Camping near Dysart, Pennsylvania includes a mix of state park campgrounds and private facilities located within a 30-mile radius of the town, ranging from basic tent sites to RV hookups and lakefront cabins. Prince Gallitzin State Park's Crooked Run Campground serves as a central camping destination with sites for tents, RVs, and cabins. Several other camping areas dot the region, including Blue Knob State Park, Canoe Creek State Park, and Lake Raystown Resort, providing diverse accommodation types from basic tent sites to glamping opportunities. Most campgrounds in the area feature amenities such as electric hookups, picnic tables, fire rings, and access to showers and restrooms.
The camping season in this region typically runs from April through October, with most state parks opening the second Friday in April and closing in mid-to-late October. "This campground was very nice. We could sit and eat breakfast and watch the deers. Very relaxing place. Clean bath houses and friendly staff," noted one visitor to Prince Gallitzin State Park. Weather conditions can vary significantly throughout the season, with pleasant summer temperatures but occasional thunderstorms. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekend stays during peak summer months and for special events like the Halloween-themed weekends that several parks host in fall. Most campgrounds offer both reservable and first-come, first-served sites, though availability of the latter is limited during peak periods.
The lakefront camping experience draws many visitors to the area. Prince Gallitzin State Park surrounds the 1,635-acre Glendale Lake, providing opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming. Campers report high satisfaction with the park's family-friendly atmosphere and recreational activities. According to one visitor, "Great place for kids! We love staying at crooked run campground. Has a beach on the lake. Affordable boat rentals." While some campgrounds can become crowded during holiday weekends and special events, several loops and areas maintain a quieter atmosphere, particularly in the pet-friendly sections. The density of sites varies between campgrounds, with some offering more spacious and private sites than others. Cell service can be limited in parts of the region, particularly in campgrounds situated in more remote locations or valleys.
$24 - $95 / night
"This campground is perfect for people who are looking to get away from busy city life or just want to relax next to a lake."
"The site was roomy enough, but next time I know to try to reserve on the outside perimeter for more room. Dogs are permitted in this area of the campground and honestly they were all well behaved."
$20 - $35 / night
"Located in Rock Run Recreation park, our site (#14) was not the greatest, it had a lot of length, but no real level side room, fell downhill when exiting the camper lol."
$117 - $122 / night
"The grounds are open to hunting and we were surprised by a bird hunter and his dog who was running around off leash, creating a little havoc for us while walking our two dogs on the trail."
"You can go to the beach, kayak, hike, or go outside the park to explore some caves or a bat church. We will continue to come here every year!"
$28 - $200 / night
"It’s close to bathhouse and playground if you want those. There is parking at every bath house. There is trash receptacles at the entrance to the loop as well as firewood or sale."
"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!"
$24 - $117 / 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."
"Fantastic lake side camping resort. Best for campers or using their cabins but it has freeway access to the lake and beautiful views."
"Beautiful lakeside sites."
$24 - $145 / night
"Electric motorboats are permitted on Moshannon Lake. Boat rentals are available in season."
"Great hiking and a beautiful lake for kayaking. Site 22 is a full hookup. Utilities worked nicely. However, our picnic table had seen better days. "
ScoutNice campground, level site, very clean. (Here early in season though!) $40/night. Lost a star for the long and steep incline walk to the bathrooms. Accessibility note: Careful if you have mobility issues. Many of the sites are terraced and require using steps.
TravelerSite SS007 sits roughly two miles off pavement along a fairly rough access road. A standard Ford Explorer handled the drive without trouble, though bringing a trailer would likely only be practical if it is set up for overlanding conditions.
The location offers excellent views of the Susquehanna River and exceptionally clear night skies with strong stargazing opportunities. There was no existing fire ring on site, so we built one using nearby stones. The site does not include a picnic table or other amenities, making it a primative experience.
Cell service was limited but usable, averaging about one bar with AT&T and two bars with T-Mobile.
Overall, it is a quiet, scenic roadside site best suited for campers comfortable with minimal facilities and no other people around.
TravelerMy wife has been going to keystone all her life, I’ve only gone since she and I started dating. I’ve been all over the world hiking and camping, but keystone is nostalgic for her. And it’s a great place for our one year old to cut his teeth in the great outdoors!! He loves going and love camping!! He loves to be outside more than anything!! Gentle trails and a smooth lake, a great place for a quick weekend from the city
TravelerIve camped at Black Moshannon State Park many times both in a tent and our camper. The Park has tent only, electric and full hookup sites. It is well cared for and clean. The bathhouses are nice and well maintained. The Park itself offers a lot to do with fishing. Hiking, the beach, kayak rentals, etc. I've never had a bad time at Black Moshannon and will keep coming back.
ScoutClean and well taken care of, pretty quiet. Would definitely stay here again but a few things to keep in mind.
For kids the play grounds are run down. Also no real “dog run”. All in all if your a couple wanting to go relax its great, but if you have pets and or younger kids there isn’t much on the grounds.
ScoutStaying for two weeks.
TravelerWe came here after finding this campsite on the dirt app. When we arrived, there was no one around. There are no rules or payment stations. There are a lot of RVs that seem to be set up in a permanent location. We camped on a field and haven’t seen anyone. There are bathrooms and showers and they are open. It looks like this is the site of the fairgrounds and maybe it is a hopping place in the summer? I will update this review if anyone comes by.
GuideHaving PTSD and serious anxiety. This spot allows you to relax without to much concern,dogs welcome ,boating and swimming was awesome for around this area. Camping is great especially at night with boats on the water.
TravelerFirst 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.
The Dysart area of Pennsylvania contains multiple established campgrounds with a focus on lake access and family camping. Prince Gallitzin State Park, located approximately 5 miles north of Dysart, features the Crooked Run Campground with a variety of accommodation options including tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin facilities. Other nearby options include Clayworks, Seven Points, and Blue Knob State Park campgrounds, providing diverse camping experiences across the region. Most campgrounds in this area are developed with amenities like electric hookups, showers, and picnic tables, though accommodation types and pet policies vary by location.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping availability near Dysart. Most campgrounds operate from April through October, with Prince Gallitzin State Park's season running from the second Friday in April to the last Monday in October. "A huge park and packed to the brim with campers," reported one visitor about summer conditions at Prince Gallitzin. "Parkee told me that normal summer get about 90 to 95% capacity, but with Covid they are surpassing that even during the week." Cellular connectivity varies across the region, with some areas reporting limited coverage for AT&T and Verizon. Weather conditions can be cooler near lakes compared to surrounding areas, with temperatures sometimes 5-15 degrees lower than nearby towns.
Water activities represent a major draw for campers visiting the Dysart region. Glendale Lake at Prince Gallitzin State Park provides opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming, with some campgrounds offering private beach access for registered campers. According to one visitor, "Great place for kids! We love staying at crooked run campground. Has a beach on the lake. Affordable boat rentals." Several camping areas feature waterfront or water-adjacent sites that tend to be popular during peak season. Family-friendly activities are common, with many campgrounds offering special events throughout the season. Halloween-themed weekends at Prince Gallitzin are particularly popular, featuring decorated campsites and trick-or-treating activities. Wildlife viewing opportunities exist throughout the region, with multiple visitors reporting deer sightings near their campsites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Dysart, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Dysart, PA is Crooked Run Campground — Prince Gallitzin State Park with a 4.3-star rating from 26 reviews.
Keep Exploring
