Best Glamping near Waterfall, PA

Looking for the perfect glamping experience near Waterfall? Find all the best glamping sites for your Waterfall, Pennsylvania camping adventure with The Dyrt. Glamping offers quick access to one or more of Waterfall's most popular destinations.

Best Glamping Sites Near Waterfall, Pennsylvania (36)

    Camper-submitted photo at Cowans Gap State Park Campground near Fort Loudon, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Cowans Gap State Park Campground near Fort Loudon, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Cowans Gap State Park Campground near Fort Loudon, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Cowans Gap State Park Campground near Fort Loudon, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Cowans Gap State Park Campground near Fort Loudon, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Cowans Gap State Park Campground near Fort Loudon, PA

    1. Cowans Gap State Park Campground

    30 Reviews
    166 Photos
    111 Saves
    Fort Loudon, Pennsylvania

    Cowans Gap State Park is a diverse landscape nestled within the scenic Allens Valley of Fulton County. Campers come to enjoy the park’s 1,085 acres which offer a large lake, a full-size campground, provincial lodges, and many climbing trails throughout. Aside from the attractions, Buchanan State Forest encompasses the park, offering up fun and beauty regardless of the season. Open every day of the year, the park is a great place to visit for day-trip recreation. That said, if planning to camp here you’ll want to prepare in advance as campsite availability changes by the season.

    One of the unique offerings that Cowans Gap features is a number of environmental educational programs for the local public. These programs serve to help the pubic, especially the youth, foster a sense of responsibility for the nature that surrounds them every day. There are guided walks, hands-on activities, and even evening programs for those up to it.

    Aside from the educational opportunities, Cowans Gap is also right in the center of over 71,000+ acres of protected land thanks to Buchanan State Forest. There are 19 tracts of forest which occupy the acreage, showcasing numerous ravines, gulches, and brooks as well as groves of pine, hemlock, and maple.

    Subsequently, this wild and rugged backdrop attracts hikers, campers, fishers, and outdoor enthusiasts from all over. A number of state game lands located nearby are also popular visiting places for season hunters looking to bag an elk or other large game.

    Within the campground itself, there’s a variety of fun activities to get in on. During the winter, the park lake freezes making it perfect for ice-fishing and other winter fun. There’s also a maintained skating rink, so you can even come and ice-skate or play a quick game of hockey.

    It’s during the warmer months however that Cowans Gap state park really starts to shine. Once the lake unfreezes, campers flock for kayaking, canoeing, and pedal boating. The campground itself starts to bustle as children and families visit the local volleyball courts, and check out the nearby trails on Horseback. The lake offers a sandy beach area to recreate, as well as a pier for fishers to get easier access to deep water.

    Campsites are fully serviced here, and spacious enough to accommodate most families. There are restrooms available throughout the park, and a full-service concession stand for firewood and other conveniences. There are also cabins available for rental, but like most parks be sure to plan ahead as they tend to fill up quick.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    $29 / night

    Camper-submitted photo at Seven Points (PA) near Hesston, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Seven Points (PA) near Hesston, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Seven Points (PA) near Hesston, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Seven Points (PA) near Hesston, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Seven Points (PA) near Hesston, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Seven Points (PA) near Hesston, PA

    2. Seven Points (PA)

    22 Reviews
    101 Photos
    188 Saves
    Hesston, Pennsylvania

    Overview

    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.

    Recreation

    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.

    Natural Features

    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.

    Nearby Attractions

    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.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • RVs

    $28 - $200 / night

    Tracey G.'s photo of glamping accommodations at Lake Raystown Resort near Entriken, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Lake Raystown Resort near Entriken, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Lake Raystown Resort near Entriken, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Lake Raystown Resort near Entriken, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Lake Raystown Resort near Entriken, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Lake Raystown Resort near Entriken, PA

    3. Lake Raystown Resort

    13 Reviews
    34 Photos
    105 Saves
    Entriken, Pennsylvania

    This recreation area is part of Raystown Lake

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    Lee D.'s photo of glamping accommodations at Shawnee State Park Campground near Schellsburg, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Shawnee State Park Campground near Schellsburg, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Shawnee State Park Campground near Schellsburg, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Shawnee State Park Campground near Schellsburg, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Shawnee State Park Campground near Schellsburg, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Shawnee State Park Campground near Schellsburg, PA

