Best Campgrounds near University Park, PA

Join the fun near University Park. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. University Park is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.

Best Camping Sites Near University Park, Pennsylvania (156)

    1. Black Moshannon State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Port Matilda, PA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 342-5960

    $20 - $87 / 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. "

    2. Greenwood Furnace State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Belleville, PA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 667-1800

    $20 - $29 / night

    "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."

    "Well maintained bathroom and firewood plus ice available at the entrance (this is a great plus for those car/tent camping.

    extremely close to the rothrock forest mountain biking trails."

    3. Bellefonte-State College KOA

    11 Reviews
    Howard, PA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 355-7912

    "Very peaceful and quite, but close to State College (a must since we were in town for a Penn State game). I also loved historic Bellefonte (I highly recommend eating at the Governors Pub)."

    "The section in the front of the park is open with spotty trees; whereas, sites in the back of the park are tucked in the woods and are a lot more private."

    4. Primitive Camping Area — Bald Eagle State Park

    18 Reviews
    Howard, PA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 625-2775

    $16 - $18 / night

    "The site itself was fairly uneven and rocky so we had to always use caution when walking around the site but it added to the rugged experience."

    "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."

    5. Penn Roosevelt State Park Campground

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

    $25 / night

    "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."

    "went there for a picnic with the young ones and it was quite a fun evening. there were not many people around so the kids could frolic and be slightly loud without bothering any other people."

    6. Russell P Letterman Campground — Bald Eagle State Park

    17 Reviews
    Howard, PA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 625-2775

    $22 - $62 / night

    "Easy access to camp ground. The check in process was just to drive to the site and set up which was different but very easy. The sites are private on the sides with some green space to play on."

    "If you are not the camping type you can stay at the Nature Inn and enjoy the beautiful lodge in an amazing location! Definitely tops on our list of state parks in Pennsylvania!"

    7. The Bellefonte Campground

    1 Review
    Bellefonte, PA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 810-9161

    $39 - $400 / night

    "Minimal noise from the highway, which was pleasantly unexpected being so close. They have some animals, like goats, as well in a little farm area. Nice new cabins too."

    8. Seven Mountains Campground

    1 Review
    Milroy, PA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 364-1910

    9. Reeds Gap State Park Campground

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

    $22 / night

    "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."

    "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."

    10. Poe Valley State Park Campground

    5 Reviews
    Coburn, PA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 349-2460

    $20 - $57 / night

    "Far enough away from cities that it's nice and quiet"

    "We did take the hunter's path, off the beach parking lot, to the mid state trail but it was straight up the mountain and quite difficult. The beach was nice, not crowded, soft sand, and warm water."

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Recent Reviews near University Park, PA

438 Reviews of 156 University Park Campgrounds


  • Daniel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Curwensville Lake Campground

    Amazing

    Having 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.

  • 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.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 21, 2025

    Ravensburg State Park Campground

    Use lat and long to find peaceful woods by stream

    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. It’s very humid so many picnic tables have green moss.

    First come first serve but still had to pay transaction fee! which was annoying for our one night stay as if rather the state parks get that.

    Use lat and long coordinates for directions or you will be in the wrong spot.

  • Tiana S.
    Jul. 13, 2025

    STAR LEE FARM

    Great stay

    Place was very pretty and secluded. And customer service was excellent. 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 at all the boxes. There's no electricity there but the owner is working on that but there is power in the shower house. Service is a little sketch but it's perfect for those who want to completely escape the business of modern world. Highly recommend

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 7, 2025

    Reeds Gap State Park Campground

    Awesome !

    Stayed here on a Sunday night without a reservation. We were the only ones there. Pay by honor system at the park office. Campground was quiet and lovely. Only 14 sites. Bathroom with hot showers is nearby. One shower stall in each bathroom and the showers had a large dressing area. Water is near the picnic pavilion.

  • Lisa J.
    Jun. 21, 2025

    Paradise Stream Family Campground

    Nice campground, mostly quiet and well kept

    This is our third trip here and supposed to return again in September. One of our favorites!!

  • Daniel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 5, 2025

    Curwensville Lake Campground

    Perfect spring

    Solo with my dog and my canoe. Had a great time I had no idea there was disc golf,I keep a couple in my truck and so i played more game then fished. The dog swimming area was pretty cool. I'll be back.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 27, 2024

    Seven Points (PA)

    Beautiful Spot

    I’ve camped here twice, two years ago in a Kodiak tent and this year in my Airstream GT24. Such a lovely spot! It’s spotless, and Raystown Lake is gorgeous.


Guide to University Park

Camping near University Park, Pennsylvania, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With several campgrounds in the area, you can find the perfect spot to enjoy nature, whether you’re in a tent, RV, or cabin.

What to do:

  • Hiking: There are many trails to explore. For example, Black Moshannon State Park Campground has “great hiking and a beautiful lake for kayaking,” making it a fantastic spot for outdoor enthusiasts.
  • Fishing and Swimming: At Seven Points (PA), you can enjoy fishing and swimming in Raystown Lake. One reviewer mentioned, “The lake is a great place to kayak, paddleboard, or just relax and enjoy the view.”
  • Wildlife Watching: Bald Eagle State Park is known for its wildlife. A visitor shared, “We like to rent a boat when we come here and swim and watch the Eagles.”

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate cleanliness. One review for Greenwood Furnace State Park Campground noted, “The bathrooms are average, not the best I've seen, and certainly not the worst.”
  • Secluded Sites: Many enjoy the privacy offered at campgrounds like Bald Eagle State Forest. A camper mentioned, “Nice little spot with no one around. Very close to the MST.”
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Campgrounds like Buttonwood Campground have plenty for kids to do. One grandparent said, “My grandkids had a blast. My granddaughter said Buttonwood is the best campground.”

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds, including Black Moshannon State Park Campground, have poor cell service. A reviewer noted, “Verizon and AT&T cell service were basically non-existent.”
  • No Firewood Available: Some campgrounds, like Poe Paddy State Park Campground, do not sell firewood. A visitor mentioned, “There is NO firewood and no camp store here.”
  • Check-in Times: Be aware of check-in times. At Susquehannock, a camper expressed frustration with the late check-in, saying, “We don’t really get our money’s worth with such a late check out.”

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities. Buttonwood Campground has a “nice pool, miniature golf, laser tag, places to fish.”
  • Secluded Tent Sites: Choose campgrounds with private tent sites. A family at Bald Eagle State Park enjoyed their secluded site, saying, “The site itself was very roomy and level.”
  • Plan for Weather: Be prepared for changing weather conditions. A camper at Greenwood Furnace State Park Campground advised, “Bring layers + raincoats as the PA mountain weather can be iffy!”

Tips from RVers:

  • Level Sites: Look for campgrounds with level RV sites. One reviewer at Seven Points (PA) mentioned, “Sites are nice for RVs.”
  • Check Hookups: Ensure your site has the necessary hookups. A visitor at Russell P Letterman Campground noted, “The sites are private on the sides with some green space to play on.”
  • Reserve Early: Popular spots fill up fast. A camper at Buttonwood Campground suggested, “Make sure to check out Lincoln Caverns!”

Camping near University Park, Pennsylvania, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, there’s a campground that fits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near University Park, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near University Park, PA is Black Moshannon State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 24 reviews.