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.
Black Moshannon State Park covers 3,394 acres of forests and wetlands and conserves unique, natural environments. More than 43,000 acres of the Moshannon State Forest surround the park and help create a remote and wild setting that provides recreational opportunities in all seasons for camping near State College.
The 73 campsites each have a picnic table and a fire ring. Most sites can accommodate either a tent or a trailer. Many sites have electrical hookups. Some sites have full service hook up, which includes sewer, water, and electricity.Pets are permitted on designated sites.
The campground features:
-Washhouses with flush toilets
-Showers
-Coin-operated laundry machines
-Sanitary dump station
Seven Points Recreation area, located in the central region of Raystown Lake, is perfectly situated for outdoor recreation. Within a short walk from every campsite, visitors can find everything from interpretive trails to a visitor center. Plus there's easy access to swimming, boating, fishing hiking, and biking. For more detailed maps and information on the Seven Points Recreation area visit our website.__
Boating is always popular at Raystown, but there's more than just boating. Fishing for muskies, small and large mouth bass, brown trout, and many other Pennsylvania species is excellent. Every summer weekend there are education and entertainment programs at the amphitheater. The Greenside Pathway, a recycled rubber tire hiking trail, provides a safe walking route that connects the campgrounds to all of the recreational facilities within Seven Points; and world class mountain biking is available on the Allegrippis Trails and mountain biking skills park near the Visitors Center. Other nearby trails include the Lower Trail (Rails to Trails), the Terrace Mountain Trail, the Old Loggers Trail, and the Mid State Trail.
Boating is always popular at Raystown, but there's more than just boating. Fishing for muskies, small and large mouth bass, brown trout, and many other Pennsylvania species is excellent. Every summer weekend there are education and entertainment programs at the amphitheater. The Greenside Pathway, a recycled rubber tire hiking trail, provides a safe walking route that connects the campgrounds to all of the recreational facilities within Seven Points; and world class mountain biking is available on the Allegrippis Trails and mountain biking skills park near the Visitors Center. Other nearby trails include the Lower Trail (Rails to Trails), the Terrace Mountain Trail, the Old Loggers Trail, and the Mid State Trail.
Raystown Lake is located within the ridge and valley province of Pennsylvania. The lakeshore is lined with an old oak-hickory forest giving way to mountain ridges and cliffs. The man-made lake is fed by the Raystown Branch tributary of the Juniata River and is the largest lake completely in the state of Pennsylvania. Recreation season temperatures range from the 60s to 90s, with three to four inches of rain per month. The nights are cool and the days are pleasant through spring and fall.
Campers can take day trips to the Lincoln Caverns, Altoona Railroaders Museum, Swigart Antique Car Museum, or other nearby attractions. Visit www.raystown.org for local attractions and activities. The nearby city of Huntingdon, 11 miles north, is a good place for restaurants, shopping, and theaters.
$30 - $200 / night
$30 / night
Buttonwood Campground in the Juniata River Valley of Central Pennsylvania! In an atmosphere of mountains, rolling farmlands and fresh country air, we offer everything you'll need to make your camping vacation complete with all the family fun in the world.
Amenities include a camp store, golf cart rentals, a winery, rec hall, and a laundromat.
$30 - $78 / night
Susquehannock Campground is located on the 8,300-acre Raystown Lake, in the ridge and valley province of Pennsylvania. The lake offers ample outdoor recreation opportunities, from fishing and boating to picnicking and hiking. Campers have access to a marina, shopping, restaurants and cultural attractions within a short drive. Several fun family events take place in the lake area throughout the summer.
Fishing is excellent at the lake, with muskies, small and large mouth bass and brown trout found in abundance. Stream and river fishing are nearby, as are hunting areas for deer, turkey, grouse and Canada geese. Nearby trails such as the Allegrippis Trails, Old Loggers Trail, Hillside Nature Trail and Terrace Mountain Trail offer hiking and biking. Many family activities are available in the Raystown Region during summer. Visitors can pick up a free guide at the Raystown Lake Visitor Center or campground entrance station to help them plan sightseeing, hiking, biking, boating and canoe and kayak rental opportunities.
Fishing is excellent at the lake, with muskies, small and large mouth bass and brown trout found in abundance. Stream and river fishing are nearby, as are hunting areas for deer, turkey, grouse and Canada geese. Nearby trails such as the Allegrippis Trails, Old Loggers Trail, Hillside Nature Trail and Terrace Mountain Trail offer hiking and biking. Many family activities are available in the Raystown Region during summer. Visitors can pick up a free guide at the Raystown Lake Visitor Center or campground entrance station to help them plan sightseeing, hiking, biking, boating and canoe and kayak rental opportunities.
