Best Campgrounds near Schellsburg, PA

Campgrounds near Schellsburg, Pennsylvania range from developed state parks to private RV resorts, providing diverse accommodations for outdoor enthusiasts. Shawnee State Park Campground offers tent sites, RV hookups, and cabins surrounded by forest land with a scenic lake. Friendship Village Campground provides full hookup sites, two swimming pools, and organized activities for families. The camping areas in this region benefit from easy access to the Pennsylvania Turnpike while maintaining a natural setting with opportunities for fishing, hiking, and water recreation.

Access to camping facilities around Schellsburg varies throughout the year, with most campgrounds operating from April through October. Shawnee State Park Campground and Friendship Village Campground remain open year-round, though winter camping requires preparation for cold weather conditions. Electric hookups are widely available, but water systems may be shut off during freezing months. Many campgrounds in the area require reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays when sites fill quickly. Cell service is generally reliable near Schellsburg, though coverage can be spotty in more remote camping areas. As one camper noted, "Foggy mornings are the best in the beautiful forest near Schellsburg historical sites. Nice lake too. Easy access from the PA Turnpike."

The camping experience in the Schellsburg area combines natural settings with convenient amenities. Several developed campgrounds provide shaded sites with privacy between neighbors, particularly at Shawnee State Park where wooded areas separate campsites. The region includes multiple lakes and streams for water activities, with Shawnee State Park offering swimming and boating opportunities. Campers report that traffic noise from the Pennsylvania Turnpike can be heard at some sites, though most find it minimal. Bathhouses and showers at established campgrounds receive positive reviews for cleanliness and maintenance. Sites with lake views tend to be most popular, with one visitor commenting that "The campground is quite spread out through the property with sites ranging from primitive campsites to full hook up big rig sites."

Best Camping Sites Near Schellsburg, Pennsylvania (135)

    1. Shawnee State Park Campground

    27 Reviews
    Schellsburg, PA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (814) 733-4218

    $20 - $110 / night

    "Foggy mornings are the best in the beautiful forest near Schellsburg historical sites. Nice lake too. Easy access from the PA Turnpike."

    "Was pleased by the quiet despite size of campground and proximity to highway. Sites not overly large or private. Has wood vending machine at entrance for firewood."

    2. Friendship Village Campground & RV Park

    13 Reviews
    Bedford, PA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 623-1677

    "The campground is nestled on the outskirts of Bedford Pennsylvania and is a very easy location to travel to regardless of your rig size."

    "One of the best campgrounds I have stayed at so far the pond is nice and has a 1/2 mile walking path around it with trees and beaches to stop and sit dog park is big and has a place for small or large"

    3. Rocky Gap State Park Campground

    52 Reviews
    Flintstone, MD
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 722-1480

    $23 - $29 / night

    "We stayed in cabin 170 in Fir loop and the site was incredibly spacious, heavily shaded, close to the bath house, path to the beach, and well distanced from other sites."

    "Our friends were in the site next to us (17) which was also nice and there was a wide walking path between them. Family also stayed in one of the rental cabins (21)."

    4. Choice Camping Court

    4 Reviews
    Schellsburg, PA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 623-5586

    $25 - $50 / night

    "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."

    5. Blue Knob State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Imler, PA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 608-3034

    $20 - $108 / night

    "it’s small, with shaded sites around the perimeter and two walk in sites just left of the entrance."

    "The hiking here is really spectacular with lots of scenery, overlooks, and side trails that extend many miles out into state forest lands which are adjacent to the park."

    6. Nature's Getaway RV Park

    1 Review
    Schellsburg, PA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 733-4380

    7. Green Ridge State Forest

    29 Reviews
    Little Orleans, MD
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 478-3124

    $10 / night

    "All are roadside, but plenty are tucked away so you feel alone in the woods. You can occupy a site as long as you register at the parks main office. $10/night."

    "Very few sites are within walking distance of each other. The exception is a group of sites near the Potomac Riverand the C&O Canal."

    8. Quemahoning Family Recreation Area

    7 Reviews
    Hollsopple, PA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 233-9512

    $20 - $50 / night

    "Easy walk to beach area and boat launch. Very clean."

    "The location on the water adds for a great view. Electric only."

    9. Pioneer Lakes RV Park

    6 Reviews
    Somerset, PA
    16 miles
    Website

    "Extremely family friendly, lots to do for kiddos on weekend, stocked ponds, bathhouses very close to all sites. Laurel hill cricks/lake are 2 miles up the mountain!"

    "The roads around the camp ground could use some maintenance, especially on the hill side by the pool! All in all, a wonderful place to take your family camping!"

    10. Mountain Ridge

    1 Review
    Stoystown, PA
    10 miles
    Website

    "Nestled between wind turbines on a mountain ridge within sight of the nearby Flight 93 memorial, this is 2500+ acres of atv, utv, and dirt bike riding trails with camping."

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Recent Reviews near Schellsburg, PA

768 Reviews of 135 Schellsburg Campgrounds


  • E
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Camp Cacapon

    Great camping in a perfect spot

    We stayed at this campground Sep 26-28 and had a fantastic time. The campsite is in a perfect spot on the Cacapon river, and the facilities are excellent. Nice campsites, clean bathrooms and a charming little pavilion that you can rent and hang out with your group.

