25 Amazing Campgrounds With Lakes In Pennsylvania

Looking for campgrounds with lakes in Pennsylvania?

Campgrounds by lakes are ideal places to camp because they provide easy access to outdoor recreation and beautiful views.

I grew up camping in Pennsylvania so I know just how awesome the state’s lakeside campgrounds are.

This list of campgrounds with lakes covers locations all over Pennsylvania.

For each campground, I’ve included information on the camping styles that can be accommodated and what recreation opportunities are available on the lake. This way, you can easily pick the best lake campground for you.

Ready to pick your campground? Here are 25 campgrounds with lakes in Pennsylvania. 

Click on these links to navigate to lakeside campgrounds in a specific region of the state:

• Campgrounds with Lakes in Eastern PA
• Campgrounds with Lakes in Central PA
• Campgrounds with Lakes in Western PA

Campgrounds with Lakes in Eastern PA

With all of its lakes, mountains, and forests, eastern Pennsylvania is a dream destination for outdoor lovers. Here are campgrounds with lakes in the Poconos, the Lehigh Valley, and elsewhere in eastern Pennsylvania.

1. Wilsonville Recreation Area

Lake Wallenpaupack is one of the largest lakes in the state. It’s a popular destination in the Poconos for fishing and boating.

Wilsonville Recreation Area is at the northern end of the lake. It’s one of 4 recreation areas that provides camping right on the shore of Lake Wallenpaupack.

The campground at Wilsonville Recreation Area is the biggest one on the lake with 160 campsites.

It’s a great place to camp no matter your preferred style of camping. Both tents and trailers can be accommodated and the campsites can be reserved on an overnight or seasonal basis. 

Although swimming is not permitted along most of the lake’s shore, Wilsonville Recreation Area is right next to Palmyra Township’s public beach which is the only place on the lake where swimming is allowed. If you want to swim on your camping trip, Wilsonville Recreation Area is in the best location to camp on Lake Wallenpaupack.

There is also a boat launch at Wilsonville Recreation Area.

Call (570) 226-4382 to reserve a campsite at Wilsonville Recreation Area.

2. Tobyhanna State Park

Tobyhanna State Park lies in Monroe and Wayne Counties in Pennsylvania.

The park covers over 5,000 acres of land and includes the 170-acre Tobyhanna Lake. The park’s campground is located on the northern shore of this lake.

This campground has 135 campsites that are suitable for tents and trailers.

There is a boat launch at the campground, making it easy for campers to access the water with their own boats.

On the opposite side of Tobyhanna Lake there is a swimming beach and boat rentals for both electric motor boats and non-motorized boats like rowboats and kayaks.

This lake is a great place to fish for species including bass, catfish, and sunfish.

Campsites can be reserved up to 11 months in advance. Click here to reserve a campsite in Tobyhanna State Park.

3. Promised Land State Park

Promised Land State Park is a 3,000-acre park in Pike County, PA.

There are several campgrounds at Promised Land State Park. These campgrounds surround the state park’s two large lakes, Promised Land Lake and Lower Lake.

Combined, these campgrounds have over 300 campsites for tents and RVs.

Pickerel Point Campground is on a peninsula in Promised Land Lake, offering plenty of shoreline for walk-to campsites that are near the water. This campground also has its own swim beach and boat rentals so there are lots of ways for campers to have fun on the lake.

Deerfield Campground is across the street from Pickerel Point Campground. So even though the Deerfield campsites aren’t on the lake’s shore, they’re conveniently located to all of the amenities on Pickerel Point.

Pines Campground is on the northwest side of Promised Land Lake. It’s right by the park’s day use area with a beach, kayak launch, and boat rentals for both electric motorboats and non-motorized boats.

Lower Lake Campground is the park’s largest campground. It has a boat launch for campers to use.

Both Promised Land Lake and Lower Lake are great places to fish for species including bass, pickerel, yellow perch, and more.

No matter which campground you choose, Promised Land State Park is an excellent park for anyone seeking to camp on a lake.

Campsites can be reserved up to 11 months in advance. Click here to reserve a campsite at Promised Land State Park.

4. Locust Lake State Park

Locust Lake State Park is about an hour northwest of Allentown, PA.

This park offers a beautiful place to camp. The campsites are tucked in the woods that surround the 52-acre Locust Lake.

The park’s 280 campsites are split into 2 sections on the edge of Locust Lake. Both camping areas have boat launches. Nearby, a swimming beach and boat rentals for non-motorized boats and paddle boards are available.

Locust Lake is stocked with brown and brook trout for campers who are interested in fishing.

Campsites can be reserved up to 11 months in advance. Click here to reserve a campsite in Locust Lake State Park.

5. Mauch Chunk Lake Park

Mauch Chunk Lake Park is located in Jim Thorpe, PA.