The lake shore is lined with an old oak-hickory forest giving way to mountain ridges and cliffs. The man-made lake is fed by the Raystown Branch tributary of the Juniata River and is the largest lake located completely in the state of Pennsylvania. Recreation season temperatures range from the 60s to 90s, with three to four inches of rain per month. The nights are cool and the days are pleasant through spring and fall. Local wildlife consists of white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, ruffed grouse, Canada geese, pheasants, bald eagles, ospreys, great blue herons and occasional black bears.
The campground is only three miles from groceries, a bait shop, gas and a full service marina. The City of Huntingdon, located 14 miles north, is a good place to stop for restaurants, shopping and theaters. Campers can take day trips to the Lincoln and Indian Caverns, Altoona Railroaders Museum or Swigart Antique Car Museum.
This location has limited staffing. Please call (814) 658-3405 for general information.
$25 / night
$52 / night
This recreation area is part of Raystown Lake
This is a nice clean quiet campground. It's a great stop if you're doing rails to trails or swimming at the beach up the road. (Note to get to both places you'll need to drive). We went on a weekday and it wasn't crowded but I've heard on the weekends it gets packed. There are two sets of swings and one slide. The bathrooms have showers and were clean. Some of the spots are smaller and right next to each other (down by the creek and up around top). But spots 68,69,70 are prime. We were in spot 75 right next to the bridge and not ideal
The campground is beautifully kept. Bathrooms and sites were nice. Some sites are alittle closer personally esp in the dog area. It was extremely buggy when we went. Our dogs wouldn't come out of the camper because there was no relief. It was the height of rattle snake season. A site near ours and very close to the playground had a rattler under their camper. Alittle too close for comfort. Otherwise, campers, rangers and hosts were nice to deal!
Would go back here again! Very primitive, only 2 sites with electric and no playground (but 4 swings), however the creek is beautiful and the kids were so happy to play in it. We had site 108 and had a site path right to the creek. I wouldn't recommend big campers as most of the spots would be a pain to back into. But if you're looking for a quiet campground in the woods, this is it!
As a rule we always try to stay in parks if possible. Really like the layout here, and the k9s love it. We couldn’t see the lake from the camper, but in the woods we could see the lake and the camper from the same spot.
We camped in on of the cabins overnight on a recent road trip. Cabins are nice and spacious, bath facilities are some of the best I've seen. We didn't;t get to explore since we were traveling, but there's plenty to do in the area.
Getting to the park had some sharp turns and windy roads. Small campground but nicely equipped. 2 bath houses were dated but clean. Nice playground at the campground and also one at the beach. Small camp concessions with a few camping items as well as ice cream cones. 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. The site sat down off the road but once you were backed in the spot it was pretty level. This site also had a separate tent pad located down a few stone steps. Verizon and AT&T cell service were basically non existent. Every once in a while a text would come in or send but very spotty. Sorry I failed to get a pic of the site in the daylight. It was spacious and we had plenty of room for our 30' trailer, truck, and easy up over the table. 6+ chairs around the fire pit, cooking ring could have been better. Grassy area for cornhole or playing.
We arrived when it was dark out and had site #2. The camp hosts were fantastic and helped us back into a spot. The spot was hard to maneuver for a 41 ft 5th wheel because of the turning radius. There was also a drop off on the other side of the road which limited the turning radius as well. We only slept here but it looked like a nice place. The grounds are hilly.the well was dry so there wasn’t any water.
This is a big park. We just reserved one night as as an overnight stop after a 10 hr day of driving. We travel with a dog so our only choice for an electric site was on the Sycamore loop. The Oak loop does not allow pets. Sites we nicely laid out with level gravel and a fire ring. Looks like there lots to do around the park, especially for families.
Great setup location. Easy in and out, full utilities. Separate tenting area near bathrooms Water is easy access, pool is heated. Rates are reasonable, store is basic Come here every year, worth the trip.
Stayed in the modern camping section. 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. Lots of extra places to park extra cars or bring a second vehicle with a boat.
The kids had fun riding the bikes around the loop and taking the short cuts cut in around the loop. We had fun walking to the foot bridge to go fishing.
The camping area was very quite both mornings and evenings. We saw the park rangers drive through multiple times per day.
