Overview

Nancy’s Boat-to-Shore Campground offers a secluded, primitive camping experience at Raystown Lake, accessible ONLY by boat (absolutely NO motor vehicle access). Located on Raystown’s western shoreline in the main channel between mile markers 15 and 16, Nancy’s provides a peaceful getaway from the busier developed areas of the lake. The campground is approximately a 20-minute motorboat ride or a 1.5- to 2.5-hour paddle from the James Creek and Aitch Boat Launch areas.

With 50 designated tent-only campsites, Nancy’s offers a mix of open, grassy sites to shaded, wooded sites, all within easy access to the waterfront. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with a grill. Excellent fishing, abundant wildlife, and direct access to the lake by boat make Nancy’s an ideal destination for campers looking to disconnect, explore, and enjoy a more remote Raystown Lake experience.

Facilities

Nancy’s Boat-to-Shore Campground is a primitive, tent-only campground accessible only by boat. The campground has 50 designated campsites, with a maximum of two tents permitted per site. Since there is no motor vehicle, ATV, or ORV access, campers must bring all necessary supplies, including potable drinking water, as no potable water is available to refill on site.

Each campsite includes a picnic table, lantern hanger, and campfire ring with grill, and campsites can accommodate a maximum of two tents. Sites vary from open, grassy areas to more secluded, shaded sites. There are no electric, water or sewer hookups, but vault toilets and dumpsters are available for campers. Shower facilities and waterborne restrooms are seasonally available at Seven Points Beach (Memorial Day to Labor Day weekends).

Because of its remote location, campers should plan to arrive prepared with everything they will need for their stay, including drinking water, food, camping supplies, and appropriate equipment for transporting gear by boat.

Natural Features

Raystown Lake is nestled within Pennsylvania’s Ridge and Valley Province, where forested mountains, steep slopes, rocky outcrops, and deep valleys create a scenic and rugged landscape. The shoreline around Nancy’s Boat-to-Shore Campground is surrounded by mature oak-hickory forest, providing a peaceful setting and opportunities to observe a variety of wildlife.

Raystown Lake is the largest manmade lake located entirely within Pennsylvania, stretching approximately 28 miles through the surrounding mountains. The lake is fed by the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River and features 118 miles of largely undeveloped shoreline.

Nancy’s location away from public roadways provides a particularly quiet setting for experiencing the natural character of Raystown Lake. Campers may encounter white-tailed deer, wild turkey, black bears, and a variety of resident and migrating birds while exploring the shoreline and surrounding forest.

Recreation

Nancy’s Boat-to-Shore Campground is an excellent destination for campers who want to spend their stay near the water and away from the crowds. Bring your boat, kayak, canoe, or paddleboard and explore the coves and miles of undeveloped shoreline surrounding the campground.

Fishing is a popular activity at Raystown Lake, with opportunities to catch smallmouth and largemouth bass, muskellunge, striped bass, brown trout, and other species. The secluded shoreline also provides excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, photography, swimming, paddling, and relaxing by the water.

Campers can explore nearby destinations by boat, including Trough Creek State Park, Seven Points, and Lake Raystown Resort. For those looking to explore the region by land, nearby trails include the Terrace Mountain Trail, Old Loggers Trail, and Allegrippis Trail System.

Camping at Nancy’s is best suited for visitors seeking a self-sufficient, primitive experience and the freedom to explore Raystown Lake from the water.

Nearby Attractions

Nancy’s Boat-to-Shore Campground provides access to several popular Raystown Lake destinations by boat. The James Creek and Aitch Boat Launch areas are located nearby and provide convenient access points for reaching the campground. Aitch Boat Launch also provides an opportunity to refill drinking water before heading to camp.

Across the lake, Trough Creek State Park offers hiking trails and scenic natural features including Balanced Rock, Rainbow Falls, and the Ice Mine. The Seven Points recreation area is also within easy boating distance and offers beaches, hiking and biking trails, the Raystown Lake Visitor Center, camping, disc golf, and other recreational opportunities. Nancy’s campers may also use the showers at Seven Points Beach.