    4. Shawnee State Park Campground

    26 Reviews
    83 Photos
    53 Saves
    Schellsburg, Pennsylvania
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    Jennifer S.'s photo of glamping accommodations at Rocky Gap State Park Campground near Flintstone, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Rocky Gap State Park Campground near Flintstone, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Rocky Gap State Park Campground near Flintstone, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Rocky Gap State Park Campground near Flintstone, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Rocky Gap State Park Campground near Flintstone, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Rocky Gap State Park Campground near Flintstone, MD

    5. Rocky Gap State Park Campground

    47 Reviews
    177 Photos
    80 Saves
    Flintstone, Maryland

    Rocky Gap State Park is located in Western Maryland’s Allegany County. The park encompasses over 3,000 acres of public land for visitors to enjoy. Rugged mountains surround the park. The 243-acre Lake Habeeb is known for having the "bluest water in the state." The lake is fed by Rocky Gap Run, which winds its way through an impressive mile-long gorge, displaying sheer cliffs, overlooks and a hemlock forest dense with rhododendron and mountain laurel. Overlooking the lake is Evitts Mountain, named for one of the first European settlers in Allegany County.

    Rocky Gap Campground offers 278 individual campsites (including 30 equipped with 30 amp electric hook-ups, mini cabin and yurt Options), a family group site and two youth group camping areas. The campground also features a dump station, bathhouses with hot water in each loop, the Scales & Tales Aviary, canoe/kayak/SUP board rentals (Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day), a nature center, a private swimming beach, a playground, trail access, Snack Shack and a camp store. Pets are allowed in Camp Loops Ash, Birch, Chestnut, Dogwood and Elm (Sites 1- 143). Alcohol is only permitted inside personal motor homes. Check-in for campsites is 3 p.m. and check-out is 1 p.m.

    The family group site offers space for up to 40 people to camp together. The group site includes a two-story mini cabin with electric, as well as six 30 amp electric hookups and a group fire ring. Bathhouses are located in the adjacent camp loops.

    The two youth group areas are for use by valid youth groups only. Please see http://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/youthgroup.aspx for more information.

    RockyGap_Yurt.pngMini Cabins and Yurts There are 15 mini cabins located throughout the campground. They sleep either four or six people. The yurt accommodates 8 people and has an adjoining camp pad to increase the total site capacity to 15 people. Each has electricity (no water) and beds. Users must provide their own linens. Air conditioning and heat are not available. Check-in for mini cabins and the yurt is 3 p.m. and check-out is 12 p.m.

    Easter Hill Chalet Exterior of the Easter Hill ChaletThe Easter Hill Chalet accommodates up to eight people. A completely furnished kitchen, three bedrooms, three bathrooms, wrap-around deck, gas fireplaces, outdoor campfire area and grill make this an enjoyable vacation spot. Chalet guests must provide their own linens, towels, bedding, pillows and soaps. The chalet is located in a forested, private area of the park, overlooking the lake. The Chalet requires a 2-night minimum stay. Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend require a 3-night holiday stay (Friday/Saturday/Sunday). Check-in is 3 p.m. and check-out is 10 a.m. The address for the Chalet is 13300 Pleasant Valley Road, Flintstone MD 21530. Reservations are available April-December. Make reservations online at https://parkreservations.maryland.gov or call the reservation center at 1-888-432-2267. TTY users call 1-866-804-7846.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    $23 - $29 / night

    Camper-submitted photo at Susquehannock near Calvin, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Susquehannock near Calvin, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Susquehannock near Calvin, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Susquehannock near Calvin, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Susquehannock near Calvin, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Susquehannock near Calvin, PA

    6. Susquehannock

    11 Reviews
    16 Photos
    151 Saves
    Calvin, Pennsylvania

    Overview

    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.

    Recreation

    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.

    Natural Features

    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.

    Contact Info

    This location has limited staffing. Please call (814) 658-3405 for general information.

