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Austin Dam Memorial Park

Hosted by Austin · Pennsylvania
8 sites · RV, Tent · 76 acres
98%
·
367 reviews
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Best in Pennsylvania: Finalist
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2024.
Staff verified
Accuracy verified by Hipcamp's on-the-ground team.
Austin Dam is a Star Host
Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.
Just outside the quaint town of Austin sits a vivid reminder of one of Pennsylvania's worst disasters – the Austin Flood. In 1909, the dam was constructed on Freeman Run to power the Bayless Papermill downstream. Many wondered if the dam was safe. On September 30, 1911, Austin found out. Poor construction, coupled with torrential rain, resulted in the dam's collapse. Nearly 400 million gallons of water were released, destroying everything for 8 miles. At least 78 people perished in the tragedy. It was the second worst flood disaster in Pennsylvania's history and sixth worst dam failure in U.S. history. The tragedy sparked new legislation to improve dam safety, and the Austin Dam was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. The ruins of the dam still stand, surrounded by a 76-acre park, as a tribute to the lives lost in the Austin Flood. Don't miss one of Potter County's best kept secrets!

Select a site

Tent-only sites

4 sites
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Saw Filer (Site 4)

96%
(96)
Tent site · Sleeps 20
Site 4 offers a secluded location and sits off the park's main access road a bit. Easily walkable to Freeman Run, and the Coffer Dam ruins. Take the path in the valley the rear of the concrete Bayless Dam ruins - very quiet, great stargazing, meditation areas. It is with a walkable distance to the flush toilets/water spigots at the welcome center using the valley path. There is a deep swimming hole (or fishing hole) at the coffer Dam. It is also a very dog friendly spot. Site 4 is about 1/4 mile beyond Site 3, and has parking area along the main access road. Good tent site. Not good for RVs. Ask us about our Welcome Back discount for returning HipCampers next time you book!
Campfires allowed
Toilet
Potable water
Pets allowed
No showers
Picnic table
  • Picture of the site
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Log Driver (Site 3)

97%
(65)
Tent site · Sleeps 12
Site 3 is along the main access road for the park, and situated right on the bank of Freeman Run. Site 3 is closest to our best swimming hole (or fishing hole). For site 3, go across the bridge at the entrance, and then turn left, and go about 1/2 mile and site 3 is on the left. It has easy set up and excellent stream access for wading or water bathing. It is about 1/2 mile drive to the toilets and water spigot at the welcome center. Good site for tents, and hammocks. Not a good site for larger RVs. Ask us about our Welcome Back discount for returning HipCampers next time you book!
Campfires allowed
Toilet
Potable water
Pets allowed
No showers
Picnic table
  • Picture of the site
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Log Train (Site 8)

99%
(54)
Tent site · Sleeps 15
Site 8 is secluded and sits in the southern camping area off the Haunted Hayride Road a bit. Accessed from the lower end of Haunted Hayride Road using a narrow lane that tracks into a flat wooded area. A potable toilet sits near-by. Good site for tents. Not a good site for larger RVs. Ask us about our Welcome Back discount for returning HipCampers next time you book!
Campfires allowed
Toilet
Potable water
Pets allowed
No showers
Picnic table
  • Picture of the site
  • Picture of the site
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Log Scaler (Site 5)

98%
(52)
Tent site · Sleeps 24
Site 5 is “where the action is.” close to the ruins, which is great, and closest camping spot to the gift shop, pavilion and flush toilets/water spigots at the welcome center. Great creek-side tent site, and accessed from the Haunted Hayride Road. Good site for tents. Not a good site for RVs. Ask us about our Welcome Back discount for returning HipCampers next time you book!
Campfires allowed
Toilet
Potable water
Pets allowed
No showers
Picnic table

RV/tent sites

4 sites
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Tree Sawyer (Site 1)