Lake Raystown Resort is another nearby destination, offering a marina, dining, lodging, and additional recreational amenities. Because Nancy’s is intentionally removed from the road network, campers should plan ahead and remember that access to these destinations from the campground requires travel by boat.

Important Notices

• BOAT-TO-SHORE: Nancy's Boat to Shore Campground is boat-in only, meaning THIS CAMPING AREA CAN ONLY BE ACCESSED BY BOAT (NO MOTOR VEHICLE ACCESS)!!! No ATV's or ORV's allowed. Vehicle access may only be granted in the event of emergency at the discretion of park ranger staff.

• RESERVATIONS: Reservations can be made during peak season (April through October). There is no fee for camping outside this season (November through March). 

  Campers can make reservations up to 6 months in advance of stay or upon arrival during the peak season. 

• PRIMITIVE CAMPING: There are no waterborne restrooms, electricity / water / sewer site hook-ups, or water pumps at this facility. Bringing your own drinking water is highly suggested. Water can be refilled at Aitch Boat Launch or in the Seven Points Camp Loops (Senoia or Point). 

• PRIMARY OCCUPANT INFO: Primary occupant must be at least 18 years old and must occupy their campsite each night throughout the reservation period. Primary occupant is responsible for the actions of others at their campsite.

• CAMPING UNITS: Nancy's Camp is tent camping only. A strict maximum of 2 tents are permitted per campsite. Sites with more than 2 tents must make reservations on additional campsites. Boats may not serve as camping units. Camping is permitted only on one of the 50 designated sites.

• SHOWER FACILITIES: This campground has vault toilets. Nancy's campers may use waterborne restroom facilities at the Seven Points Beach for showering. Outdoor shower tents used for showering are prohibited.

• STAY LIMITS: Campers may not stay at any one or more campsites for a period longer than 14 days of any 30 consecutive day period. Violators are subject to citation and eviction.

• SITE TRANSFERS: Facility reservations may not be transferred to/from a third party with the intent of reselling or profiting from that transfer.  

• WATERFRONT ACCESS & BOAT MOORING: Campers on waterfront sites do not reserve exclusive access to the shoreline near their site. Campers with a reservation may moor their vessels for FREE anywhere along the Nancy's Camp shoreline.

• QUIET HOURS: 10:00 PM - 6:00 AM. Excessive noise that disturbs others is prohibited at all times. Generators are permitted but must be turned off at 10:00 PM, unless special permission has been granted.

• WILDLIFE: Bears, raccoons, skunks, etc., frequent the area. All food should be stored in tightly sealed containers away from sleeping areas.

• PET POLICY: Pets are permitted in campgrounds as long as the following conditions are met:  

  - Pet must be kept on a leash (six feet or less), caged or physically restrained at all times. Campers with aggressive pets may be asked to vacate campsite. 

  - Pets are not permitted in public buildings or restroom facilities. 

  - Pets may not be left unattended. Loud and continuous barking will not be tolerated. 

  - Pet waste must be cleaned up.

• FIREWORKS: Fireworks are prohibited. Firearms and other projectile firing devices are prohibited in campgrounds.

• DON'T MOVE FIREWOOD: Help us stop the spread of non-native invasive species (such as Spotted Lanternfly), by doing the following... 

  - Purchase firewood locally or harvest it from around your campsite. Dead wood on the ground may be used for firewood- Do not cut standing dead or green trees. Chainsaws can be used to cut firewood from 6 AM - 10 PM.

  - Do not transport firewood from home! 

  - Leave any extra locally sourced firewood for the next camper- don't take it home with you.

Available Activities

• WILDLIFE VIEWING - Wildlife Viewing
• FISHING - Fishing
• CAMPING - Camping

Directions

<p>The campground is a boat to shore facility and therefore is not accessible by driving. Nearest ramps for launching are Aitch and James Creek at Raystown Lake. Aitch is accessible from PA26 in Marklesburg and James Creek is accessible via PA994 near Entriken.</p>

Contact Information

Phone: 814-658-3405

Rental Options

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