    Nearby Attractions

    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.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • RVs
    • Tents

    $25 - $32 / night

    Camper-submitted photo at Friendship Village Campground & RV Park near Bedford, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Friendship Village Campground & RV Park near Bedford, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Friendship Village Campground & RV Park near Bedford, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Friendship Village Campground & RV Park near Bedford, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Friendship Village Campground & RV Park near Bedford, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Friendship Village Campground & RV Park near Bedford, PA

    7. Friendship Village Campground & RV Park

    13 Reviews
    42 Photos
    39 Saves
    Bedford, Pennsylvania

    Friendship Village Campground is a family-oriented campground with over 300 sites to chose from and providing activities and games for everyone, so be sure to bring the kids and grandkids! Our park is “big rig friendly,” offering shaded and non-shaded sites, with 84 pull thru sites and a variety of hook-ups available. We even have campsites along our lower lake and beside the trout stream

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    Camper-submitted photo at Trough Creek State Park Campground near Raystown Lake, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Trough Creek State Park Campground near Raystown Lake, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Trough Creek State Park Campground near Raystown Lake, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Trough Creek State Park Campground near Raystown Lake, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Trough Creek State Park Campground near Raystown Lake, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Trough Creek State Park Campground near Raystown Lake, PA

    8. Trough Creek State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    8 Photos
    29 Saves
    Raystown Lake, Pennsylvania
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    • RVs

    $26 / night

    Camper-submitted photo at Hagerstown / Antietam Battlefield KOA near Williamsport, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Hagerstown / Antietam Battlefield KOA near Williamsport, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Hagerstown / Antietam Battlefield KOA near Williamsport, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Hagerstown / Antietam Battlefield KOA near Williamsport, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Hagerstown / Antietam Battlefield KOA near Williamsport, MD
    Camper-submitted photo at Hagerstown / Antietam Battlefield KOA near Williamsport, MD

    9. Hagerstown / Antietam Battlefield KOA

    19 Reviews
    15 Photos
    57 Saves
    Williamsport, Maryland

    At this KOA, you can take a lazy canoe ride under a bright canopy of leaves. There's great fishing in the creek too! Meander along winding paths through extensive, lush rock gardens. Relax in the gazebo surrounded by flowers and herbs. Enjoy mini golf, a playground, an outdoor theater, game room, swimming pool and oversized chess and checkers. Participate in themed weekends during the summer. Check out the Haunted House in October, a chilling experience. On weekends, stop by KOA's nostalgic Remember When Diner. Enjoy hamburgers and fries, pizza or a crab cake dinner, as well as a full breakfast menu. Indulge in the soda fountain's old-fashioned malts, shakes and floats. With this KOA as your home base, visit Antietam, Gettysburg and Harpers Ferry battlegrounds. It's a great place for Scouts, church groups and family reunions.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    Camper-submitted photo at Twin Bridge Campground near Chambersburg, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Twin Bridge Campground near Chambersburg, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Twin Bridge Campground near Chambersburg, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Twin Bridge Campground near Chambersburg, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Twin Bridge Campground near Chambersburg, PA
    Camper-submitted photo at Twin Bridge Campground near Chambersburg, PA

    10. Twin Bridge Campground

    5 Reviews
    8 Photos
    39 Saves
    Chambersburg, Pennsylvania

    We welcome tent & RV camping with 30 and 50-amp hookups including pull-through, shaded, and field sites. We have overnight, seasonal, and extended-stay (available year-round) camping available. We are open April-October for overnight and seasonal camping. Our extended stay sites are open year-round. Limited service overnight camping may be available in the off-season, call for details.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    $38 - $43 / night

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Showing results 1-10 of 36 campgrounds

Recent Glamping Reviews near Waterfall, Pennsylvania

453 Reviews of 36 Waterfall Campgrounds


  • Kaitlyn A.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Raystown Resort
    May. 21, 2018

    Lake Raystown Resort

    PA getaway!

    Great getaway campground for some camping or glamping fun! So much to do here including swimming on the beach or at the water park, mountain biking, boating, hiking, and enjoying the beautiful lake!

    Spend many many weekends here as a child and so glad to go back as an adult!

  • Conni B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park
    May. 22, 2019

    Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park

    Great for Car Camping

    We stayed in the Bear Branch Loop of the William Houch Camping Area.  This is a lovely area if you're a beginner camper or just looking for the glamping experience.  The sites are small and not very private but are well defined.  It's very clear where to park, set up the tent etc.  The park itself is very scenic with nice hiking trails and a lake to enjoy.  I was there in the fall so didn't go out on the water but can imagine it would be popular during the warmer months.

