Raystown Lake serves as the central feature for camping and glamping in Hesston, Pennsylvania, situated at an elevation of approximately 786 feet in Huntingdon County. The area spans 8,300 acres of water surrounded by forested hillsides, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and cool evenings in the 60s. Winter camping can see temperatures drop into the 30s with occasional snow, making spring through fall the most popular seasons.
What to do
Mountain biking on Allegrippis Trails: The extensive network provides over 36 miles of professionally designed single-track trails. At Seven Points, "One thing to note is Ridge is on an incline with a loop at the end. Perfect for turning around to head out. With the many bike trails in Seven Points, there were a lot of adult mountain bike riders," according to Tim J.
Fishing at lake coves: Fish for striped bass, walleye, and catfish at numerous fishing spots around the lake. "The kids took a kayak over to an island and spent the afternoon cliff jumping with a 10 ft and 25 ft cliff to launch off of," notes a camper at Susquehannock Campground.
Explore historic sites: Visit nearby historic attractions. "The blacksmith shop was very educational! Great trails to hike! You can pick up a compass at the ranger station and complete a compass course! Beginner course available!" shares a camper about Greenwood Furnace State Park.
Winter camping options: Some campgrounds remain open during colder months. "We have been camping at Raystown since I was a kid. The lake is absolutely gorgeous and offers endless outdoor adventure—hiking, biking, fishing, boating, kayaking, and more," shares Shelby B.
What campers like
Waterfront access: Direct lake access is highly valued. According to Ian W. at Susquehannock Campground, "Very cool camp. Loops for RVs, higher on the hill, waterfront loops on steeper grounds for tents, and some walk-to sites adjacent to parking right at the point which double as boat-in. Some site right on the water, can walk right into the lake."
Dark skies for stargazing: Limited light pollution makes for excellent night sky viewing. "We stayed at one of two walk-in sites at Greenwood. The highlights were a spacious camp site, nice bathrooms, little light pollution (we saw the Milky Way!) and hearing screech owls at night," reports Ann P.
Beach facilities: Sandy beaches with amenities for families. At Cowans Gap State Park, "One of our favorites! campground sits right on a gorgeous lake. Lots of fishing options including boats you can rent. A walking trail wraps around the whole lake. There's lots of hiking trails, a real sand beach and swimming area, pedal boat and canoe rentals."
Yurt accommodations: Unique glamping options beyond traditional tent sites. "This campground offers tent sites, RV Sites, cabins and hotel accommodation. The campground is relatively flat and on the shore of Lake Raystown. The amenities are great and located centrally in each section of the park," notes Britt B.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Prepare for limited connectivity. "You are totally off the grid as far as cell, WiFi, and TV signal. Be prepared to be out of communication during your stay," warns Judy H. at Cowans Gap State Park.
Site elevation variations: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain. At Lake Raystown Resort, "Sites across the way were on the water. They 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," cautions Mary C.
Weather preparation: Mountain weather can change rapidly. "We went down to Suquehannock for the first time in August 2020 and had a fantastic time with our dog! Don't be alarmed by the fact that some reviews call this 'primitive' camping - there are restrooms with well-ventilated composting toilets," shares Andrew.
Reservation timing: Popular sites book quickly, especially waterfront. "Make a reservation way ahead of your date as this campground is very popular and sites book early. It has sites to accommodate any R.V. and lot of tent sites," advises Denise D. about Black Moshannon State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly trails: Several parks offer trails suitable for younger hikers. "Great camp for kids! We wanted to be close to Raystown Lake. Trough is quiet and small. It's really great if you're looking for a spot to 'rough' it (not really, but closer than most!) with the kids," shares Michael L. at Trough Creek State Park.
Playgrounds within campgrounds: Most sites have dedicated play areas. "A playground near the sites at the entrance also. A good choice for a weekend in the water or on the trails," mentions Travis S.
Beach swimming options: Kid-friendly 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," says Jennifer D.
Educational programs: Ranger-led activities for children. "Rangers were wonderful to work with in setting up teaching opportunities for the girls. We will definitely go back," states Nicole F.
Tips from RVers
Dump station access: Multiple lanes available at some locations. At Black Moshannon State Park, campers appreciate the "Nice campground with quiet 250 acre lake for kayaking. Good birding."
Site leveling challenges: Many RV sites require leveling equipment. "We looked at this campground in early August, but I wasn't too sure about the elevation. I booked our site #6 in Ridge Camp. From the time we arrived and filled up the fresh water tank at the ultra-cool 4 lane dump station, I knew we were in for a great weekend," shares Tim J.
Electrical hookup variations: Amperage varies by site and campground. "The site we were assigned was easily accessed and had a nice view of the campground. However, as we drove through the rest of the RV park area we noted that many of the sites had very awkward back-in approaches that did not provide sufficient area to maneuver a large rig into them," warns Gerard at Shawnee State Park.
Winter accessibility: Some roads close seasonally. "We stayed at Shawnee for 2 nights Memorial Day weekend just after Covid19 restrictions had been partially lifted. Site 258 on loop D is quiet, but may have been noisy if the yurt and 2 cabins had been rented out. There is a 20 amp plug and 30 amp service at this site," notes Danielle S.
