Best Campgrounds near Imler, PA

The Imler area of Pennsylvania provides access to several camping options across its mountainous landscape, including Blue Knob State Park Campground situated on the second highest peak in Pennsylvania. Campers can choose from established campgrounds with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Within a 30-minute drive, additional camping areas include Shawnee State Park, Friendship Village Campground, and Pat's Primitive Place. The region supports various accommodation types from rustic tent-only areas to full-service RV parks with amenities such as electric hookups, showers, and picnic tables. Most developed campgrounds in the area offer both wooded and open sites suitable for different camping preferences.

Camping in the Imler region follows seasonal patterns with most facilities operating from April through October. Blue Knob State Park Campground specifically operates from the second Friday in April until the third Sunday in October. As one camper noted, "It was chillier than surrounding areas due to being on the mountain." The higher elevation creates cooler temperatures even during summer months. Water is available at central locations but not at every campsite in some facilities. Cell service can be limited, particularly at Blue Knob where visitors should "be prepared for extremely limited cell service" according to reviews. Many campgrounds require advance reservations, especially during summer weekends and holidays when sites fill quickly.

Campers consistently highlight the quiet, peaceful atmosphere of the area's campgrounds. Blue Knob State Park receives praise for its spacious sites and excellent hiking opportunities. One visitor described it as "possibly the best car-camping in Western PA" due to its scenic trails and mountain views. The campground is relatively small with fewer than 50 sites, providing a more intimate experience compared to larger facilities nearby. Family-friendly amenities are available at several campgrounds in the region, with Friendship Village offering activities like mini-golf, fishing ponds, and playgrounds. Visitors should note that some campgrounds near major highways may experience road noise, while those deeper in forested areas provide more seclusion. Most developed campgrounds maintain clean facilities with restrooms and showers, though primitive camping areas may require self-sufficiency.

Best Camping Sites Near Imler, Pennsylvania (113)

    1. Shawnee State Park Campground

    27 Reviews
    Schellsburg, PA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 733-4218

    $20 - $110 / night

    "Was pleased by the quiet despite size of campground and proximity to highway. Sites not overly large or private. Has wood vending machine at entrance for firewood."

    "The morning drive started early, had several stops and starts, and I was once again glad that my big dog was along for the ride."

    2. Friendship Village Campground & RV Park

    13 Reviews
    Bedford, PA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 623-1677

    "The campground is nestled on the outskirts of Bedford Pennsylvania and is a very easy location to travel to regardless of your rig size."

    "One of the best campgrounds I have stayed at so far the pond is nice and has a 1/2 mile walking path around it with trees and beaches to stop and sit dog park is big and has a place for small or large"

    3. Blue Knob State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Imler, PA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 608-3034

    $20 - $108 / night

    "it’s small, with shaded sites around the perimeter and two walk in sites just left of the entrance."

    "The hiking here is really spectacular with lots of scenery, overlooks, and side trails that extend many miles out into state forest lands which are adjacent to the park."

    4. Lake Raystown Resort

    13 Reviews
    Entriken, PA
    19 miles
    Website

    "Fantastic lake side camping resort. Best for campers or using their cabins but it has freeway access to the lake and beautiful views."

    "Beautiful lakeside sites."

    5. Choice Camping Court

    4 Reviews
    Schellsburg, PA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 623-5586

    $25 - $50 / night

    "The trucks passing by on the highway can be loud at night so keep that in mind when choosing a spot if it would bother you. After a little while it was just background noise to us."

    6. Raystown Lake / Saxton KOA at Four Seasons

    7 Reviews
    Saxton, PA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 477-1005

    $100 / night

    "The pavilion where all those activities happened were right next to our site (22 with the doggie den)."

    "The staff here at Raystown Lake/Saxton KOA are great. They a friendly, willing to help anyway they can, and keep the place spotless."

    7. Pat's Primitive Place

    1 Review
    Claysburg, PA
    10 miles
    +1 (814) 381-5957

    $25 - $50 / night

    "We had easy access to things around us but a quick walk along a path brought us to a beautiful spot by the creek. We set up camp right along the creek, as shown in our pictures."

    8. Seven Points (PA)

    22 Reviews
    Hesston, PA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 444-6777

    $28 - $200 / night

    "This campground is located on the east side of Pennsylvania and offers a beautiful view of Lake Raystown. The campground has over 200 sites to choose from, and many of them are right on the water."

    "It’s close to bathhouse and playground if you want those. There is parking at every bath house. There is trash receptacles at the entrance to the loop as well as firewood or sale."

    9. Rocky Gap State Park Campground

    52 Reviews
    Flintstone, MD
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 722-1480

    $23 - $29 / night

    "We stayed in cabin 170 in Fir loop and the site was incredibly spacious, heavily shaded, close to the bath house, path to the beach, and well distanced from other sites."

    "Our friends were in the site next to us (17) which was also nice and there was a wide walking path between them. Family also stayed in one of the rental cabins (21)."

