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Best Campgrounds near Wells Tannery, PA

794 Reviews

The Wells Tannery area in central Pennsylvania offers a mix of established campgrounds and lakeside camping opportunities throughout the surrounding mountains and forests. Cowans Gap State Park Campground, located approximately 20 miles southwest, provides tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals around a scenic mountain lake. Raystown Lake camping areas include several options like Seven Points Campground, Lake Raystown Resort, and Susquehannock Campground, providing varied accommodation styles from primitive tent sites to full-service RV camping with hookups and amenities.

Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, with many opening in April and closing by December. Several state park facilities maintain limited winter camping options. A camper noted, "Cell service is pretty much nonexistent so you definitely get unplugged." Access roads to some of the more remote sites can be challenging, particularly after rain or during spring thaw. Reservation requirements vary significantly between private and public lands, with state park campgrounds typically requiring advance booking during peak summer months. Weather conditions in this mountainous region can change rapidly, and campers should prepare for cooler nights even during summer stays.

The mixed-use campgrounds throughout the area frequently receive high ratings for their combination of natural settings and amenities. Sites near Raystown Lake remain particularly popular for their water access and recreational opportunities. According to one reviewer, "We stayed in Campground B closer to the lake, not sure how A is. Beach does get crowded during the day but by dusk it's quieted down." Most established camping areas offer clean restroom facilities, though amenities vary widely from primitive vault toilets to full-service shower houses. Tent camping areas with more separation between sites can be found at several state parks, while RV-focused campgrounds like Friendship Village offer full hookups. Many campgrounds in the region feature hiking trails, fishing access, and boat rentals during the warmer months.

Best Camping Sites Near Wells Tannery, Pennsylvania (154)

    1. Cowans Gap State Park Campground

    31 Reviews
    Fort Loudon, PA
    14 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. Lake Raystown Resort

    13 Reviews
    Entriken, PA
    15 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."

    3. 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."

    4. Seven Points (PA)

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

    $28 - $200 / night

    "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."

    "Ridge camp is the furthest away from the marina and the public swimming area. However it's the closest to the Allegrippis Trail system and from the entrance of the camp loop there is a trail head!"

    5. Friendship Village Campground & RV Park

    13 Reviews
    Bedford, PA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 623-1677

    "The campground is nestled on the outskirts of Bedford Pennsylvania and is a very easy location to travel to regardless of your rig size."

    "One of the best campgrounds I have stayed at so far the pond is nice and has a 1/2 mile walking path around it with trees and beaches to stop and sit dog park is big and has a place for small or large"

    6. Shawnee State Park Campground

    27 Reviews
    Schellsburg, PA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 733-4218

    $20 - $110 / night

    "Was pleased by the quiet despite size of campground and proximity to highway. Sites not overly large or private. Has wood vending machine at entrance for firewood."

    "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."

    7. Keystone Korner Campground Inc

    1 Review
    Wells Tannery, PA
    7 miles
    +1 (814) 658-2267

    8. Woy Bridge Campground & Cabins

    1 Review
    Everett, PA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 977-5088

    $25 - $150 / night

    "The bathrooms are a bit of a walk if you're tent camping but they were clean and well stocked."

    9. Trough Creek State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Entriken, PA
    16 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."

    10. Susquehannock

    11 Reviews
    Calvin, PA
    21 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."

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Recent Camping Photos near Wells Tannery, PA

329 Photos of 154 Wells Tannery Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Wells Tannery, PA

794 Reviews of 154 Wells Tannery Campgrounds

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 3, 2026

    Happy Hills Campground

    Campground In Need of Upgrades!

    We stayed one night here (didn't even unhook from the truck).  Arrived in the rain and were leaving early the next morning, so I didn't want to disconnect.  Our gravel pad was over 6" out of level, requiring me to use leveling pads and a leveling jack to get trailer level.  All the short-term gravel sites looked like they needed some love!

    Campground is about 80% seasonal, and apparently has no housekeeping restrictions on residents - some sites were pretty full of old dead golf carts and various debris.  Not sure I would want to stay for a destination camping experience, but it was cheap and fine for a one night stay.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 3, 2026

    Wrights Orchard Station Campground

    Convenient Location for Ukulele Soiree!