98%
(90)
RV/tent site · Sleeps 20 · Vehicles under 21 ft
Site 1 is in the North Campground and has plenty room to spread out. Best for larger groups and has great star gazing in the adjunct open field. It has a picnic table, a large fire ring, wooden benches, and a near-by portable toilet. Excellent stream access. Take the fork in the road to the left when entering the park for this site, and drive to the end of the North Campground access road. Site 1 is more wooded than Site 2. Good site for RVs, hammocks and tents. Ask us about our Welcome Back discount for returning HipCampers next time you book!
Campfires allowed
Toilet
Potable water
Pets allowed
No electrical hookup
No water hookup
  • Picture of the site
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Bark Peelers (Site 2)

97%
(71)
RV/tent site · Sleeps 24 · Vehicles under 21 ft
Site 2 is in the North Campground and has the most room to spread out. Best for larger groups and star gazing at the camp site or in the adjunct open field. It has a picnic table, a fire ring and a near-by portable toilet. Excellent stream access. Take the fork in the road to the left when entering the park for this site, and look for the first site on the right off of the North Campground access road. Site 2 has more open space than site 1. Good for smaller RVs and tent sites. Ask us about our Welcome Back discount for returning HipCampers next time you book!
Campfires allowed
Toilet
Potable water
Pets allowed
No electrical hookup
No water hookup
  • Picture of the site
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Mess Hall (Site 6)

100%
(43)
RV/tent site · Sleeps 20 · Vehicles under 21 ft
Features a usable mud-oven to serve puddings and swell pies to our jolly companions, those rough, big-hearted, wood hicks of the logging-camps. Lots of open space for several tents, under a large white oak tree, easily accessed from the lower end of Haunted Hayride Road. A potable toilet sits near-by. Good site for tents, hammocks or smaller RVs. Ask us about our Welcome Back discount for returning HipCampers next time you book!
Campfires allowed
Toilet
Potable water
Pets allowed
No electrical hookup
No water hookup
  • Picture of the site
  • Picture of the site
  • Picture of the site

Log Boomer (Site 7)

98%
(42)
RV/tent site · Sleeps 10 · Vehicles under 21 ft
Site 7 sits on the banks of the Freeman Run, in an wooded area. With the creek right along side, this site is very shady (plenty of trees for hammocks), and not too far from potable toilet or flush toilets/water spigots at main welcome center area. Good site for tents. Not a good site for larger RVs. Ask us about our Welcome Back discount for returning HipCampers next time you book!
Campfires allowed
Toilet
Potable water
Pets allowed
No electrical hookup
No water hookup

Reviews

98%· 525 reviews

Themes

  • Review summary

    Generated from real Hipcamper reviews

    Austin Dam is a favorite among campers for its serene setting, with many appreciating the private and spacious campsites along the creek. The park's clean facilities and the well-maintained grounds earn high marks, though some mention the proximity to the road brings occasional noise. Visitors enjoy exploring the historic ruins and nature trails, making it a great spot for those who love a mix of history and the outdoors. However, some feel the pricing is steep compared to state parks, considering the amenities offered.

  • Jennifer R.

    Camped in a 13 ft travel trailer at Tree Sawyer (Site 1) with pets, Sept 2026.

    Recommends

    The babbling creek was so peaceful to listen to! It was a great site. Our teardrop uses solar and the area we choose within the site was perfect! We were also able to use our starlink mini as well. We hung the hammock next to the creek. It was so relaxing! It was nice when reserving the site to have the option of getting firewood delivered to our site. The host, Alvy, was friendly and helpful as well.

  • Julian B.

    Tent camped at Bark Peelers (Site 2) with friends, Sept 2026.

    It was okay

    It's extremely expensive for what it is. You get a picnic table and a fire ring, and a port a potty a ways away. That's it, and it costs double the price of a state park campsite. That said, it was at least clean and pleasant and fairly quiet, although there is a road not that far away, and the creek is very nice.

  • Kim S.

    Tent camped at Tree Sawyer (Site 1), Sept 2026.

    Recommends

    Huge area right along a stream. We only spent one night but enjoyed the space. Some areas were soupy due to all the recent rain but we easily found a dry area. Check in was easy and the site was very manageable. Beautiful area!