  • Jenna G.
    Camper-submitted photo from Shawnee State Park Campground
    Jun. 17, 2018

    Shawnee State Park Campground

    Yurt by the turnpike

    The campground was clean and family friendly. You could hear traffic from the turnpike easily. Provisions are a short car ride away.

    There are many trails to hike and boats can be rented for a day on the lake

    The yurt wasn’t the cleanest...but it was August. We had a nice time and would go back...with our own tent.

  • Sean M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Rocky Gap State Park Campground
    Jan. 6, 2022

    Rocky Gap State Park Campground

    Lakeside Campground in Mountain Maryland!

    This is a nice and large campground by Maryland State Park Standards. Sites are nice and not stacked right on top of one another. Some sites have electric, but the bathhouses are clean and decently well kept. The real draw here is the very large lake stocked with fish, and the casino. Botha are just a short walk from the campground. It is incredibly convenient from I68 but you do t get any highway noise. There are even yurts to rent.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Shawnee State Park Campground
    Feb. 16, 2025

    Shawnee State Park Campground

    Huge state park

    General: 300+ site campground with a mix of FHU, 30 and 50-amp electric, and non-electric tent sites, yurts, and cabins. Select loops allow pets but not all do. 

    Site Quality: Varies by type and location within the park. I heeded the advice of other reviewers warning that many sites were not level and did not reserve ahead of time. A Monday in mid-October had many open sites. Most of the non-electric sites were decidedly not level but many of the FHU and electric sites were fairly level, and we did not have a problem finding one. Some sites have gravel pads that were level and vary in length from 20’ to 115’ Most of the non-electric sites had no definable pads at all and as mentioned, were not level. Some roads in the campground were paved but a few were not. 

    Bath/Shower House: was clean. Did not use the shower. 

    Activities: A somewhat dated playground was located in the A Loop. A lake and beach are a short distance from the campground. We did see a boat launch and what appeared to be kayak rentals, but we were there out of season. 

    As remote as the campground feels, there was a surprising amount of road noise. This was just an overnight stay for us. We’ve been to many stellar Pennsylvania state park campgrounds, but this one was not as good as many others.

  • Danielle S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Shawnee State Park Campground
    May. 24, 2020

    Shawnee State Park Campground

    Pleasant camping

    We stayed at Shawnee for 2 nights Memorial Day weekend just after Covid19 restrictions had been partially lifted. Site 258 on loop D is quiet, but may have been noisy if the yurt and 2 cabins had been rented out. There is a 20 amp plug and 30 amp service at this site. The fire ring is at an angle so cooking on it proved to be a challenge (we bring a grill grate with us just in case, and had to use it). Bathroom and showers were clean, bright, and there is a dish washing sink outside. Showers were push button but pressure was great and the water was hot (make sure you push the button once before you get in so its warm if no one else is showering at that time). Bring shower shoes. We were able to hear a small bit of traffic from the highway, but nothing that disturbed us. There are several stores within a 20 minute drive (Walmart, etc) and a mall an hour away. Camp wood at the entrance is $5 and is tiny; our biggest piece was a foot long, 4 inches wide and 2 inches thick! It was okay to start a fire, but we went into the woods and picked up dead wood that we cut into manageable logs. There weren't any roadside stacks of seasoned wood, so be prepared if it rains. The picnic table was saturated and too heavy to move, so we ate sitting in camp chairs. We would stay again.

  • Jennifer R.
    Camper-submitted photo from Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park
    Jul. 29, 2018

    Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park

    Wooded

    We liked camping here and plan to eventually return. Our experience was rainy, but it was fun regardless. Nice park with hike to the waterfalls, swimming in the lake and playground. Bathroom facilities were fine and clean enough, but not the best of state park facilities I've seen.

  • Kaylene H.
    Camper-submitted photo from Cowans Gap State Park Campground
    Apr. 8, 2021

    Cowans Gap State Park Campground

    Beautiful Campground !

    Nestled in the mountains of Pennsylvania, this gem of a campground.
    There is a beautiful lake across the road from camping area, which consists of; a very nice hiking trail the whole way around, boating, fishing,swimming & in season concession stand. Also, many hiking trails.