    This campground (now named "Orchard Station Campground" is under new management, and is open all year (I think).  They are in the process of upgrading sites with new utility lines and level gravel pads.

    Owner was very friendly & helpful.

    Allowed me to charge my Rivian onsite (I paid him for the extra power).

    Adjacent huge cemetery site is accessible via a goat path at the back of the campground and provided a great place to walk our dog every day.

    We were attending the Alleghany Ukulele Soiree at the Altoona Grand Hotel, and this was a perfect spot (less than 5 minutes away).

    Will definitely return!!

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 1, 2026

    green ridge state forest

    Site 17-pleasant place to stay

    We came up here in our Roadtrek campervan. Quiet woodsy forestland. Went for a walk in the morning, lots of birdsong. A bit of road noise from the nearby highways but didn’t hear anything at night.

  • Adam and Suzanne B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 18, 2026

    Greenbrier State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

    Beautiful setting

    It is NOT closed for 2026! Spent the weekend here as it is only an hour from home. There are 4 large camping loops. Only loop C- cedar has electric. None of the loops have water hookups but all have spigots to fill your rig. There are also 3 fill stations at check in (which we missed). The campground is on a hill and the loop roads are narrow, hilly, and winding. We had no trouble with our 23 ft TT and saw some bigger rigs. There are some tight angles to get into a few sites. But, once you are in, the sites are spacious and mostly private. It is wooded without feeling overgrown. Loop D has some sites that are good buddy campsites. There are many hiking trails and a lovely lake. The only bad thing are the dated bathhouses. Mostly clean but there are only 2 showers for each fenced for each loop and they were yucky enough that we showered at our rig. It was busy but pretty quiet. It’s close to I-70

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 6, 2026

    Point Campground

    Good paid option

    Nice campground, level site, very clean. (Here early in season though!) $40/night. Lost a star for the long and steep incline walk to the bathrooms. Accessibility note: Careful if you have mobility issues. Many of the sites are terraced and require using steps.

  • M
    Apr. 5, 2026

    Jellystone Park™ Williamsport

    Easter Trailer Trash

    We chose this campground expecting a family-friendly environment for Easter weekend, but unfortunately our experience was significantly impacted by repeated disturbances from a group of adults in nearby campsites. There was excessive screaming, loud music, and disruptive behavior that continued well past midnight, making it extremely difficult for families and young children to enjoy the holiday weekend. Even more concerning was the apparent lack of response to enforce quiet hours or address the ongoing noise issue. This does not reflect the family atmosphere many guests would reasonably expect during a holiday weekend. I strongly encourage management to take these complaints seriously and enforce campground rules consistently to ensure all guests can enjoy their stay. Families considering visiting during Easter weekend should be aware that this has been an ongoing issue.

  • Nani C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 22, 2026

    Rocky Gap State Park Campground

    It was an okay experience

    I want to preface by saying that I believe this is a fairly nice and accommodating campground, it just missed the mark on some of my personal preferences this time around.

    I had a two night trip the opening weekend at the Elm Loop, site 118. I actually came to this campground amidst a wind advisory, will definitely not make that mistake again because it was a beast. The grounds were easy to navigate even during the night. Putting up the tent was a bit frustrating as the tent pad was very rocky and it was difficult to get the pegs into the ground.

    One of my biggest qualms was that I arrived expecting to be able to buy firewood from the camp store, especially since the provided flyers and maps listed the store being open until 9pm. I got to the store only to find out that it had been shut down last year. A bit disappointing as we couldn’t have a fire that night, would’ve been nice to know ahead of time. Thankfully firewood was available the next day but at the registration office at the entrance of the park. Not sure if they plan on opening the store again, but just be aware if you do plan to go and are expecting it to be open.

    Other than that, it’s a well versed site. Plenty for any group to do. I went fishing towards the dam while the other half of my group hiked the lake trail. Bathrooms were available and in usable condition. Sites are a good distance apart, the ones along the lake are pretty. Not sure if I’d return again but it was a nice to try.

