Looking to escape to pristine nature and beautiful views? The Raystown Lake Region in Huntingdon County is the perfect place to explore the outdoors!
Disclaimer - Many of the activities mentioned in this blog post were sponsored by Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau. As always, my opinions are unbiased and my own. I want to thank the Huntingdon County VB for their generosity!
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Why Raystown Lake
Huntingdon County is a gem in Central Pennsylvania. Even the drive out to Raystown Lake Region from Pittsburgh was beautiful, through remote winding roads with beautiful foliage. There’s so much to do here – from adventures on the lake, to taking a hikes, to exploring the adorable small towns of the region. My first trip to the region was in Sept 2024, but I’ve now been back again because there’s so much to do and see!
Read on for all of the great things to do in the Raystown Lake Region!
Table of Contents
- Things to Do Near Raystown Lake
- Where to Eat Near Raystown Lake
- Where to Stay Near Raystown Lake
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Things to Do Near Raystown Lake
I think Raystown Lake has some of the most unique natural wonders, scenic viewpoints, and things to do in Pennsylvania.
Read on for the best things to do near Raystown Lake!
Visit Balanced Rock
Balanced Rock earns its name from being a giant rock that is precariously balanced on the side of a cliff in Trough Creek State Park. This rock is a short hike from the parking area. During the hike, you’ll pass the Copperas Rocks area. This rock formation is named for the strings of copper color through it. The trail also passes an adorable swinging bridge – fun for kids and adults alike. You’ll also pass Rainbow Falls, a beautiful waterfall that is worth visiting after a rain.
Hike the Thousand Steps
Be warned – this trail lives up to its name. There are actually more than 1000 steps on the Thousand Steps trail. Created as a path for workers to carry their tools up to the quarry, this butt-kicking trail is worth the effort. The top rewards visitors with amazing views of the Juniata River, the town of Huntingdon and the surrounding area. If you only have time for one thing in the area, this is the one I recommend.
Rent an Adventure from Rothrock Outfitters
Rothrock Outfitters, located in downtown Huntingdon, offers gear rentals from bikes to boats. I rented a boat and went for a tour with a local expert kayaker. We floated down the Juniata River in between Jack’s Mountain (yes – both sides of the river are the same mountain). I felt like I was in Lord of the Rings as we paddled past old bridge trestles and between the steep shore. Rothrock also offers guided tours if you’d prefer not to DIY an adventure. My favorite part of visiting their store was the Purple Lizard Map dreamatorium, where you can take a look at all of the Purple Lizard maps.
Check out a Sunrise or Sunset from a Scenic Overlook
The Raystown Lake area offers many beautiful scenic overlooks. I explored three different overlooks when I was there.
Ridenour and Hawns Overlooks are located up a winding road that takes viewers high above the lake. The parking area has enough space for about 20 cars. Ridenour Overlook is located right at the parking area where Hawns Overlook is located down a gravel trail about 300 yards to the right of the parking area.
In my opinion, Hawns Overlook is the better viewpoint and has the best view of the lake. Both scenic overlooks seem wheelchair accessible, as long as the wheelchair can handle small gravel.
The Raystown Lake Dam Pagoda also has amazing views from a lower vantage point. It’s really interesting to see the workings of the dam. The pagoda itself is a beautiful structure and interesting to look at. As a bonus – you may get to see a wedding when you’re there! Folks were setting up for one when I stopped by on a Saturday morning in September
Shop in Downtown Huntingdon
Huntingdon’s main street is adorable and offers many options for shoppers. I personally loved Twice Upon a Time, a vintage clothing store. I purchased an adorable jumpsuit and wished I had more time to peruse the store’s large selection of secondhand clothes. There are a handful of other antique stores offering unique wares and I can’t wait to go back and explore them more.
Take a Boat Tour with Raystown Boating
Did you know that a boat tour can be SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than renting a boat for the day? We had an amazing time with Randy, the owner of Raystown Boating in August 2025. Raystown Boating offers fall foliage tours, bird watching tours, leisure boat rides, tubing, and more. We got to tube and it was so fun! Randy goes as fast or slow as you want so even the most scared tubers can have a safe and fun ride (I was, unsurprisingly, a scared tuber).
To be a guide on a federal lake, you have to get take a test to get a special permit and safety is Randy’s number one priority. He was an EMS and flight medic so he is the absolute best person to lead a safe boat tour. It was fascinating to hear all about the history, wildlife, and fun facts about the lake.
