Private campgrounds around State College, Pennsylvania offer access to the scenic mountain terrain of central Pennsylvania at elevations between 1,000 and 2,500 feet. RV campgrounds State College, Pennsylvania remain particularly busy during Penn State football season, with some parks raising rates by 30-50% on game weekends. Water access varies widely at campgrounds throughout the region with several offering lakefront or riverside options.
What to do
Kayaking at Black Moshannon Lake: Black Moshannon State Park Campground features a distinctive 250-acre lake with dark water colored by plant tannins. A visitor noted, "Nice unique lake that is incredibly dark in color. Lilly pads abound with great flowers." The lake provides excellent kayaking and wildlife observation opportunities.
Fishing access: Waterside Campground and RV Park (formerly Locust Campground) offers direct water access for anglers. According to a camper, "Great setup location. Easy in and out, full utilities. Water is easy access, pool is heated." Waterside provides some of the most convenient fishing options in the region.
Outdoor education programs: Raystown Lake / Saxton KOA hosts educational activities for families. One visitor explained, "Sunday we had pancakes and later a visit from RayCEP which is an education program that PA DNCR provides talking about various outdoorsy type things." Programs typically run on weekends during peak season.
Trail access near campsites: Primitive camping areas at Bald Eagle State Park provide direct trail connections. A reviewer mentioned, "Two points for trail access along the campground road." These trails connect to the park's broader hiking network without requiring vehicle transport.
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: Waterside Campground receives praise for its riverside spots. A camper recommended, "Absolutely beautiful if you are riverside. Stay on the waterside! Sites 48-53. Stayed at 49, it was absolutely perfection!" These sites typically book 2-3 months in advance during summer.
Rustic camping with privacy: Bald Eagle State Park's primitive camping area offers secluded options. One visitor explained, "The rustic campground has some parking sites, but we are most fond of the sites with a short walk in. Usually they're very private." These walk-in sites provide separation from neighboring campers.
Clean bathroom facilities: Black Moshannon State Park maintains well-kept facilities throughout the camping season. A reviewer noted, "Spaces are clean and spacious, bath house is very well kept." The park also offers educational programming with "tons of classes for different things like fly fishing, hiking, etc."
Themed weekend activities: Seasonal campgrounds host special event weekends. One camper at Raystown Lake/Saxton KOA described, "We stayed during Bigfoot weekend. It was super fun as our family likes bigfoot fun. We started out Friday night getting the offered $12 bbq plate that included pork burnt ends, beans and potato salad."
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the mountainous terrain require leveling equipment. At Bellefonte-State College KOA, a visitor observed, "Make sure you have leveling tools as the sites are not very level side-to-side. The sites are also small and tightly packed." Terraced sites on hillsides are common throughout the region.
Water pressure variations: Some parks experience water pressure limitations. A camper noted about Bellefonte-State College KOA, "Saying it trickled out would be generous. Though there was a lot about the campground that I liked, I won't go back again just based on the water pressure alone." Always fill fresh water tanks before arrival as backup.
Seasonal campground transformations: Many parks offer year-round access but with significantly different experiences by season. River's Edge RV Park & Campground was described as "a brand new campground (was just built this spring) along the Juniata River in Mifflintown PA," with the reviewer noting how they enjoyed "watching things grow and evolve week by week."
Navigation challenges: Access roads to campgrounds often include mountain routes with steep grades. Accessing Bellefonte-State College KOA requires caution as one visitor warned, "Almost got killed getting just off the freeway to make the left turn towards the koa — please be careful. Traffic either side does not stop or slow, and they are going extremely fast."
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Bald Eagle State Park offers family-friendly swimming. A visitor described, "Beach is beautiful, very calm, warm water for early July, soft sand and nice large trees for shade." The beach area includes open space for children to play.
Bike-friendly camping loops: Several campgrounds feature safe cycling for children. A Bald Eagle visitor mentioned, "Our kids loved the freedom of riding their bike and exploring the park with other kids who were camping." Most camping loops have 10-15 mph speed limits for vehicles.
Dedicated play amenities: Campgrounds increasingly offer specialized play equipment. A visitor to Bellefonte-State College KOA described, "Nice pool, splash park, and bouncy pillow. We did the Friday night pizza and wings which worked out great." Many parks now feature splash pads as alternatives to swimming areas.
Animal encounters: Some campgrounds feature small farm animals that appeal to children. The Bellefonte Campground was described by one visitor: "They have some animals, like goats, as well in a little farm area. Nice new cabins too." These animal areas typically have supervised access during daylight hours.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Seven Mountains Campground, RVers should consider site access carefully. A camper noted, "Some of the sites are a little hard to get into because of the loop." When booking, request information about approach angles and site dimensions for larger rigs.
Premium site options: Several campgrounds offer upgraded RV sites with additional amenities. A visitor to Bellefonte-State College KOA described, "Our site was the only one available for that weekend and it was a premium with a large paved patio with a nice outdoor patio set with table and chairs, a swing, and a sunken fire pit." These premium sites typically cost 30-50% more than standard sites.
Off-season availability: RV camping options expand significantly outside peak season. A camper at Bellefonte-State College KOA shared, "We stayed here over a weekend and the campground was packed because there was a Penn State football game. Once the weekend was over, the park cleared out and it felt like there was more space and it was much quieter."
Full hookup considerations: RV campers seeking full hookups should check connection specifications. The Bellefonte Campground received this review: "New owners are super friendly. It's an older park they look to be putting some love and work into. Sites are sloped a bit as most are in the mountains. We were able to decently level our motorhome with blocks."
