Near Sproul, Pennsylvania, campers find diverse terrain with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 1,800 feet across the Allegheny Plateau region. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping months. Several campgrounds near Sproul offer pet-friendly sites with designated loops, though some require vaccination records at check-in.
What to do
Hike the Allegrippis Trails: Ridge campground at Seven Points provides direct trail access for mountain bikers and hikers. "Ridge camp is the furthest away from the marina and the public swimming area. However it's the closest to the Allegrippis Trail system and from the entrance of the camp loop there is a trail head!" according to Travis S.
Fish at Trough Creek: The creek and nearby lake areas offer fishing opportunities with no license required in designated areas. "Nice fishing lake and can be remote," notes Dustin R. about Shawnee State Park Campground.
Visit nearby historical sites: The Schellsburg historical area near Shawnee State Park makes for a worthwhile day trip. Melanie Z. mentions, "Foggy mornings are the best in the beautiful forest near Schellsburg historical sites. Nice lake too. Easy access from the PA Turnpike."
Attend seasonal events: Local campgrounds host scheduled activities throughout summer. A camper at Friendship Village noted, "They held a farmers market on Saturday and had a HUGE community yard sale which we thought was very cool!"
What campers like
Spacious sites: Friendship Village Campground & RV Park offers well-spaced campsites. "Sites are very spacious and the gravel pad was level upon parking. Good connections and solid cable," reports Brittany V.
Multiple swimming options: Many campers appreciate access to both lake swimming and pool facilities. "Friendship Village Campground in Bedford, Pa... There are multiple ponds on the property however only one of them can be fished in. No license is required for fishing here. There are also two pools at each end of the campground," writes Christopher R.
Lake views: Waterfront sites at Lake Raystown Resort and Lodge provide direct lake access. "Absolutely blown away by this campsite... site 79 was AMAZING. Perfect views of the lake and very spaced out. Never felt like we were on top of our neighbors," says Tori.
Clean facilities: Most campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses and common areas. "The bathrooms were very clean. Did not use the shower," noted Lee D. about Shawnee State Park Campground.
What you should know
Site selection matters: Many campgrounds have varying site conditions and elevation challenges. At Susquehannock, "Most of the campsites are on a slight slope but they're still bearable. Also a lot of them are waterfront sites which is convenient for swimming in the summer!" according to Madelyn D.
Water access policies: Rules about lake access vary by location. One camper at Susquehannock notes, "The rules state that anyone has the right to waterfront access. I think a public waterfront area is warranted for all the campers."
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have spotty coverage. At Trough Creek State Park, a camper reported "0 cell service" with Verizon, requiring planning ahead for communication needs.
Reservation timing: Waterfront sites book quickly, often 6+ months in advance. "We wanted a waterfront site, and although we booked over a month in advance none were available," explains Jennifer R. about her Susquehannock stay.
Tips for camping with families
Recreation options: Crooked Run Campground — Prince Gallitzin State Park offers diverse family activities. "Great place for kids! We love staying at crooked run campground. Has a beach on the lake. Affordable boat rentals. Bmx track for kids," recommends Jackie W.
Kid-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds feature playgrounds and recreational areas. "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 dogs there is 3 play grounds all different and all well kept," shares Steve K. about Friendship Village.
Swimming safety: Most lake swimming areas have designated boundaries. A visitor to Rocky Gap notes, "You cannot swim anywhere outside of the roped swim areas. It was a hot day and we found a great shallow area and decided to take a dip and the lifeguards came out on boat and kindly told us we could not swim."
Activity planning: Many campgrounds offer scheduled events for children. "The campground does maintain a policy of having to wear a shirt or a cover-up when not in the pool vicinity but that was not really a big issue," mentions Christopher R. about pool rules at Friendship Village.
Tips from RVers
Level site selection: Many campsites require careful selection for larger rigs. At Seven Points, Tim J. reported, "One backup attempt into the site and (according to our LevelMatePRO app) it was perfectly level...that was definitely a first for us. We set our chocks and started our setup."
Hook-up variations: Not all sites offer full hookups. "We pulled into Ridge Camp (RCAM on Recreation.gov) and drove a little bit down a hill to our site... The picnic table had a new seat on one side and was in great shape. Our pad was limestone and very flat and level," observed Tim J. at Seven Points.
Dump station facilities: Some campgrounds have well-designed facilities. "We pulled into Ridge Camp... 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," notes Tim J.
Loop selection matters: At Seven Points, "We took a drive around through the other six campgrounds and decided Point was our favorite, but obviously crowded because it is right on the lake. Senoia camp was (our) tied with Ridge, but only the lower portion."
