Best Campgrounds near Howard, PA
Howard, Pennsylvania sits adjacent to multiple state park camping areas, with Bald Eagle State Park offering both developed and primitive camping experiences. The primitive camping area provides rustic tent and RV sites with vault toilets and water pumps scattered around a one-way loop, while the Russell P. Letterman Campground offers more modern amenities including electric hookups, showers, and sewer connections. Beyond state parks, the region includes private options like Bellefonte-State College KOA and Farm on the Creek, which accommodate tent campers, RVs, and cabin stays. Most campgrounds in the area feature fire rings, picnic tables, and access to the waters of Bald Eagle Lake.
Camping season varies significantly across Howard-area campgrounds, with most state park facilities operating from April through October or early December. Primitive sites typically have shorter seasons, while more developed areas maintain longer operational periods. Many campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly for weekend stays during summer months. Cell service can be inconsistent throughout the region, with some campgrounds offering good connectivity while others provide a more disconnected experience. Water access points are common but may be crowded during peak season. According to one visitor, "The campground can host tents, as well as RVs/campers, and includes clean bath houses with both toilets and showers. There is little to no phone service here and it's not super close to town, so come prepared."
Several campers highlight the night sky viewing opportunities in the region, with clear dark skies providing excellent stargazing conditions. Bald Eagle State Park receives consistently high ratings for its well-maintained facilities and spacious sites, though visitors note the rustic tent sites require short walks from parking areas along the loop road. Railroad tracks run near some primitive campsites, with one reviewer noting, "An active railroad sits about 75 feet away from several of the rustic sites. We noticed the 7 p.m. train on Saturday evening. What we didn't expect was being awoken at 5 a.m. to a freight train blowing through full steam." Sites vary considerably in privacy and shade coverage, with some offering secluded woodland settings while others are more exposed. Local wildlife sightings commonly include raccoons, with campers occasionally mentioning bears in the vicinity.
