Pet friendly camping near Boswell, Pennsylvania offers outdoor recreation opportunities at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 feet in the Laurel Highlands region. The camping season typically runs from mid-April through October, with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F during the day and cooler nights in the 50s. Most campgrounds in the area feature a mix of wooded and open sites with varying degrees of privacy between campsites.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: 15-mile network at Laurel Hill State Park Campground offers routes for various skill levels. "Great for families to get away. Quiet and scenic, great trails. Close to lake and fishing," notes Natalie L., highlighting the park's diverse recreational options.
Boulder climbing: suitable for beginners throughout the park system. "This was a very fun place! There was easy little rocks to boulder and climb! And even a few smaller caves to explore! It was an adventure paradise with a close location to the seven springs ski resort," shares Jill R. about her experience at Laurel Hill.
Lake activities: boat rentals $15/hour at many area lakes. "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., who visited Laurel Hill in June 2024 and appreciated the affordable water recreation options.
What campers like
Shaded tent sites: higher on hillsides at Kooser State Park Campground provide more privacy. "There are some great private tent only wooded sites that sit above the main park of the campground so you really feel secluded," explains Matt R., who tent camped there in July to escape summer heat.
Clear streams: accessible from campsites for cooling off during hot weather. "There is a nice playground area for kids and some nice overflow tent sites nearby. Several pull thru sites are available along with some nice sites near the creek," notes Kevin E., who camped at Kooser but mentioned the challenge of leveling rigs on some sites.
Quiet weekday camping: less crowded during non-holiday periods. "Park and campground are very small and almost desolate during the week. Sits up high in the mountains close to 3000ft elevation," shares Matt R. about his experience at Kooser, noting the elevation helps escape summer heat from Pittsburgh.
What you should know
Site selection critical: check photos before booking. "Looking at our site, the loop up near the cabins was a typical RV area with sites lined up with little privacy in between. I would look at the other loops for our next tent-camping visit," advises Laura from her experience at Ohiopyle State Park.
Pet loops vs. non-pet loops: significant differences. "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," explains Casey L. about Ohiopyle's contrasting camping areas.
Limited grocery options: stock up before arrival. "Not a lot of restaurants or stores nearby, so keep that in mind if you'll be there awhile," advises Becky C. about camping at Hickory Hollow, pointing out the rural nature of the region requires advance planning for supplies.
Tips for camping with families
Accessible fishing ponds: multiple locations throughout Hickory Hollow Campground provide safe fishing spots. "The lake and farm country provided a welcoming and relaxing setting. The trail around the lake was perfect for running or walking," shares Brandy Q., who enjoyed the campground's layout and amenities.
Creek play areas: shallow water access for supervised water activities. "Alot of their sites are along a small creek which the kids play in and can float down. Site 26 is our favorite. It has a huge back yard and easy access to the creek," recommends Mathew H. about Mirror Lake RV Camping & Fishing.
Playground facilities: varied by campground with different age appropriateness. "The playground area is unsafe. The wood on the playsets are falling apart and splintering," warns Brandy B. about Pioneer Lakes RV Park, highlighting the importance of checking facility maintenance when traveling with children.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: varies significantly across parks and specific sites. "Many of the sites are not level at all and take some serious work to get your rig level," notes Kevin E. about his stay at Shawnee State Park Campground, a common observation at mountain campgrounds in the region.
Electrical setup: bring extension cords for some power connections. "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," suggests Erik E. after his experience at Laurel Hill State Park.
Dump station locations: plan ahead as not all sites have sewer connections. "Most sites have electrical hookups, there are no sewer connections at individual sites, though a sanitary dump station is available," explains a camper about the Boswell area campgrounds, emphasizing the need for tank management planning.
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