Discover Shawnee State Park Campground: Your Ideal Pennsylvania Outdoor Retreat

118 reviews

132 State Park Rd, Schellsburg, PA 15559, USA
+1 814-733-4218
webSite

Shawnee State Park Campground Introduce

For Pennsylvania residents seeking a truly versatile and enjoyable outdoor experience, Shawnee State Park Campground in Schellsburg, PA, stands out as a prime destination. This "very nicely maintained state park" offers a wide array of amenities and activities, making it an excellent choice for everyone from seasoned campers to families looking for a relaxing getaway. With its beautiful setting, diverse facilities, and commitment to visitor satisfaction, Shawnee State Park Campground provides a delightful escape into the natural beauty of the Keystone State.

Introduction / Overview

Shawnee State Park Campground is a well-established and highly regarded state park facility offering "great camping and day use facilities." With over 300 sites to choose from, it accommodates a variety of camping preferences, from spacious RV lots to comfortable tent sites, and even cozy cabins. The park is praised for its meticulous maintenance and inviting atmosphere. Visitors consistently highlight the ease of check-in and the helpfulness of the park rangers, ensuring a smooth start to your adventure. Beyond just camping, the campground provides access to a wealth of recreational opportunities, including a beautiful lake with a beach, extensive hiking trails, and a playground for the younger ones. The commitment to guest enjoyment is evident through "activities planned every weekend," making it a dynamic and engaging destination. Whether you're planning a quiet retreat into nature or an active family vacation, Shawnee State Park Campground delivers a comprehensive and delightful experience, promising comfort and enjoyment amidst Pennsylvania’s scenic beauty.

Location and Accessibility

Shawnee State Park Campground is ideally situated at 132 State Park Rd, Schellsburg, PA 15559, USA. Schellsburg is a charming borough nestled in Bedford County, in the south-central region of Pennsylvania. This area is characterized by its rolling hills, picturesque farmlands, and proximity to the Allegheny Mountains, offering a beautiful backdrop for outdoor recreation. The park’s location provides a harmonious blend of natural serenity and convenient accessibility for residents across Pennsylvania.

Reaching Shawnee State Park is straightforward, as it's generally well-connected by Pennsylvania's state highway system. The address indicates a direct route to the park, and once inside, the campground is clearly signposted. The ease of "check in" and the helpfulness of the rangers further streamline the arrival process. For campers with RVs, many sites are designed to be "easy to back into," ensuring a hassle-free setup. While a few tent sites might be slanted, the sheer volume of "over 300 sites to choose from" means there are plenty of options to find the perfect spot. The park's well-maintained internal roads make navigation simple, allowing all visitors to comfortably access the various amenities, from the beach to the hiking trails. Its location makes it an excellent choice for a weekend escape or a longer vacation, easily reachable for many Pennsylvanians.

Services Offered

Shawnee State Park Campground is well-equipped with a variety of services designed to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable stay for all visitors:

Extensive Campsite Options: With "over 300 sites to choose from," the campground accommodates various preferences. These include RV-friendly "larger sized lots" that are often "easy to back into with a camper," as well as numerous tent sites.
Cabin Rentals: For those seeking more comfort, well-made cabins are available. These cabins are equipped with essentials like a ceiling fan, a porch with a nice table, a nice wooden table inside, and heat (though not always needed in warmer months). Mattresses are also provided, ensuring a comfortable night's sleep.
Clean Restroom Facilities: The bathrooms are consistently described as "clean," a vital amenity for any campground, contributing significantly to visitor comfort.
Playground Facilities: A designated "playground" is available, providing a safe and engaging area for children to play, making it a family-friendly destination.
Beach Access: The campground offers access to a "beach" at Shawnee Lake, allowing for swimming, sunbathing, and other lakeside relaxation activities.
Hiking Trails: Numerous "trails" are accessible directly from the campground, providing opportunities for hiking and exploring the park's natural beauty.
Planned Activities: The park regularly organizes "activities planned every weekend," adding an extra layer of engagement and entertainment for campers.
Helpful Staff: Visitors consistently praise the "nice rangers" for their assistance with finding sites and general inquiries, indicating a high level of customer service.
Site Features: Most sites are noted for having "trees and shade," enhancing comfort during warmer days, and many offer larger dimensions.

While specific details on electric/water/sewer hookups for RVs aren't in these reviews, state park campgrounds typically offer a range of utility hookups, and with "larger sized lots" for campers, it's highly probable that various hookup options are available. It's always best to confirm specifics when reserving.

Features / Highlights

Shawnee State Park Campground boasts several key features and highlights that make it an exceptional choice for campers in Pennsylvania:

Extensive and Diverse Campsites: With "over 300 sites," the campground offers a wide selection, including "larger sized lots" that are "easy to back into with a camper," and sites with "trees and shade." This variety ensures there’s a perfect spot for every type of camper, from RVers to tent enthusiasts.
Comfortable Cabin Rentals: The availability of "well made" cabins provides a delightful alternative for those preferring a more solid shelter. These cabins are equipped with practical amenities like a "ceiling fan," "heat," and both indoor and outdoor tables, offering a "delightful experience."
Beautiful Beach Access: A major highlight is the park's "beach" at Shawnee Lake. This allows campers to enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and lakeside relaxation directly within the park, providing a resort-like amenity.
Abundant Recreational Opportunities: Beyond the beach, the park offers "trails" for hiking and exploring, as well as a "playground" for children. The fact that "activities planned every weekend" further enhances the recreational value, ensuring there’s always something engaging to do.
Impeccably Maintained Facilities: The campground is consistently described as "very nicely maintained" and features "clean bathrooms." This dedication to cleanliness and upkeep significantly contributes to a comfortable and pleasant stay for all visitors.
Friendly and Helpful Staff: The "nice rangers" are noted for their assistance during check-in and in helping campers find their sites, fostering a welcoming and supportive environment.
Versatile Use: The park excels in offering both "great camping and day use facilities," meaning visitors can enjoy the amenities even if they are not staying overnight, making it a flexible option for locals.

