Raystown Lake offers glamping experiences with easy lake access and mountain biking opportunities throughout the year. Accommodations range from basic tent sites to full-amenity cabins and yurts at multiple locations around the 8,300-acre lake. The Raystown region features elevations ranging from 760 to 2,400 feet, creating diverse terrain for outdoor activities in all seasons with average summer temperatures of 72-85°F.
What to do
Mountain biking on Allegrippis Trails: Access world-class mountain biking directly from Ridge Camp at Seven Points. "The mtb trails begin just above the upper camp loops and provide a full day of fast flowing singletrack. IMBA standard built trails that are open year round and in any weather," reports Travis S., who appreciates that water is "available in the campground loop and actually tasted good enough to use for hydration needs during our rides."
Fishing on Raystown Lake: Fish without a license at the stocked pond at Friendship Village Campground. "There are multiple ponds on the property however only one of them can be fished in. No license is required for fishing here," notes Christopher R., who gives the campground 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Swimming at multiple beaches: Enjoy swimming at Cowans Gap State Park's sandy beach area. "The lake is so clean and refreshing and we have such beautiful views from our camp site. We went down to the swim beach and our kiddo made sand castles and swam in the clear water," shares Jennifer D., who rated her experience 5 stars.
Hiking forest trails: Explore trails at Trough Creek State Park, located near Raystown Lake. "It has a nice hike up above a creek with a huge rock that appears ready to fall over the cliff with a simple touch. very neat," describes Nick S. The park provides quieter alternatives to the busy lake areas.
What campers like
Spacious waterfront campsites: Lake Raystown Resort and Lodge offers premium waterfront sites with plenty of space. A camper shares, "Perfect views of the lake and very spaced out. Never felt like we were on top of our neighbors and even though people did cut through the back of the site (at the waters edge) the site was so spacious it didn't really bother us."
Clean facilities and amenities: Shawnee State Park maintains excellent facilities. "Bathrooms are decent and clean. This is our go to campsite for a quick weekend not too far from home," says Megan W., who stayed at Senoia campground for Memorial Day weekend.
Primitive lakeside camping options: For a more natural experience, Susquehannock Campground offers primitive sites on Raystown Lake. "Very cool camp. Loops for RVs, higher on the hill, waterfront loops on steeper grounds for tents, and some walk-to sites adjacent to parking right at the point which double as boat-in. Some site right on the water, can walk right into the lake," explains Ian W.
Family-friendly activities: Multiple campgrounds organize weekend events and activities. "Nice campground with water and electricity hookups! Playground for children and creek access for fishing!" notes Kristen H. about Ye Olde Mill Campground in Burnt Cabins.
What you should know
Boat traffic creates noise: Lake sites experience boat noise, especially during peak season. "Beautiful scenery, be prepared to be woken by bass boats and subsequent wake at sunrise," warns Ian W. about Susquehannock Campground's waterfront sites.
Reservations required well in advance: Waterfront sites at popular campgrounds fill quickly. "We wanted a waterfront site but even trying to reserve the first day we could for this weekend, they were all taken," explains Laure D. about Seven Points campground.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain. At Shawnee State Park, "there are a fair amount of awkwardly-placed sites that sit on a hill and are difficult to place a tent, equipment or gear," warns Kaley R., though they still "really enjoyed our stay and the park itself."
Limited cell service: Be prepared for spotty connectivity at most campgrounds. "It's a nice campground. We were at site 14... 5 nights, 6 days with no cell or wifi to stress us out," notes Tom R. about Cowans Gap State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Choose campsites near activities: For kids, select sites with easy access to playgrounds and beaches. At Friendship Village Campground, "the best sites to stay at if you have kids are sites 145–171 as those are right beside the jumping pillow, playground and gaga ball pit," recommends Christopher R.
Look for organized weekend events: Many campgrounds run special activities for children. "The kids played mini golf, jumped on the pillow, played on multiple playgrounds, enjoyed ice cream and went fishing," reports Tasha M. who visited Friendship Village during off-season but still found "tons to do."
Consider creek access for natural play: Twin Bridge Campground offers creek access kids enjoy. "Our favorite campground. The most relaxing setting. Our kids love the creek and playing in and around it," shares a camper named Jwalker.
Check swimming area features: Some campgrounds have better swimming facilities than others. At Cowans Gap, one visitor noted that "the lake is clean and refreshing" with a beach area where kids can "make sand castles and swim in the clear water."
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions before booking: Ensure your rig will fit comfortably. "We have a 35' TT and there was no way it was going to fit in the site we originally booked," warns Brittany V. about Shawnee State Park, suggesting campers "double check site booked" before arrival.
Look for level pads: Many campgrounds have challenging terrain for larger rigs. At Twin Bridge Campground, a visitor found "big spacious sites, and a honeywagon to make things easier (there weren't any full hookup sites that I saw besides the long term spaces)," making it work well for their fifth wheel.
Ridge Camp offers optimal biking access: For mountain biking RVers, Seven Points' Ridge Camp provides convenient trail access. "The 40 some sites in the Ridge camp are a mix of shaded and open sites. Large trailers can fit most sites," notes Travis S., making it ideal for RVers who want to access the Allegrippis Trail system.
Consider dump station logistics: Seven Points receives praise for its well-designed facilities. "From the time we arrived and filled up the fresh water tank at the ultra-cool 4 lane dump station, I knew we were in for a great weekend," reports Tim J., adding that the "dump station had wide lanes and made the experience an easy and clean one."
