Campgrounds and RV parks near Hyndman, PA

Water recreation drives most trips in this corner of Pennsylvania. Shawnee Lake supports swimming and fishing, and the lake has three boat launches for electric and non-powered boats only, with gas-powered boats prohibited. Sixteen miles of trails are laid out throughout the park, and hunting, trapping, and dog training are allowed on over 3,000 acres of land. South of Hyndman, the C&O Canal towpath runs from Cumberland to Washington, D.C. Cyclists and hikers use Spring Gap Campground as a staging point, and the campground has a boat ramp for easy access to the Potomac River for kayakers and anglers. Bedford itself, roughly ten miles east of Shawnee State Park, offers historic streets, covered bridges, and quick access to the Flight 93 National Memorial.

The main camping window in this area runs from mid-April through late October. At Shawnee State Park, the camping season begins the second Friday in April and ends in late December, though the park is open all year round, but between January and March you won't be able to stay in the campground. Summer weekends fill early: reservations must be made 3 days ahead of arrival and can be made up to 11 months in advance, and a two-night minimum stay is required for a Saturday during the summer season. Spring and fall are the most comfortable stretches for RV travel. Daytime highs sit in the 50s to low 70s Fahrenheit, bugs are lighter, and foliage peaks in October across the ridges. Summer brings warm afternoons, occasional thunderstorms, and the busiest campgrounds. Winter is cold and snowy. The park is known to get large amounts of snowfall in wintertime, so it is wise to check weather conditions before traveling. The state park campground closes to overnight stays, and the hand pump well at Spring Gap is turned on April 15 through October 31, so bring water for use if camping between November 1 and April 14.

Shawnee State Park has approximately 200 campsites that accommodate tents or trailers, each with a picnic table and fire ring. Many sites have electric service and some have full-hookup service, which includes sewer, water, and electricity. There is a sanitary dump station and centrally located shower houses with flush toilets, showers, and large utility sinks for dishwashing. Spring Gap is more primitive. The campground offers 12 single drive-in campsites and two drive-in group sites. Trailers can be no longer than 20 feet. Pit and portable toilets are available, and the park is a trash free park, so plan to take all trash with you. Cell coverage is patchy through the mountains around Hyndman. Cell service is unpredictable in and around many Pennsylvania State Parks, so download the park map before your visit. Expect gravel access roads at smaller campgrounds, and plan food storage for black bears, which are active across Bedford County.