The bathrooms were clean. There are no shelfs in the showers (except for a bar of soap) but they had hooks to hang your clothes.
The racoons were a fun surprise on our last night! We left the grease trap from the Blackstone out and the they found it. We did not see any bears though we heard they are there.
We had smoke from Canadian forest fires so haze in the pictures is smoke not haze or rainy days! The walking trails are great. You can see the largest white swamp oak in Pennsylvania!
Definitely check out Penns Cave too.
This a small campground, around 33 sites. The pads are all gravel except for the handicapped pad, which is paved. This campground is alcohol free and upon checking on you are asked if you have any alcohol. The sites are fairly spaced apart and many are shaded by large pine trees.
The park visitor's center has many participatory A/V camping and wildlife exhibits. The law enforcement/ranger was exceptionally helpful and friendly and he provided me with the locations of current elk sightings.
I had no verizon cell service in the park.
Woodgrove Centre
General: 73-site campground; most have electric hookups, and some are FHU. Pets are only permitted at selected sites. There are also 20 (13 rustic and 6 modern) cabins. Cell service is extremely limited to non-existent (Verizon).
Site Quality: Pads are gravel and most appeared to be level. Site 70 was at the end of the loop which is why we picked it. A picnic table, fire ring, and lantern hook complete each site.
Bathhouse: As has been our experience in all PA state parks, the bathhouse was pristine, and the shower (for no additional cost) was clean with plentiful hot water and was very much appreciated.
Activities/Amenities: Coin-operated laundry. A playground is in the campground and there is an additional one at the swimming beach. The swimming beach is open from mid-May to mid-September, from 8 am– sunset. Electric motorboats are permitted on Moshannon Lake. Boat rentals are available in season. Permits are required. 24 miles of hiking trails, including two trails directly from the campground to the lake. In the summer, there is a camper store/concession stand. Hunting is allowed in season. There are 4.3 miles of mountain biking trails.
I used to think Oregon State Parks were the best, but Pennsylvania State Parks have them beat by a mile. We have yet to be disappointed by the amenities(especially the clean bathrooms) offered at the half-dozen state parks we have visited so far.
Love staying at Seven Points CG. This Corps part got a spruce up in 2022. The roads on the point loop were upgraded.
Tough to get waterfront spot during main season, but fall is beautiful here.
Chipmunks are fun to watch. Point loop is my favorite. Sites 128, 126 126a, 154 are perfect. Easy access to the lake from your site. Bath house is up at the top of the hill. Be prepared for that walk.
Get water at the dump station on the way in!!! Easier than trying to attach to the spigots on the loop.
Trough State Park nearby is a great place to hike!!
We just love this little park! Easy to access, big rig friendly although there is a hill to get up to campground. They have water and electricity at most sites and some are dry. They have a very clean bathhouse with a dump station. We love the fishing access, boat rentals, great playgrounds and fun activities for the kids!
This entire park is beautiful! There are plenty of well-maintained, well-marked trails for all experience levels. The lake is lovely with a very nice swimming beach (although I imagine that the water is cold even in the summer). The campground is wonderful! The sites are large and relatively private. The showers in the bath house are clean and nice. There wasn't much in the camp store when we were there, but it was the end of the season. Note: there is NO Internet or cell service there, but the locations where you can get cell service are posted. There is also no firewood available in the camp, but nearby locations where you can buy it are posted.
This is a nice little campground. It looks like there is plenty of things for kids to do in the summer. We stayed at site 310, which was a fairly nice sized site. It was a pull through. Lots of seasonal campers.
This was a comfortable one night stay for us. The walk from our site to the lake revealed a larg variety of mushrooms. Sometimes it’s the little things that make a place interesting. All else was comfortable. Some how though we never saw the actual name of the campground. Enter Crooked Run campground or you may end up on the wrong side of the park like we did.
Such a scenic and beautiful place to camp and the campground is set up perfectly. On that note, the clientele just ruins it. If hearing adjacent sites having hootenannies, getting loaded, blasting out country music, and screaming all night is your thing, this is your place. Tried to call rangers but only got a message machine. The clientele sucks so much
I took my grandkids to Buttonwood on August 1st. Thru 4th. 2022. We stayed in their rustic cabin. The cabin was nice and clean. Bathrooms were really clean and had really nice showers. Lots for the kids to do. My grandkids had a blast. My granddaughter said Buttonwood is the best campground. They have, nice pool , miniature golf, laser tag, places to fish, it’s just a friendly and beautiful atmosphere.Would go back. I would recommend Buttonwood to anyone who’s looking for a nice place to camp.