Contact Information

To plan your visit or make reservations at Shawnee State Park Campground, please use the following contact details:

Address: 132 State Park Rd, Schellsburg, PA 15559, USA

Phone: (814) 733-4218

Mobile Phone: +1 814-733-4218

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on site availability, specific amenities, and seasonal activities, it is highly recommended to call the park directly or visit the official Pennsylvania DCNR website for state park reservations.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For Pennsylvania locals, Shawnee State Park Campground in Schellsburg offers an incredibly well-rounded and accessible outdoor experience that's perfectly suited for a memorable getaway. Its location in south-central Pennsylvania makes it an easy drive for many residents across the state, minimizing travel time and maximizing relaxation. The sheer variety of "over 300 sites," including spacious RV lots, comfortable tent spots, and "well made" cabins, means there's a perfect option for every preference and group size. The park's commitment to maintenance is evident in its "very nicely maintained" grounds and "clean bathrooms," ensuring a comfortable and hygienic stay. What truly elevates Shawnee State Park for locals are its abundant recreational features: a "beach" for lakeside fun, extensive "trails" for hiking, a "playground" for children, and engaging "activities planned every weekend." This combination of diverse amenities, natural beauty, and a family-friendly atmosphere makes it an ideal spot for a stress-free weekend retreat or an extended vacation. Whether you're looking to relax by the water, explore the trails, or simply enjoy quality time with loved ones in a well-managed state park, Shawnee State Park Campground provides a delightful and convenient solution for any Pennsylvania outdoor enthusiast.

Location

Pennsylvania Bedford County Schellsburg State Park Road

Customer Reviews

4.0

118 reviews

Phil Goldblum

Apr 18, 2025

Very nicely maintained state park. Great camping and day use facilities.

James Marland

Jun 02, 2023

Easy check in. Nice rangers helped us find out site. The sites have trees and shade! Larger sized lots too from what I can tell. Most lots like easy to back into with a camper. A few of the tent sites look like they are slanted, but there are over 300 sites to choose from. There is a playground, a beach, and trails. They had activities planned every weekend. The bathrooms were clean. We are staying in one of the cabins. Mattress seems fine. Will be sleeping in it tonight. The cabin was well made and had a ceiling fan. The cabin had a porch with a nice table. There is also a nice wooden table inside. The cabin had heat, but we won’t be using it unless it drops too low at night. So far a delightful experience.

Punchy O'Guts

Jul 24, 2024

My first time at Shawnee at site 182, and it’s pleasant, but not without issues. The good: 1. There is ice and wood available at all hours, but you need cash for the ice ($2). The wood is in some kind of vending machine that takes cards and $5 and $1 bills only (no change). You can’t buy kindling, so you have to walk around and find sticks. 2. It’s pretty quiet throughout the week (not sure about the weekend). 3. Bathrooms and showers are clean and have a sink to do dishes, but the bathroom locations are sparse throughout the campground. 4. It’s pretty big, which is cool for folks who wants to ride bikes or skate in the campground. 5. The lake isn’t too far away and there is a beach with a swimming area and an inexpensive place to rent boats. The beach, however, has bizarre fencing a where the sand meets the water with gates to go through to enter the water. Why? I cannot find a single reason this is needed. The not so great: 1. If you’re camping in a tent, well, it’s rough. Most sites are on an incline, so you don’t have a flat space to put your tent. Also, the ground is full of jagged and sharp rocks, so sleeping on the ground is perilous. Bring a cot and not a blowup mattress. I think whomever created the sites did not have tent campers in mind. 2. Many folks have mentioned the smell, and they are correct. It’s a sewagey smell, but it’s not constant. 3. Many sites do not have electricity. 4. Many sites do not have much shade or trees to hang hammocks. 5. The park rangers wear bulletproof vests. I’ve never seen a park ranger wear those in any of the state parks I’ve visited across the country. It makes me feel unsafe. If the park rangers need to wear them, what is going on here? 6. There’s no camp store to get last minute needs. 7. If you like hiking and are looking for good trails, they are not here. If you like taking a pleasant walk, you can walk around the lake, which is paved (I think the whole loop), so it’s accessible for folks in wheelchairs and with difficulty walking. 8. The campground map is not very helpful and the signage around the camp is also not helpful. It was difficult to find the Lost Antler trail because the map wasn’t clear and the one sign was off the road behind a campsite. 9. At the lake, there are maps to the hospital. A curious choice, considering most people have a phone which will tell them where the hospital is and how to get there. In conclusion, I will not come back unless I have a camper or RV.

Ryan Svolto

Jul 03, 2023

Mostly flat gravel pads. I was on a pull-through with tons of additional space after parking. Very large park with a lake and water rentals. The bathrooms were clean but a little dated. The staff were very friendly. I hit my fair share of low branches inside the park but they were only twigs, no damage done. Enjoy!

Joanna Neiderhiser

May 22, 2022

First time visiting, pros and cons 1🏕 spacious sites 2🏕 visually stunning everywhere you look 3🏕 bathrooms have hot showers and clean 4🏕fishing/kayaking battery operated 5🏕 lake is breathtaking 6🏕ice on hand and wood 7🏕 great soft serve cones Shawnee market 8🏕 close to town if you forgot something like coffee pot. 9🏕 puppy loved it 10🏕covered bridges are close by 😢 the odor is not always present but does come and go. We’ve booked here again, so not enough to keep us away.