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The southwestern Pennsylvania region surrounding California offers a variety of camping experiences within the Laurel Highlands area. Ohiopyle State Park's Kentuck Campground, approximately 30 miles southeast of California, serves as a popular destination with tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and yurts in a wooded setting. Several KOA campgrounds operate within an hour's drive, including Washington-Pittsburgh SW KOA and Madison-Pittsburgh S.E. KOA, providing standardized amenities for family camping. For cyclists and hikers, specialized camping areas like Roundbottom Hiker-Biker Campground along the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail offer free primitive camping with basic facilities.
Mountainous terrain and steep access roads characterize many campgrounds in this region, creating challenges for larger RVs and trailers. As one camper noted about Ohiopyle State Park, "There is a very steep inclined road to access campground. If towing there are alternate directions on their website." Seasonal operation varies, with many facilities closing between November and March, though some like Pine Cove Beach Club RV Resort remain open year-round. Reservations are essential during summer weekends and holiday periods when waterfront sites fill quickly. Cell service can be spotty in valley locations, with several reviewers mentioning limited or no coverage at more remote campgrounds.
State parks in the region typically feature clean but basic facilities, with many campers commenting on the wooded settings and natural attractions. "The campground and surrounding area is hilly and wooded. Very beautiful and friendly. Nearby rafting is amazing!" wrote one visitor to Kentuck Campground. Site spacing varies considerably, with some reviewers describing certain campgrounds as "packed in like sardines" while others offer more privacy. Water recreation opportunities abound on the Youghiogheny River and nearby lakes, with fishing, kayaking, and swimming available seasonally. Poison ivy is commonly mentioned in reviews, particularly around more primitive sites, and campers should be prepared for typical Appalachian forest conditions including occasional wildlife encounters.
"Ohiopyle is located in a beautiful area of Pennsylvania we've camped there a couple of times and have been able to get last minute tent sites. Lots of outdoor activities nearby."
"Very close to two Frank Lloyd Wright properties– Kentuck Knob and the more widely known Falling Waters."
from $20 - $54 / night
Check Availability"Wonderful hosts, well maintained, large sites, close to the highway but no road noise. Giant pool opened in the summer. Highly recommended."
"They have a pool, fishing pond and a cloud pillow with the playground next to it along with two small dog play areas.Every week they organizes different themes for bingo, and other games."
"The sites are pretty close together and we couldn’t use our fire ring because it ended up being very close to our rig."
"This is a cannabis friendly campground that overlooks the Laurel Highlands Hemp field, and surrounding mountains. One yurt with a bed is offered. Please no alcohol."
from $100 - $150 / night
Check Availability"Easy highway access great for overnight travel"
"Spots were pretty close to each other. There was a playground for the kids to unwind after a long day on the road. Campground had full hook ups and was quiet at night."
"Located on the Youghiogheny River. Many full hookups, great play ground for the kids. New pool, but not open when we stayed."
"The GAP trail rolls right through the middle of this traditional KOA campground."
from $20 - $999999 / night
Check Availability"Round Bottom Camping Area at Slush Run is a free camping area directly on the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail around Mile 99 (East of West Newton roughly 15 miles). "
"It’s very military positive, even includes a reserved place for the fallen soldiers. Some sites are a bit close, the pull through sites are very ample. Gravel roads and level sites."
"Tent site was nice and conveniently located next to the bathhouse"
from $25 / night
Check Availability"It's a popular hiking destination that's relatively close to Morgantown, so it gets pretty crowded in the summer and I would suggest arriving early if you're going to"
"There is a great access to the trails from the campsite and a short walk to the overlook. Depending upon your location the bathrooms can be a hike. Sites 3-7 are good locations."
from $25 - $35 / night
Check Availability"This is one of the only free hiker-biker campgrounds along the GAP trail (mile 99.6), and it is laid out similarly to the Dravo Campground, with lean-tos, picnic tables, firepits and lots of spaces for"
TravelerWe are here a couple days . Staff and facilities are great. Lots of hiking trails of various types and lengths. June 9 and only 2 other RVs on our loop. The “new” loop has great single occupancy bath facilities.
