Raccoon Creek State Park is a great place for beginners to test their hammock camping skills with access to several beautiful trails.
Guide
Location
Raccoon Creek is 7,572 acres of wilderness, featuring a gorgeous lake and several well-marked, well-maintained trails. It is located in southwestern Pennsylvania, about a forty-minute drive east of the city of Pittsburgh. If you are a local, it is surprisingly close to the Pavilion at Star Lake. The park office is located just off of PA State Route 18 near Hookstown, PA.
Scouting the Area
Raccoon Creek is open for visitation during daylight hours every day of the year. So, there is no excuse for not visiting to scout out areas you want to camp. As a hammock camper without freestanding supports, I was on the lookout for two well-spaced trees to set up my hammock. Additionally, this is a great opportunity to visit the park ranger’s office for information, maps, and park merchandise.
Available Camping Areas
The Sioux campground area is the best area for backpackers. It is accessible by car, with several Adirondack-style shelters, two group tenting areas, and four individual non-electric rustic camping spots. The group tenting area is actually the best spot for hammock campers, with plenty of open spaces and well-distanced trees. However, if you don’t have a larger group, the non-electric rustic spots are where you should camp.
Note that you will likely have camping neighbors, especially in the warmer months. This may not be your thing, but at least quiet hours run from 9 PM to 8 AM. The only problem is that even conversations at normal volume can easily be heard in the space. Plus, with the prohibition of alcoholic beverages, the likelihood of rowdy parties is pretty low. Park rangers do patrol the area and make a few rounds throghout the day.
Dangers and Obstacles
Some of the camping spots have dangers and obstacles you should be aware of. First, be on the lookout for dead trees. Staying in a tent or RV has you safely in the center of the space. However, as a hammock camper, you need to set up on the edge of the site or even a little into the bordering woods. I spotted several dead trees or branches nearby that would pose a danger, especially in a windstorm.
Also, be on the lookout for poison ivy. I had scouted these sites in March, when there was no vegetation except for leafless trees. However, when I went to camp there in June, I discovered poison ivy climbing up one of the trees I needed to attach my hammock to.
Lastly, the unpaved roads to the Sioux campground area are in good repair and do not require a lot of ground clearance to drive on. I saw several coupes and sedans navigate them with ease. However, I was warned by park staff that some roads further into the park are not as well-maintained.
Planning for Weather
If you’re familiar with Pittsburgh’s weather, especially in the spring and early summer, be prepared for rain. In your preferred weather app, look up the weather for Hookstown, PA, but round the temperature down since you’re out in the wilderness. I made this mistake on my first camping trip there, and while I was not in danger, I was certainly colder than I wanted to be.
Making Reservations
I have used two different methods to reserve a camping spot, online and by phone. The first time I made reservations, I did it the old-fashioned way and called. Their phone number is 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757). The person I talked with answered my questions and secured my reservation without any issues.
The next time I stayed there, I used the online system. While the phone was great for my first trip, I preferred the online system for its ability to communicate larger chunks of information more easily, namely the days various sites were available.
Costs and Fees
The cost, as of 2025, is $22 a night, or $147 a week. A non-refundable $6.50 fee is included in that price. There are also a $2 discount for senior citizens and people with disabilities. Mention these if you call on the phone, or check the appropriate box when making an online reservation.
Check-In Process
The good news is that there is no formal check-in process. Just show up at your campsite anytime after 3 PM. But I still encourage you to stop by the park ranger office to get paper maps and learn about any recent developments or conditions you should be aware of. Even if you make your reservation early that morning, you will have a receipt and parking permit waiting at your reserved space. The marker with your campsite number has a clip for those documents. However, if it’s raining, things will get a little soggy. There are also honor-system drop-offs for after
Cooking Options
I cold soak my meals, so the only thing I used at the camp sites was the picnic tables. Each site has one and it is in fairly good repair. They also have a fire ring, but I do not know about firewood as I did not build a fire. I suggest you check with the park office ahead of time to learn their fire pit rules and forest fire conditions.
Water Sources
We all know that proper hydration is essential for a successful hike. While you can certainly carry all the water you will drink, there are plenty of streams around the park to refill your bottles. You will need to filter and/or chemically treat it to be safe to consume. Check your hiking route ahead of time, but you will likely cross several water sources. Additionally, their rustic campground sites feature potable water and non-flushing toilets.
Summary
In closing, I think Raccoon Creek is a great place to start out backpacking. My first test camps were in my backyard. This was my first wilderness camp, and it was reassuring to have my vehicle nearby in case of emergency. There are plenty of high-quality hiking paths around the park that allow you to experience backpacking with the safety net of having a vehicle nearby. While there are many free options to backpack elsewhere, $22 is not a steep price to pay for a well-maintained campground.
Photos
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