  • Kent L.
    Camper-submitted photo from Seven Points (PA)
    Jun. 21, 2022

    Seven Points (PA)

    Top 5 Campground in PA

    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. There are also plenty of activities to keep you busy, including swimming, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing and my favorite thing to do Mt Biking. Raystown lake is also a really nice boating lake. The lake is a natural beauty with so many coves and inlets for the biggest of boats to enjoy. They do have a camping resort on the other side of the lake which makes it nice for anyone looking for rustic cabins or cabin rentals. 

     There are 50 miles of single track mountain biking at this campground. They are some of the best flow trails on the East coast and are the# 1 trail system in Pennsylvania. This is a family friendly campground and has so much to offer. There are volleyball nets, playgrounds, kayak and paddleboard rentals. The kids took a kayak over to an island and spent the afternoon cliff jumping with a 10 ft and 25 ft cliff to launch off of. The sites here are some of the nicest we have ever seen. They are all big and private with stunning views of Raystown Lake. There are steps down from your camper to a pad with a fire pit and area for a tent. You are literally 10 feet away from the water as you enjoy a sunset while sitting around the fire. The lake is a great place to kayak, paddleboard, or just relax and enjoy the view. We love coming here and spending our weekends on the lake. All tent sites are equipped with picnic tables and most sites are electric. looking for other epic reviews check out the top ten campgrounds in PA https://www.longdaycampingco.com/post/10-best-campsites-in-pennsylvania-gorgeous-sites-to-enjoy-the-outdoors

  • Tom C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Houck - Cunningham Falls State Park
    May. 4, 2017

    Houck - Cunningham Falls State Park

    Cunningham Falls State Park MD

    Camp next to the president. This park is located next to Camp David where the POTUS used to go for vacations to give there security detail a break unlike our current president who just keeps wasting our tax money flying down to Florida every weekend. Ok enough ranting.......

    Great campsite, with a small lake with beach the kids can swim at. Only thing is there is a steep hike back and forth from campsite to beach, we ended up driving to beach area after our first attempt to walk to beach with all our gear, as an excuse we did have a 7 year old with us.

    Great easy loop hikes around campsite with a decent waterfall depending on when it last rained. Great local get away only 1 hr away from DC.

  • M
    Camper-submitted photo from Cowans Gap State Park Campground
    Aug. 16, 2022

    Cowans Gap State Park Campground

    Nice lake, great facilities, bit overcrowded

    The good: loved the little lake and the beach. The facilities are spotless—cleanest heated bathroom we have seen in a long while if ever. We stayed in loop B, which is smaller and a bit removed from loop A. So I can't speak to loop A. We had a great time looking at stars and took a decent hike on Plessinger trail. There weren't many kid friendly hikes to mountain tops or waterfalls, as there are in other places.

    The not-so-good: uneven campsites are hard for renters, and we could hear traffic on the road throughout the day/night.

    Overall, I think 3.5 stars would be right with this one. For an easy weekend camp, it's great. It lacks great kid friendly hikes and is a bit too busy for us, especially at the beach during the day, but we had a great time. Spot 191 is particularly uneven BUT you can walk right to the lake in less than a minute and have some lake view access. It's also really close to the bathroom (which is, again, outstanding).

  • DL W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Shawnee State Park Campground
    Jun. 23, 2019

    Shawnee State Park Campground

    A treasure to remember, after a long, rough day...

    I had made plans to stay at SSP-PA as my first stopover spot, post leaving my beach friends on the East Coast. The morning drive started early, had several stops and starts, and I was once again glad that my big dog was along for the ride. Shawnee is a lovely state park and I was really pleased with my brief stay. 'Though we were only sleeping the one night, I found the staff to be pleasant and the site spacious. It might have helped that the doggo and I were about the only ones in our campground loop, aside from the campground hosts but the area felt well-maintained and well-proportioned. We had a good night's rest, after enjoying a post-dinner campfire and getting to breathe in the fresh, woodsy air. While sitting fireside, I got to enjoy the local wildlife, from birds to young deer, around the edges of my campsite. The campground restroom was clean and a fair size. I would definitely recommend it and I will certainly look into another reservation, the next time I roadtrip through Pennsylvania.

