The Raystown Lake region near Hopewell, Pennsylvania sits at approximately 800 feet elevation with rolling hillsides surrounding Pennsylvania's largest lake. Water levels fluctuate seasonally, creating different shoreline conditions for campers throughout the year. Most campgrounds in this area remain open from April through late October, with some extending their season into December.
What to do
Hiking trails around Raystown Lake: Seven Points Campground features extensive hiking paths with rubber-layered footpaths for comfortable walking. "We took a drive down to the lake from our site after we finished packing up. The lake was beautiful. There's a beach and swimming area. There's a little viewing area/dock with information on the bald eagles and osprey that live there," notes one Seven Points camper.
Mountain biking on IMBA trails: Seven Points Campground provides direct access to the Allegrippis Trails system. "The mtb trails begin just above the upper camp loops and provide a full day of fast flowing singletrack," shares a reviewer, highlighting the professionally built trails that remain open year-round regardless of weather conditions.
Fishing without licenses: At Friendship Village Campground, anglers can enjoy no-license fishing in their stocked pond. "The pond is nice and has a 1/2 mile walking path around it with trees and beaches to stop and sit," mentions one visitor who appreciated the accessible shoreline areas.
What campers like
Waterfront camping options: Susquehannock Campground offers primitive campsites right on the water. "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," explains a reviewer who enjoyed the lake access.
Fall foliage viewing: Cowans Gap State Park shows spectacular autumn colors. "Absolutely amazing fall color on the lake and great drives surrounding. Bathrooms are clean and hot showers," reports a camper who visited during peak fall season.
Clean facilities with amenities: Rocky Gap State Park Campground maintains well-kept facilities despite high visitor numbers. "The bathhouses are always clean and well stocked. The camp sites are tucked into the woods with plenty of room for camping," notes a frequent visitor who appreciates the maintained grounds.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Several campgrounds in the region have spotty connectivity. At Cowans Gap State Park, a camper mentioned: "Our first time at Cowans gap and we loved it. 5 nights, 6 days with no cell or wifi to stress us out."
Site selection matters: Choose your specific site carefully, especially for RVs. At Shawnee State Park, one camper advises: "I heeded the advice of other reviewers warning that many sites were not level and did not reserve ahead of time. A Monday in mid-October had many open sites. Most of the non-electric sites were decidedly not level."
Noise considerations: Trough Creek State Park Campground can have varying noise levels. While one reviewer noted it was "quiet and small," others mentioned generator noise: "Droning generator noise was on/off at all hours of the day and went on until 10pm in the evening. Not sure how far up in Loop B this was heard, but it was pretty loud in the walk-in site area."
Tips for camping with families
Designated dog areas: Many campgrounds accommodate pets in specific areas. "Pet friendly (spaces 1-30, Campground A), nice shower houses with heat, well laid out beach, beach house, watercraft rentals, friendly park rangers & staff, and in the center of trails galore!" reports a Cowans Gap visitor.
Swimming beaches with lifeguards: Seven Points features supervised swimming areas. "The pool hours are a little later than most campgrounds as they open at 11 through the week and 12 on Sunday. The campground does maintain a policy of having to wear a shirt or a cover-up when not in the pool vicinity," explains a visitor noting the family-friendly policies.
Kid-friendly activities: Friendship Village offers structured entertainment for children. "This campground is very clean and family friendly. They have mini golf, fishing, and special events on weekends," shares a camper who found plenty to keep children occupied.
Tips from RVers
Dump station access: Seven Points Campground offers excellent dump 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, as noted above had wide lanes and made the experience an easy and clean one," notes an RVer who appreciated the well-designed service area.
Site leveling considerations: For glamping close to Hopewell, Pennsylvania, Shawnee State Park requires careful site selection. "The sites are spacious with a ton of tree coverage. Easy access to the dump station as you exit. It's not directly on the lake but there is a ton of parking and easy access points," mentions a reviewer who succeeded in finding a suitable site for their travel trailer.
Loop selection for large rigs: At Lake Raystown Resort, different loops accommodate different RV sizes. "For big rig campers, you need to stay at the upper portion of the campground at sites 200-500," advises a camper familiar with the luxury glamping options near Hopewell.
