Gray Squirrel Campground, Beavertown, PA

About

**Introduction / Overview: Your Peaceful Retreat in Central Pennsylvania**

Escape the noise and find your peace at Gray Squirrel Campground, a cherished local destination nestled at the base of Jack's Mountain in scenic Beavertown, Pennsylvania. This welcoming, family-owned campground is more than just a place to pitch a tent or park an RV; it’s a dedicated outdoor community established on 129 beautiful acres in the heart of Snyder County. Owners Dennis and Jill Zimmerman are known for their hands-on approach and dedication to ensuring every guest, whether a passing traveler or a seasonal camper, feels like part of the family—a sentiment often echoed by visitors who appreciate the personal touch and genuine Central PA hospitality.

For the Pennsylvania resident, Gray Squirrel Campground offers the perfect blend of rugged natural beauty and convenient, comprehensive facilities. It serves as an ideal base camp for exploring the vast Bald Eagle State Forest, which borders the property, and is just minutes from the excellent fishing opportunities at nearby Walker Lake. Whether you are looking for a weekend escape with full hookups for your RV, a rustic electric tent site under a tree canopy, or a cozy cottage rental, Gray Squirrel Campsites provides diverse accommodations to suit your style of adventure. The campground operates with clear, concise rules designed to ensure a respectful and quiet environment for all guests, promoting a friendly atmosphere where the focus remains squarely on relaxation and enjoying God's beautiful creation.

**Location and Accessibility**

Gray Squirrel Campground boasts a prime, easily accessible location that situates it perfectly for Pennsylvania residents from across the state looking for a natural getaway.

Address:

507 Gray Squirrel Rd, Beavertown, PA 17813, USA

The campground is strategically located in Snyder County, providing excellent drive-time proximity to several major Pennsylvania hubs. It is only about 48 minutes from State College, less than an hour from Williamsport, and roughly an hour from Harrisburg, making it a viable option for a quick weekend trip without the long travel commitment. This convenience is a significant benefit for locals looking to maximize their relaxation time. Nestled near Troxelville Road, the site offers a quiet, rural setting while maintaining accessibility to local towns like Beavertown for supplies. Crucially, the location at the base of Jack's Mountain and bordering Bald Eagle State Forest means that outdoor adventure starts the moment you arrive. Nearby attractions like Raymond B. Winter State Park, Poe Paddy State Park, and McCalls Dam State Park are all within a short, scenic drive, solidifying Gray Squirrel Campground as a central hub for exploring the diverse landscapes of Central Pennsylvania.

**Services Offered**

Gray Squirrel Campground provides a wide array of services and site types designed to accommodate nearly every style of camper, from seasoned RV travelers to those seeking a simple tent-based retreat.

**Diverse Campsite Hookups:** Options include full hookup sites (electric, water, sewer) and partial hookup sites (electric and water) for RVs.
**Tenting Sites:** Dedicated tenting areas are available, offering both basic non-electric sites and electric-equipped tent sites, all with access to the central bathhouse.
**Cottage Rentals:** Cozy, efficiency-style rental cottages are available, complete with a single bedroom, living space, kitchen appliances, and silverware, offering a comfortable, home-like alternative to camping.
**Full Bathhouse Facilities:** Comprehensive restroom and shower facilities are provided to ensure a comfortable stay for all guests, particularly those using tent sites or non-hookup RV spots.
**Laundry Facilities:** Coin-operated washer and dryer units are available on-site for guest convenience during longer stays.
**Seasonal Camping:** The campground offers both short-term daily/weekly rates and affordable seasonal rates, allowing local campers to establish a semi-permanent summer retreat from April 1st to October 31st.

**Features / Highlights**

The experience at Gray Squirrel Campground is elevated by its unique facilities and proximity to outstanding natural landmarks, creating a memorable Central PA camping experience.

**The Activities Center:** This large indoor hub is a unique feature, equipped with an indoor shuffleboard court, a piano, and plenty of open space, making it a perfect spot for gathering and organized camp events, regardless of the weather.
**The Lodge:** A full-size kitchen and ample entertaining space make The Lodge an excellent venue for family reunions, group gatherings, and private events, showcasing the campground's commitment to community.
**Proximity to Walker Lake:** The campground is located within two miles of Walker Lake, a highly-regarded destination for local fishing enthusiasts.
**Direct Trail Access:** The site borders Bald Eagle State Forest and sits at the base of Jack's Mountain, offering guests convenient access to numerous hiking and potential ATV trails (with specific rules applying to vehicle use).
**Friendly and Engaged Ownership:** As highlighted by numerous visitors, the personal hospitality of owners Dennis and Jill Zimmerman creates a welcoming environment, often going the extra mile to find space for last-minute bookings and ensure a pleasant stay.
**Outdoor Chapel:** A secluded, redone outdoor chapel area offers a tranquil spot for quiet reflection and enjoying the natural surroundings.

