Camping near Hopewell, Pennsylvania centers around Raystown Lake, the largest lake entirely within Pennsylvania at 8,300 acres with 118 miles of shoreline. The region sits in the Ridge and Valley section of the Appalachian Mountains with elevations ranging from 700 to 2,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-85°F while spring and fall camping seasons offer cooler temperatures in the 50-70°F range.
What to do
Hiking trails galore: Trough Creek State Park Campground offers several scenic trails with natural features. "There are a ton of trails to check out" with "breathtaking views and hiking trails," according to campers who praised the park's natural beauty.
Mountain biking: The Allegrippis Trail system near Seven Points provides extensive single-track options. A camper notes, "The mtb trails begin just above the upper camp loops and provide a full day of fast flowing singletrack," making it ideal for riders of various skill levels.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple access points around Raystown Lake allow for bank fishing. A camper at Susquehannock mentioned they "fished at Tautman Run and Aitch - both were accessible and had lots of bluegill to steal our worms."
Water recreation: Beyond just swimming, many campgrounds offer boat and watercraft rentals. One visitor to Cowans Gap State Park noted, "A walking trail wraps around the whole lake. There's lots of hiking trails, a real sand beach and swimming area, pedal boat and canoe rentals."
What campers like
Waterfront camping options: Sites directly on the water receive consistent praise. A camper at Lake Raystown Resort commented, "Some sites are waterfront, but all are close to the water. All sites have fire rings and picnic tables. WIFI is available."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses stand out in reviews. At Raystown Lake/Saxton KOA, a visitor noted, "They have recently remodeled the bathrooms/showers (3 of the 4 look brand new), and the pool has been crystal clear."
Peaceful settings: Many campers value the quiet surroundings. At Cowans Gap State Park Campground, a camper shared, "5 nights, 6 days with no cell or wifi to stress us out. Biking, Hiking, sitting around a campfire, very nice."
Level sites: Finding a level spot is easier at some campgrounds. A visitor to Seven Points mentioned, "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."
What you should know
Connectivity limitations: Cell service varies widely across campgrounds. At Cowans Gap State Park, a camper warned, "You are totally off the grid as far as cell, WiFi, and TV signal. Be prepared to be out of communication during your stay."
Reservation timing: Book waterfront sites far in advance. At Friendship Village Campground, a camper advised, "We haven't been able to get a site in Susquehannock since the pandemic."
Accessibility challenges: Some campgrounds feature steep terrain. At Seven Points, a visitor noted, "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."
Road noise concerns: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds. A Friendship Village camper reported, "This campground is located by 2 major highways and truck traffic and Jake brake are constant all night long. The road noise made it hard to hear when we were sitting around the fire."
Tips for camping with families
Best family-friendly amenities: Campgrounds with multiple recreational options keep children entertained. At Friendship Village Campground, a visitor noted, "There are many playgrounds spread out across the property as well as a jumping pillow and a very well-built gaga ball pit."
Safe swimming areas: Beaches with lifeguards provide peace of mind. A camper at Raystown Lake/Saxton KOA shared, "The pools are very well-maintained and have lifeguard supervision."
Pet-friendly loops: For families camping with dogs, specific areas welcome pets. At Cowans Gap State Park, a camper pointed out, "Pet friendly (spaces 1-30, Campground A), nice shower houses with heat, well laid out beach, beach house, watercraft rentals."
Entertainment options: Some campgrounds schedule regular activities. At Shawnee State Park Campground, a visitor mentioned, "The RLRA has numerous activities one of which was Chris Collins and Boulder Canyon group who performed John Denver songs."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: Research campground layouts before booking. A Seven Points camper advised, "Looking at some of our neighbor's sites, 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."
Full hookup availability: Not all campgrounds offer complete services. At Seven Points, a visitor noted, "There was electric but no water or sewer hookups."
Water and dump stations: Strategic planning helps with limited facilities. An RVer at Seven Points shared, "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. The signage was very well marked and the fresh water spigot was more like a little tank, super-solid, clean and modern."
Leveling requirements: Some sites present challenges. At Shawnee State Park, a camper observed, "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."
