Best Campgrounds near Champion, PA

Champion is situated within Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands region, providing access to several established campgrounds that accommodate a range of camping styles. Roaring Run Resort and Laurel Highlands Campland are among the main camping areas near Champion, with most sites offering electric hookups and water access. These mixed-use campgrounds typically accommodate both tents and RVs, while some like Roaring Run Resort also offer cabin options. Several state parks including Kooser State Park and Laurel Hill State Park are within a 30-minute drive, providing additional camping opportunities in the surrounding forest landscape.

Campgrounds in the Champion area operate with varying seasonal schedules, with some like Roaring Run Resort open year-round while others like Kooser State Park operate from mid-April through mid-October. A visitor commented that "the tent camping sites are a very good distance from other sites, so you feel much more secluded" at Kooser State Park. Many campgrounds in this region require reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays. The area experiences cold winters with snowfall that may limit camping options from November through March. Road noise can be a consideration at some locations, with a camper noting that Donegal Campground has "highway noise that can be an issue if it bothers you."

The developed campgrounds surrounding Champion feature various amenities that enhance the camping experience. Swimming pools are common at the private campgrounds, with Laurel Highlands Campland offering both indoor and outdoor pools that visitors frequently mention in positive reviews. Most established sites include fire rings, picnic tables, and access to showers and restrooms. Proximity to regional attractions is a significant advantage, as several reviews highlight the convenient location for visiting the Youghiogheny River, Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater, and Seven Springs Mountain Resort. Campers seeking more privacy may prefer the state park campgrounds, where sites are typically more spacious and surrounded by natural forest settings, while those wanting more activities and amenities might choose the private campgrounds with their organized recreation programs.

Best Camping Sites Near Champion, Pennsylvania (118)

    1. Kentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park

    82 Reviews
    Ohiopyle, PA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 329-8591

    $24 - $72 / night

    "Ohiopyle is located in a beautiful area of Pennsylvania we've camped there a couple of times and have been able to get last minute tent sites. Lots of outdoor activities nearby."

    "Very close to two Frank Lloyd Wright properties– Kentuck Knob and the more widely known Falling Waters."

    2. Laurel Hill State Park Campground

    28 Reviews
    Rockwood, PA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 445-7725

    $24 - $64 / night

    "The lake is separate from the campground, but it is less than a mile away and a reasonable distance walk."

    "The site numbering is a bit wonky on the door loop so make sure you look at your map before you start driving the loops."

    3. Kooser State Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Jones Mills, PA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 445-8673

    $26 - $117 / night

    ". -$5 firewood bundles at the entrance. -Cleanest bathrooms/showers -Crystal clear stream with beautiful trail to the lake. Both stocked with fish. -Lots of picnic tables at the lake."

    "Kooser State Park sits on the border of Forbes State Forest in the Laurel Highlands. It has a mix of camper & tent sites around a central clearing, and offers a few cabins."

    4. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Mill Run

    16 Reviews
    Normalville, PA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 455-2929

    $115 - $750 / night

    "We ended with a very private tent site with no amenities but around the corner from a pavilion with an outside washing station and flush toilets."

    "ask for with 2 swimming pools. 4 water slides ,tractor rides ,fire truck rides and a train ride alongside the free activities for the kids there is allways something fun to do and only a few minute drive"

    5. Donegal Campground

    7 Reviews
    Jones Mills, PA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 593-7717

    "The only thing I can say about this campground that made me not give it 5 stars is, the highway noise."

    "Peaceful despite being by the highway. The owners were very friendly and helpful. Will definitely be back. Dogs loved it as well"

    6. Laurel Highlands Campland

    7 Reviews
    Jones Mills, PA
    2 miles
    Website

    $45 / night

    "Nearby all the local attractions that laurel highlands has to offer....Youghiogheny River,  Frank Loyd Wright house, Living Treasures Animal Park,  Seven Springs,  Hidden Valley,  etc.."

    "Laurel Highlands campland is in a terrific location for all the local attractions."

    7. Pioneer Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Somerset, PA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 445-6348

    "Next to sewer tank pump station, though. Not a problem but a few truck visits throughout the day so some people might not like that. Lots to do for kids."

    "Big fishing lakes. Pool could use a heater."

    8. Scarlett Knob Campground

    10 Reviews
    Ohiopyle, PA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 329-5200

    "We were very close to the state park and all activities there."