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cowans Gap State Park Campground
    Nov. 1, 2017

    Cowans Gap State Park Campground

    Ranger Review Mishmi Takin Hiking Boots; Almost nowhere

    Campground Review: Cowans Gap State Park was pretty awesome. Off the Pennsylvania Turnpike at Fort Littleton, through Burnt Cabin on Rt522, signage the entire way. A drive through the PA mountain-scape, excellent scenery to be seen.

    The dog section is 1-30 and a few cabins are offered for them also. No restrictions for dogs on the trails but they are restricted from the rest of the campground.

    Several trails to enjoy with easy to very strenuous climbs. Part of the Allegheny trail passes through the Buchanan State Forest, near the campground. Would be a good place to practice your backpacking craft.

    New showerhouse facilities which are energy efficient lighting and heating. The water in the shower never gets very warm but they are very clean and well maintained.

    There is plenty of water sports at the lake, watercraft, swimming and fishing.

    Product Review: As a Dyrt Ranger I have the opportunity to review some pretty awesome outdoor gear. I received Mishmi Takin hiking boots after winning one of the monthly contests.

    I love the color, I’m all about burnt orange. I have large feet and was happy to see that the company offers footwear up to 13.5 in. I ordered an 11, was surprised when they arrived and were a little big on my feet. So you may want to order a 1/2 size down. On the flip side though I put on my thick hiking socks, synched the laces down and they fit fine.

    I wore the boots multiple times during our 8 state trip on several different trail types. I was impressed by grip, no slippage on multiple surfaces.

    I hate to say it but I have sweaty feet! And wearing thick hiking socks in boots often leaves me with raisinie toes and damp socks/boots at the end of a long hike. I did not experience that problem while wearing the Mishmi Boots though. My feet stayed comfortable and were dry when I pulled the boots off back at camp. I am liking these boots!

  • Christopher R.
    Camper-submitted photo from Friendship Village Campground & RV Park
    Jun. 7, 2020

    Friendship Village Campground & RV Park

    Great Family Campground

    Friendship Village Campground in Bedford, Pa.

    Overall, I give the campground 4.5 out of five stars. The campground is nestled on the outskirts of Bedford Pennsylvania and is a very easy location to travel to regardless of your rig size. Check in was extremely easy particularly if you pay for your stay upfront. In that case all you need to do is walk into the office and they will have your packet ready for you and you’re headed to your site within a minute.

    The office staff was extremely friendly and you can tell that this is a family owned and religious-based campground. The campground is quite spread out through the property with sites ranging from primitive campsites to full hook up big rig sites.

    There are multiple ponds on the property however only one of them can be fished in. No license is required for fishing here. There are also two pools at each end of the campground and they are very well-maintained and have lifeguard supervision. The pool hours or a little later than most campgrounds as they open at 11 through the week and 12 on Sunday. The campground does maintain a policy of having to wear a shirt or a cover-up when not in the pool vicinity but that was not really a big issue. The lower pool is right beside the main office which also includes an arcade and a very nice miniature golf course. The upper pool is larger and also well maintained.

    Neither pool has provided seating so you will need to bring your own camp chairs or towels to sit on. They also do not provide umbrellas but allow you to bring your own as long as they are 5 feet wide or less.

    There are many playgrounds spread out across the property as well as a jumping pillow and a very well-built gaga ball pit. We stayed at site number 41 for the weekend and have no complaints at all. It’s a little more of a tight packed area versus the rest of the campground but it was in good vicinity to everything.

    For tent campers I recommend staying in the area of sites 5-25 as there is a very nice bathhouse very close by. For big rig campers, you need to stay at the upper portion of the campground at sites 200-500. In my opinion, the best sites to stay at if you have kids are sites 145–171 as those are right beside the jumping pillow, playground and gaga ball pit.

    The property had a movie showing in their barn on Saturday night (Despicable Me) and they also seem to schedule a lot of live entertainment, mostly Bluegrass. The staff on the property is virtually nonexistent minus trash pickup, lifeguards, and office staff...which I think is not a bad thing. I imagine if we would have needed anything, it would have been easy to find a staff member. If you have any issues with your camping rig, there is a full-service RV dealership basically at the entrance to the campground where you can buy virtually anything that you may require.

