Camping opportunities near Claysburg, Pennsylvania center around the forested foothills of the Allegheny Mountains, with elevations ranging from 1,000-2,500 feet. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F, while fall brings colorful foliage and cooler nights around 40-50°F. Yurt camping options in the Claysburg region provide a comfortable middle ground between tent camping and cabin rentals.
What to do
Lake activities: Raystown Lake offers extensive water recreation spanning 8,300 acres with 118 miles of shoreline. Visitors can rent pontoon boats and jet skis directly from Lake Raystown Resort marina. "Great getaway campground for some camping or glamping fun! So much to do here including swimming on the beach or at the water park, mountain biking, boating, hiking, and enjoying the beautiful lake," notes one camper.
Mountain biking: Allegrippis Trails provide over 30 miles of purpose-built singletrack accessible from Seven Points Campground. "This upper loop is also the quietest of the loops and although there were still plenty of boaters in the camp there were just as many bikers. Raystown is a huge boating destination," explains one reviewer who appreciates the trail system.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes in the region support diverse fish species. At Trough Creek State Park, the fishing is noteworthy even for casual anglers. "The lake and the trails around it are beautiful. Great swimming and kayaking/small boating," shares a visitor to Shawnee State Park, highlighting the accessible water activities available even for those without specialized equipment.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer spacious, well-separated sites. "Ridge camp is the furthest away from the marina and the public swimming area. However it's the closest to the Allegrippis Trail system and from the entrance of the camp loop there is a trail head! Big spacious sites that make pitching a tent easy with water available just a few sites away," notes a camper at Seven Points.
Clean facilities: Despite high visitor numbers, most campgrounds maintain their amenities well. "The bathhouse (one in the loop) was clean with 3 showers. A playground near the sites at the entrance also," reports a visitor to Seven Points, while another notes, "Shower & bathhouses have always been clean and well stocked."
Yurt accommodations: For those seeking yurt camping near Claysburg, Pennsylvania, several parks offer these unique structures. "We stayed in a yurt in Senoia loop in a water view (somewhat) site," notes a visitor to Seven Points, describing the alternative lodging options that provide more protection from the elements than traditional tents.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds operate with limited services outside summer months. "We stayed here for three nights in October. It was nearly empty and blissfully quiet," reports a visitor at Lake Raystown Resort, highlighting the advantages of off-season camping in the region.
Site selection matters: Research specific sites before booking, especially for RVs. "Double check site booked. 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," advises a visitor to Shawnee State Park Campground, emphasizing the importance of careful site selection.
Limited cell service: Most campgrounds have spotty connectivity. While some find this a welcome break, it can be problematic if you need to stay in touch. A visitor to Trough Creek State Park warns, "there's absolutely 0 cell service. We have Verizon," highlighting the communication limitations in the more remote areas.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Several parks offer designated swimming areas with amenities. "The lake is so clean and refreshing and we have such beautiful views from our camp site. We went down to the swim beach and our kiddo made sand castles and swam in the clear water," shares a visitor about Susquehannock Campground.
Playground options: Most family-friendly campgrounds include play areas. "There is a playground near the sites at the entrance," notes a Seven Points visitor, while Friendship Village Campground gets high marks for its "mini golf, fishing, and special events on weekends."
Educational opportunities: The region offers various natural learning experiences. "The visitors center has a great educational area inside and a nature trail outside. Across from the visitors center is a mountain bike park," explains a camper, highlighting how families can incorporate learning into their outdoor adventures.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric, water and sewage connections vary significantly between campgrounds. At Friendship Village Campground, RVers appreciate the "full hook up big rig sites," though one visitor notes that "the property is quite spread out through the property with sites ranging from primitive campsites to full hook up big rig sites."
Dump station logistics: Seven Points receives praise for its facilities. "On our way out, we visited the dump station again and got in one of the 4 lanes with no wait. The dump station had wide lanes and made the experience an easy and clean one," reports a visitor who appreciated the thoughtfully designed facilities.
Leveling challenges: Many sites in the region require some effort to level an RV. "I heeded the advice of other reviewers warning that many sites were not level and did not reserve ahead of time. Most of the non-electric sites were decidedly not level but many of the FHU and electric sites were fairly level," shares a visitor to Shawnee State Park, providing practical advice for RV campers seeking comfortable parking.
