Raystown Lake dominates the camping landscape near Entriken, Pennsylvania, with over 8,300 acres of water surface and 118 miles of shoreline. The lake's position in Huntingdon County creates unique camping opportunities, with many sites situated on hillsides or peninsulas. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from April through October, with water temperatures suitable for swimming from mid-June through August.
What to do
Mountain biking on Allegrippis Trails: Access these IMBA-standard trails directly from Ridge Camp at Seven Points. "The 40 some sites in the Ridge camp are a mix of shaded and open sites... from the entrance of the camp loop there is a trail head! This upper loop is also the quietest of the loops," notes Travis S. The trails stay open year-round and hold up well in all weather conditions.
Fishing from your campsite: Waterfront sites at Susquehannock Campground allow direct water access. "We stayed at Suquehannock for the first time in August 2020 and had a fantastic time with our dog! Old Logger's Trail can be reached walking from the campground, and there are many other hiking/biking trails within a 15-minute drive," writes Andrew. Some sites are right at water level where "you can walk right into the lake."
Scenic overlook visits: Drive to viewpoints near the Raystown Dam for panoramic lake views. "We drove into Huntingdon and found signs to two outlooks which had spectacular views. One was Ridenour Overlook and the other Hawn's Overlook which were accessed from the same parking lot. Ridenour overlooked the Raystown dam which led us to see that we could drive to the top of the dam and have another great view," according to Tim J.
What campers like
Spacious lakeside sites: At Lake Raystown Resort, waterfront sites receive high marks for their views and privacy. "Absolutely blown away by this campsite. A bit wary going in because I saw some negative reviews about the waterfront sites but site 79 was AMAZING. Perfect views of the lake and very spaced out. Never felt like we were on top of our neighbors," writes Tori.
Clean, modern facilities: Raystown Lake / Saxton KOA earns praise for its amenities. "The staff here at Raystown Lake/Saxton KOA are great. They are friendly, willing to help anyway they can, and keep the place spotless. It looks like they have recently remodeled the bathrooms/showers (3 of the 4 look brand new), and the pool has been crystal clear," notes Chuck M.
Boat-only campsites: For those seeking a unique experience, Nancy's Boat To Shore Campground offers sites accessible only by watercraft. "These campsites are accessible by boat ONLY! They are in an area of the lake that has a lot of boat traffic, the waterfront spots usually book a few weeks in advance and are in a wake zone. There is mooring along both sides of the campground," explains Kristen H.
What you should know
Site elevations and layouts: Many campsites near Entriken sit on hillsides with split-level designs. "We stayed in Senoia loop in a water view (somewhat) site. It was carved out of the side of the hill with 3 wood walls. Our table and firepit were up several stairs/steps. This is a hilly area so your site is split and the two areas are on different levels," says Laure D. about Point Campground.
Cell service limitations: Reception is spotty across much of the region. One camper at Trough Creek State Park Campground noted they had "absolutely 0 cell service. We have Verizon." Plan communications accordingly and download maps before arrival.
Dump station facilities: The area offers well-designed facilities for RV waste disposal. Tim J. mentions the "ultra-cool 4 lane dump station" at Seven Points, adding "The dump station, as noted above had wide lanes and made the experience an easy and clean one."
Tips for camping with families
Best loops for kids on bikes: Consider site locations carefully if traveling with children. At Seven Points, "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." Senoia camp can be "very steep and far away from the water. Probably not too safe for kids on bikes."
Swimming beach options: The main beach at Seven Points offers monitored swimming with facilities. "We went down to the swim beach and our kiddo made sand castles and swam in the clear water. We can't wait to come back soon!" shares Jennifer D. The lake swimming area includes "a snack bar and bathhouse."
Educational opportunities: Look for Trough Creek State Park programs and visitor center activities. "We saw signs for Hesston Speedway which we want to visit next time we go. It's across from the campground main road entrance. The RLRA has numerous activities one of which was Chris Collins and Boulder Canyon group who performed John Denver songs," reports one camper.
Tips from RVers
Leveling considerations: RV sites throughout the region vary in levelness. One camper at Seven Points reported, "We pulled into Ridge Camp 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... Our pad was limestone and very flat and level." Others at Lake Raystown Resort note that some RV pads are "skinnier in some instances then a TT is wide."
Water and electric hookups: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. At Susquehannock Campground, "There is only compostable toilets and no showers but that didn't bother us and was expected. Water is available at the entrance only," notes Amelie B. Plan water tank fills accordingly.
Site width limitations: Some lakefront sites have unique constraints. Mary C. observed that at Lake Raystown Resort, sites "had cement pads only as wide as your rv/tt but then the surrounding grass dropped off sharply. Very dangerous as you barely had enough room to walk around your unit."
