Best Tent Camping near State College, PA

Tent camping options near State College, Pennsylvania include several primitive and established campgrounds nestled in the Appalachian Mountain region. Penn Roosevelt State Park Campground offers secluded tent-only sites within Rothrock State Forest, while Reeds Gap State Park provides tent camping with more amenities approximately 30 miles from State College.

Most tent campsites in this region feature basic facilities with varying levels of development. Penn Roosevelt offers primitive camping with tent pads, picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets but no showers. Sites are typically set on dirt or forest floor with minimal grading. Reeds Gap provides more amenities including hot showers and electric hookups at some sites. Both parks operate on a seasonal schedule, with Penn Roosevelt open year-round and Reeds Gap available from April to October. A camper wrote, "Put your phone away cuz there's no cell service here," highlighting the disconnected experience at Reeds Gap.

Areas farther from town like Wilson Hollow Boondock and Standing Stone Farm offer more secluded tent camping experiences with fewer amenities. Penn Roosevelt State Park particularly appeals to tent campers seeking solitude, with one visitor noting that midweek camping meant "I was the only person there." The campground's location within the forest creates a peaceful environment where campers report hearing "nothing but nature." Many sites provide access to hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and wildlife viewing. Tent campsites at Ravensburg State Park feature raised tent pads to improve comfort on wet ground, though some campers mention road noise at sites closest to the entrance. Water access varies by location, with some campgrounds offering drinking water while others require campers to bring their own supplies or treat water from nearby creeks.

Best Tent Sites Near State College, Pennsylvania (35)

    1. Penn Roosevelt State Park Campground

    5 Reviews
    Boalsburg, PA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 667-1800

    $25 / night

    "Beautiful primitive campground (tent only). Get a site on the outside towards the water. They are spaced out and peaceful. Has restrooms (no shower), picnic table, and fire pit at each site."

    "The sites are tent only and pretty close together but some still feel secluded. Very accessible and the park has some good trails."

    2. Reeds Gap State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Milroy, PA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 667-3622

    $22 / night

    "Then I go find a deserted section and a picnic table and just sit down. Immediately I can feel every bit is stress or anxiety dissipate."

    "Nice and peaceful with a dozen or so tent only sites. We got a nice one tucked back in the trees, but a few of them are pretty close to the road - not like it's terribly busy."

    3. Wilson Hollow Boondock

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    Pennsylvania Furnace, PA
    11 miles

    $35 - $50 / night

    4. Long Acres on Clover Creek

    1 Review
    Williamsburg, PA
    29 miles
    +1 (814) 931-4114

    $25 - $65 / night

    "The secluded area combined with the creek nearby made for a great escape from reality. The stars are so bright out here and the tent was absolutely fabulous! Definitely 10/10 recommend."

    6. STAR LEE FARM

    2 Reviews
    Calvin, PA
    32 miles
    +1 (303) 328-1703

    "There's a huge field to start gaze as well as taking pictures, lots of hiking and if you're a bee enthusiast they grow their own honey in the property and you're more than welcome to walk around and look"

    "We're so happy to welcome this new property to our platform. Check them out, and come back here to leave them some love."

    7. Ravensburg State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Loganton, PA
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 745-7770

    "It's our favorite place to tent camp. It's rarely busy and it's first come first serve."

    "Nice and shaded! No one there but us in site 6, not even a ranger checked on us. Has modern toilets and shower. Most sites are spacious. They have nice raised tent pads."

    8. Nancy's Boat To Shore Campground (PA)

    3 Reviews
    Entriken, PA
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 658-3405

    $15 / night

    "They are in an area of the lake that has a lot of boat traffic, the waterfront spots usually book a few weeks in advance and are in a wake zone. There is mooring along both sides of the campground."

    9. Standing Stone Farm

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    Mifflintown, PA
    30 miles
    +1 (717) 247-4692

    $25 - $50 / night

    10. Valley Campground

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    Calvin, PA
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 658-3405
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Tent Camping Reviews near State College, PA

417 Reviews of 35 State College Campgrounds


  • Diane T.
    Jul. 8, 2020

    Greenwood Furnace State Park Campground

    No phone service, no problem!

