Blue Knob State Park Campground sits on the flanks of the second highest peak in Pennsylvania at an elevation of approximately 2,800 feet. The mountain location creates a microclimate that's typically 5-10 degrees cooler than surrounding areas, with frequent short rain showers during summer months. Cabin accommodations near Imler range from rustic to modern, with many sites nestled among dense hardwood forests that provide natural shade and cooling during hot summer days.
What to do
Hiking mountain trails: Blue Knob State Park offers extensive trail networks with varying difficulty levels. "Trails in the park are quite nice. Beautiful forest, rocks, and moss. There was some small trail running race going on, but other than that very few people on the trails," notes one visitor to Blue Knob State Park Campground. The trails extend into adjacent state forest lands for longer expeditions.
Mountain biking: Seven Points provides access to the renowned Allegrippis Trail system. "The trail around the lake was incredible for biking - highly recommend! Everything in this park and campground are extremely well marked and maintained," shares a camper from Shawnee State Park Campground. Several dedicated mountain biking areas exist throughout the region.
Lake recreation: Raystown Lake offers boating, fishing, and swimming opportunities. According to one camper at Seven Points, "The lake and the trails around it are beautiful. Great swimming and kayaking/small boating." Equipment rentals are available at several locations around the lake during peak season.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Many cabins near Imler provide ample space between neighbors. A visitor to Rocky Gap State Park Campground remarked, "Can't believe how much space is between each site. You're close enough to see other campers but far enough away to feel you have your own sections of woods."
Clean facilities: Bathhouses and common areas at most campgrounds are regularly maintained. "The bathhouse was clean. Did not use the shower," reported one camper at Shawnee State Park. Another visitor noted, "The bathrooms were kept very clean, even though the campground was full."
Waterfront options: Multiple campgrounds offer lakeside cabin rentals. A guest at Lake Raystown Resort observed, "Some sites are waterfront, but all are close to the water. All sites have fire rings and picnic tables. WIFI is available." Many waterfront sites allow for boat tie-ups directly at your campsite.
What you should know
Varying terrain: Many campgrounds feature hilly landscapes that affect site quality. "We heeded the advice of other reviewers warning that many sites were not level and did not reserve ahead of time," shares one camper at Shawnee State Park. Sites carved into hillsides often have split-level designs with stairs leading to picnic areas.
Temperature fluctuations: The mountainous region experiences significant temperature variations. A Blue Knob visitor mentioned, "It was chillier than surrounding areas due to being on the mountain." Pack layers even in summer months as evening temperatures can drop significantly.
Reservation windows: Peak season books quickly, especially for waterfront sites. "The campground was pretty much full as it was a weekend," noted one visitor. Most campgrounds open reservation windows 6-12 months in advance through recreation.gov or individual reservation systems.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience unexpected noise. "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," reports a Friendship Village Campground visitor. Request sites further from main roads when possible.
Tips for camping with families
Beach amenities: Several parks offer dedicated swimming areas with amenities. "We love that the campground has their own beach so it's not over crowded with the public. Near the beach there is a nice playground near shade for parents to watch," notes a Rocky Gap visitor. Many beaches include snack bars and changing facilities.
Activity planning: Scheduled events keep children entertained. A visitor to Raystown Lake/Saxton KOA shared, "We stayed during Bigfoot weekend. It was super fun as our family likes bigfoot fun. We started out Friday night getting the offered $12 bbq plate... On Saturday was rock painting and then bingo and ended the night with a DJ dance party."
Playgrounds: Multiple play areas are available at larger campgrounds. "There are 3 playgrounds all different and all well kept," mentions a Friendship Village camper. Several campgrounds feature unique recreation options like jumping pillows, volleyball courts, and mini-golf courses.
Tips from RVers
Site selection research: Carefully review site dimensions before booking. "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," warns a Shawnee State Park visitor. Many campground maps don't adequately show site slope or access challenges.
Utilities and hookups: Electric and water availability varies significantly between campgrounds. "Sites are very spacious and the gravel pad was level upon parking. Good connections and solid cable," reports a visitor to Friendship Village. Most cabins offer at least basic electrical service, while premium sites may include water, sewer, and cable TV.
Dump station access: Facilities for handling waste vary widely. "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," shares a Seven Points camper. Some parks offer free dump services while others charge nominal fees.
