Susquehannock

Susquehannock Campground is located on the 8,300-acre Raystown Lake, in the ridge and valley province of Pennsylvania. Susquehannock is the preferred campground of many visiting mountain bikers due to its proximity and easy access to the internationally-acclaimed, 36-mile Allegrippis Trail System. Those looking to build their skills can visit the mountain bike skills park near the Visitors Center in nearby Seven Points. Hikers can explore the 25-mile Terrace Mountain Trail, the 3.5-mile Old Loggers Trail, or the 1-mile Hillside Nature Trail, and the Greenside Pathway — a recycled rubber-tire trail — links the campgrounds to all Seven Points facilities, a much safer path than the road. Boating is a favorite activity at Raystown Lake, and with no boat horsepower limit the water-based fun is nearly endless: high-speed tubing, water skiing and wakeboarding, or more relaxed pontoon cruising, kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding. The expansive 28-mile lake offers space for both adventure and peaceful coves perfect for swimming or lounging. Anglers can reel in striped bass, trout, walleye, crappie and more from shore, boat, or below the dam, and public lands around the lake are open for seasonal hunting of deer, turkey and small game in line with PA Game Commission regulations. Each summer weekend, park rangers and environmental education interns host free educational and entertainment programs for all ages at the Seven Points amphitheater, public swim beaches and campgrounds. Seven Points also features two highly-rated disc golf courses: the beginner-friendly Pine 9 and the more advanced Ravine 18. Susquehannock is a primitive campground offering more than 60 newly-renovated campsites, including over 20 tent-only sites. Each site features a level camping and parking pad, a fire ring with a grill, a picnic table and a lantern pole. Many sites are waterfront, while others are just a short walk from the water's edge, showcasing breathtaking scenic views of the lake set against the forested backdrop of Terrace Mountain. All sites are non-electric and vault toilet restrooms are just a short walk away; waterborne restrooms with hot showers are available nearby at the Seven Points Beach, and coin-operated laundry facilities are in the Ridge loop of Seven Points Campground. After you check in, make sure you stop at the water hydrant just past the Susquehannock Entrance Station to fill up with potable water before driving down to your site. Raystown Lake sits within the ridge and valley province along the Appalachian Mountain range, a region known for its forested ridges, deep valleys and dramatic elevation changes, with a scenic backdrop of oak-hickory forests, mountain ridges and steep cliffs. The lake is fed by the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River and is the largest lake entirely within Pennsylvania, with 118 miles of undeveloped shoreline. Terrace Mountain runs along much of the eastern shoreline, providing elevated views and miles of rugged trail. The surrounding forests are home to deer, turkeys, black bears and a variety of birds, including species migrating through in fall and spring. The climate suits outdoor recreation especially from Memorial Day to Labor Day, with daytime highs in the 70s to 90s and two to three inches of rainfall per month; spring and fall bring cool nights, mild days and colorful foliage. The charming college town of Huntingdon is just 11 miles north of Seven Points, with restaurants, cafés and shops as well as grocery stores and other conveniences, a pleasant historic downtown, and community events, live music or farmers markets in season. Families and history buffs will enjoy Lincoln Caverns and Whisper Rocks, where guided tours lead through underground passageways filled with stalactites and stalagmites, alongside gemstone panning and educational programs. Also nearby are the Swigart Antique Automobile Museum, with its collection of vintage cars, motorcycles and memorabilia; Trough Creek State Park, with natural landmarks like Balanced Rock, Rainbow Falls and the Ice Mine; and, as a day trip, the Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum and the Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark.