Camping spots near Bedford, Pennsylvania include a mix of rustic state forest camping and established campgrounds across elevations ranging from 1,000-2,900 feet. The region's variable terrain creates unique microclimates, with mountain campgrounds like Blue Knob often 5-10 degrees cooler than valley locations. Most primitive sites require registration at forest headquarters, while established campgrounds tend to fill on summer weekends.
What to do
Hike mountain trails: Blue Knob State Park Campground offers access to Pennsylvania's second-highest peak with varied trail difficulty levels. One visitor noted, "The hiking here is really spectacular with lots of scenery, overlooks, and side trails that extend many miles out into state forest lands which are adjacent to the park."
Fish stocked ponds: Friendship Village Campground & RV Park maintains a catch-and-release fishing pond requiring no license. According to a camper, "There are multiple ponds on the property however only one of them can be fished in. No license is required for fishing here."
Explore historic sites: The region offers access to numerous historical landmarks within 30 minutes of most campgrounds. As one Rocky Gap visitor mentioned, "If you stay here, make sure to travel down the road to see the Flight 93 Memorial."
Paddle on Lake Habeeb: Rocky Gap State Park Campground offers canoe, kayak and paddleboard rentals with a 5-mile lake perimeter. A recent camper shared, "We brought paddle boards and the lake was perfect for paddle boarding. Note that you cannot swim anywhere outside of the roped swim areas."
What campers like
Spacious, secluded sites: Green Ridge State Forest offers primitive camping with exceptional privacy. One reviewer stated, "Each established site has a picnic table and fire ring. Nearby are the towns of Flintstone, Little Orleans, and Hancock where supplies can be bought."
Clean facilities: Despite high weekend traffic, most campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses. A Rocky Gap visitor commented, "The bath house was kept very clean, even though the campground was full."
Swimming areas: Several campgrounds feature dedicated swimming beaches with summer lifeguards. A Cowans Gap camper noted, "Awesome beach, nice sights, and a quiet area what more could you want."
Family activities: Hidden Springs Campground offers scheduled weekend events alongside permanent recreation facilities. According to a visitor, "Swimming pool available and pond for fishing. Nice little store. Lots of pavilions for large family outings."
What you should know
Highway noise: Several campgrounds experience road noise from nearby interstates. A visitor to Friendship Village mentioned, "The only thing we didn't like was all of the road noise. This campground is located by 2 major highways and truck traffic and Jake brake are constant all night long."
Limited cell service: Coverage varies dramatically between campgrounds and carriers. At Cowans Gap, a camper warned, "You are totally off the grid as far as cell, WiFi, and TV signal. Be prepared to be out of communication during your stay."
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends. Green Ridge operates differently, as one camper explained, "You can't make a reservation in advance, you have to take a chance that there will be a site available."
Terrain challenges: Many sites require careful selection based on equipment. A Blue Knob visitor advised, "Camp sites are rocky so be sure to bring a mat if tent camping. The park does not offer fire wood for purchase; bring extra."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Cowans Gap State Park Campground features a sandy beach with lifeguards during summer months. A visitor highlighted, "A real sand beach and swimming area, pedal boat and canoe rentals. You won't be disappointed!"
Playground access: Consider campsite proximity to play areas for convenience. At Friendship Village, one parent recommended, "The best sites to stay at if you have kids are sites 145–171 as those are right beside the jumping pillow, playground and gaga ball pit."
Entertainment planning: Many campgrounds offer scheduled activities on weekends. A Hidden Springs camper shared, "The property had a movie showing in their barn on Saturday night (Despicable Me) and they also seem to schedule a lot of live entertainment, mostly Bluegrass."
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds provide nature programs during summer. One Shawnee visitor observed, "There's a little viewing area/dock with information on the bald eagles and osprey that live there."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Shawnee State Park Campground offers varied site quality. A visitor cautioned, "I heeded the advice of other reviewers warning that many sites were not level and did not reserve ahead of time. Most of the non-electric sites were decidedly not level but many of the FHU and electric sites were fairly level."
Access limitations: Some forest roads restrict larger rigs. A Green Ridge visitor noted, "None of the sites are appropriate for RVs. Maybe a small camper, but one must remember a good portion of the campsites are reached by notoriously thin and rough roads."
Hookup availability: Research site amenities carefully before booking. According to a Cowans Gap visitor, "Site 14 was ok, small. Weekend kids were noisy. Bathrooms and showers very clean. Firewood always available. Easy access to dump station."
Weather preparation: Mountain locations experience significant temperature drops at night. One Blue Knob camper advised, "Come prepared for short rain showers, chilly air even in the summer, and great views."
