Schellsburg camping areas sit at approximately 1,200 feet elevation in the Appalachian foothills, with seasonal temperatures ranging from winter lows around 20°F to summer highs in the 80s. The region experiences significant autumn color changes by mid-October, making fall a popular camping season. Campsites throughout the area typically offer more privacy in wooded sections, while open meadow sites provide better views but less protection from rain and wind.
What to do
Hiking around mountain lakes: Rocky Gap State Park Campground features a 5-mile trail circling Lake Habeeb with minimal elevation changes. "The 5 mile hike around Lake Habeeb is enjoyable. Great way to see all sides of the park. Across the lake from the campground is a casino and resort," notes Jeff H.
Fishing without permits: At Friendship Village Campground & RV Park, you can fish in designated ponds without needing a fishing license. "There are multiple ponds on the property however only one of them can be fished in. No license is required for fishing here," explains Christopher R. The campground offers this as a convenient amenity for families wanting to try fishing without commitment.
Seasonal entertainment: Pioneer Lakes RV Park schedules regular weekend activities including live music performances. "There was a band at the pavilion," reports one visitor, while another mentions "the campground does maintain a policy of having to wear a shirt or a cover-up when not in the pool vicinity" if you're planning to swim after activities.
What campers like
Private forest camping: Green Ridge State Forest offers extraordinary privacy between sites. "There are nearly 100 campsites within the forest boundaries and with the exception of the Kasekamp sites, most of them have no neighbor within half a mile," writes Bill G. Site #15 is frequently mentioned as one with excellent wooded surroundings.
Level sites for larger rigs: Finding level campsites can be challenging in this mountainous region. At Shawnee State Park Campground, campers recommend selecting carefully: "We heeded the advice of other reviewers warning that many sites were not level and did not reserve ahead of time. Most of the non-electric sites were decidedly not level but many of the FHU and electric sites were fairly level," advises Lee D.
Dedicated dog areas: Campgrounds in the area have been expanding their pet amenities beyond basic acceptance. "The dog park is big and has a place for small or large dogs," explains Steve K. about the dog park at Friendship Village, making it one of the more accommodating dog-friendly campgrounds near Schellsburg.
What you should know
Limited cellular service: Cell coverage varies significantly throughout the region. In Green Ridge State Forest, "On Verizon, you can find phone service in a few of the campsites," notes Caden R., but coverage is spotty in most areas.
Highway noise concerns: Several campgrounds experience traffic noise despite their natural settings. At Friendship Village, "The only thing we didn't like was all of the road noise. This campground is located by 2 major highways and truck traffic and Jake brake are constant all night long," reports Aaron S.
Water availability: Not all sites offer convenient water access. At Blue Knob State Park Campground, "Water is available but not at every site. There is water at the dump station," explains Olivia L. Many campers recommend bringing extra water containers for tent sites.
Tips for camping with families
Strategic site selection: At Friendship Village Campground & RV Park, certain sites offer better access to kid-friendly amenities. "In my opinion, 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.
Multiple playground options: Family campgrounds often have several play areas distributed across the property. "There are 3 playgrounds all different and all well kept," notes Steve K., making it easier to find play options near your campsite without long walks.
Movie nights for children: Evening entertainment keeps kids engaged after dark. "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," observes Christopher R., providing indoor alternatives during inclement weather.
Tips from RVers
Uneven parking pads: Rocky Gap State Park Campground presents challenges for larger rigs. "As we drove through the rest of the RV park area we noted that many of the sites had very awkward back-in approaches that did not provide sufficient area to maneuver a large rig into them," warns Gerard.
Hookup reliability: Check connections before setting up completely. At Pioneer Lakes, one camper noted "another site the freshwater connection was held down by racquet straps to keep it together," highlighting maintenance issues that might affect your stay.
Check site dimensions carefully: Size descriptions may not match reality. "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 were super accommodating!" shares Brittany V. about her experience at Shawnee State Park Campground.
