Tomlinson Run State Park Campground sits on a mountaintop in the northern panhandle of West Virginia, about 15 minutes from Burgettstown, Pennsylvania. The wooded 1,398-acre park features year-round camping options including tent sites, RV sites with electric hookups, and several cabin accommodations. Located at the Pennsylvania-West Virginia-Ohio tri-state junction, campers can expect moderate temperatures ranging from 35-85°F depending on season, with higher humidity levels in summer months.
What to do
Hiking trails nearby: McConnells Mill State Park offers rugged terrain within walking distance of Breakneck Campground. "From our campsite we walked along the creek into McConnells Mill State Park and joined the covered bridge trail. Approx. 30min walk along the creek down into McConnells Mill State Park," notes one visitor at Breakneck Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes and ponds provide fishing options across several campgrounds. At Fox Den Acres Campground, campers report excellent catches for younger anglers: "We did watch kids fishing and pulling fish out as soon as they put their line in!! So much fun for them."
Stargazing: Dark skies at Barkcamp State Park make for excellent night viewing. "Oglebay comes out and has star gazing when it's in season," mentions a camper at this Ohio location about 40 minutes from Burgettstown.
Boating and water recreation: Bring kayaks or small non-motorized boats to explore local waterways. At Atwood Lake Park Campground, visitors appreciate the convenient water access: "Docks available 50' from our waterfront lot. We could leave our camper, take the boat over to the beach and drop off the grandkids and me the Nana for swimming at the beach dock."
What campers like
Private tent sites: Campers appreciate secluded spots at Barkcamp State Park Campground. "The spaces are pretty spread out, which is very nice. There is a big equestrian camping area, which is cool. If you kayak, you could spend about two hours exploring the different bends in the lake," explains one visitor.
Free firewood: Unlike many campgrounds that charge for wood, some locations offer complimentary supplies. At Grand Vue Park, a camper notes, "The tent areas are spread out and each has a fire ring, picnic table and fire wood is free!"
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness ranks high on camper priorities. "They have a nice heated large pool, hiking trails close to some great places like McConnells mill, Morane state park, Fishing the shenango river," reports a visitor at Rose Point Park Cabins & Camping.
Glamping close to Burgettstown, Pennsylvania: Luxury camping options at Whispering Pines Family Campground feature scenic locations. "This campground checks all the boxes for me. Pool, brook, trees, space, quiet! Every time we come here it gets better. Site was right on the water and listened to the bubbly brook all day," explains one reviewer about this glamping destination.
What you should know
Off-season water limitations: Winter camping requires planning for water access. At Barkcamp State Park, a November visitor noted: "The campground had no water hookups, about 90% of the sites were not level (and....I mean by A LOT)."
Site levelness varies: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring leveling blocks. At Atwood Lake Park Campground, campers report newly developed sites with concrete pads: "All new camping spots with full hookup. Grass is coming in nicely."
Seasonal closures: Most campgrounds operate limited schedules. Tomlinson Run State Park operates April 1 to October 31, while Whispering Pines Family Campground runs April 15 to October 31.
Quiet hour enforcement: Rules vary by campground. At Breakneck Campground, one visitor reported: "I got about 2 hours of sleep Saturday night total, and the last time I was woken up my watch said 3:48 am. Clearly there is absolutely no enforcement of the quiet hours whatsoever."
Tips for camping with families
Look for recreational amenities: Salem-Lisbon Ohio KOA offers extensive family activities. "The campground was very clean and well maintained. Has activities for all ages. The general store has an ice cream shop and food," says one visitor about this family-friendly option.
Book early for holiday weekends: Popular glamping sites near Burgettstown fill quickly for summer holidays. Fox Den Acres Campground visitors recommend planning ahead: "They provide activities almost every evening, making sure every age range is catered to throughout the week."
Consider equestrian camping: Barkcamp State Park accommodates horses. "The state park is on the smaller side and a few updates are needed but, this campground was really sweet. Very cool! The trails are mostly for all horses, humans, and snowmobiles."
Bring quarters for showers: Some facilities require coins. At Fox Den Acres Campground, "Bring a quarter for a 10 minute shower! There's one 1950's bathhouse with a few stalls for hundreds of RV sites but they figure you're self-contained I suppose."
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions: Madison-Pittsburgh S.E. KOA has varied site configurations. "The sites are pretty close together and we couldn't use our fire ring because it ended up being very close to our rig. I couldn't get it level with my Anderson levelers it was pretty slopped."
Verify hookup types: Electrical service varies widely across campgrounds. Atwood Lake Park offers full hookups with fifty-amp service, while Tomlinson Run provides thirty-amp hookups without fifty-amp options.
Consider seasonal rental: Many campgrounds have long-term options. At Madison-Pittsburgh S.E. KOA, a reviewer observed: "Lots of full timers here. Nice bath houses," making it suitable for extended stays.
Be prepared for slopes: Several campgrounds feature hills. At Rose Point Park, a visitor noted: "hill keeps permanent campers separate from temporary campers," which affects site selection for larger rigs.
