Camping cabins near Hesston, Pennsylvania provide access to Raystown Lake, an 8,000-acre reservoir with 118 miles of shoreline in Huntingdon County. The region sits at approximately 760 feet elevation with surrounding ridges reaching 2,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F, while spring and fall can see significant temperature variations requiring layered clothing for overnight stays.
What to do
Mountain biking on Allegrippis Trails: The trail system begins near Ridge Camp at Seven Points, offering IMBA standard built trails open year-round. "[The] Allegrippis Trail system [is] 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 visitor to Seven Points.
Fishing access points: Multiple boat launches provide fishing opportunities, with bluegill particularly abundant. "Raystown Lake has multiple access areas that are probably 15-20 minutes away - we fished at Tautman Run and Aitch - both were accessible and had lots of bluegill to steal our worms," reports a camper at Raystown Lake / Saxton KOA at Four Seasons.
Scenic overlook drives: Two notable viewpoints offer panoramic lake views within short driving distance. "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 a Seven Points camper.
What campers like
Quiet woodland settings: Many cabins and campsites offer secluded, shaded locations ideal for nature observation. "Beautiful campground. All wooded sites with shade all day long. Quite/peaceful setting. Great for sitting and listening to nature," notes a visitor to Pleasant Hills Campground.
Waterfront cabin access: Some locations offer direct boat tie-ups at lakeside sites. "In fact, several sites allowed for boat tie ups right at your site so you could have both your camper / tent and boat at the same site," describes a Seven Points visitor. Another camper at Lake Raystown Resort mentions, "site 79 was AMAZING. Perfect views of the lake and very spaced out. Never felt like we were on top of our neighbors."
Year-round recreation options: The area offers multi-season activities beyond summer water sports. "Can paddle and hike year round and camp in the spring, summer and fall. Amazing camp sites and several have beautiful lookouts over the lake," shares a visitor to Honey Bear Campground.
What you should know
Varying site terrain: Many campgrounds feature significant elevation changes that affect site layout and accessibility. "Our site was split and the two areas are on different levels. Only the two loops on the water have this. The other four loops are all level spacious sites," notes a Seven Points visitor about Senoia loop.
Reservation timing strategy: Lake-view cabins book quickly, especially in peak season. "Ridge camp is the furthest away from the marina and the public swimming area. However it's the closest to the Allegrippis Trail system," explains a camper, offering an alternative to waterfront sites.
Bathroom facilities vary significantly: Some locations offer modern facilities while others provide more basic options. "The bathroom has no lights or sink," reports a camper at Trough Creek State Park Campground, contrasting with other locations that feature updated bathhouses.
Water quality considerations: Water sources at some locations may require filtration. "The 'water hookup' was BROWN," notes a tent camper at Trough Creek State Park, highlighting the importance of bringing drinking water supplies.
Tips for camping with families
Beach amenities: The swimming area includes additional facilities beyond what's mentioned in cabin descriptions. "The lake swimming area also had a snack bar and bathhouse," notes a Seven Points visitor, making it convenient for day-long outings with children.
Family-friendly cabin features: Some cabin rentals include child-specific amenities. "They also have a crib for infants and a high chair which was very nice as we had a 1 year old at the time," mentions a visitor to Drooly Bear Cabin, noting these thoughtful additions for families.
Playground locations: Recreation areas for children are distributed throughout several campgrounds. "Valley Camp (VCAM) was a single in/out with a loop around the playground," describes a Seven Points visitor, while noting "the only playground [in Senoia camp] appeared to be at the top of the hill."
Educational activities: Scheduled programming enhances family camping experiences. "Sunday we had pancakes and later a visit from RayCEP which is an education program that PA DNCR provides talking about various outdoorsy type things. This is primarily for kids," shares a Raystown Lake/Saxton KOA visitor.
Tips from RVers
Dump station quality: Seven Points offers exceptional facilities for RV services. "We arrived and filled up the fresh water tank at the ultra-cool 4 lane dump station... The signage was very well marked and the fresh water spigot was more like a little tank, super-solid, clean and modern," reports one RVer.
Site leveling considerations: Some sites require minimal adjustment while others present challenges. "One backup attempt into the site and (according to our LevelMatePRO app) it was perfectly level...that was definitely a first for us," shares a Ridge Camp visitor at Seven Points.
Loop navigation: Campground layouts affect RV maneuverability and site selection. "Ridge is on an incline with a loop at the end. Perfect for turning around to head out," explains a Seven Points visitor, providing useful context for larger rigs.
Site construction details: The physical composition of sites affects RV setup. "Our pad was limestone and very flat and level, so setting out our rugs was easy and comfortable underneath our feet," notes a Seven Points camper, detailing surface considerations important to RVers.
