Stories and photos by Robin Smith (unless otherwise indicated)
In rural central Pennsylvania, Raystown Lake Area has some excellent chain hotels such as the Fairfield by Marriottand the Comfort Inn. Still, many people who come to the area want a different type of experience. Camping is big, there are over 3,000 campsites to choose from in the Raystown Lake Region of Pennsylvania. Plus you will find many other types of accommodations such as rustic cottages, lodges, some luxury inns, and Bed & Breakfasts. Below are a few favorites.
Bear’s Paw Lodge
Enjoy a rustic mountain escape perched on a private mountaintop with picturesque views! A wall of windows allows you to enjoy nature and the passing wildlife. There is a gourmet kitchen for meal preparation and a stone double-sided stone fireplace for those cool, crisp nights. Exploring 40 acres of private wooded land and enjoy the nearby lake. This log cabin sleeps 25 with six bedrooms and six baths. Bear’s Paw Lodge also has a loft and a sauna on the garden level. This luxury retreat destination is one you will long remember.
7465 Camp Peters Dr, Huntingdon, PA 16652
Lane’s Country Homestead and Lodge
I have stayed at the Lane’s Country Lodge and loved it. Nestled on 146 acres with breathtaking views of the valley and nearby mountains, you have lots of privacy. There are wooded trails and a fishing pond. You have your own private in-ground pool and private frisbee golf course. It is a few miles from the lake but close enough to enjoy the lake and enjoy a bit more privacy. The lodge is terrific for accommodating up to 30 guests. We held my son’s first birthday party here. It was large enough for both sides of the family to attend with lots of extra room. Then again, when he was 10, we had a Harry Potter-themed birthday here. It was perfect!
6073 Lane Rd, Cassville, PA 16623
Allegrippis Lodge
One of the closest places to stay by the Seven Points Recreation Area, Allegrippis Lodge provides direct access across the street to The Allegrippis Trail System. Sitting atop a ridge in the breathtaking Allegheny Mountains, the home is 2800 square feet with covered porches surrounding the house. Allegrippis Lodge, a large country kitchen with a granite breakfast bar, three bedrooms, and two baths. Enjoy peace and quiet as you relax on the front porch rockers. Watch spectacular sunsets over Tussey Mountain, and if you are there in the fall, make use of the large outdoor fireplace on the back porch. After a day of hiking the trails, swimming, bike riding, fishing, and sightseeing soak in the Master Bath jetted tub.
Just a half-mile from the Seven Points Recreation Area, you will find a restaurant, marina, beach area, and the 30-mile long lake.
13622 Upper Corners Rd, Hesston PA
Edgewater Inn
A historic country Inn overlooking the Juniata River, they have 20 guest rooms, each with private baths. Homecooked breakfasts are provided for all guests. Internet access, a lounge, an onsite restaurant, and meeting rooms are available in a relaxed atmosphere at Edgewater Inn.
7653 Edgewater Acres Circle, Alexandria PA
Inn at Solvang
Sitting on 80 acres, this southern colonial home is surrounded by forests and lawns. The Inn provides a tranquil and luxurious alternative to hotel accommodations.
Unwind as you fish in a private trout stream, stroll through the woods or play golf. A nationally certified massage therapist is on hand to provide relaxing massages is if you desire.
The Inn at Solvang offers private baths, jetted showers, and feather beds. Guests enjoy free wireless internet, TVs with cable in each guest room, and central air conditioning throughout. There is an additional sitting room for relaxation, and they provide full gourmet breakfasts for their guests in the dining room.
10611 Standing Stone Rd, Huntingdon, PA 16652
Gage Mansion Bed & Breakfast
This grand Victorian Inn has seven luxuriously modern guest rooms and is located in the heart of Huntingdon, PA. You are within walking distance of dining and shopping. Paddling and hiking venues are nearby.
A hearty breakfast is included for guests, and each room features luxury bedding, private bath, individual climate control, separate seating areas, complimentary wifi, and high definition TVs. Select rooms offer a private balcony and fireplaces.
Airydale Retreat – Relax at this Glamping Paradise
This unique glamping opportunity offers relaxation and cozy campfires. Each spacious tent is furnished with a double bed and linens, kitchen, cookware, and a fire ring. Enjoy being immersed in nature and count the stars in the night sky.
Airydale Retreat provides unique camping accommodations that combine traditional camping elements with some of the creature comforts of home. It allows guests to experience nature in a refreshingly different way.