    "There is one spot with a flushable toilet and it’s a bit of a walk. The pit toilets are actually pretty ok. The showers could use some TLC as well."

    9. Keystone State Park Campground

    22 Reviews
    Latrobe, PA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 668-2939

    $22 - $117 / night

    "Camped in the Lakeside Loop. This State Park is so Clean! The campground gives you easy access to anything you want to do. Fish, swim, hike, bike, kayak. It can all be done."

    "This is our second time staying here - once in Electric site on Lakeside and this time non electric site on Hillside. Love this side of Hillside - quiet and shaded."

    10. Roaring Run Resort

    4 Reviews
    Champion, PA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (724) 593-7837

    "Nice area, great staff, beautiful location. Unfortunately you must buy "ownership" to stay"

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Recent Reviews near Champion, PA

661 Reviews of 118 Champion Campgrounds


  • Dana M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Kentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park

    Ok for a quick overnight

    Due to a water main break, only one bathroom and showers were available. Bathrooms were quite old and run down. There are over 100 sites. Pets are only allowed on specific loops and cannot be walked on “non pet” loops. We had an electric site which was pretty level for our van. Bike trails were more like hiking trails ( not single track Mtn biking trails). I found this park to be “just ok”.

  • Jennifer S.
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Fox Den Acres Campground

    Nice campground, close to home

    Friendly people. Clean. Only downside is only one bathhouse/restroom, hampering g the no #2 in camper. LoL

  • Kathy L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Laurel Hill State Park Campground

    Okay campground

    Okay campground. We met nice people staying there. However, the sites are REALLY not level because the RV sites are on a major slope, especially the pull-through sites. Large open grassy area. The camp host saw me walking my pups, and as I walked toward the trash can(near the bathroom) to throw away a pooped that I had picked up, she yelled across the green area from her site“no dogs in the bathrooms!” Kinda rude, but later she was friendly. Some okay hiking trails off the campground in a meadow.

  • Ronnie B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Hidden Springs Campground

    Labor Day Weekend

    It was packed-all went smoothly. From check in, wood delivery, and parking.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Mountain Top Campground

    Solitude peace and quiet

    You come up a winding road and emerge atop the mountain. It’s cute. Wide open grass land with sites around the perimeter. Half a dozen of them (premium) are at the edge and have a nice view to the hills beyond. Basic amenities. Some ice and fire wood that are self serve. We’re just here for the night and are hoping to catch an uber into the city for a pirates game. Place is full - ish but is super quiet. If you’re looking for a place to hang a hammock and read a book. This is it. Nice fire holes with a view.

  • Evan C.
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Robert W. Craig - Jennings Randolph Lake

    Great Tenting, Little Busy

    8/14/2025

    USACE-managed campground with hosts who are on-site all season. Nice sites (easy staking) with picnic tables and fire pits, plus a camp store for firewood and other supplies (got there too late to check it out though). A little crowded with what seemed like folks who stay there for a hefty chunk of the season, and the sites are pretty close together, but there weren't any issues with rowdy folks - it seems like the hosts keep things in order/enforce quiet hours if necessary. 

    Drinking water right next to the site (37) as well as a trail to a restroom - I think there's a shower on the other loop/section. 

    $22 for a basic (non-electric) tent site.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Sand Springs Campground

    Remote wilderness

    Was a nice campground. Wish I would have picked a better spot. Was tricky backing in. Lots of tress. Was off season so felt like I had the place to myself. Gets some crazy fog but lot of parks and trails close by.

  • Sue J.
    Aug. 5, 2025

    Rocky Gap State Park Campground

    Willing to give it another try

    I just returned from a 2-night tent camping solo trip with my dog.  This was my first time at Rocky Gap and I found some strong pros and cons.

    Pros

    Large camp sites, with decent space for tents. The descriptions on the State Park site seem very accurate. Mid week (Sunday and Monday nights) the campground was less than a third full, and the folks who were there were spread out so it felt more spacious than it was. There are some great trails for hiking, and the dog beach was perfect. You can rent kayaks, canoes, and SUPs, or bring your own for no launch fee.

    Cons

    It was very noisy at night due to traffic on I-68 and even the campground road, which despite a 15 mph posting has no speed bumps and seems to have a poplar straightaway for cars with loud mufflers who like to open it up. I don't know if the I68 traffic just sounds louder at night because everything else is quiet, or if the sound carries farther at night. But sleeping my tent, I was woken up many times by the sound of trucks down shifting and braking.