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Amenities

  • Fire pits
  • Portable toilets
  • Potable waterSpigot, Tap
  • Picnic tables
  • Wifi
  • Cooking equipmentOven, Grill over firepit
  • No showers
  • No electricity hookup
  • No water hookup
  • No laundry
  • No trash disposal
  • No hot tub
  • No playground

Things to know

  • 2WD accessiblePark at your site.
  • Pet-friendlyOff leash.
  • Campfires allowedAlways review local fire regulations before enjoying a campfire.
  • Check-in processYou'll head straight to your site upon arrival.
  • Cancellation policyFull refund 3 days before check in time starts.
  • Check-in and check-outCheck-in at 2pm. Check-out at 12pm.
  • Booking windowSame-day bookings welcome, up to 3 months ahead. Stay up to 14 nights.

Extras

  • Firewood bundle$10.00 per itemStart your trip off right with seasoned hardwood firewood waiting for you at your camp for your campfire. $10 per stack (1 foot by 2 foot, approx. 2.6 cu. feet). Ecologically friendly. Sourced from dead, downed logs cut in the park. Your host will pre-stock your site with cut and split firewood at $10 per stack prior to your arrival. Each stack burn time is at least 4 hours. The after-arrival or resupply firewood is available for pick-up at the Welcome Center Gift Store price and is also $10 per stack (1 foot by 2 foot, or approx. 2.6 cu. feet). Thank you in advance for preordering your firewood, it helps us tremendously to know ahead to better plan your stay with us.
  • Garbage Removal 40 lbs. per Unit$10.00 per itemAustin Dam Park offers a garbage removal option for an additional fee (donation) of $10 per bag with a 40 pound per bag limit. A garbage bag will be placed at your campsite. Campers staying at the designated Hipcamp site may fill the container with trash items made during thier stay at the Austin Dam Park. Upon the completion of the stay the trash bags will be collected the the Austin Dam Park volunteers and processed through the local township or borough garbage collection pick-up service. Please notify us if you would like us to arrange this garbage pickup service. Acceptable items are only trash items generated by your camping activities such as metal, paper and plastic containers of items consumed during camping activities. Small food scarps are okay, but not bulk non-used food items. No liquid waste of any type is acceptable.
  • Packaged Firewood$8.00 per itemWell seasoned hardwood firewood ensures a clean, consistent burn that reduces smoke. Ideal for cooking in the fire pits at the campsite. Order ahead. Wrapped in a consumer friendly 1.3 cubic feet package. Split into smaller sized pieces. Sourced locally.
  • PA Wilds Outdoor Discovery Atlas$9.95 per itemTap into the allure of the PA Wilds. The go-to guide for people looking to explore the wonders of our rural region. The PA Wilds Outdoor Discovery Atlas provides travel tips and planning resources, ideas on things to see and do throughout the region, and navigable maps. It also attempts to underscore our region’s conservation legacy and nods to private industry partners who practice sustainability in their businesses and helped to make the Atlas a reality! The PA Wilds Outdoor Discovery Atlas is made entirely in-region! The design work, photography, and printing were all completed by PA Wilds artisans and businesses. Even the paper was sourced in the PA Wilds! These atlases are over 50 large-pages of color-filled outdoor awesomeness!
  • Your Own Private Idaho$125.00 per itemAt select sites***7 days advanced notice*** We offer a private port-a-john delivered to your campsite. Private use at your campsite. Cleaned, serviced, and restocked weekly (on Tuesdays). Cost includes rental for the duration of your stay (up to 10 days) at the Austin Dam Park Campground. Available for stays during May to October. We need 7 days advanced notice to make sure that the unit arrives when requested.
  • Large RV Extra Charge$20.00 per itemExtra charge for large RV Spot (RVs greater than 20 feet in length). A limited number of spots available. Most are in Northern camping area. RVs greater than 20 feet in length

Location

Potter, Pennsylvania, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking

Your Host

Austin Dam P.Joined March 2019

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