Stephen R.
Guide
GuidePrimitive Camping Area — Bald Eagle State Park
Nice place to camp very quiet of the beaten trail.
Tent Camping near Pine Grove Mills, PA
14 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Tent campsites near Pine Grove Mills, Pennsylvania offer a mix of primitive and established options within the surrounding state forests and parks. Penn Roosevelt State Park Campground provides tent-only sites in a wooded setting with access to hiking trails and a small lake, while Rothrock Roadside Campsites in Rothrock State Forest offers more rustic tent camping experiences. Both locations are situated within 30 miles of Pine Grove Mills, providing backcountry tent camping opportunities in the Appalachian Mountain region.
Most tent camping areas feature basic amenities with varying levels of development. Penn Roosevelt sites include picnic tables and fire rings at each location, with vault toilets available but no shower facilities. Sites are typically set on natural forest surfaces with minimal grading. According to one visitor, "The sites are tent only and pretty close together but some still feel secluded." Water access points are available at designated locations throughout the campground, though campers should bring their own drinking water during off-season periods when systems may be winterized. First-come, first-served policies apply at several locations, with no reservations accepted at Penn Roosevelt.
Areas farther from main roads provide deeper seclusion and connection to nature. The tent campgrounds in Rothrock State Forest offer more primitive experiences with fewer amenities but greater privacy. One camper noted that Penn Roosevelt "is a beautiful primitive campground with short walk to creek and beautiful pond." Tree cover provides ample shade at most sites, making summer camping more comfortable. Fall brings cooler temperatures and spectacular foliage displays. Tent camping areas throughout the region connect to extensive trail networks, including sections of the Mid-State Trail. Wildlife sightings are common, with deer, turkey, and various bird species frequently observed. During weekdays, many backcountry tent sites remain nearly empty, even during peak summer months, allowing for peaceful nature immersion.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Pine Grove Mills (26)
1. Penn Roosevelt State Park Campground
"Beautiful primitive campground (tent only). Get a site on the outside towards the water. They are spaced out and peaceful. Has restrooms (no shower), picnic table, and fire pit at each site."
"The sites are tent only and pretty close together but some still feel secluded. Very accessible and the park has some good trails."
Check Availabilityfrom $25 / night
2. Wilson Boondock Hollow
Check Availabilityfrom $40 - $50 / night
3. Reeds Gap State Park Campground
"Then I go find a deserted section and a picnic table and just sit down. Immediately I can feel every bit is stress or anxiety dissipate."
"Nice and peaceful with a dozen or so tent only sites. We got a nice one tucked back in the trees, but a few of them are pretty close to the road - not like it's terribly busy."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $22 / night
4. Long Acres on Clover Creek
"The secluded area combined with the creek nearby made for a great escape from reality. The stars are so bright out here and the tent was absolutely fabulous! Definitely 10/10 recommend."
Check AvailabilityAvailable this weekend
from $25 - $65 / night
5. STAR LEE FARM
"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"
"We're so happy to welcome this new property to our platform. Check them out, and come back here to leave them some love."
6. Nancy's Boat To Shore Campground (PA)
"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. There is mooring along both sides of the campground."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $15 / night
7. Standing Stone Farm
from $25 - $50 / night
8. New Lancaster Valley Roadside Campsites — Bald Eagle State Forest
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
9. Ravensburg State Park Campground
"It's our favorite place to tent camp. It's rarely busy and it's first come first serve."
"Nice and shaded! No one there but us in site 6, not even a ranger checked on us. Has modern toilets and shower. Most sites are spacious. They have nice raised tent pads."
10. Valley Campground
Drive Time
- 9 min from State College, PA
- 38 min from Altoona, PA
- 1 hr 7 min from Williamsport, PA
- 1 hr 46 min from Chambersburg, PA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Pine Grove Mills, PA
15 Photos of 26 Pine Grove Mills Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Pine Grove Mills, PA
422 Reviews of 26 Pine Grove Mills Campgrounds
Kevin M.
TravelerDogwood Acres Campground
Well run
The staff here are amazing. Quiet time is respected, clean campground. Will come again.
Matt S.
LegendLake Raystown Resort and Lodge
Enormous property, but...
We spent a long weekend for walks in the woods, seeing the fall colors, and all around a huge lake.
What We Liked:
- Even though the sites are sloped, they’re huge. I like that a lot.
- This property is enormous. They have a marina on the lake, a wedding facility, conference center, lots of cabins which look pretty good, and tent sites in addition to the RV sites. Go say hi to the goats behind the store. The property is amazing!
- If you’re interested, it’s a 90-minute drive to the Flight 93 Memorial— well worth the trip!
Things to Keep in Mind:
- The roads getting there are like a roller coaster. This isn’t the resort’s fault, but something you need to know if you’re going there.
- The sites are sloped. Took several blocks to get even close to level. I may be spoiled, but I really appreciate a level site.
- No sewer connection. There’s a dump station available, but just know the sites are water and electric only.
Would We Return?
- Probably not. It’s not fun driving in that area and there’s nothing much to do in the area.
- WWill W.Guide
Crooked Run Campground — Prince Gallitzin State Park
Very large CG. I car camped at site 066 (with electric) in mid-October and CG was 3/4 empty. Nice location on Glendale Lake with a beach and boat activities (for warmer months). Showers had no hot water but facilities were nice. Very little separation between sites. Nearby hunters discharging guns into evening hours.
- Jake F.
