Best Tent Camping near Clarksburg, PA
Tent campsites in the Clarksburg area of Pennsylvania typically cluster along the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) trail and within the nearby Laurel Ridge State Park. Dravo's Landing Campground offers free tent camping with picnic tables, fire pits, and lean-to shelters positioned along the Youghiogheny River. Roundbottom Hiker-Biker Campground provides similar amenities for tent campers at mile 99.6 of the GAP trail, with both sites accessible primarily by hiking or biking in rather than by vehicle.
Sites throughout the region typically feature packed dirt or grassy surfaces with minimal leveling. Most tent-focused campgrounds include basic pit toilets but limited additional amenities. Water access varies significantly—Laurel Ridge State Park shelter sites have water available that requires treatment, while at Roundbottom Campground, the well water is noted as non-potable in recent reviews. Campers should plan to filter water from nearby rivers or carry in their own supply. Fire pits are common at established sites, with free firewood occasionally provided at GAP trail camping areas. The camping season generally runs May through October, with wildlife activity increasing during warmer months.
Areas along the GAP trail offer peaceful backcountry tent camping experiences despite occasional train noise. A visitor commented, "The only negative was the train traffic on the opposite side of the River—it is loud when they rumble through." Most tent sites provide direct access to the trail system for day hiking or longer backpacking routes. The Laurel Ridge State Park camping areas accommodate pack-it-in-pack-it-out primitive tent setups with eight different camping areas strategically positioned along the 70-mile Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail. These sites provide solitude and scenic views, particularly from dramatic overlooks facing east across the valleys. Fall visitors enjoy particularly vibrant landscapes, though weekends during peak foliage season can reduce isolation as the trails and tent campgrounds near popular trailheads experience increased foot traffic.
