The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Campgrounds near Waterfall, PA

895 Reviews

Camping options around Waterfall, Pennsylvania include several established campgrounds within the Raystown Lake area, offering a mix of tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Cowans Gap State Park Campground provides tent camping, RV sites with electric hookups, and cabin accommodations approximately 25 miles southwest of Waterfall. Seven Points Campground features waterfront sites along Raystown Lake with boat-in access and accommodations ranging from basic tent sites to glamping options and yurts. Lake Raystown Resort offers similar amenities with additional lodging choices for visitors seeking more comfort while maintaining a connection to the outdoors.

The camping season in this region typically runs from April through October, with some facilities like Ye Olde Mill Campground (formerly Burnt Cabins) and Raystown Lake/Saxton KOA operating year-round. Most state park campgrounds close during deer hunting season in December. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer months when waterfront sites fill quickly. Cell service varies throughout the area, with better coverage at developed campgrounds and limited or no service in more remote locations. Facilities range from primitive sites with vault toilets to full-service campgrounds with showers, electric hookups, and dump stations. As one camper noted, "The sites here are some of the nicest we have ever seen. They are all big and private with stunning views of Raystown Lake."

Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors, particularly at Raystown Lake where many sites offer direct lake access. Campers appreciate the spacious, private sites that provide both shade and scenic views. Several campgrounds feature hiking trails, swimming areas, and boat launches, making them popular for water recreation. Mountain biking enthusiasts frequent the area for the extensive trail systems, with one visitor describing Raystown as having "50 miles of single track mountain biking... some of the best flow trails on the East coast and the #1 trail system in Pennsylvania." Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with campers reporting deer sightings around their sites. The region's state parks typically maintain clean facilities and well-groomed camping areas, though some visitors note that popular swimming areas can become crowded during summer weekends.

Map showing campgrounds near Waterfall, PennsylvaniaExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Waterfall, Pennsylvania (158)

    1. Cowans Gap State Park Campground

    31 Reviews
    Fort Loudon, PA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 485-3948

    $20 - $48 / night

    "Nestled in the mountains of Pennsylvania, this gem of a campground."

    "The bathroom is close by,has showers & is very clean. You can walk or ride a bike to the beach. The water is clean with sand on the bottom. Lakeside trail is short and easy."

    2. Seven Points (PA)

    22 Reviews
    Hesston, PA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 444-6777

    $28 - $200 / night

    "This campground is located on the east side of Pennsylvania and offers a beautiful view of Lake Raystown. The campground has over 200 sites to choose from, and many of them are right on the water."

    "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."

    3. Lake Raystown Resort

    13 Reviews
    Entriken, PA
    13 miles
    Website

    "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."

    4. Raystown Lake / Saxton KOA at Four Seasons

    7 Reviews
    Saxton, PA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 477-1005

    $100 / night

    "The pavilion where all those activities happened were right next to our site (22 with the doggie den)."

    "The staff here at Raystown Lake/Saxton KOA are great. They a friendly, willing to help anyway they can, and keep the place spotless."

    5. Susquehannock

    11 Reviews
    Calvin, PA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 658-6806

    $25 - $32 / night

    "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."

    "Loops for RVs, higher on the hill, waterfront loops on steeper grounds for tents, and some walk-to sites adjacent to parking right at the point which double as boat-in."

    6. Trough Creek State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Entriken, PA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 658-3847

    $23 - $25 / night

    "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."

    "Nice small park with gravel drives/roads and plenty of room for big rigs. All sites level with partial shade. Open, but with plently of space between sites. The trails are nice and very sceinic."

    7. Ye Olde Mill Campground

    1 Review
    Fannettsburg, PA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 987-3244

    $22 - $95 / night

    8. Drooly Bear Cabin

    1 Review
    Todd, PA
    11 miles
    Website

    $100 - $250 / night

    "Raystown Lake is very close by and so is Trough Creek State Park. There is a suspension bridge at the park, Balanced Rock and Rainbow Falls."

    9. Lake Raystown Resort and Lodge

    2 Reviews
    Entriken, PA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 658-3500

    "Perfect views of the lake and very spaced out."

    10. Point Campground

    4 Reviews
    Raystown Lake, PA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 658-3405

    "Wonderful views of the lake and the lake go-ers!"

    "Large sites, lake view and wooded"

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 158 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Waterfall Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Camping Photos near Waterfall, PA

390 Photos of 158 Waterfall Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Waterfall, PA

895 Reviews of 158 Waterfall Campgrounds

  • E
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Camp Cacapon

    Great camping in a perfect spot

    We stayed at this campground Sep 26-28 and had a fantastic time. The campsite is in a perfect spot on the Cacapon river, and the facilities are excellent. Nice campsites, clean bathrooms and a charming little pavilion that you can rent and hang out with your group.

    Highly recommend

  • Brian C.
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Cowans Gap State Park Campground

    Solid State Park Camping

    Stayed in a walk-in tent site. Much better spacing than typical sites, though sites 2 & 3 were basically connected. The non-walk in sites in Loop B are typical to smaller than average and mostly suited for campers/RVs.

    Pros : Site spacing/privacy was good Bathrooms and showers were clean. Firewood available at the park ($5 for 6 pieces self-serve). Location near the dam and lake trail is nice. Cell service was limited, but had reliable (but low) signal with T-Mobile at my site. Easy access (on foot) to all of the hiking trails.

    Cons: The tent pads could use some leveling and there was some trash around the site. The major negative was generator noise coming from the facility just beyond the dam. Droning generator noise was on/off at all hours of the day and went on until 10pm in the evening. Not sure how far up in Loop B this was heard, but it was pretty loud in the walk-in site area.

  • Marcandpatti B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Gettysburg Campground

    Good spot for Gettysburg, a bit spendy.

