Top 10 Campgrounds and RV Parks State College, Pennsylvania
State College is a true college town, and not just in name. Pennsylvania State University, a school set on approximately 8,000 acres with a current enrollment of over 46,000, is located in the city. Since State College is home to one of the top Big Ten football teams in the country, the area around the campus gets a wave of tourism during the season from September through November.
As recently as 2016, State College was ranked as the Best College Town in the U.S. by Best College Reviews. You’ll find plenty of places for RV camping around State College and lots to do in this renowned university town. Because State College sits in the Appalachian Mountains at the true geographic center of Pennsylvania, many of the following campgrounds boast amazing views and offer convenient access to other regions of the state.
Woodland Campground
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Located in Woodland near I-80, this campground is perfect for those who want to experience ture firsthand. The property sits on a tural lake perfect for swimming, boating and fishing. If winter camping appeals to you, you’ll appreciate that Woodland Campground is open all year.
Why You’ll Love Woodland Campground
A full range of outdoor activities, from nearby golfing to boating, draw many to this campground. It’s close enough to State College, but once back at the campground, there’s much to choose from. For example, the campground has access to adjacent hiking and cycling trails through the mountains.
What People Are Saying About Woodland Campground
“Very nice campground. You can tell the owners take pride in offering a nice place to stay. Site was long enough for motorhome and tow vehicle and for the most part was level.” – SLJ, RV Park Reviews
Waterside Campground & RV Park
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Located on the Juniata River near State College, this campground offers a full plate of activities for its guests. It has a heated swimming pool, clubhouse, mini market, basketball court, laundry facilities and game/activity rooms. You can fish from the shoreline of the river or boat down it.
Why You’ll Love Waterside Campground & RV Park
Being within walking distance of the river and all the recreation and beauty it offers is a feature unique to Waterside Campground. RV campers who extend their stays will find more than enough enjoyable activities for the whole family. Waterside has fire pits and barbecues, a playground, and planned activities.
What People Are Saying About Waterside Campground & RV Park
“This campground goes down as one of our favorites! It is immaculate, well maintained, clean, our site was large, river side, with lots of room. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful. And best of all, very affordable!” – Sandy, Yelp
Seven Mountains Campground & Cabins
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This year-round campground may be light on RV park amenities, but its proximity to State College makes it a favorite for people heading to games or events at Penn State. It’s also a haven for hunters, hikers, and skiers. RV campers share the campground with tent campers and people staying in cabins.
Why You’ll Love Seven Mountains Campground & Cabins
If you want to be near the university, you’ll appreciate that Penn State is just 15 minutes away from this RV park. Since the campground is open during the winter, you’ll be able to visit the campus during the holidays and take part in the festivities. Be sure to check out Winter Festival held at the Arboretum at Penn State.
What People Are Saying About Seven Mountains Campground & Cabins
“Clean! Nice Cabins, and not many people around. My first time to the campground. My friends and I met to visit arts fest in nearby State College, and found this campground.” – Peter, TripAdvisor
Bellefonte/State College KOA
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This KOA campground offers a full plate of on-site amenities for visitors. Its location just off I-80 is convenient and close to State College, and it’s one of the most family-friendly campgrounds in the area. The pool is heated, and it has large play areas and sports fields.
Why You’ll Love Bellefonte/State College KOA
If you come for the weekend, you’ll find a number of events unique to this campground, such as pizza delivery to your RV site, weekend hayrides, bubble machines on Saturdays, ice cream socials on Saturday night, and pancake breakfasts on Sundays. With State College just a few miles away, this KOA also has special rates for visitors who want to leave their RVs through the end of football season at Penn State. When you feel like exploring the non-university region, visit the local Amish and farmer’s markets.
What People Are Saying About Bellefonte/State College KOA
“Last minute reservation for my family and we were pleasantly surprised. Only 2 miles off I-80. Nice Landscaped grounds; great check-in process; convenient store; deluxe sites have concrete stamped patios with fire pit, nice table and chairs and grills.”- melliemel, TripAdvisor
Bald Eagle State Park (Russell P. Letterman Campground)
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Covering 6,000 acres that include a 1,730-acre lake, it’s no wonder that this is one of the best RV parks in the State College, Pennsylvania, area. This state-run campground offers the best of the basics for campers and gives their guests access to the lake for fishing, swimming, and boating. There are also miles of trails for hiking and cycling.
Why You’ll Love Bald Eagle State Park (Russell P. Letterman Campground)
If you’re looking for an authentic camping experience, stay at Bald Eagle State Park. Unlike traditional campgrounds in State College, Pennsylvania, this state-run property only provides the basics for campers, but what you lose in creature comforts, you gain in nature. Birds, animals, trees, plants, and aquatic life are just steps away.
What People Are Saying About Bald Eagle State Park (Russell P. Letterman Campground)
“Camped in Oak Loop. Really nice campground with large, level spaces and full hook-ups. Nice bathhouse. Lake has a large swim area and plenty of places to kayak and launch motor boats. We went on a ranger-led full moon kayak paddle that was awesome.” – Jan, TripAdvisor
Harrisburg East Campground
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Located just east of Harrisburg, this campground offers RV and tent camping year round. It also provides seasonal RV storage options for owners who want to park their rig at the destination instead of driving it home. Since it’s located in the state capital, you’ll find plenty of local attractions, including museums, fine dining, memorable shopping, and river walks.