Randy just started doing tours more regularly in summer 2025, so make sure to book early for 2026 since he will definitely book up quickly. To see what tours he offers and to book, visit the Raystown Boating website.
Wander around Juniata College
Named one of the forty “Colleges that Change Lives”, Juniata is a picture perfect college campus. I walked around the buildings a little bit and enjoyed seeing the student life. The students are so nice (and it helped that at almost 35, someone asked me if I was a student).
Explore Lincoln Caverns
This fourth generation, family-owned cave explores a fascinating world beneath the surface of our commonwealth. Discovered in 1930 when workers were digging for Route 22, Lincoln Caverns is actually two separate caves. Visitors can see beautiful rock formations, such as Frozen Niagara, the largest example of flow stone in the eastern part of the US. The Caverns offer a ton of educational programming for field trips, scout troops and more. If you’re lucky enough to visit around Halloween, the main cave is decorated for the season and the Caverns offer spooky tours with actors to scare visitors.
Looking for another great Central PA adventure? Check out my guide to the best State College Itinerary!
Where to Eat Near Raystown Lake
Boxer’s Cafe
Named for the dog, not the sport, Boxer’s Cafe is a funky American style cafe located in Huntingdon. It’s clearly a local spot as diners around me kept greeting each other during my lunch in September. The tables are decorated with sarcastic bumper stickers and funny postcards under the glass top. I got a meatball sub, which was amazing. It seems like a great place to relax with friends and enjoy a bite. There’s clearly a reason this locally-owned restaurant has been operating for almost 35 years!
Standing Stone Coffee Company
If you want to grab a cup of coffee after visiting Juniata or before checking out Lincoln Caverns, this perfectly located coffee shop is a great place to check out. Locally owned, this adorable shop has a cute patio. When I visited, Standing Stone was displaying a photography exhibit of portraits of locals, which was fascinating to read through. I really enjoyed my latte and quiche while editing photos here.
Marina Cafe at Lake Raystown Resort
If you’re visiting Lake Raystown Resort and don’t want to go too far for a bite to eat, Marina Cafe is the perfect place for a meal. This restaurant is located right on the resort’s lakeside marina and has amazing views of the lake. Unfortunately, I visited on a rainy day and did not get to take advantage of the patio views from outside. The food is more unique than I expected for a resort restaurant. I got hush puppies and tacos and both were delicious. The service was also excellent.
Where to Stay Near Raystown Lake
Whether you’re looking to rough it at a campground or enjoy a rental villa, the Raystown Lake Region has a great place to stay for everyone from solo travelers to families.
Lake Raystown Resort
If you’re looking for something that has something for every style of traveler, Lake Raystown Resort is the perfect getaway. From campsites to cabins to upscale villas, the resort offers different amenities. I stayed in a Pine Cabin, which was cozy and comfortable, with views of the lake. The cabin was rustic, with limited amenities but perfect for unplugging (literally – there were not a lot of outlets in the cabin!) The Pine Cabin had two rooms. The front room with a kitchenette, one bunk bed, and a small table with four chairs. The back room had one queen bed and another bunk bed. It would be a great cabin for a family trip but I also really enjoyed staying in the cabin solo.
Greene Hills Resort and Campground
Whether you like car camping or sleeping in a luxury cabin, Greene Hills Resort and Campground has a stay for you. This campground has a ton of options for all types of traveler. We stayed in one of the “tiny home” cabins, which had shared access to the hot tub and sauna. Our cabin had two bedrooms, one bathroom, and a loft space so was the perfect size for all three of us. The tiny home was super clean and had all the amenities we needed for a weekend away, including a full size fridge.
There are other A-frame cabin options available, including a studio or one bedroom that would be great for a relaxing couples getaway. Greene Hills also has cute “cozy pods” that have no bathroom for the cabin, but are close to the campground bathhouse. Greene Hills also offers car camping, tent sites, and RV hookup sites if you’d prefer to sleep closer to nature. To book a site, visit the Greene Hills Resort and Campground website.
To book a stay in the Raystown Lake Region, use this maps to find hotels or home rentals! You also may be able to find places to stay on Booking.com!
I highly recommend visiting Huntingdon County and the Raystown Lake Region. There is a ton to do and many amazing natural areas to explore. I had a great time on my trip and can’t wait to go back!
Updated August 25, 2025