    Highly recommend

  • Dana M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Kentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park

    Ok for a quick overnight

    Due to a water main break, only one bathroom and showers were available. Bathrooms were quite old and run down. There are over 100 sites. Pets are only allowed on specific loops and cannot be walked on “non pet” loops. We had an electric site which was pretty level for our van. Bike trails were more like hiking trails ( not single track Mtn biking trails). I found this park to be “just ok”.

  • G
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Middle Ridge Campground

    Private

    If you’re looking for quiet and privacy, this is the place.  they laid out the sites so that you’re not side by side. They are all on an angle which moves you further away from anyone on both sides.  The angled site also was great for driving just past you’re site and practically backing straight back into you’re site.  Decent bath house and friendly, low key staff.  Great rates per night.

  • Brian C.
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Cowans Gap State Park Campground

    Solid State Park Camping

    Stayed in a walk-in tent site. Much better spacing than typical sites, though sites 2 & 3 were basically connected. The non-walk in sites in Loop B are typical to smaller than average and mostly suited for campers/RVs.

    Pros : Site spacing/privacy was good Bathrooms and showers were clean. Firewood available at the park ($5 for 6 pieces self-serve). Location near the dam and lake trail is nice. Cell service was limited, but had reliable (but low) signal with T-Mobile at my site. Easy access (on foot) to all of the hiking trails.

    Cons: The tent pads could use some leveling and there was some trash around the site. The major negative was generator noise coming from the facility just beyond the dam. Droning generator noise was on/off at all hours of the day and went on until 10pm in the evening. Not sure how far up in Loop B this was heard, but it was pretty loud in the walk-in site area.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Middle Ridge Campground

    Large wooded sites

    The owners are so friendly and personable. The sites are actually in a wooded area not just a big field. Each site has full hookups. We will definitely return.

  • Kathy L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Laurel Hill State Park Campground

    Okay campground

    Okay campground. We met nice people staying there. However, the sites are REALLY not level because the RV sites are on a major slope, especially the pull-through sites. Large open grassy area. The camp host saw me walking my pups, and as I walked toward the trash can(near the bathroom) to throw away a pooped that I had picked up, she yelled across the green area from her site“no dogs in the bathrooms!” Kinda rude, but later she was friendly. Some okay hiking trails off the campground in a meadow.

  • S
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Rothrock Roadside Campsites — Rothrock State Forest

    Nice spot to camp in the mountains

    First 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.

  • Ronnie B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Hidden Springs Campground

    Labor Day Weekend

    It was packed-all went smoothly. From check in, wood delivery, and parking.


Guide to Schellsburg

Camping near Schellsburg, Pennsylvania, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Shawnee State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "We loved the swimming and fishing in this park. Awesome sandy swim beach and roped-off area in the water made it great for keeping an eye on the kids while they swam."
  • Fishing: The lake at Laurel Hill State Park Campground is a great spot for fishing. A reviewer noted, "The lake provides a great place to fish and the walking trail has some less-used fishing spots if you are willing to walk."
  • Exploring Local Attractions: Check out nearby attractions like the Flight 93 Memorial. One camper shared, "Booked for 5 nights to have an opportunity to explore the Bedford, PA area. Great access to Flight 93 Memorial, local covered bridges, and many other attractions."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A visitor at Kooser State Park Campground said, "The bathrooms are clean, and it has great walking access to the beautiful beach and lake."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. A reviewer at Friendship Village Campground mentioned, "Sites are very spacious and the gravel pad was level upon parking."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of the staff. One camper at Hillcrest River & Canal Tunnel River Campgrounds noted, "The host was very friendly and helpful, and the spots were very spacious."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy, especially during weekends. A visitor at Lake Raystown Resort mentioned, "There was a lot of late-night music which we didn’t mind, but if you have smaller children, it might be tough getting them to sleep."
  • Site Conditions: Not all sites are level. A camper at Shawnee State Park Campground shared, "This site was on an incline so the cots we brought were pretty miserable to sleep on."
  • Limited Cell Service: Be prepared for limited cell service in some areas. A camper at Blue Knob State Park Campground noted, "Make sure you bring everything you need, it’s about 30 minutes to some supplies."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with amenities like playgrounds. A reviewer at Friendship Village Campground said, "There are three playgrounds, all different and all well kept."
  • Swimming Options: Choose campgrounds with swimming areas. One visitor at Laurel Hill State Park Campground mentioned, "The campground has their own swim beach with a great playground."
  • Plan for Quiet Time: Make sure to have quiet hours for younger campers. A camper at Hillcrest River & Canal Tunnel River Campgrounds noted, "We had a great overnight stay here."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure the site can accommodate your RV size. A visitor at Kooser State Park Campground mentioned, "RV sites are small but adequate and most are pull-through."
  • Bring Extra Cords: Some campgrounds may not have well-placed electrical hookups. A camper at Shawnee State Park Campground advised, "You may want to have an extension for your power cable."
  • Be Prepared for Gravel Roads: Some campgrounds have gravel roads that can be tricky. A reviewer at Green Ridge State Forest noted, "The roads were winding gravel roads but not an issue for my Crosstrek."

Camping near Schellsburg, Pennsylvania, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to check the specific campground details and reviews to find the best fit for your adventure!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Schellsburg, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Schellsburg, PA is Shawnee State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 27 reviews.

What parks are near Schellsburg, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 24 parks near Schellsburg, PA that allow camping, notably Raystown Lake and Youghiogheny River Lake.