ScoutSunsational Family Campground
I would not recommend to anyone
This campground is nothing as stated in the reviews. And now I know why. The one review on here besides mine is from the owner. The bathrooms are not clean. I was told for Labor Day weekend I could stay for two nights had reserved and all. They then abruptly cancelled my reservation and took three days to respond and say I could have a different cabin and tent sight but would need to stay three nights because of the holiday. They also charged a cleaning for a service pet which is not legal. We then showed up and were the only people staying that weren’t seasonal site people and very not welcomed. The first comment made was here come the weekend warriors. We look at the cabin which was ironically filthy and covered in mouse poop yet we got charged a cleaning fee. The grass was not mowed the porter potty’s so gross bugs are crawling in the bottom. The camp store was closed during the car show they had and when we asked when it will be open they stated it will not. It was 1 pm on a Saturday. The reservation process was unorganized. The playground was not mowed or weed whacked and a slide is ratchet strapped together. I would not recommend this place to anyone.
christian G.GuideRussell P Letterman Campground — Bald Eagle State Park
Loved it
Its was great, we stayed in new area, sites had ample room, not many trees at our spot so summer there wouldnt be much shade but we were next to a retention pond/drainage. We brought our dig whole loved running through there.
Not much to say besides it was clean, not crowded (in November) and decent spacing between sites
- christian G.Guide
Bellefonte-State College KOA
Easy
It was overall good, Nice amenities, pool was clean (3ft-5ft) Splash pad, air pillow, playground, pond, etc
It has nice wooded areas but very compact, if you have a large camper id be concerned with trying to make some turns on the upper area
- KKelly S.Scout
Wilson Boondock Hollow
Awesome hospitality !
Micheal met us with a welcome packet, delivered campwood at a very reasonable price (and loaned us a hatchet), clean facilities and hot shower were a bonus!
Very responsive to messages and an overall delightful experience. Great bird watching and a huge herd of deer came to visit too.
Erik C.GuidePrimitive Camping Area — Bald Eagle State Park
Good little campground
Stayed for 2 nights with my pup. Nice, private, walk up tent sites maybe 50 yards or so from the road. Didn’t find too much to do trails wise at the campground but the pond nearby has some lovely views and the park across the bridge has a nice beach for swimming.
Guide to Pine Grove Mills
Tent camping near Pine Grove Mills, Pennsylvania offers options ranging from primitive forest sites to boat-accessible shorelines. The area sits within the Ridge and Valley region of the Appalachian Mountains, with elevations ranging from 700 to 2,300 feet. Most campgrounds in this region experience dramatic seasonal changes, with summer highs averaging 80°F and winter temperatures frequently dropping below freezing.
What to do
Hiking mid-state trails: The area provides direct access to sections of Pennsylvania's extensive trail network. At Penn Roosevelt State Park Campground, campers appreciate the variety of trails. One visitor notes, "The area has lots of hikes to offer including the Alan Seeger State Forest, Midstate Trail and several others."
Stargazing in remote areas: Light pollution is minimal at campsites farther from towns. One camper at STAR LEE FARM reported, "Place was very pretty and secluded... There's a huge field to star gaze as well as taking pictures." Many sites offer unobstructed views of the night sky.
Creek exploration: Several campgrounds feature creek access for wading or fishing. A visitor to Ravensburg State Park mentioned, "There are few hiking trails; short and long that take you to beautiful views along the creek with a couple of places deep enough to swim."
What campers like
Seclusion and privacy: Many campers value the quiet atmosphere. At Reeds Gap State Park Campground, visitors find peace away from crowds. One reviewer explained, "This campground is beautiful! It's so peaceful and serene. There's a nice creek that runs through it, picnic pavilions and a playground for the kids!"
Primitive camping experience: For those seeking a back-to-basics approach, options exist with minimal amenities. At Long Acres on Clover Creek, one camper shared, "This campsite was absolutely perfect! The secluded area combined with the creek nearby made for a great escape from reality."
Wildlife viewing: The forest setting provides opportunities to observe native species. Campsites throughout the region report frequent deer sightings, along with wild turkeys, various songbirds, and occasionally black bears at a distance.
What you should know
Limited services and supplies: Most tent camping sites near Pine Grove Mills require preparedness. As one Ravensburg State Park Campground visitor advised, "Get a site that the pad is flush with the surrounding ground... There is no electric but there are spots to get water even placed throughout."
Cell service limitations: Many campsites have poor or no reception. A Reeds Gap camper warned, "Put your phone away cuz there's no cell service here! Nice and peaceful with a dozen or so tent only sites."
Seasonal road conditions: Access to some campgrounds involves unpaved or seasonal roads. One visitor to Ravensburg noted, "Park is easily accessible from I-80, just be aware of your directions and make sure they're taking you to the park via Rocky Road. Mine did not, and I ended up down a seasonal road that did not end at the park entrance."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated children's areas. Reeds Gap State Park features "picnic pavilions and a playground for the kids," making it suitable for families with younger children.
Spacious sites for group camping: Certain campgrounds accommodate larger family groups. A camper at Nancy's Boat To Shore Campground observed, "Some weekend get slightly loud because of college kids, but most are mindful of younger children if you ask them to keep it down."
Off-grid educational opportunities: The lack of connectivity can be leveraged for nature education. One visitor to STAR LEE FARM mentioned, "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."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV-friendly options: Most tent camping near Pine Grove Mills has few accommodations for larger vehicles. When RVs are permitted, they face significant constraints. One visitor to Penn Roosevelt noted, "If you have a trailer, I do not recommend this spot. There is a very tight hairpin turn on the way in. My six foot long trailer barely made the turn!"
Self-contained requirements: Many sites lack hookups and dump stations. RVers should arrive with full water tanks and empty waste tanks, prepared for primitive camping conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Pine Grove Mills, PA?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Pine Grove Mills, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Pine Grove Mills, PA is Penn Roosevelt State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 5 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Pine Grove Mills, PA?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Pine Grove Mills, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 26 tent camping locations near Pine Grove Mills, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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