Mauch Chunk Lake is 345 acres, so you can spend your whole camping trip out on the water.

This park has 135 sites for tent camping, including a number of lakefront campsites.

The park offers boat rentals, a swim area, and fishing gear.

Call (570) 325-3669 to reserve a campsite at Mauch Chunk Lake Park.

6. Clayton Park RV Escape

Clayton Park RV Escape is a bit of a unique RV park.

This gated campground in the Poconos isn’t as activity-oriented as most family-friendly campgrounds. However, they do host activities and live music on weekends throughout the summer.

The campground has 100 campsites on the northwest shore of Lake Henry. Some of the seasonal campsites are located right along the waterfront, providing direct views of this large body of water.

Clayton RV Park Escape is a good place to camp for anyone who wants to go boating and fishing during their camping trip. The campground has a boat launch and offers rowboat rentals. Bass, pickerel, and catfish can all be found in Lake Henry.

Campers can come stay at Clayton Park RV Escape for a few nights or secure a seasonal campsite.

Call (570) 698-6080 to reserve a campsite at Clayton Park RV Escape.

7. Chestnut Lake Campground

Chestnut Lake Campground is a family-oriented campground in Brodheadsville, PA.

This is a particularly great lakefront campground for people camping in large RVs because the campsites are so big. However, Chestnut Lake Campground has walk-in tent sites too so any style of camping is welcome here.

There are about 100 campsites here which are available for both short camping trips and longer-term stays.

Chestnut Lake Campground has a designated swimming area as well as boat rentals. The lake is great for fishing, too.

Click here to request a campsite reservation at Chestnut Lake Campground.

8. Keen Lake Resort

Keen Lake Resort is a family campground in Waymart, PA on the 90-acre Keen Lake.

Keen Lake Resort offers over 150 campsites, many of which are dedicated for seasonal campers. There is something for everyone as there are sites to accommodate tents, pop-up campers, vans, and RVs.

This campground provides many of the same amenities as other lakeside campgrounds like a boat launch, boat rentals, and a swim area. But it’s noteworthy that Keen Lake Resort also has a designated beach for pets and sells fishing supplies.

Click here to reserve a campsite at Keen Lake Resort. A specific campsite can be guaranteed with your reservation for an additional fee.

9. Otter Lake Camp Resort

Otter Lake Camp Resort is in East Stroudsburg, PA.

This privately-owned campground is in a spectacular location in the woods on the 60-acre Otter Lake. Most of the campsites are surrounded by trees and some are on the shore of the lake.

Tents and RVs can both be used at Otter Lake Camp Resort. The campsites are available for overnight and seasonal camping.

Otter Lake Camp Resort provides boat rentals for paddleboats, canoes, and more. There is also a boat launch and a designated swimming beach at the resort.

Fishing can be done without a fishing license at the campground.

Click here to reserve a campsite at Otter Lake Camp Resort.

10. Lake Moc-a-Tek Campground

Lake Moc-a-Tek Campground is in Lake Ariel, PA.

Although Lake Moc-a-Tek is much smaller than nearby Lake Wallenpaupack, there is still plenty of fun to be had on this 30-acre lake. Fishing and swimming are popular activities here, and rowboat rentals make it easy for any camper to get out on the lake.

This private campground has 150 RV sites as well as lakefront campsites for tents. These campsites are fitting for both overnight camping trips and seasonal camping.

Call (570) 226-3433 to reserve a campsite at Lake Moc-a-Tek Campground.

11. Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground

Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground is a large campground in the Endless Mountains near the state’s border with New York.

This lakefront campground is a great option for any style of camping. There are 200 campsites which can host any type of camping equipment from tents to RVs. The campground accepts reservations for both nightly and seasonal camping.

The campground’s private, 18-acre lake sits in the middle of the campsites. There are a number of lakefront RV sites, some of which include a wooden deck and a private dock for personal lake access. Camping on a lake doesn’t get any better than that!

Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground provides most of the equipment you’ll need to have fun out on the lake. Canoe and kayak rentals are available, and bait and tackle is sold for catch and release fishing.

Campers who are interested in securing a seasonal site should call the campground at (570) 247-2424. For short-term stays, click here to reserve a campsite at Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground.

Campgrounds with Lakes in Central PA

Central Pennsylvania is home to many large lakes with publicly-owned campgrounds. Here is a list of campgrounds with lakes from up in the Pennsylvania Wilds down to the Alleghenies.

12. Prince Gallitzin State Park

Prince Gallitzin State Park has a huge lakeside campground in Cambria County.

This state park has a whopping 400 campsites in its wooded campground. Tents and trailers can be used at these sites.

Although the campground has a large capacity, there’s plenty of space for campers to spread out on Glendale Lake. This lake is more than 1,500 acres big with 26 miles of shoreline.

