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Best Campgrounds near Altoona, PA

346 Reviews

Several good campgrounds surround Altoona, Pennsylvania for both tent and RV camping. Rocky Gap State Park Campground has well-kept sites and hiking trails that loop around Lake Habib. Campers looking for fishing and boating often head to Crooked Run Campground in Prince Gallitzin State Park, which has a mix of shady and open sites. Blue Knob State Park Campground stands out for its views and outdoor activities, and many people visit in fall when the trees change color. Winter camping can be tricky since some campgrounds cut back on services during colder months, so it's smart to call ahead about closures. Most camping areas near Altoona have basic restrooms and picnic tables, but you should pack your own water and firewood since these aren't always available at the sites. The Altoona area works well for both quiet camping trips and more active outdoor weekends.

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Best Camping Sites Near Altoona, Pennsylvania (103)

    1. Crooked Run Campground — Prince Gallitzin State Park

    26 Reviews
    Fallentimber, PA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 674-1000

    $20 - $57 / night

    "This campground is perfect for people who are looking to get away from busy city life or just want to relax next to a lake."

    "The site was roomy enough, but next time I know to try to reserve on the outside perimeter for more room.

    Dogs are permitted in this area of the campground and honestly they were all well behaved."

    2. Seven Points (PA)

    22 Reviews
    Hesston, PA
    19 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."

    3. Canoe Creek State Park Campground

    3 Reviews
    Williamsburg, PA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 695-6807

    $70 - $75 / night

    "The grounds are open to hunting and we were surprised by a bird hunter and his dog who was running around off leash, creating a little havoc for us while walking our two dogs on the trail."

    "You can go to the beach, kayak, hike, or go outside the park to explore some caves or a bat church. We will continue to come here every year!"

    4. Lake Raystown Resort

    13 Reviews
    Entriken, PA
    19 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."

    5. Blue Knob State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Imler, PA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 608-3034

    $20 - $108 / night

    "it’s small, with shaded sites around the perimeter and two walk in sites just left of the entrance."

    "The hiking here is really spectacular with lots of scenery, overlooks, and side trails that extend many miles out into state forest lands which are adjacent to the park."

    6. Susquehannock

    11 Reviews
    Calvin, PA
    20 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."

    7. Pat's Primitive Place

    1 Review
    Claysburg, PA
    13 miles
    +1 (814) 381-5957

    $25 - $50 / night

    "We had easy access to things around us but a quick walk along a path brought us to a beautiful spot by the creek. We set up camp right along the creek, as shown in our pictures."

    8. Long Acres on Clover Creek

    1 Review
    Williamsburg, PA
    13 miles
    +1 (814) 931-4114

    $25 - $65 / night

    "The secluded area combined with the creek nearby made for a great escape from reality. The stars are so bright out here and the tent was absolutely fabulous! Definitely 10/10 recommend."

    9. Raystown Lake / Saxton KOA at Four Seasons

    7 Reviews
    Saxton, PA
    21 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."

    10. Trough Creek State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Entriken, PA
    19 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."

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Recent Camping Photos near Altoona, PA

145 Photos of 103 Altoona Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Altoona, PA

346 Reviews of 103 Altoona Campgrounds

  • Daniel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Curwensville Lake Campground

    Amazing

    Having PTSD and serious anxiety. This spot allows you to relax without to much concern,dogs welcome ,boating and swimming was awesome for around this area. Camping is great especially at night with boats on the water.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Tiana S.
    Jul. 13, 2025

    STAR LEE FARM

    Great stay

    Place was very pretty and secluded. And customer service was excellent. There's a huge field to start gaze as well as taking pictures, lots of hiking and if you're a bee enthusiast they grow their own honey in the property and you're more than welcome to walk around and look at all the boxes. There's no electricity there but the owner is working on that but there is power in the shower house. Service is a little sketch but it's perfect for those who want to completely escape the business of modern world. Highly recommend

  • Brittany V.
    Jul. 3, 2025

    Shawnee State Park Campground

    Double check site booked

    We absolutely loved our stay at this park once we changed sites. We have a 35’ TT and there was no way it was going to fit in the site we originally booked. Luckily it was opening weekend and the rangers and super accommodating! We moved over one site and it made all the difference. The sites are spacious with a ton of tree coverage. Easy access to the dump station as you exit. It’s not directly on the lake but there is a ton of parking and easy access points.

  • Daniel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 5, 2025

    Curwensville Lake Campground

    Perfect spring

    Solo with my dog and my canoe. Had a great time I had no idea there was disc golf,I keep a couple in my truck and so i played more game then fished. The dog swimming area was pretty cool. I'll be back.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 27, 2024

    Sideling Hill Roadside Sites — Buchanan State Forest

    Interesting and Rustic

    This was my first experience camping with no hookups. The park is very large, with interesting trails to explore. I had not been aware of the abandoned PA turnpike that runs through the park; very interesting and haunting. It’s extremely quiet, with not a whole lot to do, but very peaceful. A terrific place to see the stars. And while it’s not free, it’s only $10/night.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 27, 2024

    Seven Points (PA)

    Beautiful Spot

    I’ve camped here twice, two years ago in a Kodiak tent and this year in my Airstream GT24. Such a lovely spot! It’s spotless, and Raystown Lake is gorgeous.

