These 9 Amazing Camping Spots Around Pittsburgh Are An Absolute Must See
By Beth Price-Williams|Updated on April 17, 2023(Originally published April 12, 2023)
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.
Hooray for summer! Sunny days. Cool evenings (well, sometimes!) Lightning bugs zipping back and forth in the dark. Picnics in the park. Water gun battles. Kids yelling. And, of course, camping – a universal experience loved by both kids and adults. We Pittsburghers are pretty lucky to live near spectacular scenery and equally spectacular campgrounds. These amazing places for camping in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area are an absolute must see.
Add adventure to your summer bucket list by camping at Bear Run Campground, just a hop, a skip, and a jump from Moraine State Park in Portersville. A family favorite for four decades, Bear Run Campground offers cabin rentals, a RV site, and tent camping (bring your own RV or tent). Swim in Lake Arthur or in the campground's heated pool. Join the kids gem hunting in the kids' gem mine. Buy supplies at the camp store or visit nearby Moraine State Park.
Experience the Wild, Wild West at Camper's Paradise Campground in Sigel. The Wild West Territory of the camp allows campers to camp out in a teepee, a covered wagon, or a cabin, the latter of which is available with primitive features or the most modern comforts. The campground features a full menu of activities, including a cafe, a playground, fire truck rides, a swimming pool, a life size checkerboard, and hayrides.
Soak in the natural beauty of the outdoors at Breakneck Campground in Portersville, near McConnells Mill State Park and only 10 minutes from Moraine State Park. Enjoy old-fashioned (read: primitive) camping in tents, huts, or in rustic cabins. Breakneck Campground beckons kayakers, hikers, and those who want to embrace the traditional camping experience.
Get the kids excited about camping at Jellystone Park Campground, the home of Yogi Bear and friends, that promises a steady stream of activities – paintball, miniature golf, swimming, and a game room – that will keep them busy and happy the whole trip. Campers can stay in the RV section, in a rustic or a deluxe tent site, or in a cabin. Pets are welcome for an additional fee.
Go ahead – rough it in a tent at Rose Point Park Campground. If tent camping isn't your thing, bring your RV or rent one of the cabins. The campground in New Castle offers plenty of options and activities – festivals and family-friendly events – throughout the year. Rose Point Park Campground is close to Living Treasures Wild Animal Park, Idlewild Park & SoakZone, and Grove City Factory Outlets.
Gas up the RV. Attach the boat and head to Lake Arthur Family Campground, which offers both primitive camping sites and full hookup sites. Spend your days boating on gorgeous Lake Arthur or head to nearby Moraine State Park, McConnells Mill State Park, Living Treasures Wild Animal Park, or Jenning's Environmental Center.
Get away from it all by camping at Keystone State Park in Westmoreland County. Park your RV or rent a tent or a cabin, the latter of which is available all year-round. RV and tent camping are available from April until the end of December annually. Summer activities range from swimming to hiking and biking while ice skating, cross country skiing, and sled riding are popular winter activities.
Go rustic at Four Seasons Resort Campground by renting a cabin or parking your RV. Or, opt for the more modern resort accommodations by booking a room at the on-site motel. Outdoor lovers will have plenty to do on the camp grounds, which features 35 miles of ATV trails, a shimmering swimming pool, and a full schedule of family-friendly activities.
Rough it like a true pioneer in a tent, with only a fire ring and a table, at Peaceful Valley Campground in Sunbury. If roughing isn't your style, opt for a tent with full hookups or choose a cabin. Stick around the campground for the many scheduled activities or play tourist at Butler's many attractions, including the Butler Little Theater, Succop Nature Park, or Parties and Playdate Studios.
Celebrate summer by visiting these nine best places for camping in Pittsburgh. What is your favorite campground in the Pittsburgh area?
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Camping in Pittsburgh
Sarah M.|April 17, 2023
What are the best places for year-round camping in Pittsburgh?
Nature’s calling! Getting away from it all is pretty much welcomed any time of the year, right? And, sometimes nothing helps us relax and recharge like spending time in nature – going for long walks in the woods, exploring a picturesque lake by boat, and falling asleep under the stars. The following state parks in Pittsburgh offer camping all year-round, making each a perfect place to visit for your next getaway:
Laurel Hill State Park - Somerset. Get ready for adventure in the great outdoors - any time of the year - when you camp at Laurel Hill State Park. The sprawling state park's Copper Kettle Lodge and Huffman Lodge, both of which require advanced reservations, welcome guests all year around. However, if you want to pitch a tent or rent a cozy cottage, you'll have to wait until the camping season starts each April
Raccoon Creek State Park - Hookstown. Embrace nature, any time of the year, at Raccoon Creek State Park, which boasts a full menu of activities - from hiking and biking to horseback riding and swimming in the summer. And, if you're on the hunt for a way to beat cabin fever, reserve one of the cozy cabins. Cabins feature heat, a full kitchen, a comfy living area, and sleep between six and eight people. Or, if you need more room, reserve the Lakeside Lodge, complete with a fireplace, which sleeps up to 10 people.
Oil Creek State Park - Oil City. Stay in a cozy Adirondack or curl up in a rustic tent at Oil Creek State Park, an ideal spot for cross country skiing and sledding after a fresh snowfall. The state park also offers plenty to do all year around. In the warmer months, go kayaking, hiking, biking, and picnicking. During the traditional off-season, rustic group campsites are usually available to reserve.
Kooser State Park - Somerset. Pack everything you need for a getaway among nature at Kooser State Park. The state park, which offers modern and rustic cabins for rent all year around, promises plenty to do no matter the season. During the winter, explore the park on skis. And, when the weather permits, go hiking, picnicking, and fishing.