Why You’ll Love Harrisburg East Campground
You can stay at this quiet park when you want to unwind. Many people come here after spending the day touring Hershey to the east or State College to the west. Since it’s also an eco-friendly park, management has taken all the steps they can to minimize their footprint on the environment by curbing waste of all kinds.
What People Are Saying About Harrisburg East Campground
“Very convenient to the things we wanted to see. Park shady and clean. Close to the interstate, but noise didn’t bother us at night. Had a beautiful swimming pool and friendly staff.” – Marilyn, RV Park Reviews
Wright’s Orchard Station Campground
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Wright’s Orchard Station is perfect for the camper who doesn’t need or want a lot of unnecessary amenities. The trade-off is lower nightly rates and a quiet RV park near State College. Located in Duncansville, which is adjacent to Altoona, it’s a short drive to the Penn State campus.
Why You’ll Love Wright’s Orchard Station Campground
While this campground is about 45 miles southwest of State College, the region has none of the traffic or noise associated with Penn State. When proximity matters as much as tranquility and affordability, Wright’s Orchard Station Campground delivers. It provides some of the best RV camping near State College, Pennsylvania.
What People Are Saying About Wright’s Orchard Station Campground
“Very nicely maintained facility with a railroad (PRR) motif (the office/store has trains on display as well). Gravel roads and sites, with fairly level sites (campground is on a gentle downhill slope).” – Clyde, RV Park Reviews
Lake Raystown Resort & Lodge
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Located on the shores of Lake Raystown, this resort is set up to provide space for RV campers and to host events like weddings. The resort features meeting spaces, food and drink options, activities, and entertainment. This is one of the few RV campgrounds near State College, Pennsylvania, that offers programs for both corporate guests and families.
Why You’ll Love Lake Raystown Resort & Lodge
This is a completely self-contained resort that offers a mix of lodging choices that include tent camping and luxury cabin rentals. If you ever get tired of RV camping, you can always try something different. The lake is beautiful, and the resort offers many options for dining and activities during your stay.
What People Are Saying About Lake Raystown Resort & Lodge
“We have been coming to this place for 10 years and have never been disappointed. In fact, we came 2 times this year, first in April for service weekend (discounted sites for police, firefighters, teachers, nurses….) and had a wonderful time.” – Harry, TripAdvisor
Friendship Village Campground
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Located in Bedford, Friendship Village Campground is a wonderful family RV park. The property offers playgrounds, swimming pools, walking trails, boat rentals, and sports courts. During the warm season, the park hosts weekend activities for families.
Why You’ll Love Friendship Village Campground
Friendship Village has fun activities for each member of your family. In addition, it is close to several Bedford landmarks, such as covered bridges, a memorial to Flight 93, and Civil War memorials. Engage the kids on the Critter Tour where they’ll see buffalo and trout in their natural habitats.
What People Are Saying About Friendship Village Campground
“Halloween weekend” and it was our first time staying at this particular campground, and I must say it exceeded our expectations. Pros: friendly staff, from check-in staff to maintenance staff all were friendly and helpful.” – Eric, TripAdvisor
Heritage Cove Resort
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Heritage Cove is in the northeastern corner of Bedford County, and many visit the property to take advantage of its quiet location. It lies in the Appalachian Mountains and is rich in natural beauty. Swimming, cycling, boating, and fishing are all popular activities at this family-oriented RV park.
Why You’ll Love Heritage Cove Resort
Anyone who is looking for an escape from a hectic life will enjoy the peace and quiet of Heritage Cove. Set along the Raystown Lake, the park gives guests the opportunity to enjoy bird and wildlife watching from their campsites or go touring the lake by boat. It’s an ideal campsite for those who enjoy a view of the water.
What People Are Saying About Heritage Cove Resort
“This resort is nestled on the head waters of Raystown Lake. It is an awesome place to bring the family. We found the pool to be sparkling clean and refreshing. Every site had water, sewer and electric. Perfect.” – Don, TripAdvisor
In Summary
Whether you’re going to a Big Ten game, checking out the university, or just getting away for a Pennsylvania road trip, State College campgrounds are perfect. The RV parks in the area will give you a comfortable place to stay where you can rest and relax or enjoy the outdoors.
If you want something close to the city, consider Seven Mountains Campground. Meanwhile, Harrisburg East Campground allows you to combine a visit with the state capital with a tour of Pennsylvania’s largest public university. A good place to take the kids of any age is Bellefonte/State College KOA, which is just up the road from State College. The many campground activities will keep your children entertained while you relax and enjoy the pool.
After you stay at a State College, Pennsylvania, campground, you may be ready to invest in buying an RV from a local dealership. Of course, there are plenty of RV rental providers in the area as well.
Explore other Campgrounds & RV Parks near State College
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to camp in State College, Pennsylvania?
How much does it cost to camp in State College, Pennsylvania?
The top 10 campgrounds we selected all show daily, weekly and monthly rates for you. Pricing will vary.
How much does it cost to RV park in State College, Pennsylvania?
Pricing will vary. The top 10 RV Parks we selected all display daily, weekly and monthly rates for you.
How long can you stay at an RV Park in State College, Pennsylvania?
Staying at an RV Park for a long period of time will vary on the campground & RV Park you choose. View our post for more information.
Are there pet friendly RV Parks & Campgrounds in State College, Pennsylvania?
Yes. The majority of campgrounds we selected in this blog allow pets.