Bald Eagle State Park: Primitive Campground - Howard PA Camping

Preview: Located just north of Interstate 80 in central Pennsylvania, Bald Eagle State Park is a very popular destination for campers. The main attraction of the park is its 1,700-acre Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir, on which boats of unlimited horsepower are permitted (and you will see some fast and powerful boats here). The reservoir was named to commemorate F. J. Sayers, who hailed from Centre County. As a private first class in World War II, Sayers gave his life in a heroic assault on the Germans near Thionville, France, an act that earned him the Congressional Medal of Honor. Although the reservoir is the central focus here, you have lots of options for things to do in the 5,900-acre park other than zip around on the lake. It has areas for hiking, swimming, and picnicking, and it has a gem of a campground that is set off in a secluded section of the park away from the hustle and bustle. When I first got to the park late in the day, I was disappointed upon finding the Russell P. Letterman Campground on the north shore of the lake. I thought that this—with its 101 grassy and open sites, little privacy, and loads of trailers and RVs—was “the” campground at the park. I took a quick drive through and decided that I would push on that evening to Black Moshannon Park about 45 minutes down the road. On my way out of the park, I spotted a sign for the “primitive” campground. I’ve always been captivated by campgrounds that are called primitive; the description makes me think maybe I’ll run into cavemen and woolly mammoths if I am lucky. So I thought that I should have a look and give Bald Eagle another chance. I’m glad I did
© Copyright Matt Willen published by Menasha Ridge Press all rights reserved.


Duration: 70 sites (35 tent only)
Best Time to Go: Second Friday in April until late December
This travel guide comes from:
The Best in Tent Camping: Pennsylvania Guide Book