    Another noise -- during the day I heard what sounded like the world's largest circular saw, only to discover that there is a large saw mill about 2 miles north. Fortunately that noise stopped by about 6 pm.

    And finally, although there were only a few occupied sites in Dogwood loop, some were with very large groups with either no self awareness or no consideration for others. No fault of the park, and people did basically follow quiet hours, but 8:30am blasting music, and hooping and hollering into the night. Just. know that it is a popular park for large groups.

    Based on other reviews here saying that it was quiet, I'm willing to give it another try in a different loop. Or, not in a tent but in a camper van which is my other option.

  • B
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Pioneer Lakes RV Park

    Don't waste your money

    This was the worst experience I have ever had camping. We always do a huge family aging trip which we end up booking multiple sites. Every site was paid in full before arrival. One family checked in and had to pay extra when they checked in while the others did not. Camp sites where not mowed and unpresentable. Picnic tables where falling apart and one was not even usable because the bolt rusted on the bench seats and the boards where falling off. The roads are full of potholes going back to the sites. The staff are extremely rude and ignorant. When I was on the gulf cart going up to pick up my family from the pool, the one staff member stepped out in front of me blockkng me from going to pick up my family who was standing by the office steps. Told me I had to go park in the grass. Anytime you left the camp ground we where one, they watched us like Hawks. We had visitors that came and went to get a visitors pass and was treated like crap in the office and they actually told our visitors they where being dishonest. The playground area is unsafe. The wood on the playsets are falling apart and splintering. I had to pull alot of splinters out of my childs hands and feet. In the guys and girls restrooms, toilets where make closed and some of the knobs where broken off in the shower rooms. The wifi is terrible. You can't even use your cellphone on the wifi, let alone trying to stream TV. The pool water is terrible. Its so filled with salt that when you get out your skin is extremely dry and your lips shrivel up. You have to pay to go fishing but yet their ponds are scummy. Driving around we noticed that one Campsite was completely under water and it hasn't rain enough for a site to be flooded, another site the freshwater connection was held down by raquet straps to keep it together, another site there was a pile of shale and a mini excavator sitting in the lot with campers there. There was a band at the pavillion and there was a moonshine tent and staff was at it doing taste testing. I feel that drinking on the job is inappropriate. We use to go once a year here for the last 25 years and since the new owners took over, we will no longer camper there. Overall our trip was more frustrating than enjoyable. They need to find new staff that are customer friendly and not tyrants.


Guide to Champion

The Laurel Highlands region surrounding Champion, Pennsylvania sits at elevations between 1,000-3,000 feet, creating cooler temperatures than nearby lowland areas. Champion's location provides access to both developed campgrounds and more rustic options within a 30-minute drive. Winter camping availability varies significantly by campground, with temperatures regularly dropping below freezing from November through March.

What to do

Whitewater adventures nearby: Ohiopyle State Park offers various paddling experiences on the Youghiogheny River. "We chose Wilderness Voyageurs across the river, over the tracks and to the right. Time and finances limited us to a 'family friendly' float self-guided raft down the Middle Yough...laced with minimal Class 1 and 2 rapids, which I would classify as riffles," notes a visitor at Kentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park.

Natural water slides: The Sliding Rock area provides unique water recreation during summer months. "Get there early to get a parking spot…and then look forward to having some serious liquid fun. A natural water slide extends around 100 feet as it winds through the rock. Wear sturdy shorts and shirt…I'd also recommend solid footwear…its fun but it is still rock," advises a camper who stayed at Ohiopyle.

Bike the Great Allegheny Passage: Access the GAP trail directly from some camping areas. A camper at Ohiopyle State Park shared, "Awesome campground right on the Great Allegheny Passage trail. We loved being able to access the GAP trail right from the campground."

Fishing opportunities: Multiple parks offer fishing options across stocked lakes. "The lake provides a great place to fish and the walking trail has some less used fishing spots if you are willing to walk," explains a camper who stayed at Laurel Hill State Park Campground.

What campers like

Secluded tent sites: Many campgrounds offer more private spots for tent campers seeking quiet. "There are three little tenting sites in a wooded area of the campground, a little higher up the hillside," notes a camper who visited Kooser State Park Campground.

Fishing ponds: Several campgrounds maintain well-stocked fishing areas. "There is a fishing pond and a huge rec field. Some camp sites have more privacy than others," writes a camper who stayed at Scarlett Knob Campground.