**Contact Information**

For reservations, seasonal rate inquiries, or general information regarding availability, locals are encouraged to contact the office directly.

Address:

507 Gray Squirrel Rd, Beavertown, PA 17813, USA

Phone:

(570) 837-0333

Email:

(Check the official website for the current email, typically listed as graysq1@yahoo.com or similar.)

Season Dates:

The camping season typically begins on April 1st and ends on October 31st, though daily rates may apply for off-season stays with limited amenities.

**Conclusion: Why this place is Suitable for Locals**

Gray Squirrel Campground is the quintessential Central Pennsylvania camping retreat, perfectly tailored for the needs of local residents. It provides the essential trifecta of local suitability: convenience, quality amenities, and access to premium state forest land. For the busy Pennsylvanian, its location near major roadways means less time driving and more time relaxing by the campfire, fishing at Walker Lake, or hiking the trails of Jack's Mountain. The diversity of accommodation—from fully-serviced RV spots to charming cottages—means locals can select the exact level of comfort they desire. While the campground maintains strict rules to ensure a peaceful atmosphere, this commitment to order ultimately benefits the community, guaranteeing a quiet, respectful, and high-quality outdoor experience. Whether you’re a family seeking a week of organized fun, a seasonal camper wanting a summer getaway, or an adventurer pivoting their trip to explore the great PA wilderness, Gray Squirrel Campground stands ready to be your friendly, well-appointed, and familiar home-away-from-home in the heart of the Commonwealth.

Reviews

We arrived on the 2nd of July the owners left a note on the door to our site which was very nice. Very quiet no one around us. The owner came down to introduce him self which was very nice. He did tell us we had to park up the hill.so we unloaded all our camping supplies. The next day we brought our truck down to lift the kayak onto the truck. The owner was there and we said I hope you don’t mind we brought our truck down. He said you don’t want to get thrown out do you, which I really thought he was joking. We parked our truck up on the hill every day after that. We wasn’t at the tent site much we was visiting family from Beavertown.on the last day Monday morning we packed up all our camping stuff. We brought the truck down to load everything up. Cause there is no way to bring everything up the hill. We were the last tent site on the left. Now the owner did say if we needed anything just to call him but we didn’t call him to help us to load our truck, I thought that would be not right to ask of him. So we did it our selfs. Well he came by and told us we were not welcome to come back my husband was not allowed to take a shower before we hit the road we had a six hr drive a head of us. Then we were escorted out of the camp. I try to explain we just needed to load the truck up. I truly was modified. In all my years of camping we left the place spotless. We only slept at the site we was never there.I feel so bad to be treated this way. I don’t know how anyone could move all your stuff walking up that hill. We are 65 year old not a young chicken anymore. We are not allowed back. One sad camper

Jul 08, 2025 · Mary Manson

My friend Seth and I had originally planned a multi-day kayaking trip down the Allegheny River, but when storms rolled in and river levels rose, we had to pivot our adventure into a road trip across Pennsylvania. That change brought us to Gray Squirrel Campground—and we’re so grateful it did. It was Memorial Day weekend, and the place was fully booked, but Jill and Dennis went out of their way to find us a spot. Not only did they make room for us, but they also made it feel like home. They picked a peaceful, tree-filled area perfect for our hammocks and even placed a picnic table and fire pit there so we could enjoy the night. Dennis greeted us with a huge smile and a great sense of humor—he rolled up to our car and said, “Are you ready for adventure? ’Cause we’re gonna take this thing off-road.” That moment set the tone for a warm, welcoming, and fun stay. This stop turned out to be one of the highlights of our unexpected trip. Jill and Dennis’s kindness and hospitality made all the difference. Highly recommend!

May 26, 2025 · Joseph St. John

Amazing experience, quiet place to get away. Full hookup, no body bothered us at all. Will definitely come back. Recommend to those who want a nice relaxing weekend. Lots of room for bigger rigs too

May 04, 2025 · Chase Hart

If you like quiet this is the place to be many trails nearby to explore right next to state forest

May 14, 2025 · Eugene Sheesley

Wish we would of found this place sooner! Didn't know it existed until we found a house in the area & needed a place to stay with our motor home. It's tucked away in a wooded corner of beautiful Pa, it has a creek that runs thru it, plenty of walking areas, animal friendly, , & people extra friendly! The owners, Julie & Dennis are as nice , & laid back as a Sunday afternoon😊 The rates are unbeatable anywhere for full hookup, they have a seasonal rate also, had we found them before we bought a home , we would have done a seasonal rate here. It's quiet, even tho they have a large number of campers, it is very quiet , day & night, I stayed in 28A & can hear the creek at night when I had my windows open, very peaceful. If u haven't stayed there I highly recommend it,, it's like a community, more than a campground

Nov 23, 2023 · Nona Pic

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