Stoevers Dam Park

Googled free camping in PA and came across a site that listed this place. Got to the park around 4:20 PM and saw signs saying permit required for camping. Permits were available at the town hall (if I remember correctly), but offices closed at 4:30 PM. I tried calling the number listed on the sign but got no answer. Saw that there was a Walmart nearby and accepted that I would probably have to sleep there in my converted van. Decided to do some cooking and housekeeping while at the park before the sun went down, knowing I wouldn't be able to in the parking lot of Walmart.

Around 7 PM, a man approached me saying that campers needed to be at their sites by 6 PM. I explained that I had gotten there too late to get a permit and would be leaving before dusk. He said he was a park ranger and that since I was from out of state he could ask his fellow ranger on-duty if I could get a permit since I was only planning on staying 1 night. He suggested I stay put for a bit while he went to go find him. Sure enough, 20 min later, another man with a clipboard came by, took my info and $3 (since I wasn't planning on using the electric hookup, $12 for electric) and gave me an official permit.

There were 4-5 sites with electric for RVs/vans, other dispersed non-electric sites for tents. The electric sites all had fire rings and trash bins. Park seemed to be popular for families, saw a bunch come through with kids to walk the trails but all left before dark. Night was peaceful and as a lone traveler, I felt very safe. Only bathrooms were porta potties but were clean and stocked with toilet paper and santizer.

There are 7 electric sites next to each other - non-private though each site is spacious. Most any rig would fit ok. No problem with park road which is only 1/3 mile from Miller Street - no road noise. From October to March the price rises from $13/night to $22/night. The city also charges $3/night permit fee. Tent fees are $3/night. The park is 150 acres with a 23 acre lake and is kept nicely. A couple of walking trails near sites. The 2 vault toilets seemed clean enough when I was there. Trash cans nearby. No water or sewer. The website has a tele # to call ahead of time for reservations. I didn't use it but instead went to City Hall - Rm 217 - to the city clerk to pay. Pleasant ladies.
The volunteer employee in the Chevy S-10 came around at 6 PM to unlock elect box - pleasant fellow. He's 80 years old and probably lonesome enough to want to talk a little. Stayed to chat a few minutes and then left. After work hours lots of people use the park til dusk. Afterwards, no one around except campers. My 2-bar Verizon signal was good enough to get decent internet. I think the increase in winter fees is a bit over the top but YMMV.

We’ve stayed here twice because it is close to family. Both times we enjoyed our stay. Fits large rigs and there are 7 sites to choose from. The office to get your printable permit(or stop in) is very helpful - only open during business hours. The volunteer park rangers are friendly and helpful too. There is no water but they have porta potties, picnic tables, and fire pits. Right on a lake with lots of pretty lily pads. Many people come here on nice days during the day but is empty by nightfall. Occasionally, there were people using our picnic table so it would be nice if there was a sign saying specific ones are for paying campers. Prices raise during Fall. We paid $28/ night in October with just the two of us and electric. Pretty high for almost boondocking, but cheaper than any around. No generators allowed.

Stopped on way home. Easy access. On a lake. Sites are close in a row. (7). With electric. Had tv and good cell service. Had to call when arrived for permit and camping fee. Easy !

The above rate is the "summer" rate (April 1 thru Sept, 30) of $3 (per person) for the site, plus an additional $12 fee if you choose to use the electrical (50-30-20 available) hookup. The fee for electric rises to $22 from October 1 - March 31.
I obtained my permit at the "Administration" window in the City Office building downtown. There is a large 2 hour free parking lot behind the building. Easy process, payment is cash or check. The clerk then calls out to the park and has an employee unlock the electric box for you.
Getting to the park is about a 3 mile ride on some narrow city streets and then a narrow and twisty rural road. Not too bad. Park roads are packed gravel. There are 7 camp sites for RV's and it appears tents can be pitched away from this area closer to the lake. The RV sites are arranged in a single line. All back-ins with a level grass surface and an electric hook up, picnic table, trash can and fire ring at the back of the sites. There are 2 porta-potties about 20 yards away. There is no water or dump station here, so come prepared. By mid-to-late afternoon the sites are mostly in shade.
The night I was here trains were running quite regularly throughout the night. Not super close by, but certainly close enough to be stirred by their constant whistle blowing. In addition, there were a pair of 20-something couples here, one in a tent and the other in a car who were here for the night. Looks like the tent has been here for a while. There was also another tent pitched but I never saw anyone using it. I did hear some talking at around 3AM. They were basically harmless and not too loud, but whether they paid to be here is anyone's guess. No security through here that I saw.
The town of Lebanon has everything anyone would need. I had propane refilled at the local U Haul place in town (right on Hwy. 422).
All in all, a good deal for $15 (if traveling solo) and really not bad for the $25 in the fall and winter, if you are a sound sleeper.

Permits need to be obtained in town unless you can print it yourself. It’s $3 per person per day and $12 for an RV site no matter if you use electricity or not. Yes rangers came and checked permits. Nice short hike around the lake. Fishing if you like but not suitable for swimming, lots of algae. Fire pit and table at each site. Only 7 RV sites. You can’t park an RV at tent sites. Friendly ranger and town hall staff.