Camping near Todd, Pennsylvania centers around Raystown Lake, which spans 8,300 acres with 118 miles of shoreline in Huntingdon County. The surrounding terrain features wooded ridges and valleys, with elevations ranging from 760 feet at lake level to over 2,000 feet on nearby ridges. The camping season typically runs April through October, with July temperatures averaging 75-85°F during the day and 55-65°F at night.
What to do
Hiking trails: Trough Creek State Park Campground offers unique natural formations along its hiking paths. A camper noted, "It has a nice hike up above a creek with a huge rock that appears ready to fall over the cliff with a simple touch. Very neat." The park features distinctive geological attractions including a balanced rock and suspension bridge.
Mountain biking: The Allegrippis Trails near Seven Points provide extensive mountain biking opportunities. "With the many bike trails in Seven Points, there were a lot of adult mountain bike riders," notes a visitor. The IMBA standard-built trails are "open year round and in any weather" and offer "a full day of fast flowing singletrack."
Beach activities: Lake Raystown Resort offers multiple water recreation options beyond swimming. "The lake is so clean and refreshing and we have such beautiful views from our camp site. We went down to the swim beach and our kiddo made sand castles and swam in the clear water," reports one family. The resort includes a sandy beach area specifically designed for swimming.
What campers like
Waterfront camping: Campers at Point Campground appreciate the lake access. "Very quiet campground, right on the tip of the Raystown peninsula! Wonderful views of the lake and the lake go-ers!" Waterfront sites are popular but limited, with several campgrounds offering various levels of water access and views.
Well-maintained facilities: Seven Points earns praise for its upkeep. "Great clean campground, easy to maneuver with a big rig, level sites, clean restrooms and shower rooms. Lots of great hiking, footpath around the park layered with recycled rubber was great to walk on." The bathhouses receive particular attention for cleanliness.
Site spacing and privacy: Susquehannock Campground offers more secluded camping. "We were right on the water, secluded from other campsites visually, though we could hear them on either side." The primitive campground provides a quieter alternative to the busier resort areas while still offering lake access.
What you should know
Primitive camping options: For those seeking a more rustic experience, Susquehannock Campground provides basic amenities. "It's a primitive campground with no electricity. Get your water at a hand pump and they have pit toilets. Nice place to camp along the lake." Primitive sites typically cost less than full-hookup locations.
Boat noise: Lake Raystown is popular for motorized watercraft. A camper at Nancy's Boat To Shore Campground observed, "These campsites are accessible by boat ONLY! 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." During peak season, particularly weekends, expect boat activity from sunrise.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly across campgrounds. At Trough Creek State Park, one camper reported "absolutely 0 cell service" with Verizon. Other campgrounds may offer limited connectivity, with service better at higher elevations.
Site terrain: Many campgrounds feature uneven ground. A reviewer noted of Raystown Lake/Saxton KOA, "The sites weren't hard to level our RV but overall the sites are hilly and in fact the whole park is on a hill." Prepare for sloped sites, particularly at waterfront locations.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Cowans Gap State Park Campground offers family-friendly amenities. "There's lots of hiking trails, a real sand beach and swimming area, pedal boat and canoe rentals. You won't be disappointed!" The park includes multiple playgrounds accessible to campers.
Weekend activities: Lake Raystown Resort organizes regular family programming. "The pavilion where all those activities happened were right next to our site... On Saturday was rock painting and then bingo and ended the night with a DJ dance party." Many campgrounds offer scheduled activities during summer weekends.
Beach alternatives: When the main beaches are crowded, seek secondary swimming areas. "There is a sandy beach which is perfect for swimming" at Lake Raystown Resort, but campers also note "lots of swimming areas all around the lake." Weekday visits offer less crowded conditions for families.
Educational programs: Several campgrounds provide nature programming. One visitor mentioned "a visit from RayCEP which is an education program that PA DNCR provides talking about various outdoorsy type things. This is primarily for kids, but we sat and listened too."
Tips from RVers
Dump station access: Seven Points features exceptional dump facilities. "We filled up the fresh water tank at the ultra-cool 4 lane dump station... The dump station, as noted above had wide lanes and made the experience an easy and clean one." This infrastructure allows for efficient arrival and departure during busy periods.
Site selection strategy: Specific loops at Seven Points cater to different RV styles. A camper advised, "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!" Research loop characteristics before booking.
Leveling challenges: Sites throughout the region require leveling equipment. One RVer noted, "One backup attempt into the site and (according to our LevelMatePRO app) it was perfectly level...that was definitely a first for us." Bring leveling blocks, especially for non-premium sites.
Winter availability: Limited camping options exist beyond the main season. Raystown Lake/Saxton KOA operates "All year" according to listings, while most other campgrounds close between October and April.