    We stayed here mid-week in September so it was very quiet. There was a bit of road noise as our site was close to the entrance. Host was super friendly. They have a bunch of things going on with groups that stay here; next group is quilters with vintage trailers, sorry to miss that. All of the utilities worked just fine. Sites re a bit close to each other, not a lot of foliage between sites.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Artillery Ridge Campground

    Great location and friendly staff

    We have a motorhome with no additional vehicle and two dogs, and this site couldn’t have been more perfect for us. A dog park, walking distance to most everything we wanted to see. The national park is mostly dog friendly. My husband caught a fish first day in the pond behind our site. The staff was super friendly and welcoming.

  • p
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Artillery Ridge Campground

    Rv stay

    Site and bathrooms clean. Activities provided free each day. Food trucks in park. Close to museum and battleground sites.

  • 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.

  • Ronnie B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Hidden Springs Campground

    Labor Day Weekend

    It was packed-all went smoothly. From check in, wood delivery, and parking.

  • R
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Deer Run Campgrounds

    Good for kids

    It's very nice here, good for kids, big pool. The sites for campers are very tight.

Guide to Waterfall

Camping near Waterfall, Pennsylvania, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to hike, fish, or just relax by the campfire, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: The Appalachian Trail runs near the Caledonia State Park Campground, making it a great spot for hiking enthusiasts. One camper mentioned, "Nice creek running through. Pool. Appalachian trail runs right by it."
  • Fishing and Swimming: At Lake Raystown Resort, you can enjoy fishing and swimming. A review highlights, "The lake is beautiful and sunsets from the campground are stunning."
  • Exploring Local Attractions: The Shawnee State Park Campground is close to attractions like the Flight 93 Memorial and local covered bridges. One visitor said, "Great access to Flight 93 Memorial, local covered bridges, Fort Bedford Historic Fort, and many other attractions."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Cowans Gap State Park Campground states, "Bathrooms and showers very clean. Firewood always available."
  • Privacy: Many sites offer a sense of seclusion. One camper at Friendship Village Campground noted, "Sites are very spacious and the gravel pad was level upon parking."
  • Natural Beauty: Campers love the scenic views and natural surroundings. A review for Seven Points mentions, "This campground is located on the east side of Pennsylvania and offers a beautiful view of Lake Raystown."

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds have poor cell reception. A visitor at Cowans Gap State Park Campground shared, "We had no cell service with Cricket or Verizon."
  • Check-in Times: Some campgrounds have late check-in times. A camper at Susquehannock mentioned, "The 4pm check out is nice, but for us, when it’s check out day, we eat breakfast and breakdown camp."
  • Water Access: Not all campgrounds have direct water access. A review for McCoys Ferry Campground states, "There is a steep drop to the river at the campsite, so no direct access."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and swimming areas. One review for Friendship Village Campground highlights, "There are 3 playgrounds all different and all well kept."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals or snacks. A camper at Lake Raystown Resort enjoyed the amenities, saying, "We ate a fabulous lunch at the marina."
  • Safety First: Ensure kids know the campground rules and boundaries. A visitor at Shawnee State Park Campground mentioned, "We had site 59 and are tent campers. This site was on an incline."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure the site can accommodate your RV. A review for Cowans Gap State Park Campground noted, "The site I had was definitely smaller than I expected but it still worked."
  • Utilities Location: Be aware of where utilities are located. One camper at Caledonia State Park Campground mentioned, "It would be a 10 if the utilities were closer to the back of the site."
  • Dump Station Access: Look for campgrounds with easy access to dump stations. A visitor at Lake Raystown Resort appreciated, "Easy access to dump station."

Camping near Waterfall, Pennsylvania, has something for everyone, from families to RVers. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, it’s a great spot to unwind and enjoy nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best waterfall camping destinations?

Rocky Gap State Park Campground stands out with spacious sites, mountain views, and a beautiful lake. The park features hiking trails leading to cascades, especially impressive after rainfall. Cowans Gap State Park Campground offers a perfect combination of mountain scenery, waterfall hikes, and lakeside recreation. This gem nestled in Pennsylvania's mountains provides private, shaded sites with easy access to water features. Many campers appreciate the relative quiet of these parks compared to more popular destinations. For those seeking more seclusion, consider the dispersed sites at Green Ridge State Forest which offer privacy near various streams and small falls. The best time to visit waterfall destinations is typically spring through early summer when water flow is strongest.

Where can I find camping sites near waterfalls?

Pennsylvania and Maryland offer excellent options for waterfall camping. Cunningham Falls State Park provides campsites near its namesake waterfall with great hiking opportunities and updated facilities. Catoctin Mountain Park offers a peaceful alternative with Owens Creek Campground featuring sites right along the creek, providing a more serene experience than neighboring parks. Many state parks throughout the region combine water features with camping options, including small cascades and streams. Look for campgrounds located within state parks that have 'falls,' 'gap,' or 'creek' in their names, as these often indicate nearby water features. For the best waterfall camping experience, consider visiting in spring when water levels are typically highest.

What amenities are available at waterfall campgrounds?

Waterfall campgrounds typically offer a range of amenities depending on whether they're developed parks or more rustic settings. Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground features numerous electric sites and updated bathrooms, making it comfortable for families. The park sits at the midpoint of the Appalachian Trail with nice paths between two lakes. Hidden Springs Campground provides clean, well-lit central shower facilities alongside quiet camping areas. Most waterfall campgrounds include basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to potable water. Many state park campgrounds near waterfalls also offer playgrounds, visitor centers, and ranger programs. More developed sites typically provide electric hookups, while primitive sites often trade amenities for proximity to natural features. Bathroom facilities range from flush toilets in developed areas to vault toilets in more remote locations.

Keep Exploring