Tent campsites near Apollo, Pennsylvania offer a mix of free and fee-based options along the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail and throughout the Laurel Highlands region. Dravo's Landing Campground provides free tent camping with lean-to shelters and raised tent pads, while Round Bottom Camping Area at Slush Run offers similar amenities along the Youghiogheny River. Both locations are accessible primarily by foot or bicycle via the GAP Trail, making them popular with hikers and bikers.
Most tent campgrounds in the area feature basic amenities including picnic tables, fire pits, and vault toilets. Water access varies significantly between sites, with some offering drinking water and others requiring campers to filter from nearby rivers or bring their own supply. The hand pump at Round Bottom was noted to produce discolored water, prompting campers to filter river water instead. Tent sites are typically first-come, first-served, with no reservations accepted at the free GAP Trail campgrounds. "Round Bottom Camping Area has plenty of grassy area for scores of tents in this area. If you are not fortunate enough to secure one of the shelters or tent pads, you can still set up a tent in the nicely mowed areas, which are still level," noted one camper.
The tent camping experience in this region offers scenic river views and trail access, though noise from passing trains can disrupt sleep at sites near the GAP Trail. Laurel Ridge State Park provides more remote tent camping options along its 70-mile hiking trail with eight different camping areas available by reservation. These backcountry tent sites require pack-in, pack-out practices and offer a more secluded experience away from train noise. Weekday camping typically sees lighter use, with one visitor reporting that "bicycle traffic was fairly light during the week, so not only did you have the GAP Trail mostly to yourself, the camping areas were either sparsely filled or empty." Most tent campgrounds in the area are seasonal, with Laurel Ridge State Park operating from May to October.
"We camped out overnight with a group of 14 people, and there was plenty of room for everyone to pitch their tents and spend a relaxing night under the stars."
"This campsite is a nice reward for west-bound riders on the GAP trail (it's the last one before Pittsburgh!)"
"Great place to stay close to hiking trails and fishing spots. Hit the mountain bike track, explore the ruins on the game lands, and might even see an albino fawn."
from $20 - $70 / night
"The spacious and lush lawn has lots of space for tents, but the winner is the covered seating, dining, and cooking area. Everything is clean as a whistle…pun intended. "
from $25 / night
"Being positioned directly off the GAP Trail grants easy access to those traveling the trail. "
"We're happy to welcome your host, Laurel, to our platform. This is a cannabis friendly campground that overlooks the Laurel Highlands Hemp field, and surrounding mountains."
Campground full this weekend
from $100 - $150 / night
"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"
"Laurel Ridge State Park is the greenway that protects the legendary Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail from the busy world around it."
"It is a beautiful wooded park offering lots of trees for privacy. I wish I had more time to explore the park before moving on. The bathhouse could use a renovation. It felt old and kind of dirty."
from $10 - $60 / night
ScoutThis is our second time staying here. Each time in October. We love it. Unlike most RV resorts this place is small and wooded. Has free Wi-Fi, clean bathrooms and an awesome community hub room for work from home or playing games. The weekends are busy but during the week it’s so quiet and peaceful. Close to so many attractions and parks that are part of the PA Wilds. Would definitely recommend.
