Raystown Lake is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Raystown Lake. Discover great camping spots near Raystown Lake, reviewed by campers like you.
$28 - $200 / night
"This campground is located on the east side of Pennsylvania and offers a beautiful view of Lake Raystown. The campground has over 200 sites to choose from, and many of them are right on the water."
"It’s spotless, and Raystown Lake is gorgeous."
"Nice waterfront at the lower edge of the resort. The cabins were set up above and kind of overlooked down to Raystown lake."
"Fantastic lake side camping resort. Best for campers or using their cabins but it has freeway access to the lake and beautiful views."
$25 - $32 / night
"Raystown lake is incredible for fishing and swimming and the campsites were nice. I wish we had a waterfront one but be aware that the speedboats on the lake make quite a lot of noise."
"We ended up with spot 3, which was on a cliff’s edge. So, it looked like it may be near the water, but there was no way down, and the forest obscured any view that may have been there."
$100 / night
"The staff here at Raystown Lake/Saxton KOA are great. They a friendly, willing to help anyway they can, and keep the place spotless."
"I have stayed here at Raystown Lake/Saxton KOA several times. This time, however, the campground has new owners."
$27 - $29 / night
"We wanted to be close to Raystown Lake. Trough is quiet and small. It's really great if you're looking for a spot to "rough" it (not really, but closer than most!) with the kids. Awesome sites."
"Nice small park with gravel drives/roads and plenty of room for big rigs. All sites level with partial shade. Open, but with plently of space between sites. The trails are nice and very sceinic."
"Wonderful views of the lake and the lake go-ers!"
"Large sites, lake view and wooded"
$1 - $395 / night
"thankful to have raystown family campground so close to home. Can paddle and hike year round and camp in the spring, summer and fall."
"We called to make the reservation and told them we would be pulling in around 7 pm. Danielle (one of the owners) stated no problem, I will be here."
$15 / night
"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."
"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"
"Perfect views of the lake and very spaced out."
GuideHaving PTSD and serious anxiety. This spot allows you to relax without to much concern,dogs welcome ,boating and swimming was awesome for around this area. Camping is great especially at night with boats on the water.
TravelerFirst I'll just say that the Rothrock campsites should probably each be listed separately, rather than as a group; they are very spread out throughout the State Forest and each is a different experience. This review will be for site 002 Colerain Road.
This site is accessed by driving up a bit of a winding dirt road up the mountain. It's easy enough during the summer, though the road is narrow and you've got some sharp bends depending on which way you come from. This road is not safe to access in the winter in my opinion.
The parking is just right off the road, and there's a picnic table and large stone fire ring near the parking. There's a small path further up the hill into the woods where there is a tent pad, another fire ring and another picnic table. There are also a lot of flat spots nearby for additional tents to be set up.
Just behind the upper tent site is the top of the mountain, and the site has their own private overlook to the valley below. The site is pretty remote, though there were vehicles and the occasional biker coming up the road. Traffic may have been busier than usual the weekend we went because there was the Mid Atlantic Overland festival nearby at the same time. At one point a family parked in the campsite's parking to start a walk... (there's a better trailhead up closer to Indian Lookout they should have used).
No hookups, water, bathrooms, etc; its fully primitive camping here. Cell coverage was fine on Xfinity Mobile (Verizon).
These sites used to be totally free but they're now $10 a night. You still need to book a while out if you want to be here on a weekend, especially during the fall when Penn State is playing.
TravelerPlace was very pretty and secluded. And customer service was excellent. 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 at all the boxes. There's no electricity there but the owner is working on that but there is power in the shower house. Service is a little sketch but it's perfect for those who want to completely escape the business of modern world. Highly recommend
GuideStayed here on a Sunday night without a reservation. We were the only ones there. Pay by honor system at the park office. Campground was quiet and lovely. Only 14 sites. Bathroom with hot showers is nearby. One shower stall in each bathroom and the showers had a large dressing area. Water is near the picnic pavilion.
