Milroy, Pennsylvania sits within the Bald Eagle State Forest at an elevation of around 780 feet. The area experiences distinct seasonal changes with warm summers in the 80s and cold winters that often drop below freezing. Glamping in Milroy provides access to Penn's Creek, numerous hiking trails through dense forests, and several state parks within a 30-minute drive.
What to do
Hiking through state forests: Greenwood Furnace State Park, about 20 miles from Milroy, offers numerous trails with varying difficulty levels. "There is a nice park for the kids to play. The blacksmith shop was very educational! Great trails to hike! You can pick up a compass at the ranger station and complete a compass course!" shares a visitor at Greenwood Furnace State Park Campground.
Creek exploration: The local waterways provide excellent opportunities for wading and exploring. At Poe Paddy State Park Campground, visitors note the accessibility of water activities: "The creek and river are perfect for curious little ones to explore. Great fishing spot. The walk to the tunnel is quick and easy for all ages."
Mountain biking: Seven Points campground offers access to extensive mountain biking trails. "This upper loop is also the quietest of the loops and although there were still plenty of boaters in the camp there were just as many bikers... The mtb trails begin just above the upper camp loops and provide a full day of fast flowing singletrack," notes an experienced rider.
Wildlife viewing: Bald Eagle State Park provides opportunities to see native birds, including its namesake. As one camper explains, "We love this park and usually rent a boat and swim and watch the eagles all day. One of the best experiences ever."
What campers like
Dark skies for stargazing: Several campgrounds in the region offer minimal light pollution. According to one visitor at Greenwood Furnace State Park Campground, "We stayed at one of two walk-in sites at Greenwood. The highlights were a spacious camp site, nice bathrooms, little light pollution (we saw the Milky Way!) and hearing screech owls at night."
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Cleanliness is frequently mentioned in reviews across multiple campgrounds. At Black Moshannon State Park Campground, campers appreciate that "Spaces are clean and spacious, bath house is very well kept."
Peace and quiet: Many campgrounds offer secluded sites with good separation between campers. One visitor to Paradise Stream Family Campground noted, "So many great site options depending on your needs/preferences. We had site 20 which we liked! Tucked in the woods but near activities."
Varied water activities: The regional waterways and lakes provide multiple recreational options. According to a visitor at Seven Points, "There's a marina, amphitheater where there are concerts most weekends, planned activities like yoga and scavenger hunts, a bicycle skills park, extensive bike trails called Allegrippis trails, visitor center, beach area with snack bar, and lots of swimming areas all around the lake."
What you should know
Limited or no cell service: Several campgrounds in the area have poor connectivity. A camper at Greenwood Furnace notes, "No cell phone reception unless you drive a few miles down the road to a cute little store called Couch's!"
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds in the region operate from April through October or November, with limited winter access. Check specific dates before planning a trip.
Varying terrain and site layouts: Some campgrounds feature significant elevation changes. At Seven Points, "depending on where the camper site was located, some had their picnic table and fire ring either above or below them. Definitely worth looking at the pictures."
Reservation requirements: Popular sites, especially waterfront options, book quickly. "We wanted a waterfront site but even trying to reserve the first day we could for this weekend, they were all taken," reports a Seven Points visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Choose loops based on accessibility: Some campground areas are more kid-friendly than others. At Seven Points, "Once you go up the hill to sites above #231, it gets very steep and far away from the water. Probably not too safe for kids on bikes, although the only playground appeared to be at the top of the hill."
Look for campgrounds with structured activities: Paradise Stream Family Campground offers extensive children's programming: "So many things to do here! Very family oriented. Pedal carts, mini golf, swimming pool, ceramic painting, hiking, fishing, bike riding, sluicing for gems, game room, camp store, ice cream, baked foods."
Consider proximity to water features: Many parents value having water access within walking distance. At Black Moshannon, there's a "nice campground with quiet 250 acre lake for kayaking. Good birding."
Search for educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer ranger programs with learning components. "The Park itself offers a lot to do with fishing, hiking, the beach, kayak rentals, etc. I've never had a bad time at Black Moshannon and will keep coming back."
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions carefully: Some campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. At Russell P Letterman Campground, "We stayed recently and the park office was undergoing renovations and expanding their camp store. We discovered one of the evening talks about the eagles nesting in the park and the ranger set up binoculars for us to try and see the nest."
Investigate hookup options: Hookup availability varies widely between campgrounds. At Buttonwood Campground, "Nearly all full hook-ups with back-ins and pull-thrus available. Pets allowed. 42 mile South from State College and 48 mile North of Harrisburg on Rt 322."
Plan for water access: Not all sites have direct water hookups. One camper at Russell P Letterman Campground noted, "I'm not sure about other sites, but we did not have a water hookup, just a spigot we could fill from. The dump station worked fine and was clean."
Consider site levelness: Some campgrounds feature naturally level sites. A reviewer at Seven Points reports, "We pulled into Ridge Camp and drove a little bit down a hill to our site. One backup attempt into the site and it was perfectly level...that was definitely a first for us."
