Best Campgrounds near Schellsburg, PA

Camping sites near Schellsburg, Pennsylvania range from heavily wooded state park settings to family-focused private resorts. Located in south-central Pennsylvania at elevations between 1,000 and 2,500 feet, the Schellsburg area camping season typically runs April through October with notable temperature variations. Summer nights often cool to the 50s even when days reach the 80s, making campfire gatherings comfortable regardless of season.

What to do

Hiking around lakes: At Shawnee State Park Campground, trails circle the lake and offer good terrain for biking. "The trail around the lake was incredible for biking - highly recommend! Everything in this park and campground are extremely well marked and maintained," notes a visitor who appreciated the clear signage despite rain during their stay.

Boating and water activities: Most campgrounds in the area feature lakes with various water access options. Canoe and kayak rentals are available seasonally at several locations. "The lake and the trails around it are beautiful. Great swimming and kayaking/small boating," reports a camper at Shawnee State Park.

Historic site visits: The Flight 93 Memorial is within driving distance from several area campgrounds. "If you stay here, make sure to travel down the road to see the Flight 93 Memorial," recommends a camper who stayed at Rocky Gap State Park Campground.

What campers like

Spacious, private sites: Many campgrounds feature well-separated sites that provide privacy. "We absolutely loved our stay at this park once we changed sites. The sites are spacious with a ton of tree coverage," explains one Shawnee camper who recommends double-checking site dimensions before booking.

Clean facilities: Despite heavy use, most campgrounds maintain their bathhouses well. "Bathroom and showers were clean, bright, and there is a dish washing sink outside. Showers were push button but pressure was great and the water was hot," notes a reviewer from Shawnee State Park.

Family activities: Friendship Village Campground & RV Park offers extensive children's attractions. "There are many playgrounds spread out across the property as well as a jumping pillow and a very well-built gaga ball pit," writes a visitor who recommends sites 145-171 for families with kids since they're "right beside the jumping pillow, playground and gaga ball pit."

What you should know

Site leveling challenges: Many campsites throughout the region have uneven terrain. "Site 258 on loop D is quiet, but many sites were not level. The fire ring is at an angle so cooking on it proved to be a challenge," advises a Shawnee State Park visitor who brought their own grill grate as a solution.

Highway noise: Several camping areas experience traffic sounds. "As remote as the campground feels, there was a surprising amount of road noise," mentions a Shawnee State Park camper. At Choice Camping Court, "The trucks passing by on the highway can be loud at night so keep that in mind when choosing a spot if it would bother you. After a little while it was just background noise to us."

Water systems: Water availability varies significantly between campgrounds and seasons. Shower facilities may operate on timed push-button systems with varying water quality. "The pool water is terrible. It's so filled with salt that when you get out your skin is extremely dry and your lips shrivel up," reports a visitor to one area campground.

Tips for camping with families

Multiple swimming options: Campgrounds with pools offer structured swimming areas with lifeguards. "There are two pools at each end of the campground and they are very well-maintained and have lifeguard supervision," notes a Friendship Village visitor who adds, "Neither pool has provided seating so you will need to bring your own camp chairs or towels to sit on."

Entertainment scheduling: Weekend activities vary widely. "The property had a movie showing in their barn on Saturday night (Despicable Me) and they also seem to schedule a lot of live entertainment, mostly Bluegrass," explains a reviewer from Friendship Village who appreciated the organized activities.

Playground quality: Check recent reviews for playground conditions at your chosen campground. At Pioneer Lakes RV Park, a recent visitor warned, "The playground area is unsafe. The wood on the playsets are falling apart and splintering. I had to pull a lot of splinters out of my child's hands and feet."

Tips from RVers

Site selection strategy: For larger RVs, reservation planning is crucial. "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," shares a Shawnee camper who found that "most of the non-electric sites were decidedly not level but many of the FHU and electric sites were fairly level."

Access road conditions: Some campground roads have rough surfaces that can challenge larger rigs. "The roads are full of potholes going back to the sites," notes a Pioneer Lakes RV Park visitor. At Blue Knob State Park Campground, "camping sites are rocky so be sure to bring a mat if tent camping."

Utility connections: Electric service typically ranges from 20-50 amp depending on campground. "There is a 20 amp plug and 30 amp service at this site," explains a Shawnee State Park visitor who noted that at one campsite "the freshwater connection was held down by racquet straps to keep it together."