    I only give this campground 4.5 out of five stars primarily due to its location. There is really nothing to do in Bedford Pennsylvania. You are limited to the activities within the campground unless you travel to another township to find something to do. There are no hiking trails in the campground however it was quite nice to walk through the campground at 5 o’clock every morning. I would absolutely return here again, the rates were very reasonable for the value to get out of it. Even though our campsite was close to the fishing pond, it was a little tighter than the other larger sites and I think I would attempt to stay in those next time.

    All in all, this is a great family (non-commercialized) campground and I would recommend staying here.

  • Laure D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cowans Gap State Park Campground
    May. 9, 2023

    Cowans Gap State Park Campground

    A Great Unknown

    What a great “new” to us campground! Sites were spaced nicely. Our site was pretty level. We had room to park 2 trucks and still have space for table and fire pit. Area A is larger than area B and sites 1-30 are on the two way road in and out. We were in sites 81 and 83. We backed up to the woods and a small creek. The view was beautiful! The lake had a 1.5 mile trail that was level and easy to walk. The beach area looked nice. There is a snack bar and sketchy wifi. The camp site area had NO cell or wifi service at all. They had a program each night for star watching and a full moon walk. There were other hiking trails with gorgeous overlooks. True park has boat rentals for the lake. The bath house near us was just toilets. The shower house was further away. You could walk it but it’s a hike and there are hills.

  • J
    Camper-submitted photo from Cowans Gap State Park Campground
    Sep. 14, 2020

    Cowans Gap State Park Campground

    Hermoso parque

    Un lugar bonito para llevar a la familia y quedarse a dormir el sitio cuenta con cabañas y sitios de tiendas de campaña es silencioso y limpio todos los baños cuenta con regaderas excelente lugar

  • G
    Camper-submitted photo from Cowans Gap State Park Campground
    Oct. 6, 2020

    Cowans Gap State Park Campground

    Lots of trash and noise

    If you are used to primitive/secluded camping this is not the campground for you. We arrived and there was a ton of trash in our site. Someone left their air fresheners, handbag tags from marshalls, and a ton of other junk. This campground is also very noisy. There are supposed to be quiet hours but people were playing loud music from their cars, from speakers, and whatever else until at least 11pm. Our site had no privacy either, we were right next to several other sites (closer than other state parks we've been to). Physical distancing and mask wearing was not enforced/required. People in the close quarters of the restroom were not wearing masks and didn't seem to mind getting within 6 feet of other people. The woman at the front office who we checked in with even took her mask off because it was fogging up her glasses. Oh, and the wood that we purchased from the camp host was wet, so the fire was a dud until a friendly neighbor gave us some of his wood. 

    The only positive thing about this campground was the hiking. The first day we hiked up the mountain to the west of the campground, and the second day we hiked up the Tuscarora Trail to the east of the campground. No other campers were hiking these, so we got to appreciate nature by having the trails mostly to ourselves.

  • K
    Camper-submitted photo from Cowans Gap State Park Campground
    Oct. 18, 2020

    Cowans Gap State Park Campground

    Beautiful state park

    We had a great stay at Cowans Gap. Very pretty park in a scenic valley between two mountain ranges. Very easy drive from DC. The sites around us were nicely spaced apart (we were in Loop A, site 142) but some other areas did loop more crowded. Nice hike up the Tuscarora trail - pretty steep with a few rock scrambles that made for a challenging but fun hike with our six-year-old.

  • Casey L.
    Camper-submitted photo from Cowans Gap State Park Campground
    Sep. 2, 2024

    Cowans Gap State Park Campground

    Camping Area B -Quiet and Nice

    We stayed in the smaller camping area B, which we enjoyed. Even on Labor Day weekend, it didn’t feel busy because of how few sites are in this section. Our site was level and sizable. The bathroom was clean and there was access to the very pleasant hiking trail going around the lake. We had no cell service with Cricket or Verizon.

  • S
    Camper-submitted photo from Cowans Gap State Park Campground
    Jul. 18, 2023

    Cowans Gap State Park Campground

    Great!

    Nice place and no connection so make sure you have a photo of the park map before you get there.

    The site I had was definitely smaller than I expected but it still worked. Make sure to double check that before you book.

    Camp was relatively quiet. There was the occasional dog barking or kids playing but that is generally expected with a high number of campsites. The privacy of our site was pretty good and we had nice shade.