Prince Gallitzin State Park has plenty of amenities in the campground and around the lake. The campground has its own swimming beach, boat launch, and boat rentals, though there is an additional beach and boat launches should you decide to explore more areas of the park.

A number of warmwater fish live in Glendale Lake including bass, bluegill, and perch.

If you prefer to admire the lake from the shore, there are over 30 miles of trails in the park which can treat hikers to views of the lake.

Campsites can be reserved up to 11 months in advance. Click here to reserve a campsite in Prince Gallitzin State Park.

13. Codorus State Park

Codorus State Park is conveniently located 30 minutes away from both York, PA and Gettysburg, PA.

The main attraction in Codorus State Park is Lake Marburg. This lake is over 1,000 acres and surrounded by trees, providing ample space and views for your camping trip.

The campground at Codorus State Park has almost 200 campsites which are suitable for tents as well as RVs up to 50 feet long.

Campers who bring their own boats can head out on the lake using the campground’s boat launch. If you need to rent a boat, the day use area near the campground offers canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards.

Note that swimming isn’t allowed in Lake Marburg. However, there is a swimming pool near the campground that can be used for an additional fee.

Campsites can be reserved up to 11 months in advance. Click here to reserve a campsite in Codorus State Park.

14. Kettle Creek State Park

Kettle Creek State Park is in Clinton County.

A portion of the Kettle Creek has been dammed to create a reservoir. Although there are 2 campgrounds in Kettle Creek State Park, the Upper Campground is the one closest to the reservoir and its recreation opportunities.

Unlike many campgrounds with lakes in Pennsylvania, the Kettle Creek reservoir cannot be accessed directly from the campground. The state park also does not allow swimming or provide boat rentals.

However, if these features are not must-haves for you, then the Kettle Creek reservoir is still a fantastic lake to camp at.

Campers who are interested in boating and fishing can still access the water from a boat ramp elsewhere on the lake.

Even if you don’t plan to spend any time out on the water, the park’s Upper Campground is a great place to camp. The campground is small with fewer than 30 campsites and the park has spectacular scenery with mountains along both sides of Kettle Creek.

Campsites can be reserved up to 11 months in advance. Click here to reserve a campsite in Kettle Creek State Park.

15. Hills Creek State Park

Hills Creek State Park is home to one of several lakefront campgrounds in Tioga County.

The campground in this state park is on Hills Creek Lake. Tents and RVs can both be used at the campground’s 87 campsites.

Around the lake there are 2 boat launches, a sandy swimming beach, and opportunities to fish for warmwater species.

Campsites can be reserved up to 11 months in advance. Click here to reserve a campsite in Hills Creek State Park.

16. Seven Points Campground

Raystown Lake Recreation Area is about halfway between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh in Huntingdon County.

The lake that this beautiful park is named after is the largest lake that’s entirely in Pennsylvania’s borders. It’s over 27 miles long!

This winding, manmade lake has several campgrounds along its shore. Seven Points Campground, which is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is a great option for most campers.

Seven Points Campground has over 250 campsites dispersed across several separate campground loops. These campsites can accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs.

At the campground there is a boat launch and a swimming beach. Bait and tackle can be purchased at nearby merchants if you’d like to go fishing.

Campsites can be reserved 6 months in advance. Click here to reserve a campsite at Seven Points Campground.

17. Tompkins Campground

Tompkins Campground is another lakeside campground in Tioga County near the border with New York.

This campground is surrounded by woods on the shore of Cowanesque Lake. There are about 80 campsites for tents and RVs plus 16 hike-in sites in a more secluded section of the campground.

Cowanesque Lake has a boat ramp for campers who have their own watercraft. Two fishing access points can be found downstream of the Cowanesque Dam.

Campsites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance. Click here to reserve a campsite at Tompkins Campground.

18. Ives Run Campground

Ives Run Campground is yet another campground on a lake in Tioga County.

The campground is on the southern shore of Hammond Lake. Rolling hills surround the lake, making for scenic views no matter where you look.

There are over 150 campsites at Ives Run Campground. They are in a variety of settings and may be tucked in the trees or more exposed. Some campsites are along the lake’s shore. 

Campers may enjoy boating and fishing on Hammond Lake. A swimming beach is available, too.

Campsites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance. Click here to reserve a campsite at Ives Run Campground.

19. Curwensville Lake Recreation Area

Curwensville Lake is in Clearfield County.

There is a family-oriented campground on the lake with about 60 campsites for RVs and 8 primitive sites with a lake view.

The campground has everything you need for the whole family to make memories together on the lake. Bait and boat rentals are both available on site, and the sandy swimming beach includes a designated pet-friendly area.

Call (814) 236-2320 to reserve a campsite at Curwensville Lake.

