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Best Campgrounds near Wells Tannery, PA

782 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.

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Best Camping Sites Near Wells Tannery, Pennsylvania (147)

    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)

    22 Reviews
    Hesston, PA
    21 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."

    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

336 Photos of 147 Wells Tannery Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Wells Tannery, PA

782 Reviews of 147 Wells Tannery Campgrounds

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Hagerstown / Antietam Battlefield KOA

    Dense and chaotic, but great breakfast

    We got here late on a Friday and boy was it packed. It was a pretty tight fit and at a perpendicular. Not sure why campsites do that. We didn’t use the bathroom or showers because it was so late and honestly because they only had one bathroom location for all those people and it was on the opposite side of the campsite. They have SO many activities going on for kids and families including crafts and a magic show. They also had a diner and general store. Didn’t go into the store but did get breakfast from the diner and the breakfast was honestly delicious. It was about a 20 min wait at 8:15 but the quality of the food totally makes up for that. I recommend the sausage gravy and biscuits. Overall, great spot if you’ve got kids. Pretty packed if you’re just traveling or looking for some outdoor time.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Sue J.
    Aug. 5, 2025

    Rocky Gap State Park Campground

    Willing to give it another try

    I just returned from a 2-night tent camping solo trip with my dog.  This was my first time at Rocky Gap and I found some strong pros and cons.

    Pros

    Large camp sites, with decent space for tents. The descriptions on the State Park site seem very accurate. Mid week (Sunday and Monday nights) the campground was less than a third full, and the folks who were there were spread out so it felt more spacious than it was. There are some great trails for hiking, and the dog beach was perfect. You can rent kayaks, canoes, and SUPs, or bring your own for no launch fee.

    Cons

    It was very noisy at night due to traffic on I-68 and even the campground road, which despite a 15 mph posting has no speed bumps and seems to have a poplar straightaway for cars with loud mufflers who like to open it up. I don't know if the I68 traffic just sounds louder at night because everything else is quiet, or if the sound carries farther at night. But sleeping my tent, I was woken up many times by the sound of trucks down shifting and braking.

    Another noise -- during the day I heard what sounded like the world's largest circular saw, only to discover that there is a large saw mill about 2 miles north. Fortunately that noise stopped by about 6 pm.

    And finally, although there were only a few occupied sites in Dogwood loop, some were with very large groups with either no self awareness or no consideration for others. No fault of the park, and people did basically follow quiet hours, but 8:30am blasting music, and hooping and hollering into the night. Just. know that it is a popular park for large groups.

    Based on other reviews here saying that it was quiet, I'm willing to give it another try in a different loop. Or, not in a tent but in a camper van which is my other option.

  • B
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Pioneer Lakes RV Park

    Don't waste your money

    This was the worst experience I have ever had camping. We always do a huge family aging trip which we end up booking multiple sites. Every site was paid in full before arrival. One family checked in and had to pay extra when they checked in while the others did not. Camp sites where not mowed and unpresentable. Picnic tables where falling apart and one was not even usable because the bolt rusted on the bench seats and the boards where falling off. The roads are full of potholes going back to the sites. The staff are extremely rude and ignorant. When I was on the gulf cart going up to pick up my family from the pool, the one staff member stepped out in front of me blockkng me from going to pick up my family who was standing by the office steps. Told me I had to go park in the grass. Anytime you left the camp ground we where one, they watched us like Hawks. We had visitors that came and went to get a visitors pass and was treated like crap in the office and they actually told our visitors they where being dishonest. The playground area is unsafe. The wood on the playsets are falling apart and splintering. I had to pull alot of splinters out of my childs hands and feet. In the guys and girls restrooms, toilets where make closed and some of the knobs where broken off in the shower rooms. The wifi is terrible. You can't even use your cellphone on the wifi, let alone trying to stream TV. The pool water is terrible. Its so filled with salt that when you get out your skin is extremely dry and your lips shrivel up. You have to pay to go fishing but yet their ponds are scummy. Driving around we noticed that one Campsite was completely under water and it hasn't rain enough for a site to be flooded, another site the freshwater connection was held down by raquet straps to keep it together, another site there was a pile of shale and a mini excavator sitting in the lot with campers there. There was a band at the pavillion and there was a moonshine tent and staff was at it doing taste testing. I feel that drinking on the job is inappropriate. We use to go once a year here for the last 25 years and since the new owners took over, we will no longer camper there. Overall our trip was more frustrating than enjoyable. They need to find new staff that are customer friendly and not tyrants.

