Located in south-central Pennsylvania, Everett sits at an elevation of 1,053 feet between the Allegheny Mountains and Tussey Mountain ridge. The area experiences distinct seasons with warm summers, cold winters, and vibrant fall colors typically peaking in mid-October. Campsites in the region often feature level limestone pads near water bodies, with most campgrounds operating from April through late October when temperatures average between 55-75°F.
What to do
Hiking trails around Raystown Lake: Seven Points Campground offers excellent access to miles of hiking paths around the lake. "There is a 5 mile trail that goes all around the lake. Lots of lake to paddle. Easy to get to from I-70," notes a camper. The campground maintains numerous footpaths layered with recycled rubber for comfortable walking.
Mountain biking on Allegrippis Trails: The trail system begins just above the upper camp loops at Seven Points and provides a full day of riding options. "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!" explains one reviewer.
Fishing in stocked ponds: Friendship Village Campground maintains a catch-and-release fishing pond that requires no license. "There are multiple ponds on the property however only one of them can be fished in. No license is required for fishing here," shares a visitor. The pond attracts families with children and features a 1/2 mile walking path around it.
What campers like
Spacious, shaded campsites: Rocky Gap State Park Campground offers generous spacing between sites. "Can't believe how much space is between each site. You're close enough to see other campers but far enough away to feel you have your own sections of woods," notes one camper. Many sites are tucked into wooded areas providing natural privacy.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathhouses across the region's campgrounds. At Friendship Village, a reviewer reports: "The bathhouse was kept very clean, even though the campground was full." Sites typically include fire rings with adjustable grill plates and picnic tables.
Family-focused activities: Lake Raystown Resort offers numerous structured activities for children. "Both RV sites and lots to rent to pitch your own tent, fishing, huge lake with beach, lots of activities for the kids throughout the summer, one of the nicest parks we have camped at!" writes one visitor. Many campgrounds organize seasonal events like Halloween trick-or-treating and weekend entertainment.
What you should know
Site selection matters: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain that can challenge setup. "I heeded the advice of other reviewers warning that many sites were not level and did not reserve ahead of time," reports a visitor to Shawnee State Park Campground. Most electric sites tend to be more level than primitive areas.
Road noise varies by location: Several campgrounds experience highway noise despite their natural settings. At Hidden Springs Campground, one camper notes: "We had a very positive experience at Hidden Springs. We stayed 4 nights, the first two were very quiet at the campground." Selecting sites farther from main roads can help minimize disturbance.
Limited cell service: Many glamping options close to Everett, Pennsylvania have spotty coverage. A Rocky Gap visitor explains: "Cell service was limited, but had reliable (but low) signal with T-Mobile at my site." Some campgrounds offer WiFi near office areas, but connectivity decreases at distant sites.
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated kid zones: Cowans Gap State Park Campground offers child-friendly features throughout. "Great park. Clean bath houses," notes one visitor. Another adds: "We went to Cowans gap last full for a Halloween weekend and the children loved it. We even won the campsite decorating contest."
Beach access is valuable: Many families appreciate swimming areas with sandy beaches. "The lake is beautiful and sunsets from the campground are stunning. There is a sandy beach which is perfect for swimming," reports a Lake Raystown Resort visitor. Supervised swimming areas with lifeguards operate primarily between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Reserve waterfront sites early: The most desirable family sites book quickly. "We stayed at the Senoia campground in Seven Points for memorial day this year with our pop up. The lake front sites are beautiful and well maintained, but difficult to book," advises one camper.
Tips from RVers
Double-check site dimensions: Many campground sites can't accommodate larger rigs despite listings. "We have a 35' TT and there was no way it was going to fit in the site we originally booked. Luckily it was opening weekend and the rangers and super accommodating!" warns a Shawnee State Park visitor. Some campgrounds offer pull-through sites with full hookups, while others have more limited electric-only options.
Plan for uneven terrain: Fifteen Mile Campground and other area sites often require leveling equipment. "The tent pads could use some leveling and there was some trash around the site," notes one camper about a nearby park. RVers should bring extra leveling blocks, particularly for sites along hillsides.
Dump station facilities vary: Many campgrounds provide multi-lane dump stations. "On our way out, we visited the dump station again and got in one of the 4 lanes with no wait. The dump station, as noted above had wide lanes and made the experience an easy and clean one," describes a Seven Points visitor.
