Bald Eagle State Park in Centre County officially opened its new White Pine Loop campground, as state parks across Pennsylvania experience a sharp increase in reservations following federal campground closures.
The opening ceremony drew state and local officials who highlighted the timing of the launch, which coincides with Memorial Day weekend and a broader state effort to accommodate campers.
The project represents a $1.9 million investment by the state. According to DCNR, it is part of a broader $120 million initiative to improve infrastructure across Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests, which began in 2023.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began a rolling closure of campground reservations at Raystown Lake in March due to a federal hiring freeze.
“Camping is up 30% already,” Cindy Dunn, secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), said, as reported by WPSU on May 22.
“This area here in Bald Eagle is up 55%,” Dunn added.
In response to the federal closures, the Shapiro administration introduced the “Still Open. Still Awesome” campaign aimed at promoting outdoor recreation at state-managed parks.
The White Pine Loop includes 22 campsites, each with full hookups, pet-friendly accommodations, and 50-amp service designed for larger recreational vehicles.
“White Pine Loop is ready for the bigger trailers,” said Bill Kocher, park operations manager at Bald Eagle State Park.
Kocher noted that many campgrounds lack the infrastructure to handle newer, larger RVs. The upgraded facilities at White Pine Loop were designed to address that gap and support a growing demand from RV users.
Though some campers have already used the site, final construction was only completed recently. Officials chose to mark the official opening ahead of the summer season to emphasize the campground’s readiness and capacity.