    10. Nature's Getaway RV Park

    1 Review
    Schellsburg, PA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 733-4380
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Recent Reviews near Imler, PA

543 Reviews of 113 Imler Campgrounds


  • Kathy L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Laurel Hill State Park Campground

    Okay campground

    Okay campground. We met nice people staying there. However, the sites are REALLY not level because the RV sites are on a major slope, especially the pull-through sites. Large open grassy area. The camp host saw me walking my pups, and as I walked toward the trash can(near the bathroom) to throw away a pooped that I had picked up, she yelled across the green area from her site“no dogs in the bathrooms!” Kinda rude, but later she was friendly. Some okay hiking trails off the campground in a meadow.

  • S
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Rothrock Roadside Campsites — Rothrock State Forest

    Nice spot to camp in the mountains

    First I'll just say that the Rothrock campsites should probably each be listed separately, rather than as a group; they are very spread out throughout the State Forest and each is a different experience.  This review will be for site 002 Colerain Road.  

    This site is accessed by driving up a bit of a winding dirt road up the mountain.  It's easy enough during the summer, though the road is narrow and you've got some sharp bends depending on which way you come from.  This road is not safe to access in the winter in my opinion.  

    The parking is just right off the road, and there's a picnic table and large stone fire ring near the parking.  There's a small path further up the hill into the woods where there is a tent pad, another fire ring and another picnic table.  There are also a lot of flat spots nearby for additional tents to be set up.  

    Just behind the upper tent site is the top of the mountain, and the site has their own private overlook to the valley below.  The site is pretty remote, though there were vehicles and the occasional biker coming up the road.  Traffic may have been busier than usual the weekend we went because there was the Mid Atlantic Overland festival nearby at the same time.  At one point a family parked in the campsite's parking to start a walk... (there's a better trailhead up closer to Indian Lookout they should have used).

    No hookups, water, bathrooms, etc; its fully primitive camping here.  Cell coverage was fine on Xfinity Mobile (Verizon). 

    These sites used to be totally free but they're now $10 a night.  You still need to book a while out if you want to be here on a weekend, especially during the fall when Penn State is playing.

  • Ronnie B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Hidden Springs Campground

    Labor Day Weekend

    It was packed-all went smoothly. From check in, wood delivery, and parking.

  • Sue J.
    Aug. 5, 2025

    Rocky Gap State Park Campground

    Willing to give it another try

    I just returned from a 2-night tent camping solo trip with my dog.  This was my first time at Rocky Gap and I found some strong pros and cons.

    Pros

    Large camp sites, with decent space for tents. The descriptions on the State Park site seem very accurate. Mid week (Sunday and Monday nights) the campground was less than a third full, and the folks who were there were spread out so it felt more spacious than it was. There are some great trails for hiking, and the dog beach was perfect. You can rent kayaks, canoes, and SUPs, or bring your own for no launch fee.

    Cons

    It was very noisy at night due to traffic on I-68 and even the campground road, which despite a 15 mph posting has no speed bumps and seems to have a poplar straightaway for cars with loud mufflers who like to open it up. I don't know if the I68 traffic just sounds louder at night because everything else is quiet, or if the sound carries farther at night. But sleeping my tent, I was woken up many times by the sound of trucks down shifting and braking.

    Another noise -- during the day I heard what sounded like the world's largest circular saw, only to discover that there is a large saw mill about 2 miles north. Fortunately that noise stopped by about 6 pm.

    And finally, although there were only a few occupied sites in Dogwood loop, some were with very large groups with either no self awareness or no consideration for others. No fault of the park, and people did basically follow quiet hours, but 8:30am blasting music, and hooping and hollering into the night. Just. know that it is a popular park for large groups.

    Based on other reviews here saying that it was quiet, I'm willing to give it another try in a different loop. Or, not in a tent but in a camper van which is my other option.

  • B
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Pioneer Lakes RV Park

    Don't waste your money

    This was the worst experience I have ever had camping. We always do a huge family aging trip which we end up booking multiple sites. Every site was paid in full before arrival. One family checked in and had to pay extra when they checked in while the others did not. Camp sites where not mowed and unpresentable. Picnic tables where falling apart and one was not even usable because the bolt rusted on the bench seats and the boards where falling off. The roads are full of potholes going back to the sites. The staff are extremely rude and ignorant. When I was on the gulf cart going up to pick up my family from the pool, the one staff member stepped out in front of me blockkng me from going to pick up my family who was standing by the office steps. Told me I had to go park in the grass. Anytime you left the camp ground we where one, they watched us like Hawks. We had visitors that came and went to get a visitors pass and was treated like crap in the office and they actually told our visitors they where being dishonest. The playground area is unsafe. The wood on the playsets are falling apart and splintering. I had to pull alot of splinters out of my childs hands and feet. In the guys and girls restrooms, toilets where make closed and some of the knobs where broken off in the shower rooms. The wifi is terrible. You can't even use your cellphone on the wifi, let alone trying to stream TV. The pool water is terrible. Its so filled with salt that when you get out your skin is extremely dry and your lips shrivel up. You have to pay to go fishing but yet their ponds are scummy. Driving around we noticed that one Campsite was completely under water and it hasn't rain enough for a site to be flooded, another site the freshwater connection was held down by raquet straps to keep it together, another site there was a pile of shale and a mini excavator sitting in the lot with campers there. There was a band at the pavillion and there was a moonshine tent and staff was at it doing taste testing. I feel that drinking on the job is inappropriate. We use to go once a year here for the last 25 years and since the new owners took over, we will no longer camper there. Overall our trip was more frustrating than enjoyable. They need to find new staff that are customer friendly and not tyrants.