LegendWe 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. Luckily it was opening weekend and the rangers and super accommodating! We moved over one site and it made all the difference. The sites are spacious with a ton of tree coverage. Easy access to the dump station as you exit. It’s not directly on the lake but there is a ton of parking and easy access points.
ScoutThis is our third trip here and supposed to return again in September. One of our favorites!!
GuideSolo with my dog and my canoe. Had a great time I had no idea there was disc golf,I keep a couple in my truck and so i played more game then fished. The dog swimming area was pretty cool. I'll be back.
LegendGeneral: 300+ site campground with a mix of FHU, 30 and 50-amp electric, and non-electric tent sites, yurts, and cabins. Select loops allow pets but not all do.
Site Quality: Varies by type and location within the park. I heeded the advice of other reviewers warning that many sites were not level and did not reserve ahead of time. A Monday in mid-October had many open sites. Most of the non-electric sites were decidedly not level but many of the FHU and electric sites were fairly level, and we did not have a problem finding one. Some sites have gravel pads that were level and vary in length from 20’ to 115’ Most of the non-electric sites had no definable pads at all and as mentioned, were not level. Some roads in the campground were paved but a few were not.
Bath/Shower House: was clean. Did not use the shower.
Activities: A somewhat dated playground was located in the A Loop. A lake and beach are a short distance from the campground. We did see a boat launch and what appeared to be kayak rentals, but we were there out of season.
As remote as the campground feels, there was a surprising amount of road noise. This was just an overnight stay for us. We’ve been to many stellar Pennsylvania state park campgrounds, but this one was not as good as many others.
GuideThis was my first experience camping with no hookups. The park is very large, with interesting trails to explore. I had not been aware of the abandoned PA turnpike that runs through the park; very interesting and haunting. It’s extremely quiet, with not a whole lot to do, but very peaceful. A terrific place to see the stars. And while it’s not free, it’s only $10/night.
Camping near Raystown Lake, Pennsylvania, offers a fantastic escape into nature with plenty of activities and beautiful scenery. Whether you're looking for a quiet retreat or a fun-filled family adventure, this area has something for everyone.
Camping near Raystown Lake, Pennsylvania, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. With a little planning, you can have a memorable experience in this beautiful area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are available at Raystown Lake?
Raystown Lake offers several diverse camping options. Seven Points (PA) is one of the largest, featuring over 200 sites, many with waterfront views, and facilities for swimming and fishing. Branch Camp provides 30 large sites with electric hookups along a creek connected to the lake. Other options include Susquehannock for more primitive camping, Trough Creek State Park Campground for a quieter experience, and Lake Raystown Resort for those seeking more amenities. The area also features Point Campground and several private options like Pleasant Hills Campground and Raystown Lake/Saxton KOA.
Do I need reservations for camping at Raystown Lake?
Yes, reservations are highly recommended for camping at Raystown Lake, especially during peak summer months and weekends. Raystown Lake / Saxton KOA at Four Seasons requires advance bookings and fills up quickly during the season. Pleasant Hills Campground also operates on a reservation system. For the popular waterfront sites at Corps of Engineers campgrounds, reservations should be made as early as possible—even attempting to book on the first available reservation day may not guarantee prime spots. Most campgrounds in the area allow reservations up to six months in advance through Recreation.gov or their official websites. Last-minute camping is occasionally possible during weekdays or off-season periods, but not reliable during peak times.
Are there permanent camping options at Raystown Lake?
While Raystown Lake doesn't offer permanent camping in the traditional sense of year-round residency at public campgrounds, there are extended-stay options. Lake Raystown Resort offers seasonal camping packages that allow you to keep your RV at the resort for the entire camping season. For those seeking a more permanent solution, private options like Cabin at Raystown Lake provide rental accommodations in gated communities near the lake, ideal for regular visitors. Some private campgrounds in the area also offer seasonal leases that allow you to maintain a site from spring through fall. For truly permanent options, consider looking into vacation properties or cabins in nearby communities that provide easy lake access while allowing year-round ownership.
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