    This campground helped me finally convince my fiance that not all 'campgrounds' are actually waterpark/family fun/RV parking lots, and that there are a lot of secluded, forest, nature-oriented campgrounds!  We came here in mid June so it was a bit chilly  at night and warm during the day - bring layers + raincoats as the PA mountain weather can be iffy! The campground can host tents, as well as RVs/campers, and includes clean bath houses with both toilets and showers. You can also buy firewood at the entrance. Sites have a picnic table + fire ring. There is little to no phone service here and it's not super close to town, so come prepared. It's a short distance to some amazing hikes, as well! The park itself has a playground and lake to swim in (though it was too cold for us to use it), as well as the historical furnace itself to explore.  The campground is also about 30minutes from State College in case you crave a night on the town during your stay.  As typical for campgrounds, some spots are more secluded than others. We stayed in one (forgive me, I can't remember the site #, perhaps 020?) where we were able to plop our tent into a nice tree-surrounded plot. There are also a few tent sites (18A)  right next to a hidden creek in the back corner of the campground which we explored while there - these sites are very secluded and you really feel like you're away from it all. We reserved this site for later this summer and will update with pictures & info afterwards.

  • 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.

  • Joann&WellsThePup I.
    Jul. 14, 2021

    Penn Roosevelt State Park Campground

    Quiet camping

    Beautiful primitive campground (tent only). Get a site on the outside towards the water. They are spaced out and peaceful. Has restrooms (no shower), picnic table, and fire pit at each site. Short walk to creek and beautiful pond.

  • Cam N.
    Aug. 16, 2018

    Primitive Camping Area — Bald Eagle State Park

    Watch for trains

    I throughly enjoyed my time at Bald Eagle State Park. We stayed at a tent site, I believe 58 in the rustic camping section. The rustic section was located around a large loop with each site ranging in a few feet from the car-friendly loop to about the 50 foot walk where our site was located. While this is a primitive site, planning ahead you can place yourself near the vault toilets. If there was running water in the bathrooms– we didn’t find it! There are several water pumps located around the loop and we used that for washing dishes. Our site had space for two tents with a nice fire ring and picnic table. The fire ring was actually one of the best I have experienced– featuring a grill grate with adjustable levels for exposure to heat. The site also had a hook for keeping food or garage elevated from critters. Hammock lovers: we had plenty of trees to easily string our hammock near the picnic table/fire ring. Now the trains. An active railroad sits about 75 feet away from several of the rustic sites. We noticed the 7 p.m. train on Saturday evening. What we didn’t expect was being awoken at 5 a.m. to a freight train blowing through full steam– really gets your heart pumping– did not need coffee that morning. The rustic area also has access to a trail that loops about two miles near the lake and rustic campground. It was a fun place!

  • Gary C.
    Sep. 1, 2020

    Buttonwood Campground

    Beautiful Campground

    Clean and well kept campground located 12 mile below Lewistown, Pa. As clean a campground as you will find. Staff is super friendly. Campground has two distinct levels with open spaces with few trees above and well shaded spots with large trees for shade located down along Juniata River. Great place for fishing, tubing or just getting wet. Campground has many activities for kids. On site is a pool, winery, dog park, office/supplies located in center of campground. WiFi is available to all. Nearly all full hook-ups with back-ins and pull-thrus available. Pets allowed. 42 mile South from State College and 48 mile North of Harrisburg on Rt 322. Highly recommend!

  • Rick W.
    Aug. 15, 2022

    Colonel Denning State Park Campground

    Tent camping sites

    Walk in sites have picnic table and fire ring. Tent pads are level and smooth. Showers and restrooms are close to sites. Strongly recommend...

  • Mary H.
    Jun. 13, 2019

    Upper Campground — Kettle Creek State Park

    Upper campground: Rustic, remote, restful

    The upper campground has a rustic feel, beautiful views and is a great location for wildlife encounters. While it has some amenities (electric on a few RV sites; scullery area near the pit toilets; showers available at lower campground), these grounds are away from the bustle of the outside world. We are tent campers, and without the need for hookup and never having been there, we reserved site 45--but do not recommend it for its challenging slope. When a loud, disrespectful family set up nearby that first night for a long weekend, we spoke with the camp host (helpful, amenable Jim), who suggested we ask about site 71, the most removed of all the sites. Went to the camp office and obtained it for the rest of our week-long stay--and it was perfect. (While it had a hookup that we didn't need/use, we did pay extra for it--but well worth the seclusion.) Super quiet back there and totally private. Some of the rustic tent sites looked lovely, too (did not note best site numbers; sorry), but we cannot recommend #71 enough. If you're an RV camper, however, the sites with the vista views overlooking the reservoir are amazing, if not somewhat close together. 

