Primitive camping opportunities abound around Woodward, Pennsylvania, nestled within the valleys of the Appalachian Mountain range at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,000 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter temperatures often dropping below freezing. Fall camping from September through early November offers prime conditions with reduced humidity, fewer insects, and colorful foliage.
What to do
Hiking trails: Raymond B. Winter State Park Campground offers extensive hiking opportunities directly from campsites. "The trails here feel like the pacific northwest. Gorgeous. The campground is small and quiet," notes Greg S., adding that the scenery features "huge pines and hemlock, ferns everywhere."
Fishing spots: Multiple creeks provide excellent fishing near campsites. At Poe Paddy State Park Campground, Rebecca G. mentions that "Penn's Creek runs beside it...it's a great place to stay! Penn's Creek runs beside it...it's a lot of fun to float the creek. Great fishing too!" Access points are available at most waterfront sites.
Swimming areas: Several campgrounds maintain swimming areas with varying amenities. At Raymond B. Winter State Park Campground, Aaron W. highlights the "Amazing Hiking, Lots Of Fun, Nice Fishing, Friendly, And Nice Beach And Store." The lake is small but features a sandy swimming area perfect for families.
Geocaching: Explore hidden caches throughout the region's forests. Paula L. reports finding geocaching opportunities at Reeds Gap State Park, noting "a geocache showed up close to the trail on a road on my geocache tracker if you are into that."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Campsites at Reeds Gap State Park Campground provide notable separation between neighbors. "There are bushes and trees between the sites and it feels very private," according to Traci F., who considers Ravensburg "a semi-hidden gem" with tent pads that work well for various tent sizes.
Clean facilities: Bath facilities receive consistently positive reviews across multiple locations. At Bellefonte-State College KOA, Joan notes that "The Bathrooms were hotel quality and clean. They were combined with a shower. The water pressure was great and very hot."
Creek access: Several campgrounds feature direct water access. At Penns Creek Campground, Mike found that despite having "camper trailers, small RVs and camper residents, it was easy to find a site where we had privacy and great river access." Waterfront sites allow for easy fishing and swimming opportunities.
Night sky viewing: Minimal light pollution creates excellent stargazing conditions. Kassie F. reports from Raymond B. Winter State Park Campground: "The night skies were beautiful (starry starry night w/little light pollution) and trails galore leading directly from the campground."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Most campgrounds have no or very limited connectivity. At Primitive Camping Area — Bald Eagle State Park, Tiff H. notes campers should prepare to disconnect: "We needed a break from the rest area sleeping. We found this site on here and on iOverlander. The sites are clean, flat and spread out."
Site accessibility: Some primitive sites have limited vehicle access. At Bald Eagle State Forest, Maxime T. reports: "The only downside of our campsite was that it was listed as 'motorized'. These sites are advertised as drive-up and occupy your vehicle sites, however there were two giant boulders blocking the pathway to the actual site."
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds operate from April through October, with some extending into December. Rebecca G. notes that Poe Paddy State Park Campground operates seasonally and visitors should check availability: "I grew up camping here and it's a great place to stay!"
Reservation requirements: While some campgrounds require advance booking, others operate on first-come, first-served basis. Becky found at Ravensburg State Park: "Nice and shaded! No one there but us in site 6, not even a ranger checked on us. First come first serve but still had to pay transaction fee!"
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water options: Several campgrounds offer beaches and swimming areas. Greg S. describes Raymond B. Winter State Park: "The lake is small, more like a pond, but super cold and clean water, as it is fed by two mountains streams. The beach is amazing. Tons and tons of clean sand, no rocks, and lots of space to play and swim."
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds include play equipment. At Poe Valley State Park Campground, Chelsie G. reports it's a "Great campground! Lots of fishing, swimming and you can rent kayaks or paddle boats. Beach had a concession stand and camping was very shaded and secluded!"
Bike-friendly paths: Several campgrounds feature bike paths for various skill levels. At Bald Eagle State Forest, Juan G. enthusiastically shares: "Place is amazing. Nice sites, lake, wildlife, close roads to bike! Cannot ask for more!"
Summer concessions: Some campgrounds operate seasonal stores with supplies and treats. Jolene J. describes Raymond B. Winter State Park: "The concession stand is so cool. They have great food, lots of treats, and beach supplies and toys too, all reasonably priced."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: For larger rigs, carefully research sites before booking. At Bellefonte-State College KOA, Nancy W. explains: "The section in the front of the park is open with spotty trees; whereas, sites in the back of the park are tucked in the woods and are a lot more private. Roads in the back section are narrow and the sites are not very long and suitable for small campers."
Leveling requirements: Many sites require leveling equipment due to uneven terrain. Joel A. advises: "Make sure you have leveling tools as the sites are not very level side-to-side. The sites are also small and tightly packed."
Water pressure variations: Some campgrounds experience water pressure fluctuations. Gayle B. notes at Bellefonte-State College KOA: "Then there was the water pressure… or lack of water pressure. Saying it trickled out would be generous."
Tight turns and steep drives: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. Krista L. found that Penns Creek Campground was "A little tricky to get in and out of; but well worth it."
