Laurel Hill State Park and Ohiopyle State Park's Kentuck Campground offer diverse accommodations in Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands region. The area sits at elevations between 1,500-2,800 feet with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F days and 55-65°F nights. The surrounding mixed hardwood forests create distinct camping environments during fall when temperatures drop to 40-60°F during leaf-viewing season.
What to do
Kayak rentals at Laurel Hill Lake: Visitors can enjoy exploring the lake with affordable boat rentals. "Kayak rental of $15 for an hour was the cheapest we have seen and allowed us to explore more of the lake," notes Erik E. about Laurel Hill State Park Campground.
Explore nearby historical sites: The area provides easy access to significant landmarks. "If you stay here, make sure to travel down the road to see the Flight 93 Memorial," recommends Rachel L. who visited Shawnee State Park Campground.
Walk the mountain-to-lake trails: Campers can hike directly from campgrounds to water features. "From the campground trails head mostly straight down the mountain to the river or to the Great Allegheny Passage mult-use trail that also runs through Ohiopyle. Give yourself time to climb them, as there are many switchbacks," advises Dave V. about Kentuck Campground.
Water activities for all ages: Multiple parks offer swimming and water fun. "The lake and the trails around it are beautiful. Great swimming and kayaking/small boating," shares Casey S. about Shawnee State Park.
What campers like
Spacious, wooded sites: Many campgrounds in the region offer generous spacing between sites. "Hickory Hollow's campsites were nicely spaced out, perched on a hillside, but with nice flat pads. The lake and farm country provided a welcoming and relaxing setting," reports Brandy Q. about Hickory Hollow Campground.
Lake access: Several parks feature lakes with multiple recreation options. "A picturesque waterfall, numerous outdoor retailers, bicycle & raft rentals, peaceful trails and a sweet, cutting edge visitor/nature center," describes Dave V. about the Ohiopyle area.
Wildlife viewing: The rural setting offers opportunities to observe animals. "During the day you can watch cattle play on the hillside (no bad smells!) while looking out over the hills and mountains," notes Becky C. about Hickory Hollow Campground.
Off-season tranquility: Visiting outside peak summer months provides a different experience. "We camped at site 43 in the Hillside Loop because we brought our 2 large dogs. Site was very private and relatively flat," shares Kevin E. about Keystone State Park Campground.
What you should know
Site selection matters: Topography varies significantly across campgrounds. "We heeded the advice of other reviewers warning that many sites were not level and did not reserve ahead of time," notes Lee D. about Shawnee State Park.
Loop differences affect experience: Different camping sections have distinct characteristics. "There are two main loops in this campground. One that is pet friendly and more of a pitch-your-tent-in-the-yard thing and another that is pet-free and wooded. Dogs were barking at all hours and there's no privacy. We drove through the other one and it looks so much nicer," advises Casey L. about Laurel Hill.
Road conditions vary: Some parks have challenging access roads. "The roads are torn up due to the paving project, and the playground area did not look to be maintained," reports Danielle V. about certain times at Kentuck Campground.
Distance to supplies: Many campgrounds are relatively isolated. "Not a lot of restaurants or stores nearby, so keep that in mind if you'll be there awhile," cautions Becky C. about the Hickory Hollow area.
Tips for camping with families
Creek exploration options: Several campgrounds feature streams perfect for kids. "Site 26 is our favorite. It has a huge back yard and easy access to the creek which the kids play in and can float down," recommends Mathew H. about Mirror Lake Campground.
Water slide activities: Some parks include water recreation beyond swimming. "Mill run by far the best yogi bear/campground we have been to. Second time we have been & they have upgraded the water slides - 4 huge slides plus big splash pad with little slide for smaller kids," shares Erik W. about Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park.
Nature-based play areas: Natural features offer unique play opportunities. "There was easy little rocks to boulder and climb! and even a few smaller caves to explore! It was an adventure paradise," explains Jill R. about Laurel Hill State Park.
Pet-friendly options: Many parks accommodate families with dogs. "A small but convenient off-leash dog area was also a wonderful amenity," notes Brandy Q. about Hickory Hollow.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: RVers should check site conditions before booking. "Many of the sites had very awkward back-in approaches that did not provide sufficient area to maneuver a large rig into them," warns Gerard about Shawnee State Park.
Hookup locations: Power connections aren't always ideally positioned. "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. about Laurel Hill.
Seasonal availability: Services vary throughout the year. "The season was set to open the day after we left so aside from hiking, we could not avail ourselves of any of the activities," shares Lee D. about Laurel Hill's seasonal offerings.
Cell coverage limitations: Connectivity varies by location and carrier. "Fleeting cell at best on Verizon," notes Lee D. about Laurel Hill State Park.
