Camping near Waterfall, Pennsylvania centers around the Raystown Lake recreation area, a 29-mile long reservoir with 118 miles of shoreline. The forested ridges and valleys of south-central Pennsylvania offer camping elevations ranging from 760 to 1,200 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds operate from mid-April through October, with limited winter options available at year-round facilities like Ye Olde Mill Campground.
What to do
Mountain biking: Raystown Lake's Allegrippis Trail system offers extensive riding options. "There is a trail head" at Ridge camp that's "the closest to the Allegrippis Trail system" providing "a full day of fast flowing singletrack," according to a visitor at Seven Points (PA).
Fishing: Multiple lake access points available throughout the area. At Susquehannock, campers note: "Some site right on the water, can walk right into the lake. Beautiful scenery, be prepared to be woken by bass boats and subsequent wake at sunrise."
Hiking: Explore diverse trail networks in state parks and recreation areas. Trough Creek State Park offers "breathtaking views and hiking trails" and features unique geological formations including "a huge rock that appears ready to fall over the cliff with a simple touch," according to campers.
Boating: Boat rentals available at multiple locations around Raystown Lake. A visitor at Lake Raystown Resort mentioned: "There's a few different areas of the campground. Definitely recommend bringing a boat. Large marina, prepared food is expensive though."
What campers like
Quiet camping options: For those seeking less crowded experiences away from the main recreation areas. A camper at Trough Creek State Park Campground described it as "Nice small park with gravel drives/roads and plenty of room for big rigs. All sites level with partial shade. Open, but with plenty of space between sites."
Waterfront access: Sites directly on Raystown Lake are highly sought after. At Point Campground, campers enjoy being "right on the tip of the Raystown peninsula! Wonderful views of the lake and the lake go-ers!"
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high standards for bathhouses and common areas. A visitor to Ridge Camp noted: "The bathrooms and showers were some of the nicest I've seen at a campground."
Fall colors: Autumn camping offers spectacular views. A Cowans Gap State Park camper shared: "Absolutely amazing fall color on the lake and great drives surrounding. Bathrooms are clean and hot showers."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Waterfront sites fill quickly, especially at popular campgrounds. Book well in advance for prime locations. One camper noted that "The lake front sites are beautiful and well maintained, but difficult to book."
Generator noise: Some campgrounds have nearby utilities that can impact the quietness of certain sites. A camper at Cowans Gap State Park Campground reported: "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."
Variable cell service: Expect limited connectivity in more remote areas. A Cowans Gap camper mentioned having "no cell or wifi to stress us out" during their "5 nights, 6 days" stay, while another noted "Cell service was limited, but had reliable (but low) signal with T-Mobile at my site."
Site elevation changes: Many lakeside campgrounds feature terraced or multi-level sites due to the hilly terrain. A Seven Points camper described: "Depending on where the camper site was located, some had their picnic table and fire ring either above or below them."
Tips for camping with families
Beach activities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated swimming areas with amenities. One family at Ye Olde Mill Campground mentioned: "Superb campground with water and electricity hookups! Playground for children and creek access for fishing!"
Playground access: Consider site proximity to play areas when booking. At Seven Points, a camper noted there's "a playground near the sites at the entrance" of the Ridge loop, making it convenient for families with children.
Holiday weekends: Special activities enhance family camping experiences during peak times. A camper at Cowans Gap shared: "We went to Cowans gap last full for a Halloween weekend and the children loved it. We even won the campsite decorating contest."
Water safety: Boat traffic on Raystown Lake requires caution with children. A camper at Susquehannock mentioned: "be aware that the speedboats on the lake make quite a lot of noise" which might disturb light sleepers, especially children.
Tips from RVers
Dump station facilities: Several campgrounds offer excellent waste disposal options. A Seven Points camper praised the "ultra-cool 4 lane dump station" and noted: "The dump station, as noted above had wide lanes and made the experience an easy and clean one."
Site leveling: Many campsites in the region are designed with RV leveling in mind. A camper at Seven Points reported: "We pulled into Ridge Camp and drove a little bit down a hill to our site. One backup attempt into the site and (according to our LevelMatePRO app) it was perfectly level...that was definitely a first for us."
Campground selection: Different loops within the same recreation area offer varying RV experiences. A reviewer recommended: "Point was our favorite, but obviously crowded because it is right on the lake. Senoia camp was tied with Ridge, but only the lower portion. Once you go up the hill to sites above #231, it gets very steep and far away from the water."
Site specifications: Review site dimensions carefully before booking. At Raystown Lake / Saxton KOA at Four Seasons, a camper noted: "The only drawback was that the sites were tight and not the most level but we made do."
