Camping spots near Calvin, Pennsylvania center primarily around Raystown Lake, spanning 8,300 acres with 110 miles of shoreline. The surrounding terrain features rolling Appalachian foothills with elevations ranging from 760 to 1,000 feet. Most campgrounds operate seasonally, typically April through October, with limited winter access at select locations.
What to do
Mountain biking on Allegrippis Trails: Access directly from Ridge Camp at Seven Points. "The Allegrippis Trail system and from the entrance of the camp loop there is a trail head! The mtb trails begin just above the upper camp loops and provide a full day of fast flowing singletrack," notes Travis S.
Fishing access points: Raystown Lake offers multiple fishing locations within 15-20 minutes of Raystown Lake / Saxton KOA at Four Seasons. "We fished at Tautman Run and Aitch - both were accessible and had lots of bluegill to steal our worms," reports Paul B., who visited during a quieter weekday period.
Educational programs: Corps of Engineers visitor centers feature interpretive displays and seasonal programming. "The visitors center has a great educational area inside and a nature trail outside. Across from the visitors center is a mountain bike park," explains Rachel B., though she notes construction activity affected her visit.
What campers like
Waterfront access options: Many campers appreciate lakeside sites for direct water access. At Susquehannock, Ian W. describes, "Some site right on the water, can walk right into the lake. Beautiful scenery, be prepared to be woken by bass boats and subsequent wake at sunrise." Waterfront sites fill months in advance.
Clean shower facilities: Bathroom quality varies between campgrounds, with newer facilities receiving high marks. "The bathrooms and showers were some of the nicest I've seen at a campground," reports Anne W. about her stay at Point Camp, noting privacy between sites despite high occupancy.
Off-grid experience: Cell service limitations provide a technology break for some campers. "5 nights, 6 days with no cell or wifi to stress us out," writes Tom R. about his stay at Cowans Gap State Park Campground, highlighting biking, hiking, and campfires as primary activities.
What you should know
Site terrain varies significantly: Many campgrounds feature sloped terrain requiring leveling. At Nancy's Boat To Shore Campground, sites are "accessed by boat ONLY! They are in an area of the lake that has a lot of boat traffic, the waterfront spots usually book a few weeks in advance and are in a wake zone," explains Kristen H.
Noise considerations: Motorboat activity impacts waterfront sites, particularly during peak season. "Be prepared to be woken by bass boats and subsequent wake at sunrise," warns one camper, an important consideration for light sleepers.
Amenity variations: Services differ dramatically between campgrounds. At Susquehannock, Andrew explains, "Don't be alarmed by the fact that some reviews call this 'primitive' camping-- there are restrooms with well-ventilated composting toilets, potable water is available at the entrance station, and our campsite was very flat, clean, and safe."
Tips for camping with families
Family-friendly activities: Scheduled programming enhances the experience for children. During Bigfoot weekend at Star Lee Farm, one visitor experienced "rock painting and then bingo and ended the night with a DJ dance party" followed by "pancakes and later a visit from RayCEP which is an education program that PA DNCR provides talking about various outdoorsy type things."
Beach selection: Swimming beaches vary in size and facilities. Jennifer D. found the lake at Seven Points "so clean and refreshing" where her child "made sand castles and swam in the clear water," making it a good option for families with young children.
Playground proximity: Consider site location relative to play areas. Some loops at Seven Points feature playgrounds, but in Senoia Camp, "the only playground appeared to be at the top of the hill..again, probably too steep for kids," according to Tim J., who surveyed multiple camping loops.
Tips from RVers
Dump station quality: Seven Points features a well-designed dump station that simplifies departure. "We filled up the fresh water tank at the ultra-cool 4 lane dump station... The dump station, as noted above had wide lanes and made the experience an easy and clean one," reports Tim J., who appreciated the facility's cleanliness.
Site leveling challenges: RV campers should research specific sites before booking. Tim J. found "our site #6 in Ridge Camp... was perfectly level...that was definitely a first for us," while noting "depending on where the camper site was located, some had their picnic table and fire ring either above or below them."
Loop-specific recommendations: Each camping loop offers different RV suitability. At Seven Points, "Ridge, Meadow, and Valley seem less shaded," while "Point and Senoia have lots of shaded spots," according to Laure D., who also observed that "Valley Camp (VCAM) was a single in/out with a loop around the playground, but the sites appeared too small for our 28' TT."