Guide to Altoona

Camping near Altoona, Pennsylvania, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do

  • Hiking: There are great trails around the campgrounds. At Rocky Gap State Park Campground, one visitor mentioned, "We walked the trail around Lake Habib which was 5.3 miles. The weather was perfect with mild temps and a cool breeze."
  • Fishing: Many campgrounds have lakes where you can fish. A reviewer at Cowans Gap State Park Campground said, "We brought our kayaks and had a nice day paddling around the lake."
  • Swimming: Enjoy a refreshing swim at designated beach areas. One camper at Laurel Hill State Park Campground noted, "Awesome sandy swim beach and roped off area in the water made it great for keeping an eye on the kids."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained bathhouses. A visitor at Green Ridge State Forest said, "This park is always clean and well-maintained."
  • Secluded Sites: Many campers enjoy the privacy of their sites. A reviewer at Black Moshannon State Park Campground mentioned, "The sites are large and relatively private."
  • Friendly Staff: Campground staff often receive praise for their helpfulness. A camper at Parker Dam State Park Campground said, "Park staff drove through multiple times a day and were friendly."

What you should know

  • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds have poor or no cell service. A visitor at Cowans Gap State Park Campground noted, "We had no cell service with Cricket or Verizon."
  • Site Proximity: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together. A camper at Parker Dam State Park Campground mentioned, "The individual camp sites are all right on top of each other."
  • Seasonal Access: Check the campground seasons before planning your trip. For example, Laurel Hill State Park Campground is open from mid-April to the third Sunday in October.

Tips for camping with families

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and swimming areas. A parent at Seven Points Campground said, "The kids took a kayak over to an island and spent the afternoon cliff jumping."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals or snacks. A camper at Keystone State Park Campground mentioned, "The little store has drinks and snacks."
  • Choose Family-Friendly Sites: Opt for campgrounds that offer spacious sites. A visitor at Shawnee State Park Campground said, "Loop D was quiet with ample space between sites that provided privacy."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure the site can accommodate your RV. A reviewer at Cowans Gap State Park Campground noted, "Our site was level and sizable."
  • Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups if needed. A camper at Parker Dam State Park Campground mentioned, "The campground was adequate. Bath houses were relatively clean."
  • Dump Stations: Ensure there are dump stations available. A visitor at Rocky Gap State Park Campground said, "Easy access to dump station."

Camping near Altoona, Pennsylvania, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Enjoy the great outdoors and make some lasting memories!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there RV-friendly camping options in Altoona, PA?

The Altoona area has several excellent RV-friendly camping options. Friendship Village Campground & RV Park near Bedford is easily accessible regardless of rig size with straightforward check-in procedures. Raystown Lake / Saxton KOA at Four Seasons offers full RV accommodations and hosts special weekend events like their popular Bigfoot weekend with activities and prepared meals. Additionally, Blue Knob State Park Campground and Lake Raystown Resort provide RV sites with varying hookup options. Most campgrounds in the region are open from spring through fall, with limited winter availability.

What are the best campgrounds near Altoona, PA?

Altoona offers several excellent campgrounds within a short drive. Canoe Creek State Park Campground is a popular option featuring a serene lake with great stargazing opportunities despite proximity to Altoona's lights. The park also includes disc golf and hiking trails. For water enthusiasts, Seven Points (PA) on Lake Raystown offers over 200 sites, many directly on the water, with swimming, fishing, and kayaking activities. Other notable options include Crooked Run Campground at Prince Gallitzin State Park and Black Moshannon State Park Campground, both providing spacious sites and lake access for outdoor recreation.

Can I find tent camping sites near Altoona, PA?

Tent campers have excellent options near Altoona. Greenwood Furnace State Park Campground offers peaceful tent sites immersed in nature. Black Moshannon State Park Campground provides spacious tent sites with clean facilities and access to a lake for recreation, though swimmers should note the water remains quite cold even in summer. Additional tent camping can be found at Blue Knob State Park with its scenic mountain setting and Trough Creek State Park, which offers tent sites with toilet facilities. Most parks in the region provide basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to bathroom facilities with showers.

Are there any seasonal campgrounds available in the Altoona area?

The Altoona area offers several seasonal camping options that operate primarily from spring through fall. Cowans Gap State Park Campground provides seasonal camping in a mountain setting with a beautiful lake for swimming, boating, and fishing. The park features clean facilities and numerous hiking trails. Shawnee State Park Campground also operates seasonally with sites near a scenic lake and proximity to historic attractions. Most state parks in the region, including Prince Gallitzin and Canoe Creek, typically open in April and close in late October or early November, with exact dates varying based on weather conditions and park maintenance schedules.

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