    We wanted to encounter wildlife; went looking for it and found it! Everything seemed to be about an hour or more away on winding roads, but that was okay; love the meandering. We went to:  

    • Hyner View (gorgeous vistas -- and also came across a mama rattlesnake sunning on a back road and took photos from the safety of our car!); 
    • Pine Creek Gorge (Leonard Harrison State Park) more amazing views; 
    • Benezette to find elk (wild herd at dusk on Winslow Hill, complete with mama and baby--then three buck sauntering through town!); and 
    • lovely nearby Kettle Creek Vista. We also saw a few elk and lots of deer as we drove along the river's edge over the Leidy Bridge. 

    Pennsylvania is gorgeous!

    We also enjoyed meeting Julie at the Lock Haven Visitors' Center and had our only meal out at Deb's in Cross Fork. For ice cream treats (a weakness): Ice Shack near Lock Haven; Old Bull Cafe in Benezette; the kiosk at the top of Pine Creek Gorge. 

    A very restful, quiet week in early June was just what we needed, and Kettle Creek State Park Upper Campground was wonderful.

  • Napunani
    Jun. 25, 2022

    Russell P Letterman Campground — Bald Eagle State Park

    Park Mowers Trashed Our Campsite

    PROS

    Senior discount $18 

    Able to reserve 334 days prior to arriving

    Campground quiet but can hear PA 150 road noise 

    Great night sky viewing 

    Nice privacy from side neighbor's campsite 

    Asphalt parking pad 

    Large gravel around pad to include firepit and utility hook up 

    Grass around gravel, but was mid-calf high 

    Metal fire pit which was cleaned out upon arrival 

    Lantern pole 

    8 miles off of Interstate 80 

    Firewood for sale at the campground; $6 bundle 

    Park is good proximity to Penn State University and Central Pennsylvania 

    Country Pride Restaurant Milesburg (TA truck stop off of Interstate 80) has some terrific food! 

    4 bars Verizon 

    CONS

    $6.50 reservation fee for self made online reservation 

    One day while away from our campsite, park personnel mowed  mid-cafe high grass at and around our site and the mowers threw grass all over our table with a table cloth, chairs, trailer, driveway...you name it...it was covered with grass. Why the mowers didn’t direct the mowed grass AWAY from our items is beyond me. What a mess!!! 

    Check-in clerk at park office was disturbed we checked in with her. Told us just to go to site. Could not tell us if site was vacated. We had to ask for a park map and directions to campground/campsite since this was first time visiting 

    Site MO45 unlevel from side to side 

    Site MO45 NO shade as was the case with most of the FHU campsites

    Metal frame wood top table in bad condition 

    Need pathway from upper campsite to toilet/shower building…have to wade thru mid-calf high grass if you don’t walk on the roadway 

    Toilet/shower facility lit up like a Christmas tree 

    Toilet/shower facility cleaned on Wednesdays only, according to sign on door 

    No WiFi

  • J
    Sep. 19, 2021

    Poe Paddy State Park Campground

    Great little campground

    I’ve stayed here twice for camping trips. It’s a great small campground that has basic amenities. The experience is likely highly site dependent, as there are a few distinct areas to stay depending on your needs and luck. There is NO cell service and park rangers do “rounds” but aren’t stationed at the site. There are a couple of water pumps, several well-maintained pit toilets, and an emergency phone. It’s about 20-30 min to gas. There’s no camp store here but about 3.5 miles away at Poe Valley there’s a store, real bathrooms and showers, kayaking rentals, etc. There’s a guy that sells firewood just past Poe Valley. The Poe Paddy sites I prefer are well-shaded, fairly large, surrounded by trees, and private (but you’ll be able to hear a couple neighbors). Dogs are only allowed in the RV loop, which is intense gravel, so be sure you have a good sleeping pad if you’re tent camping. The campground is in the middle of the dense Bald Eagle State Forest with lots of hiking opportunities. The creek that runs through Poe Paddy is awesome for wading and people also tube it when conditions are right. Get a Purple Lizard map for best enjoyment of the area.


Guide to State College

Tent camping near State College, Pennsylvania offers a serene escape into nature, with a variety of campgrounds that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and relaxation.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

Explore these local attractions

  • Visit the nearby Appalachian Mountains for breathtaking views and outdoor activities, easily accessible from Warriors Path State Park Campground.
  • Take a short drive to Valley Campground for a day of fishing or boating on the lake, perfect for families looking to enjoy water activities.
  • Experience the charm of the surrounding area with a visit to Wilson Hollow Boondock, where you can immerse yourself in nature and enjoy the peaceful ambiance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near State College, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near State College, PA is Penn Roosevelt State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 5 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near State College, PA?

TheDyrt.com has all 35 tent camping locations near State College, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.