Campgrounds and RV parks near Zion, PA

Water recreation centers on Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir at Bald Eagle State Park. A valid Pennsylvania fishing license is required for all anglers 16 years of age and older. A 1,200-foot sand and turf beach is open from late May to mid-September, and lifeguards are not provided. Hikers have room to roam. More than 14.5 miles of trails offer a range of hiking experiences through diverse habitats and wildlife. The Mid State Trail passes through nearby Bald Eagle State Forest and links to shorter loops and out-and-back overnight routes for backpackers. State College and the Penn State campus, including the Arboretum, are a short drive from the Bellefonte-area parks and from Seven Mountains Campground, making game-day weekends and campus visits practical from a base near Zion.

The camping calendar in central Pennsylvania is shaped by state park season dates and by lake and beach openings. The Russell P. Letterman Campground at Bald Eagle opens the second Friday of April and closes in mid-December. Two yurts in the Russell P. Letterman Campground open the second Friday in April and close after the end of deer season in mid-December. Private parks such as Seven Mountains Campground and the Bellefonte / State College KOA Holiday operate on longer seasons, with Seven Mountains offering year-round availability. Summer is peak season. Weekends around Penn State home football games fill quickly at private parks within an hour of State College, and lakeside sites at Bald Eagle book out well in advance. In winter, ice fishing, ice boating, and ice skating are popular when conditions permit, and cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are also common winter activities. Spring brings the wettest stretch of the year and a fire-permit rule for backcountry users. A free primitive camping permit is required if a backpacker desires an emergency point-of-contact or if a campfire is requested during the annual spring wildfire season in March, April, and May.

Amenities vary widely by park. Campers who want full-service hookups and RV camping will book at Russell P. Letterman Campground, which offers electrical hookups, warm showers, and even flushable toilets. Electric hookups of 30 amps are available at most sites, some campsites have 50-amp hookups, and some sites have full service hookup, which includes sewer, water, and electricity. Private parks near Bellefonte and Spring Mills typically add water and electric at each RV site along with a dump station. There are no modern facilities, water, dump stations, or utility hook-ups on state forest lands; however, the remote rustic nature appeals to the adventurous at heart. Designated roadside sites offer little beyond a picnic table and fire ring. Cell service is unpredictable in and around many Pennsylvania state parks, so downloading the park map before a visit is recommended. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in all Pennsylvania state parks.