TravelerWe LOVED our visit to Kentuck campground and Ohiopyle. We went mid-week in early June and had very few neighbors Tuesday and Wednesday, with more rolling in toward the end of the week.
We stayed on Hickory Loop with our dog and saw quite a few other dogs while we were there. Not all sites are equal at this campground - ours was huge and lovely with adequate flattish area and a stream running along two sides of it. Others were quite small and not very level. I think we had one of the best sites on the loop, with great trees for hammocks and big rocks nearby, as well as good privacy from other sites.
The campground is very shaded and was regularly several degrees cooler than elsewhere in the park, which was great to home 'home' to. There's a lot of poison ivy in the area, so be watchful.
Firewood is available for purchase on entrance to the campground.
The bathhouse was relatively clean, with a large kitchen sink for washing dishes, three toilet stalls, and two shower stalls. We never had to wait for any of it.
GuideThis campground's foliage is interesting, I saw fernes growing and trees that looked older than me. I also noticed the campground has some history shown by the rust of the firepits. There is Billy's Pizza and general store which sells firewood if you go a little further down the road that maps takes you and take the second left instead of taking the first left. I think the campground also sells firewood on site. You can order Billy's Pizza and I saw them deliver to the campsites, which is amazing, havent seen that before. I'm a light sleeper and could hear truck engine braking sounds echo through the forest from the nearby highway, so the proximity to the road ruins the feeling of seclusion and the quiet. There's a restroom with a large sink outside which is nice.
TravelerThis is one of six campsites that can be reserved through PA's DCNR website. The six campsites are spread throughout the Laurel Highlands. This is the only one at Mt. Davis. We camp with three dogs, so we really appreciated the privacy. There were occasionally the sounds of distant ATVs or farm equipment, but, overall, this is a peaceful site. The campsite does not connect to the trails at Mt. Davis and there is no vault toilet here, but both vault toilets and a trailhead are just a few minutes away at the Mt. Davis picnic area. There is only one obvious tent site, so, if you need more than one tent site, you will have to get creative. The site is along a gravel road that leads to a field which you can use to walk your dogs. There are no water features here which our dogs enjoy, so that is the only reason for the 4 out of 5 stars. We will be reserving this site again!
GuideI come here at least twice a year for the wonder campground. The hiking trails, water falls and white water rafting. The town is small but filled with tons of great shops and outfitters. Campground is clean, every sight is nice and spacious, not all are private. Get gas on your way here, once here their are no gas stations for 40 minutes in every direction. Ice and wood at campground suck. Go into town for ice or see Butch out rt 381 on the left just outside the park boundary. Highly recommended.
TravelerMy wife has been going to keystone all her life, I’ve only gone since she and I started dating. I’ve been all over the world hiking and camping, but keystone is nostalgic for her. And it’s a great place for our one year old to cut his teeth in the great outdoors!! He loves going and love camping!! He loves to be outside more than anything!! Gentle trails and a smooth lake, a great place for a quick weekend from the city
RangerSome areas of campground felt very congested with little privacy. Our bathhouse was old and smelled moldy but have seen worse. Our site itself was nice, spacious and clean with large tent pad, right across from bathroom.
GuideDue to a water main break, only one bathroom and showers were available. Bathrooms were quite old and run down. There are over 100 sites. Pets are only allowed on specific loops and cannot be walked on “non pet” loops. We had an electric site which was pretty level for our van. Bike trails were more like hiking trails ( not single track Mtn biking trails). I found this park to be “just ok”.
TravelerFriendly people. Clean. Only downside is only one bathhouse/restroom, hampering g the no #2 in camper. LoL
The Southwestern Pennsylvania region surrounding California offers varied camping opportunities in the Allegheny Mountain foothills, with elevations ranging from 900-2,500 feet. The area experiences distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during camping months. Many campgrounds close between November and April due to frequent snowfall and freezing temperatures, though select locations maintain year-round operations.