Located in the woods of Pennsylvania, you will be immersed in nature under a canopy of trees. They even have a suspended hammock tent that is suspended in the air while you sleep.
10272 Big Valley Pike, Mill Creek, PA 17060
Heritage Cove Resort Campsites and Cabins
Located in a the secluded southern end of Raystown Lake, Heritage Cove Resort offers full-service RV campsites and vacation cottages in a relaxing setting. Located right on the lake’s edge, they have their own boat launch and docking to provide easy lake access. The resort also has an in-ground pool, boat rentals, and shower facilities.
I used to take the children from our church here for a four-day camp. It was the perfect location with everything we needed.
1172 River Rd, Saxton, PA 16678
Seven Points Campsites
Seven Points, located in Hesston, PA, has six different camping loops, each camping loop has a restroom and a playground, and most loops have showers. Campsites are spacious and include a picnic table, fire grill, and lantern hanger. Most sites offer electric hookups. As a convenient bonus, sites are a mile from groceries, bait, tackle, and gas. Some of the sites are in wooded areas, and some are right along the water. A full-service marina is available.
One thing I liked about camping at Seven Points was the fact that rangers patrolled the campgrounds routinely throughout the day and evening.
6145 Seven Points Road, Hesston, PA 16647
Lake Raystown Resort
The Lake Raystown Resort offers a variety of different camping and lodging experiences. They have a lodge, campsites, cabins, villas, and yurts.
Tents and RV’s
Their campsites have water, electrical service, wifi available, cable hookups, fire rings, picnic tables, and a dump station. The campsites have restrooms in each area, along with showers and changing areas.
The campsites are in great proximity to the lake, and the area is private and visitors are screened when they enter the area.
Cabins and Cottages
Enjoy the comforts of home in a cozy cottage in quiet seclusion. These cabins sleep anywhere from 2 – 8 people. They include a kitchen, bathrooms, air conditioning, and heat. At least one private bedroom and some have more and bed linens are included. There are also TV’s in every cabin. Some include a loft with a mattress, and the living area has pullout sofas to create more sleeping areas.
Villas and Bungalows
The villas and bungalows provide two private bedrooms and sleeps 2-6 people. They also have a kitchen, private bath, air conditioning, and heat. Many of these are right along the edge of the lake on their own peninsula.
Yurts
Glamping at Raystown Lake is an extraordinary experience. Take away all the negatives of camping, such as bugs, rain dirt, and enjoy a bit of luxury as you camp. Yurts are circular, tent-like structures that have a wood floor, windows, and comfy beds with fresh linens. Each yurt includes climate control, internet access, linens, and best of all – a skylight for stargazing. Plus outside, you have a picnic table, deck, and a fire ring. Each yurt can accommodate up to 6 people. Yurts also include a mini-fridge and a TV. The yurts are located in a serene, semi-private space surrounded by trees. Unfortunately, they do not include a bathroom, but you are steps away from a bathhouse.
Lodge
Similar to a hotel, the lodge is located near the Conference Center. Escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy the Raystown Lake without roughing it. The lodge has 50 rooms and two suites, featuring guest rooms overlooking trees and the Resort’s Marina. Each room includes a kitchenette with microwave, refrigerator, Keurig coffee maker, and a private balcony. Guests enjoy daily maid service.
Chipmunk Crossing, Saxton, PA 16678
Heron’s Cove Cabin
This fantastic log cabin is within walking distance of Raystown Lake. Just minutes from the marina and boat launch, there is plenty of room in the cabin with a large open great room/dining/kitchen area for the whole group to enjoy. There are four large bedrooms and three and a half baths. It also has a basement rec room with a flat-screen smart TV. Amenities include free wifi, ping pong, and pool table, fire pit, large sports court for tennis, volleyball, and basketball. Heron’s Cove Cabin sleeps up to 12 guests.
11737 Nikki Lane, Huntingdon, PA 16652
Rent a Houseboat on Raystown Lake
If you want a truly unique vacation, consider renting a houseboat at the Seven Points Marina and spending the entire week living on the lake. Boats sleep 4 – 10 people. Many of the boats have a slide on the back to make your water time even more exciting and some also have a hot tub. Your own floating house on the lake sounds like an excellent idea to me!
Enjoy the Quiet Nature of the Raystown Lake Area
Wherever you choose to say in Raytown Lake Area, you are sure to enjoy quiet nature and relaxation.
