Best Tent Camping near Vanderbilt, PA
Several tent campgrounds near Vanderbilt, Pennsylvania offer camping along the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail, providing a unique outdoor experience for hikers and backpackers. Round Bottom Camping Area at Slush Run and Roundbottom Hiker-Biker Campground are notable walk-in tent sites located directly on the GAP Trail around Mile 99, accessible only by foot, bicycle, or from the Youghiogheny River. These free camping areas feature raised tent pads, Adirondack shelters, picnic tables, and vault toilets, making them ideal destinations for tent campers exploring the region.
Most tent campsites in this area are rustic with limited amenities, requiring campers to plan accordingly. The Round Bottom area provides vault toilets but lacks reliable potable water—reviewers note the hand pump produces discolored water, requiring filtering from the nearby river. Sites typically feature fire pits and picnic tables, with first-come, first-served availability being standard practice. One camper shared that "there is plenty of grassy area for scores of tents in this area. So if you are not fortunate enough to secure one of the two Shelters or tent pads, you can still set up a tent in the nicely mowed areas, which are still level."
Walk-in tent sites along the GAP Trail offer peaceful settings with river access, though they come with unique considerations. The campgrounds provide a remote feeling despite occasional bicycle traffic passing by on the trail. Areas nearest to the Youghiogheny River allow for water filtering and swimming opportunities after a long day of hiking. Tent campers should be prepared for train noise at night, as a reviewer mentioned, "the train traffic on the opposite side of the River is loud when they rumble through. If you don't sleep with ear-plugs, you will wish you had." For backpackers seeking additional options, Laurel Ridge State Park offers eight camping areas along its 70-mile trail system with primitive tent sites available by reservation.