Water activities: Swimming pools are available at some private campgrounds. A visitor to Jellystone Park noted, "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 & the original 2 big water slides in woods."

Hiking access: Many camping sites near Champion, Pennsylvania connect directly to trail systems. "We enjoyed the easy walking lake trail with the kids because it was wide and flat," mentions a visitor to Laurel Hill State Park.

What you should know

Highway noise affects some locations: Road noise can be noticeable at certain campgrounds. "The campground is situated right off of the main road so the road noise can be an issue if it bothers you. We personally, didn't sleep well because of the road noise," reports a camper who stayed at Donegal Campground.

Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring additional setup effort. A camper at Laurel Hill State Park observed, "The sites are REALLY not level because the RV sites are on a major slope, especially the pull-through sites."

Limited grocery options: Plan meals carefully as shopping options are restricted. "Plan your meals well, before arriving. There are a couple of restaurants in Ohiopyle, but they are not open late. There are no grocery stores real close," advises a visitor to Ohiopyle State Park.

Site type variations: Research site specifications before booking. "Looking around the rest of the campground, 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," notes a camper who stayed at Laurel Hill.

Tips for camping with families

Waterpark amenities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Mill Run offers extensive water features. "This Yogi Bear campground offers a large waterpark area, large pool, monster truck rides and many activities. You don't have to leave to find something to do, but there are also many local attractions as well. Kids love it here," shares one visitor.

Pet-friendly loop considerations: Some campgrounds separate pet areas from quiet zones. "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."

Affordable boat rentals: Laurel Hill State Park offers economical watercraft options. "Kayak rental of $15 for an hour was the cheapest we have seen and allowed us to explore more of the lake," explains a recent visitor.

Playground access: Several campgrounds maintain children's play areas. "The sites are a little close together but since it's so small, it's still very private. The bathrooms were clean and well kept, nothing fancy, but camping isn't about fancy accommodations," notes a camper who stayed at Donegal Campground.

Tips from RVers

Extension cord requirements: Check power hookup placement before arrival. "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 an RVer who stayed at Laurel Hill State Park.

Dump station locations: Note waste disposal options when booking. "There are two dump stations, one located on the way out, and the other located in one of the upper loops," shares a camper who visited Roaring Run Resort.

Limited amperage availability: Some campgrounds restrict power capacity. "The whole park is 30 amp" notes a camper about Roaring Run Resort, adding "The sites are average, but there are no sewer hookups and no 50 amp service."

Arrival timing considerations: Complex road conditions make daytime arrival preferable. "The road my GPS brought me in was a little tight, but manageable. There was a better route but it did have a very short bridge with a 10 ton weight limit, so be sure to really check your route," recommends an RVer who visited Roaring Run Resort.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best camping sites near Champion, PA?

The best camping sites near Champion include Kentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park, offering beautiful tent sites in the scenic Laurel Highlands with plenty of outdoor activities nearby. Kooser State Park Campground is another excellent option close to Champion, featuring reservable sites with toilets and accommodations for various camping styles. For RV campers, Hidden Springs Campground provides clean facilities, well-maintained grounds, and a quiet atmosphere even during busier weekends. The area around Champion is part of the Laurel Highlands region, known for its natural beauty, hiking trails, and outdoor recreation opportunities.

How far is Champion, PA from Pittsburgh and what camping options are available for a weekend trip?

Champion, PA is approximately 60 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, making it an ideal weekend camping destination at about 1.5 hours drive time. For a weekend trip, Yough Lake Campground at Tub Run offers both RV and tent camping options with sites along a creek for more privacy. Friendship Village Campground & RV Park near Bedford is another excellent option about 30 minutes from Champion with easy check-in and accommodations for various rig sizes. For those wanting a quieter experience, several state parks in the region offer wooded sites that provide a quick nature escape from the city without requiring extensive travel time.

What resorts in Champion, PA offer camping or outdoor accommodation options?

Roaring Run Resort in Champion offers camping and outdoor accommodations with drive-in, hike-in, and walk-in access options. The resort features reservable sites with water, toilets, and is big-rig friendly for RV campers. Another nearby option is Laurel Highlands Campland near Donegal, just a short drive from Champion, providing various camping facilities in a picturesque setting. For those seeking a family-oriented resort experience, Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Mill Run offers amenities like water activities, planned events, and comfortable camping facilities within easy driving distance of Champion.