  • Kimberly H.
    Jul. 14, 2025

    Rocky Gap State Park Campground

    Such a treasure of a state park!

    We stayed in cabin 170 in Fir loop and the site was incredibly spacious, heavily shaded, close to the bath house, path to the beach, and well distanced from other sites. There are only 2 cabins on this loop and this one is the best positioned. The bath house was kept very clean, even though the campground was full. We brought paddle boards and the lake was perfect for paddle boarding. Note that you cannot swim anywhere outside of the roped swim areas. It was a hot day and we found a great shallow area and decided to take a dip and the lifeguards came out on boat and kindly told us we could not swim. We will definitely be back here to camp again soon.

Guide to Wells Tannery

Camping near Wells Tannery, Pennsylvania, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With several campgrounds in the area, you can find the perfect spot to enjoy nature, whether you're in a tent, RV, or cabin.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails around the area. Many campers enjoy the trails at Rocky Gap State Park Campground, where one visitor mentioned, "We walked the trail around Lake Habib which was 5.3 miles."
  • Fishing: Cast a line at Cowans Gap State Park Campground. A camper shared, "Brought our kayaks and had a nice day paddling around the lake."
  • Swimming: Enjoy a refreshing dip at the private beach at Rocky Gap State Park Campground. One reviewer noted, "The campground has their own swim beach with a great playground."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Hagerstown / Antietam Battlefield KOA said, "Sites, amenities, and bathrooms/showers were all clean and well kept."
  • Friendly Staff: Many campgrounds have helpful staff. A camper at Friendship Village Campground & RV Park mentioned, "The staff was super friendly. Would definitely go here again."
  • Spacious Sites: Campers enjoy having room to spread out. One reviewer at Lake Raystown Resort said, "The sites are nice and private with stunning views of Raystown Lake."

What you should know:

  • Cell Service: Be prepared for limited or no cell service in some areas. A camper at Cowans Gap State Park Campground noted, "We had no cell service with Cricket or Verizon."
  • Site Sizes Vary: Some sites can be tight, especially for larger RVs. A visitor at Shawnee State Park Campground mentioned, "This site was on an incline so the cots we brought were pretty miserable to sleep on."
  • Seasonal Availability: Check the campground's open dates. For example, Cowans Gap State Park Campground is open from the 2nd Friday in April to deer season in December.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and swimming areas. At Rocky Gap State Park Campground, one parent said, "Near the beach, there is a nice playground near shade for parents to watch."
  • Quiet Time: Respect quiet hours to ensure everyone has a good time. A camper at Little Orleans Campground shared, "We would probably be in around 10ish pm! At night."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals or check if the campground has a store. A visitor at Friendship Village Campground & RV Park noted, "They held a farmers market on Saturday."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookups: Make sure your site has the right hookups for your RV. A camper at Lake Raystown Resort mentioned, "Some sites are waterfront, but all are close to the water."
  • Road Conditions: Be aware of the road conditions leading to the campground. A visitor at Camp Cacapon said, "The roads were winding gravel roads but not an issue for my Crosstrek."
  • Dump Station Access: Look for campgrounds with easy access to dump stations. A camper at Hagerstown / Antietam Battlefield KOA noted, "No problems with hookups or dump station."

Camping near Wells Tannery, Pennsylvania, has something for everyone. Whether you're looking for adventure or relaxation, the campgrounds in this area provide a great escape into nature.

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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