This was an awesome campground! There are two sides to the campground with a street that divides the two sides. One is along the River and the other is situated near the camp store, playground and pool. This campground had it all! There was laser tag, playground, jump pillow, pedal carts! There was even something for the parents! They have a wine barn on site with different beverages including wine slushes! Ver well taken care of campground. Our site backed up to the river which they also have tubing as well!
Loved this campground. We wanted to be close to Raystown Lake. Trough is quiet and small. It's really great if you're looking for a spot to "rough" it (not really, but closer than most!) with the kids. Awesome sites. Lots of nature. Bathroom would be the reason for four stars. Spiders greet you at the entrance, and because the campground is smaller and kind of out there, the bathroom isn't super new/clean like others. That said, it's close to Raystown so you can boat, but it's a great retreat to come back to and light a fire with the kids.
The sites are mostly well kept, but only electric at site. There are many loops and some WC's do no have showers, so be careful making your res. Sites by the water are closer together than most on the ridges. Water is available at the side of the road, but some of the fixtures are broken. The restaurant is closed.
We wanted a waterfront spot, and although we booked over a month in advance none were available. We ended up with spot 3, which was on a cliff’s edge. So, it looked like it may be near the water, but there was no way down, and the forest obscured any view that may have been there. Even though the website said that everything else was booked up, no one was in the spot next to us (or the next several down). The spots are small though and the fire ring for spot 4 is right next to where you park your car in spot 3…so I wouldn’t have wanted to park there if someone had a roaring fire right next to my car. The website (and the people working the check-in booth) says that there is fishing and swimming available to all campers, but we found this very difficult, as there was no clear access away from camping sites. We parked near spots 61 and 62 and although the website said these were booked, no one was camping there so we were able to swim and fish there. I would have felt like we were encroaching on someone’s privacy if there had been people camping there. I find it really odd that there were at least 3 water front sites open on a Saturday when the website said they were taken. I have to assume that this has to do with the 2 night minimum requirement and perhaps the folks camping there previously checked out the day before and no one was checking in until the day after. I wish they would let you book these for one night, it would totally be worth it to be able to night fish and relax in front of the water. We also found it annoying that check in wasn’t until 5pm. The 4pm check out is nice, but for us, when it’s check out day, we eat breakfast and breakdown camp. We don’t really get our money’s worth with such a late check out and would rather have an earlier check in and check out. Overall we really enjoyed our time here, but prefer more private sites and more open water access.
We have been coming here for a decade and have camped our way around the waterfront, from the cliffside to the point. This was our last visit to Susquehannock and we have canceled our camping plans there in August. As usual, we paid extra for waterfront sites(61/62) with expectations suited for our visit(shady trees, disabled access, privacy). The sites have been completely renovated, with level tables, better water access, and new fire rings. The sites are on top of each other, they took out a lot of trees, and the rings for 62 and 63 are very close together. There was an extended family w/kids and a dog on our site when we arrived. They moved their brood to the adjacent vacant sites(64/65) and continued to swim and play at 61/62. Then a fam of 4 cut through right next to our camp to the lake. Regrettably, I initiated words. The man told me to read the rules. He was right, there is waterfront access for all now per the rules. It seems we live in a world now where some people just cut through other peoples' campsites. The larger family returned the second night to swim in front us and disregarded any privacy we hoped for on vacation. The rules state that anyone has the right to waterfront access. I think a public waterfront area is warranted for all the campers. But I don't agree with the delivery of the changes. No privacy, no trees as a buffer, and anyone from the campground can drive their 2 cars full of family(then one car back to shuttle a third set of ppl) to hang out in, and boaters from interior sites revving engines on what I had hoped and expected was a nice quiet getaway. We haven't been able to get a site in Susquehannock since the pandemic— one reason I was unaware of the changes to the site. But I missed any messaging they might have released regarding changes to the sites and the rules. It now feels like they put in more sites with the promise of water access while removing any semblance of the way it was, the privacy and the ambiance.
I’ve been coming here since I was a kid so I might be a bit biased but this is a great campground. Private beach on the lake for campground guest use only as well as a playground. Camp store with ice cream, snacks, clothes, everything you need and more. Bring your bike!
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near University Park, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near University Park, PA is Black Moshannon State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 23 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near University Park, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 23 glamping camping locations near University Park, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
