Camping spots near University Park, Pennsylvania range from tent-only primitive areas to full-service campgrounds with RV hookups. The region sits in the Ridge and Valley section of the Appalachian Mountains at elevations between 1,000-2,000 feet. Night temperatures can drop into the 50s even during summer months, requiring proper sleeping gear for tent campers in all seasons.
What to do
Fishing in quiet waters: Poe Valley State Park offers a tranquil lake for anglers. "Great campground! Lots of fishing, swimming and you can rent kayaks or paddle boats. Beach had a concession stand and camping was very shaded and secluded," notes one camper at Poe Valley State Park Campground.
Blacksmithing demonstrations: Visit the historic iron furnace at Greenwood Furnace State Park to learn about Pennsylvania's industrial past. "The blacksmith shop was very educational! Great trails to hike! You can pick up a compass at the ranger station and complete a compass course," shares a visitor to Greenwood Furnace State Park Campground.
Night sky viewing: The remote camping areas offer minimal light pollution for stargazing. "We saw the Milky Way!" reports a camper at Greenwood Furnace State Park. Multiple campgrounds in the area have limited or no cell service, creating ideal conditions for astronomical observation without electronic distractions.
Geocaching: Several parks in the area maintain geocaches for treasure hunters. "There is a trail head near the entrance of the park for hikers and a geocache showed up close to the trail on a road on my geocache tracker if you are into that," mentions a visitor to Reeds Gap State Park.
What campers like
Secluded sites: Penn Roosevelt State Park offers tent-only camping in a peaceful forest setting. "Beautiful primitive campground (tent only). Get a site on the outside towards the water. They are spaced out and peaceful," states a review of Penn Roosevelt State Park Campground.
Pet-friendly options: Many campgrounds welcome dogs with designated pet-friendly areas. "My Outdoor Adventure Algorithm is:(Drink+Fire+Lean-To)-(Rules+Regulations+Fees)/(Crowd-Privacy)(IsolationAcceptability of loud, primal, Forest-Man behavior)=Camping," explains a humorous reviewer at Seven Mountains Campground, noting the campground accepts pets.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathhouses. "The bathroom was VERY clean and heated, which was glorious considering it was quite chilly at night," notes a camper at Greenwood Furnace. Another at Reeds Gap praises "a super clean, eco-shower" with timed water and solar lights.
Honor system payment: Some smaller campgrounds use self-registration. "Stayed here on a Sunday night without a reservation. We were the only ones there. Pay by honor system at the park office," shares a visitor to Reeds Gap State Park Campground.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Multiple campgrounds have poor or non-existent connectivity. "Put your phone away cuz there's no cell service here!" advises a camper at Reeds Gap. Similarly, at Poe Valley, a reviewer notes, "No cell service but you won't even miss it."
Temperature fluctuations: Mountain elevation causes significant temperature drops at night. "It was a bit chilly at night and warm during the day - bring layers + raincoats as the PA mountain weather can be iffy!" advises a Greenwood Furnace camper.
Reservation timing: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. At Bellefonte-State College KOA, a visitor notes, "Campground was packed 10/16-10/18," indicating even shoulder season weekends can be busy.
Wildlife encounters: Raccoons and bears inhabit the area. "The raccoons were a fun surprise on our last night! We left the grease trap from the Blackstone out and they found it. We did not see any bears though we heard they are there," reports a camper at Bald Eagle State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. "There's a nice park for the kids to play. The blacksmith shop was very educational! Great trails to hike!" mentions a Greenwood Furnace visitor.
Biking opportunities: Paved roads at some campgrounds accommodate young cyclists. "Paved roads so they can ride their bikes," notes a Greenwood Furnace camper about family-friendly features.
Beach activities: Bald Eagle State Park provides swimming areas with sandy beaches. "Beach is beautiful, very calm, warm water for early July, soft sand and nice large trees for shade," reports a visitor, making it ideal for families with children.
Educational programs: Park rangers often conduct informative sessions. "We discovered one of the evening talks about the eagles nesting in the park and the ranger set up binoculars for us to try and see the nest," shares a Bald Eagle State Park camper.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain. "Sites are sloped a bit as most are in the mountains. We were able to decently level our motorhome with blocks," explains a visitor to The Bellefonte Campground.
Access road considerations: Some campgrounds have tight turns and narrow roads. "Despite the cold wet weather this trip, we had a wonderful weekend!" notes a Black Moshannon camper, while another advises, "We suggest avoiding heading south from I80 on Casanova road."
Site selection strategy: Review site maps and photos before booking. "Definitely look at pictures of your site before reserving. The distance between spots was good. Roads were a little narrow but manageable," recommends a Bald Eagle State Park camper.
Limited hookups: Not all sites provide full connections. "We stayed in the modern camping section. The sites are private on the sides with some green space to play on," reports a visitor to Bald Eagle State Park, noting the importance of confirming specific amenities.
