Best Campgrounds near Lemont, PA
Camping options near Lemont, Pennsylvania include numerous state parks and private campgrounds within a short drive. Black Moshannon State Park and Penn Roosevelt State Park provide developed camping facilities, while Bellefonte-State College KOA offers private camping with more amenities. The region accommodates tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and cabin rentals, with most campgrounds situated within wooded areas of central Pennsylvania's mountain terrain.
The camping season generally runs from April through October, with limited year-round options available at select locations like Penn Roosevelt State Park. Most state park campgrounds open the second Friday in April and close in October or December. "Make sure you bring everything you need as there isn't a store nearby," noted one visitor to Penn Roosevelt State Park, highlighting the remote nature of some camping areas. Water access varies significantly between campgrounds, with some offering primitive sites with pit toilets and others providing full bathroom facilities with showers. Cell phone reception is limited or non-existent at many of the more secluded camping areas, particularly at Penn Roosevelt and Greenwood Furnace State Parks.
Campers frequently mention the peaceful setting and natural surroundings as highlights of the area's campgrounds. The Rothrock State Forest surrounds several camping areas, offering extensive hiking trails and outdoor recreation opportunities. Some campgrounds feature lakes for swimming and fishing, particularly at Black Moshannon and Greenwood Furnace State Parks. According to reviews, Penn Roosevelt State Park provides an especially secluded experience where visitors report "hearing nothing but nature for over an hour." Sites vary in privacy levels, with some state park campgrounds offering well-spaced, wooded sites while others, particularly private campgrounds, may have closer spacing. Proximity to State College and Penn State University makes these campgrounds popular during football weekends and university events, with many requiring advance reservations during peak times.