Campgrounds with Lakes in Western PA

If you’re looking for a lakeside campground within a few hours of Pittsburgh, you have a variety of options. Here are campgrounds with lakes between Lake Erie and the Laurel Highlands.

20. Sara’s Campground

Sara’s Campground is a waterfront campground in Erie, PA.

It’s an ideal campground on Lake Erie for most campers since it can accommodate any style of camping.

There are over 100 campsites here including tent sites right on the shore of Lake Erie. Wooded campsites for tents, RVs, and trailers are also available.

Campsites can be reserved for overnight trips or on a seasonal basis.

There are lots of things to do near Sara’s Campground. The campground is conveniently located at the western end of Presque Isle State Park and near all of the things to do in Erie.

Anyone looking to reserve a campsite for an RV or trailer should email Sara’s Campground at camp@sarascampground.com for instructions. Tent camping is only available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

21. Pymatuning State Park

Pymatuning State Park is between Pittsburgh and Erie on the state’s border with Ohio.

The Pymatuning Reservoir is the biggest lake in Pennsylvania. It’s massive at about 17,000 acres!

Pymatuning State Park has 2 large campgrounds. The Jamestown Campground on the south shore of the lake has 320 campsites. The Linesville Campground on the reservoir’s north shore has 80 campsites.

You may want to choose which campground to stay at based on what activities you’d like to participate in on your camping trip.

Jamestown Campground has a swimming beach (though there are others around the lake) and is near boat rentals. If you prefer fishing, the Linesville Campground includes a fish cleaning station.

Both campgrounds have a boat launch.

Campsites can be reserved up to 11 months in advance. Click here to reserve a campsite in Pymatuning State Park.

22. Laurel Hill State Park

Laurel Hill State Park is in Somerset County.

The park’s lake, Laurel Hill Lake, is a pretty 63-acre lake surrounded by tree-covered hills. The terrain makes for a beautiful backdrop whether the trees are lush and green in the summer or alight with color in fall.

The state park’s campground is just south of Laurel Hill Lake, so even though it’s not a waterfront campground it is still easy for campers to access the lake.

There are lots of ways campers can stay entertained at Laurel Hill Lake. The lake has a large sandy beach, 2 boat launches, boats and stand-up paddleboards for rent, and fishing for several warmwater and coldwater species.

Campsites can be reserved up to 11 months in advance. Click here to reserve a campsite in Laurel Hill State Park.

23. Quemahoning Family Recreation Area

Quemahoning Family Recreation Area is an hour and a half east of Pittsburgh in Somerset County.

This campground is on a wooded peninsula on the Quemahoning Reservoir. The setting makes for the perfect outdoor escape into nature.

The campground is smaller than many of the lakeside campgrounds on this list, with only 30 tent sites and 25 RV sites. The tent sites are either on the shore or set back in the woods, so they’re all in a spectacular environment no matter which site you choose.

Quemahoning Family Recreation Area supplies everything campers need to enjoy their time on the Quemahoning Reservoir. The campground has boat rentals and fishing tackle available at the “Yak Shak”, a designated swimming area, and a boat ramp.

Campsite reservations open each spring. Click here to reserve a campsite at the Quemahoning Family Recreation Area.

24. Twin Lakes Recreation Area

Twin Lakes Recreation Area is in Allegheny National Forest in northwest Pennsylvania.

The lake here is much smaller than other lakes with campgrounds in Pennsylvania but campers can still have loads of lakeside fun here.

There are 50 campsites at Twin Lakes Recreation Area which are evenly split between 2 separate campgrounds. These campgrounds aren’t right on the lake but are not too far away.

The campsites are on the small side, so note that RVs and trailers longer than 28 feet are not ideal for these campgrounds.

The lake has a swimming beach and fishing piers to catch stocked trout. Note that boating is not allowed on this small lake, so you may want to choose a different campground if you have your heart set on boating during your camping trip.

Call (814) 389-3019 to request a campsite at Twin Lakes Recreation Area.

25. Mirror Lake RV Campground

Mirror Lake RV Campground is located about an hour east of Pittsburgh.

This RV park is a good place to camp if you’re looking for a little place to fish with family.

The campground is across a creek from the property’s 5-acre lake.

Campsites are available not just for RVs but also for tents. They can be reserved for short overnight trips as well as seasonal stays.

Campers staying at this family-friendly RV park can access everything they need for fishing once they arrive at camp. The campground sells fishing poles, bait, and other fishing supplies.

To reserve a campsite at Mirror Lake RV Campground, call 888-234-9983 or click here to submit a reservation online.

Looking for more campgrounds? Check out these related articles:

• Best Camping In The Poconos: 14 Amazing Places To Camp
• The Best PA Campgrounds Near Lake Erie
• 10 Campgrounds With Lakes In New Jersey

As always, enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Leave no trace on all of your adventures.