Western Pennsylvania's Armagh region sits within the Allegheny Mountains where elevations range from 1,200 to 2,500 feet. This variation creates distinct microclimates around camping areas, with valleys often cooler and more humid than ridge locations. Campsites near Armagh typically feature deciduous forest cover with oak, maple and hickory trees providing natural shade during summer months.
What to do
Lake activities: At Crooked Run Campground, visitors enjoy water recreation at the adjacent Glendale Lake. "Great camp sites and friendly staff," notes Joseph H., while Judy H. mentions the "huge lake for water sports, scenic trails, small dirt bike oval track." Nicole F. adds, "Rangers were wonderful to work with in setting up teaching opportunities for the girls."
Hiking trails: The Laurel Hill State Park Campground offers several hiking paths through forested terrain. "The lake provides a great place to fish and the walking trail has some less used fishing spots if you are willing to walk. We enjoyed the easy walking lake trail with the kids because it was wide and flat," reports Erik E. The park maintains trails suitable for various ability levels throughout the 4,000-acre property.
Fishing spots: Ponds and streams provide fishing opportunities at several campgrounds. At Silver Canoe Campground, campers can fish in the property's small lake. As Dee A. notes, "Large sites, nice restrooms, big hall, pool, lake to canoe, boat & fish." The campground permits fishing without additional permits for registered guests.
What campers like
Privacy options: Some campers prefer more secluded sites away from busier areas. At Kentuck Campground, the natural setting creates separation between sites. "Very clean and quiet. The people selling firewood were the best! Site 166 is not flat what so ever," explains Tanner W. Robert C. adds, "This is a very nice campground. Plan your meals well, before arriving. There are a couple of restaurants in Ohiopyle, but they are not open late."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention bathroom cleanliness as important. At Shawnee State Park Campground, "The bath/shower house was clean. A somewhat dated playground was located in the A Loop," reports Lee D. Another reviewer notes, "Bathroom and showers were clean, bright, and there is a dish washing sink outside. Showers were push button but pressure was great."
Quiet environment: Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours to ensure peaceful stays. Daniel F. mentions, "Very quiet clean facilities quiet hours are from 9pm-8am" at Keystone State Park. The hillside sites offer more seclusion than lakeside areas, as Matt R. explains, "The hillside one doesn't get near the crowds and it set in the woods. There are some very secluded sites."
What you should know
Site selection matters: Many campgrounds feature varied terrain with some sites significantly more level than others. At Mirror Lake RV Camping & Fishing, site selection can impact your experience. One camper shares, "Site 26 is our favorite. It has a huge back yard and easy access to the creek." Another camper mentions owners "let us in weekend before to look at campground being our first time there. Found a couple spots our camper would fit in."
Weather considerations: The region experiences significant seasonal temperature variations. Spring camping often means overnight temperatures in the 40s, while summer days frequently reach into the 80s. Tent campers at Shawnee State Park should note that "many of the non-electric sites were decidedly not level" and "had no definable pads at all," which can be problematic during rainy periods.
Reservation timing: Pennsylvania state parks accept reservations up to 11 months in advance, with holiday weekends filling quickly. Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, typically from mid-April through October. Campground capacity varies significantly, from single-site glamping retreats to larger facilities with hundreds of sites.
Tips for camping with families
Recreation amenities: Playgrounds and open spaces provide entertainment for children. Silver Canoe Campground offers family-friendly facilities including a swimming pool. As Indy A. notes, "It's very clean and well maintained. All campers have been respectful each time. It's not loud and crazy once 10pm hits. Family friendly and there's a little fishing lake."
Kid-friendly activities: Plan activities appropriate for various ages. At Crooked Run Campground, Nicole F. shares, "We used the group tent sites for our Girl Scout weekend. It was a fun weekend. We participated in the Outdoors for Everyone event." The site includes programs specifically designed for children throughout the summer months.
Safety considerations: Choose campsites away from water features for families with young children. Laurel Hill State Park Campground has designated family areas. "Excellent clean park and easy to get to from Pittsburgh. The campsite and bathrooms were clean when we arrived and when we left," mentions Erik E., adding that "The park ranger drove through multiple times a day" for added security.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven sites that require leveling blocks. At Shawnee State Park Campground, Gerard notes, "We happened to be assigned what I believe was the best of the RV sites, a pull through that had full hook up. However, as we drove through the rest of the RV park area we noted that many of the sites had very awkward back-in approaches that did not provide sufficient area to maneuver a large rig into them."
Hookup access: Electric hookup placement can vary significantly between sites. Laurel Hill State Park Campground has electrical connections that may require planning: "The electrical hookups are not played out well like an expensive RV park with the shared power post on the entrance side of the camper. You may want to have an extension for your power cable," advises Erik E.
Road conditions: Access roads to glamping in Armagh, Pennsylvania can be challenging for larger rigs. Kevin E. shares about Keystone State Park: "We decided to go here for our first RV trip as it is close to home for us. Great first experience! We stayed at site 43 in the Hillside Loop because we brought our 2 large dogs. Site was very private and relatively flat."