ScoutPLEASE DONT GO HERE ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE KIDS AND IF YOUR NOT WHITE..THE OWNER IS A RACIST HYPOCRITE AND SO ARE ALL OF HER CREW AT THIS LOWLIFE CAMPGROUND. JUST BECAUSE SHE DONT DRINK AND LIKE TO HAVE FUN, SHE RUINS IT FOR ALL THE OTHER CAMPERS..YOU HAVE TO BE IN BED AT 10PM..WHAT A FRIGGING JOKE..SHE SNEAKES AROUND IN HER GOLF CART AT NIGHT AND CREEPS IN YOUR WINDOWS TO SEE WHAT YOUR DOING. THATS WHY YOUR NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE CURTAINS CLOSED .SO HER AND HER SO CALLED HYPOCRITE FRIENDS CAN SEE WHAT YOUR DOING..WE USED TO BE UP THERE UNTIL WE SAW HOW SHE TREATED AND TALKED ABOUT THE POOR LITTLE BLACK KIDS..ESPECIALLY ON CHRISTMAS IN JULY, SHE BOUGHT TOYS FOR EVERY WHITE KID UP THERE WHILE SHE WATCHED THE LITTLE BLACK KIDS CRY THEIR EYES OUT BECAUSE THEY WERE 10 MINUTES LATE TO GET THEIR GIFTS..SHE IS A WHICH IN DISQUISE..EVERY KID GOT TO RIDE THE WAGON WITH SANTA AND WHEN SHE SAW YHE BLACK KIDS ,THEY JUST PASSED THEM UP LIKE THEY DIDNT EVEN SEE THEM...HOW CRUEL CAN SOMEONE BE🤬🤬BUT THEN AGAIN, ITS HER ,SHE HATES PEOPLE HAVING FUN UP THERE.DONT DRINK AFTER HER HRS .DONT PLAY MUSIC AFTER HER HRS..DONT DO SHIT UP THERE UNLESS YOU WANT KICKED OUT THE NEXT DAY...I NEVER SEEN ANYONE SO CRUEL AND HEARTLESS
....THERES A FEW OTHER CAMPGROUNDS AROUND THE BEND .PLEASE GO THERE IF YOU DONT WANT TO CAMP IN A PRISON CAMPGROUND....SHE'LL NEVER CHANGE..MAYBE UF YOYR WHITE, SHELL BE NICE 🤣🤣🤣AND YOU WOLNT GET KICKED OUT..
TravelerStayed the weekend for the first time and it wasn’t bad! There were kids playing at sites nearby but that was all the noise, highway noise at all! I like how they have a spot for your tent with a picnic table and fire ring. I was in my rooftop tent on my truck so I wish the parking spot went back a little deeper for a little more privacy. But it was nice that there was bathrooms and showers within a 1 minute walk from the site! Also it says on here there is no AT&T signal, that’s not true…it’s not great but there is a bar or 2 at times!
ScoutThe park is beautiful, unlevel shade sites; is challenging to get the trailer level. unfortunately, the bathhouses are neglected, dark and full of mildew inside the showers. The park really needs to upgrade the bathhouses. The park itself is very nice and offers a lot of opportunities for outdoor exploration and hiking.
GuideThis is more a campground for RVs then tents or even roof top tents. Place is clean and the sites 90% of them are in the open. Very little shade. Travis runs the place and very nice and accommodating. Fire wood is 20 dollars for a massive amount.
TravelerStayed one night. Close to Fallingwater and Fort Necessity. The campsite was terrible; close to water and buggy, steep grade required lots of blocking to level the camper and challenging to hook up to the vehicle. Thick canopy kept Starlink from working. The worst part was the bathrooms. The one closest to our spot had no hot water. So we had to walk about a half a mile to two other restrooms and showers within 100 yards of each other. Makes no sense. Anyway, both bathrooms were filthy, had paint peeling everywhere, lots of black mold growing on the ceilings, growing everywhere. No place to hang clothes while taking a shower. One of the two toilets in each of the men’s room was probably 3 feet off the ground. Made for giants I guess! And good luck finding the visitor center. It’s hidden from view and parking is terrible. You’ll have to walk 150 yards from the nearest point of the parking lot to find it. To walk there from the bus and RV parking, add an additional 1/4 mile each way. Be aware that the visitor center store does not accept credit cards. Cash or check only. Who does that? It’s 2026 Pennsylvania!
ScoutAdvertised as a family camp but very far from it. I’ve watched this camp progressively get worse as the years go on, over priced camp with zero efforts to make anything worthwhile, run down play grounds, broken toilet paper roll holders in the bathrooms of the shower house, roads that make you feel like your off road. Owner plans “events” and then wants campers to pay for overpriced food. The owner complains nobody comes to events anymore but barely comes to them herself. The owner is VERY money hungry! And most importantly it’s home to a sex offender who the owner cherishes dearly.
It’s a shame to see how many people realized how terrible this camp was and are selling their camps because of it. The owner should open her eyes and realize she’s the reason people don’t want to be there anymore !!!
ScoutWe are here for a month and it feels like we have the place to ourselves!
ScoutCant have no fun or drink.kids get yelled at all the time..owner sneaks around looking in campers at night..they watch every thing you do. Then they throw you out because your having to much fun. Or your up after 10pm..what a joke....please dont do nothing wrong.because.youll be on the shitlist...they are very very racist ,dont ever take a black child or try to get a place to stay or even put a tent up ,cause if your Black ,they tell you their is no room for u or a tent..STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE,ITS A BUNCH OF HYPOCRITES AND THEY DONT WANT NO BLACS IN THEIR CAMP GROOUND AT ALL..GO UP THE ROAD..THEY ARE NICER THERE...