  • T
    Mar. 19, 2026

    Rocky Gap State Park Campground

    Ticks a lot of boxes

    TLDR: this is a horrible campsite in a horrible campground. You should reserve somewhere else and leave it open for me. ;-) 

    My family has a wide variety of preferences. My husband is a water guy. I'm a mountain girl. My kids want a paved campground road so they can scooter and a nearby playground. This place is all of those things - a mountain lake with paved roads and heavy on amenities. 

    We stayed in site 11, which has a direct path to the lake-loop trail, which is also a straight shot to the beach/playground. We were there in March, so we weren't swimming/boating, but in the summer this would be a prime spot for those reasons too. It's a liiittle far from the bath house. But we RV, so it's not a huge deal. It had a great view of lake and mountains (though once the leaves come in, probably less so).

    Sites are nice and private, well spaced. The fire pit was nice and deep, which was slightly inconvenient, but is probably intended to combat the mountain winds. The campground store and other peak season amenities were closed, so I can't speak to those, but it looked like they had very nice facilities. The playground was really nice. (We didn't go onto resort/casino property)

  • Nani C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 11, 2026

    Owens Creek Campground — Catoctin Mountain Park

    Nice and Simple Spot!

    Booked this site about a week before just as a spontaneous one night trip towards the end of fall. Was greeted with a nicely stocked firewood hut on the way in, unfortunately most of the wood wasn't dry due to rain the day before and the wood being out from under the hut awning, but we made do with the stacks of dead wood along the outside of the site. Our site had the main area with the picnic table and fire pit and then a large level tent pad a couple of steps below it. I believe we went the last weekend of the season so it wasn't too populated, despite this being a smaller campsite. We did have neighbors on each side of us and across from us, and the sites are a reasonable distance apart. The trees were thinned out by the time we went so there wasn't much privacy, but I can imagine that when they're grown in it adds much more privacy, at least from nextdoor neighbors. Everyone there was considerate and friendly, even the camp host. The bathrooms were clean, functional, and a short walk away from the site. Would recommend if you want a quick getaway without frill.

Guide to Wells Tannery

The Raystown Lake region surrounding Wells Tannery, Pennsylvania features a mix of state park campgrounds and private camping facilities. Cowans Gap State Park Campground offers tent sites, RV hookups, and cabins around a small mountain lake with beach access. Approximately 25 miles northeast, Raystown Lake hosts multiple camping areas including Seven Points and Lake Raystown Resort, both providing tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and cabin rentals. Most mixed-use campgrounds in the area accommodate both tent and RV camping, with several offering glamping options including yurts.

Access to campgrounds varies seasonally, with many state park facilities operating from April through December. The region experiences typical northeastern mountain weather patterns with cold winters and mild summers. Most developed campsites require reservations, particularly during peak summer months. "Beautiful mountain retreat. Quiet and peaceful! There are many hiking and biking trails and a nice lake for fishing, swimming, and kayaking or canoeing," noted one visitor about Cowans Gap. Cell service can be limited or non-existent at several parks, with Cowans Gap specifically noted for having poor connectivity. Sites at popular locations like Seven Points fill quickly during summer weekends, especially those near water access.

Campers consistently rate waterfront sites higher, with lakes being the primary draw throughout the region. Several visitors mentioned the cleanliness of facilities as a significant factor in their experience. "The bathrooms were very clean. However, the closest bathroom didn't have showers. It also only had cold water," reported one camper at Cowans Gap. Many campgrounds offer firewood for purchase on-site, though availability and quality may vary. Family-friendly amenities like beaches, boat rentals, and hiking trails enhance the camping experience at most established sites. Campers should note that some areas have limited nearby services - several reviews mention the absence of camp stores at certain locations, requiring thorough preparation before arrival.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Wells Tannery, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Wells Tannery, PA is Cowans Gap State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 31 reviews.

What parks are near Wells Tannery, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 19 parks near Wells Tannery, PA that allow camping, notably Raystown Lake and Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park.

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