Closures at popular mid-state destinations including Raystown Lake have prompted some outdoors enthusiasts to seek alternate options.
YORK, Pa. — Summer is underway, a time when Pennsylvania’s state parks, lakes, campgrounds, hiking trails and other recreational areas are typically bustling with visitors.
But some families are being forced to change their plans after federal government budget cuts triggered closures at some top in-state destinations.
In March, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), which runs a number of recreational areas in Pennsylvania, said staffing shortages would require the agency to shut down some of its services.
“USACE staff will continue to prioritize tasks essential to public health and safety, such as dam operations for flood protection and emergency response readiness, but the staffing shortages will prohibit safe operations of these facilities ahead of the 2025 recreation season,” the agency said in March, when the closures were announced.
The most prominent among the camping areas that are closed indefinitely is Raystown Lake, an 8,300-acre man-made body of water operating by the Corps of Engineers. While some areas of the Huntingdon County destination are still open to the public, more than 300 campsites are closed.
In all, roughly 425 campsites across the state are not available this summer due to staffing shortages.
If you’re confused about what’s open and what’s not, here’s a list:
What Is Closed?
The Seven Points, Susquehannock, and Nancy’s Boat-to-Shore Campgrounds will remain closed until further notice, according to the Corps of Engineers. In all, those closures account for just over 300 campsites.
In addition, scheduled recreation and stewardship events will be reduced and are subject to cancellation, the agency said.
The Raystown Lake Visitor Center remains open, as are day-use facilities like beaches, overlooks, picnic pavilions, walking trails, boat launches, disc golf courses and the mountain bike skills park.
The Raystown Resort, which has cabins, yurts, tent campsites, RV sites, villas, and rooms at the main lodge available for rental, is also still open. So is the Seven Points Marina, which has docking facilities, houseboat and pontoon boat rentals, and boat services available.
The Tompkins Campground, including its swim beach and boat ramp, will remain closed until further notice. There are approximately 125 campsites in the area.
Day-use areas like the picnic pavilions, picnic areas, walking trails, boat launches, and the disc golf course remain open.
Leased areas and concessionaries, including Mill Cove, Tioga Little League Fields, and Mansfield Veterans Park will operate according to their respective schedules.
What Is Still Open?
Tioga-Hammond Lakes Recreation Area
The Ives Run Campground and Visitor Information Center, as well as day-use facilities such as picnic pavilions, walking trails, boat launches, disc golf course, swim beach and picnic areas, all remain open.
The Lambs Creek Recreation Area and boat ramp are also still open.
Leased areas and concessionaries, including Mill Cove, Tioga Little League Fields, and Mansfield Veterans Park will operate according to their respective schedules.
Allegheny National Forest
The Allegheny National Forest, which sprawls across four counties in the northwestern corner of Pennsylvania, offers over 1,000 campsites across more than 15 campgrounds. These sites range from primitive to full-service cabins with amenities like electricity and showers.
Additionally, there are many designated picnic areas and day use facilities within the forest, all of which remain open to the public.
The U.S. Forest Service operates the 513,000-acre forest area.
All Pennsylvania State Parks
Pennsylvania state parks have not been affected by budget cuts, and have been promoting a “Still Open. Still Awesome” campaign to encourage would-be visitors of parks affected by closures to try the Pa.-run options.
All of Pennsylvania’s 124 state parks and 2.2 million acres of state forests offer free, year-round recreation with no entrance fees. They offer 7,100 campsites—including tent sites, modern cabins, and yurts.
For a list of all of Pennsylvania’s state parks, go here.
Options in the south-central Pa. area include Gifford Pinchot State Park in Lewisberry, Kings Gap Environmental Education Center in Cumberland County and Little Buffalo State Park in Perry County.
To reserve a campsite, search here.
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