Biking the Great Allegheny Passage: The GAP trail runs through several camping areas, providing direct access for cyclists. At Roundbottom Hiker-Biker Campground, "The river is very easy to access for a quick dip after a long day on the trail," notes one reviewer. The trail connects Pittsburgh to Cumberland, MD through former railroad towns.
Rock climbing opportunities: Just over the border in West Virginia, Coopers Rock State Forest offers climbing routes about 45 minutes from California. "The pitches aren't too high (50ft) but great just to get out there an enjoy life!" explains one visitor. Multiple marked trails connect climbing areas to campsites.
Swimming and water recreation: Many campgrounds feature swimming facilities. The recently developed Pine Cove Beach Club RV Resort has "a giant pool opened in the summer" according to reviews, with "the pool & concession stand, beautifully maintained lawns and gravel campsites" making it popular during hot weather.
Private, wooded settings: Campers frequently mention site spacing and natural surroundings. At Fox Den Acres Campground, "Each site was very spacious and well shaded. Fire ring and table at each sight. Restroom were a short walk away," reports a tent camper. The campground offers an unexpected wooded retreat despite its proximity to urban areas.
Clean bathroom facilities: Bathroom quality varies widely across the region. One camper at Blue Canoe RV Resort noted "clean and nice amenities" as a highlight. Another visitor to Coopers Rock praised that "bathrooms were clean and heated to a comfortable level. Showers had great pressure as well."
Seasonal activities: Many campgrounds offer scheduled events. Fox Den Acres "provide activities almost every evening, making sure every age range is catered to throughout the week," according to a reviewer. Similarly, Madison-Pittsburgh S.E. KOA organizes "different themes for bingo, and other games. They also have Sunday pancake days."
Train noise: Multiple campgrounds near the Youghiogheny River report train disturbances. At Roundbottom Hiker-Biker Campground, "bring good earplugs! One thing to consider with these campgrounds next to the trail is the number of trains that pass by in the night. It's not the train horn but the number of turns in the track and the squealing breaks that keep you up."
Seasonal closures: Most campgrounds in the region have limited operating seasons. Coopers Rock State Forest runs from "April 1 to October 31," while Madison-Pittsburgh S.E. KOA and others remain open year-round but with reduced amenities during winter months.
Potable water availability: Water access varies considerably. At Roundbottom, "the well for the campground stated that it was no longer potable. My guess is that this is simply because the volunteer organization which maintains this campground lacks the funds for testing. We grabbed water at the last town before the campground."
Pool access: For families seeking swimming options, several campgrounds offer maintained pools. At Fox Den Acres, visitors appreciate the "well maintained pool and grounds, fishing, party pavilions, and store. The staff is nice and helpful."
Playground availability: Many camping spots near California, Pennsylvania feature play areas for children. Fox Den Acres includes "playgrounds" that complement other family activities, while Washington-Pittsburgh SW KOA has "a big open dog park" for families traveling with pets.
Advance planning: Campgrounds with family amenities fill quickly during summer months. A visitor to Blue Canoe RV Resort notes it's a "very nice campground with multiple pools, playsets, cabins and river sites," but recommends booking early during peak season to secure desired spots.
Site leveling challenges: RV campers frequently mention leveling difficulties. At Madison-Pittsburgh S.E. KOA, "a few steep ones but they all have gravel and a patch of grass with a table and fire pit. Now their monthly (which I have currently) man are those a nervous wreck! Very steep and awkward but we got it done."
Road conditions: Many camping locations have challenging access roads. Washington-Pittsburgh SW KOA has "very steep narrow roads to access campground and sites..sites not level and noisy, next to highway." Visitors recommend following campground directions rather than GPS for better approaches.
Hookup availability: Full hookups aren't universal. At Coopers Rock, sites have "electricity at sites but no water or sewer. A new section will be opening later this season that will have elec and water." Some campgrounds offer water fill stations and dump stations as alternatives to sewer hookups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near California, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near California, PA is Kentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park with a 4.5-star rating from 84 reviews.
What parks are near California, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 parks near California, PA that allow camping, notably Youghiogheny River Lake and Crooked Creek Lake.
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