  • Kimberly H.
    Jul. 14, 2025

    Rocky Gap State Park Campground

    Such a treasure of a state park!

    We stayed in cabin 170 in Fir loop and the site was incredibly spacious, heavily shaded, close to the bath house, path to the beach, and well distanced from other sites. There are only 2 cabins on this loop and this one is the best positioned. The bath house was kept very clean, even though the campground was full. We brought paddle boards and the lake was perfect for paddle boarding. Note that you cannot swim anywhere outside of the roped swim areas. It was a hot day and we found a great shallow area and decided to take a dip and the lifeguards came out on boat and kindly told us we could not swim. We will definitely be back here to camp again soon.

  • Tiana S.
    Jul. 13, 2025

    STAR LEE FARM

    Great stay

    Place was very pretty and secluded. And customer service was excellent. There's a huge field to start gaze as well as taking pictures, lots of hiking and if you're a bee enthusiast they grow their own honey in the property and you're more than welcome to walk around and look at all the boxes. There's no electricity there but the owner is working on that but there is power in the shower house. Service is a little sketch but it's perfect for those who want to completely escape the business of modern world. Highly recommend

  • W
    Jul. 6, 2025

    Donegal Campground

    Mostly seasonal. Currently rebuilding clubhouse and office. Beautiful large outdoor pool.

    See above

  • Brittany V.
    Jul. 3, 2025

    Shawnee State Park Campground

    Double check site booked

    We absolutely loved our stay at this park once we changed sites. 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! We moved over one site and it made all the difference. 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.


Guide to Imler

Camping near Imler, Pennsylvania, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails around Rocky Gap State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "We walked the trail around Lake Habib which was 5.3 miles," making it a great spot for a leisurely hike.
  • Fishing and Swimming: At Lake Raystown Resort, you can enjoy fishing and swimming. A camper shared, "The lake is beautiful and sunsets from the campground are stunning."
  • Biking: The area around Cowans Gap State Park Campground is perfect for biking. One reviewer noted, "Biking, Hiking, sitting around a campfire, very nice."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A visitor at Friendship Village Campground & RV Park said, "I have never used a cleaner camp shower or seen so many amenities on a campground."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campers enjoy the spaciousness of the sites. A review for Seven Points (PA) mentioned, "The sites here are some of the nicest we have ever seen. They are all big and private with stunning views."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Campgrounds like Raystown Lake / Saxton KOA at Four Seasons offer fun activities for families. One camper noted, "We started out Friday night getting the offered $12 BBQ plate... and ended the night with a DJ dance party."

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds have poor cell service. A camper at Cowans Gap State Park Campground mentioned, "We had no cell service with Cricket or Verizon."
  • Check-In Times: Some campgrounds have late check-in times. A visitor at Susquehannock expressed frustration, saying, "I wish they would let you book these for one night."
  • Site Proximity: Some sites can be close together, which may affect privacy. A camper at Blue Knob State Park Campground noted, "There isn't really anything between sites for privacy."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities. One camper at Friendship Village Campground & RV Park said, "The dog park is big and has a place for small or large dogs."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities to keep kids entertained. A visitor at Lake Raystown Resort mentioned, "There are volleyball nets, playgrounds, kayak and paddleboard rentals."
  • Pack Snacks and Meals: Having food on hand can save time and money. A camper at Shawnee State Park Campground noted, "We had site 59 and are tent campers. This site was on an incline so the cots we brought were pretty miserable to sleep on."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure to verify the size of the sites before booking. A visitor at Prince Gallitzin State Park - Crooked Run Campground said, "The site I had was definitely smaller than I expected but it still worked."
  • Look for Electric Hookups: Many RVers prefer sites with electric hookups. A camper at Seven Points (PA) mentioned, "Most sites are electric."
  • Be Prepared for Slopes: Some campgrounds have sloped sites. A visitor at Lake Raystown Resort noted, "Our site had a gravel pad. But the surrounding area was not level."

Camping near Imler, Pennsylvania, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Imler, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Imler, PA is Shawnee State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 27 reviews.