points for fishing and kayaking. "The lake is huge with a beautiful beach to spread out on and play in the sand! We kayaked and biked all over the park. We also fished a lot. Due to the large size of the lake we didn't feel like we were on top of other people fishing," notes a visitor to Bald Eagle State Park.
Riverside relaxation: Several campgrounds offer direct river access for fishing or water activities. At River's Edge RV Park & Campground, "The campground offers direct access to the river for afternoon floats on tubes or kayaks and they're building a large dock for fishing. Beautiful sunsets on the river!" according to one camper.
Drive-in movie experience: Some campgrounds offer unique nearby entertainment options. River's Edge RV Park & Campground is "literally right next door to a drive-in movie theater," making it a rare camping opportunity with classic entertainment access.
Historic town exploration: The area is close to multiple historic small towns worth visiting. "We also loved historic Bellefonte. I highly recommend eating at the Governors Pub," mentions a camper who stayed at Bellefonte-State College KOA.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many campers appreciate secluded spots away from crowds. At Seven Mountains Campground, one reviewer noted their cabin had "a large covered front porch with again more lighting and a hanging swing. Parking is driveway-close, and they're pretty mellow about blazing conflagrations (IF it's under control)."
Clean, modern facilities: Bathroom quality varies significantly between campgrounds. At Bellefonte-State College KOA, a camper reported, "The individual bathroom/showers were great & clean. Office facilities & firewood access were also nice."
Riverside locations: Waterfront sites are highly sought after in this region. At Waterside Campground and RV Park, a visitor recommended, "Absolutely beautiful if you are riverside. Staff was friendly and helpful. Typical overall, but clean and pretty. Stay on the waterside! Sites 48-53. Stayed at 49, it was absolutely perfection!"
Seasonal sites: Some campgrounds offer seasonal options for regular visitors. One camper at River's Edge RV Park & Campground "stumbled upon this brand new campground along the Juniata River in Mifflintown PA, fell in love with it, and purchased our first seasonal site!"
What you should know
Site privacy varies greatly: Many campgrounds have a mix of exposed and private sites. At Bellefonte-State College KOA, "The section in the front of the park is open with spotty trees; whereas, sites in the back of the park are tucked in the woods and are a lot more private."
Booking during football season: Penn State football games create extremely high demand. "We stayed here over a weekend and the campground was packed because there was a Penn State football game. Once the weekend was over, the park cleared out," notes a Bellefonte-State College KOA visitor.
Site leveling challenges: The mountainous terrain affects campsite conditions. A camper at Bellefonte-State College KOA observed, "Some sites are not level at all and others are sloped such that you have to pull all the way forward into your site to get level."
Water pressure issues: Some campgrounds struggle with consistent water pressure. At Bellefonte-State College KOA, one camper reported, "Then there was the water pressure… or lack of water pressure. Saying it trickled out would be generous."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activity options: Some campgrounds have dedicated family amenities. At Raystown Lake / Saxton KOA, a visitor enjoyed special events: "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... On Saturday was rock painting and then bingo and ended the night with a DJ dance party."
Swimming options: Many campgrounds offer pools for children. "The pool and splash pad were clean and nice," reports a visitor to Bellefonte-State College KOA. Similarly, Raystown Lake / Saxton KOA features "a pool that is as clean as they come."
Playground access: Kid-friendly areas are available at several locations. Bald Eagle State Park is described as "a great place to camp, fish, kayak, boat, bike and hike. Our kids loved the freedom of riding their bike and exploring the park with other kids who were camping."
Educational opportunities: Some parks offer learning experiences. At Raystown Lake / Saxton KOA, a family enjoyed "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."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for big rigs: At The Bellefonte Campground, "Sites are sloped a bit as most are in the mountains. We were able to decently level our motorhome with blocks," according to a recent visitor. Having leveling equipment is essential for RV camping near Centre Hall, Pennsylvania.
Terrain challenges: The mountainous landscape can create access issues. At Bellefonte-State College KOA, "Some pull-thru sites have a very steep short hill to go up which made for some RV's scraping bottom."
Site length considerations: Not all sites accommodate larger vehicles. Bellefonte-State College KOA has "roads in the back section are narrow and the sites are not very long and suitable for small campers."
Hookup availability: Full hookup options vary by campground. At Waterside Campground, campers appreciate the "easy in and out, full utilities" setup that makes RV camping more convenient.