    The bathrooms were relatively clean and accommodating.

    Overall nice place, quiet and friendly campers and staff!

  • B
    Camper-submitted photo from Cowans Gap State Park Campground
    Sep. 13, 2024

    Cowans Gap State Park Campground

    Our favorite close spot from Baltimore area

    We've stayed here at least a half-dozen times with a popup. The smaller B loop is nicer, but no electricity. Pets allowed only on a certain portion of the A loop. The bathrooms are clean, the lake is small but pretty, and the hikes around the lake, and up the mountain on the ridge, are as easy or as challenging as you want. Cell service is pretty much nonexistent so you definitely get unplugged.

  • Sherri C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cowans Gap State Park Campground
    Jul. 20, 2020

    Cowans Gap State Park Campground

    Hidden Lake in PA's Mountains

    Our trip to Cowan's Gap was great--and the weather was amazing as well! 

    The pros:

    • Easily accessible and CLEAN bathhouse and showers. 
    • Sites spaces out and separated by trees
    • Lake access within walking distance
    • Hiking trails nearby
    • Polite, approachable hosts
    • "Beach" access
    • Camp store with concessions
    • Kayak rentals on site

    The cons: 

    • You can hear the people on the beach from across the lake--lots of kids screaming
    • The overlook access road was closed
    • Camp store only open 11-5
    • Firewood (purchases there) just would.not.burn!
  • Gina I.
    Camper-submitted photo from Cowans Gap State Park Campground
    Jul. 11, 2022

    Cowans Gap State Park Campground

    Beautiful , clean, quiet

    We camped in a motor home two different times in site 184 & site 195 . The sites are not crowded, with plenty of shade & private. 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. Tmobil no signal.We liked it very much and will camp there again.

  • Jen V.
    Camper-submitted photo from Cowans Gap State Park Campground
    Jul. 19, 2017

    Cowans Gap State Park Campground

    Nice lake area, not too crowded

    Have only visited the day-use area of this park, which was very beautiful, clean, and relatively quiet. Nice snack and bathing facilities close to beach, as well. This park is located in a quiet, mountain setting in south-central PA; feels like you're out in the country, but it's also not far off the turnpike, so pretty accessible. Would definitely return!

  • Sarah N.
    Camper-submitted photo from Cowans Gap State Park Campground
    Aug. 8, 2017

    Cowans Gap State Park Campground

    Great Family Campground

    We arrived after dark, way past the 3pm check-in time, but didn't have any trouble finding our reserved campsite. There were plenty of signs; everything is well marked. We stayed at site 23, a tent site. Sites 1-30 allow pets. This loop was full. I would recommend booking in advance if you plan on bringing your dogs. Vet records or proof of vaccines weren't required.

    The tent sites are paved so you can't hammer stakes into the ground. It was windy so we had to get the gear into tent so we wouldn't get blown away.

    The water pump is located right in front of site 23. This was convenient but we also had a lot of visitors. If we stay again we would probably choose a more private site with less foot traffic.

    The bathrooms were very clean. However, the closest bathroom didn't have showers. It also only had cold water. The bathhouse with showers was located at the other end of the loop; a little bit of a walk. It had three regular showers and one large handicap accessible shower. The sinks at this one did have hot water.

    Check-in the next morning was very quick and easy. I had paid online when I made the reservation so I didn't have to do anything. The park rangers were very friendly.

    We drove down to the lake from our site after we finished packing up. The lake was beautiful. There's a beach and swimming area. There's a little viewing area/dock with information on the bald eagles and osprey that live there. They have a little concession stand that sold drinks, French fries and some other snacks. They have a little gift shop with t-shirts for sale.

    Overall we enjoyed our stayed. The only complaint we had, and it's a pretty big one, is that there's NO CAMP STORE. No place to buy bags of ice, extra batteries, lighters, or any other supplies that people usually need when camping. And this campground is in the middle of nowhere. There's no Walmart's or grocery stores for several miles. Luckily we were only staying for one night and had what little we needed. If you plan on staying for more than a couple days, make sure you come very prepared! There is a little diner though called Milky Way's that we stopped at for breakfast on the way home, not far from the campground entrance. I give them a thumbs up. Very good food for very cheap.


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