Tent campsites near Apollo, Pennsylvania cluster primarily along the Youghiogheny River and throughout the Laurel Highlands region. Most sites are accessible via the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail, with campgrounds located at regular intervals along this 150-mile converted rail trail. The region experiences moderate seasonal changes with camping generally available from April through October, though facilities vary significantly by location and weather patterns.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: At Mountain View Camps, campers can explore nearby game lands where unique wildlife thrives. "Great place to stay close to hiking trails and fishing spots. Hit the mountain bike track, explore the ruins on the game lands, and might even see an albino fawn," notes camper Richard C.
River access: The Youghiogheny River provides excellent opportunities for water activities at many campsites. At Roundbottom Hiker-Biker Campground, "The river is very easy to access for a quick dip after a long day on the trail," according to Shari G., making it popular with trail users seeking cool relief.
Specialized activities: Some campgrounds offer unique recreational options. The Laurel Highlands Hemp Cannabis Farm features cannabis-friendly camping with specialized programming. "Friday nights are Toke With A Goat Yoga at 7 at the barn weather depending," explains Ashley F., highlighting the farm's distinctive offerings.
Covered shelters: At Dravo's Landing Campground, campers appreciate the Adirondack-style structures. "We camped out overnight with a group of 14 people, and there was plenty of room for everyone to pitch their tents and spend a relaxing night under the stars. We made friends with a few other folks who were stopping at Dravo during their bike trips along the GAP, and everyone appreciated the abundance of picnic tables, fire pits, lean-tos, and the nearby river," shares Sarah Q.
Free camping options: Budget-conscious travelers value the no-cost sites. "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 tents," explains Shari G. about Roundbottom Hiker-Biker Campground.
Premium facilities: Some locations offer exceptional amenities beyond basic sites. The GAP Trail Campground - Bikers Only stands out for its upscale facilities. "The outdoor shower/toilet block is such a divine sight, it makes you crave one whether you're stinky or not. The spacious and lush lawn has lots of space for tents, but the winner is the covered seating, dining, and cooking area," explains Shari G.
Train noise: Most GAP Trail campgrounds experience significant train disturbances. "The only negative was the train traffic on the opposite side of the River...it is loud when they rumble through. If you don't sleep with ear-plugs, you will wish you had," warns Dave V.
Water sources vary: Potable water access fluctuates between sites. At Roundbottom Hiker-Biker Campground, "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," explains Shari G.
Wildlife precautions: Food storage considerations are important at riverside sites. "Just be sure to secure your food overnight - if you don't, the raccoons will make quick work of it!" cautions Sarah Q. about Dravo's Landing.
Backcountry accessibility: Laurel Ridge State Park Campground offers manageable wilderness experiences. "I highly recommend hiking in from the northern end of the trail near Johnstown to the first camping area along the trail. You have to reserve a rustic campsite beforehand," suggests Brian S., noting this provides a solid introduction to backcountry camping for families.
Weekday camping: Scheduling family trips midweek provides superior experiences with less competition. "Bicycle traffic was fairly light during the week, so not only did you have the GAP Trail mostly to oneself, the camping areas were either sparsely filled or empty," reports Dave V.
Campsite selection strategy: Larger groups should prioritize early arrival. At Dravo's Landing, campers note there "are about 4 lean-to's which can accommodate 4 sleepers, or one 2-person tent. Additional picnic shelters and free-range tables means that the whole troop could pitch their tents and still not be on top of each other," according to Shari G.
Limited RV options: Few established campgrounds near Apollo accommodate RVs of any size. At Indian Creek Camplands Inc, RVers report functional but basic conditions. "Not the most level areas but good clean and quiet campsites," notes Christopher M.
Accessibility challenges: Most camping locations in the region require either hiking or biking access, making traditional RV camping impractical. Sites with road access generally accommodate smaller units only, typically under 20 feet.
Seasonal considerations: Most area campgrounds operate seasonally, with even those allowing RVs typically closing between October and April due to road conditions and frozen water lines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Apollo, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Apollo, PA is Dravo's Landing Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Apollo, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Apollo, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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