Glamping establishments around Claysville, Pennsylvania cluster along a corridor connecting eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania, with most facilities situated between 800-1,200 feet in elevation. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. Most glamping sites operate seasonally from April through October due to harsh winter conditions that make water systems inoperable.
What to do
Miniature golf access: Visitors at Tomlinson Run State Park Campground can enjoy the on-site course during summer months. "Tomlinson Run is a beautiful state park situated in the northern panhandle of West Virginia nestled between eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. Plenty of things to do there including mini golf, hiking trails, biking, swimming, fishing, paddle boats, and parks for the kids," reports a camper.
Star gazing programs: Astronomy enthusiasts visiting Barkcamp State Park Campground benefit from scheduled night sky viewing events. "Oglebay comes out and has star gazing when it's in season," explains Fred R. The park's relative distance from major cities reduces light pollution for better viewing conditions.
Cannabis-friendly yoga: For a unique wellness experience, Laurel Highlands Hemp Cannabis Farm offers weekly sessions. "Friday nights are Toke With A Goat Yoga at 7 at the barn weather depending," notes Ashley F. The farm maintains a strict no-alcohol policy while welcoming cannabis users.
Boat rentals: Multiple water bodies around Claysville provide boating opportunities. Barkcamp State Park features a small lake suitable for brief exploration. As one visitor explains, "If you kayak, you could spend about two hours exploring the different bends in the lake."
What campers like
Clean bathroom facilities: Madison-Pittsburgh S.E. KOA receives praise for their maintenance standards despite being an older property. "Nice campground with lots of sites. Sitting in a valley the site go up the hillside. Good amenities, pool and bathroom/showers," notes Brent C. The campground operates year-round with winter services maintained through heated water lines.
Secluded tent sites: Tomlinson Run State Park Campground offers private spaces for tent campers. "Most of the sites were pretty private and ours was probably the most private and had a lot of space since we were on the very end of the road/cul-de-sac," describes Dusty R., adding "I would definitely recommend this site if you like privacy but it is a longer walk to the bath house."
Laundry efficiency: For extended stays, Madison-Pittsburgh S.E. KOA provides superior laundry facilities. "The laundry facilities would keep me coming alone. They gave HUGE INDUSTRIAL SIZE washers & dryers," explains Mary Elisabeth D. This feature proves particularly valuable for glampers experiencing extended rainfall or muddy conditions.
Evening entertainment: Many campgrounds organize nightly activities. "Tomlinson Run is a great state park with trails for hiking and biking. The campground is nice with clean bathrooms and showers," notes Tracy S., while others mention organized events like weekend bonfires.
What you should know
Seasonal water systems: Winter camping can involve limited utilities. A Connor M. review of Barkcamp State Park Campground notes, "The campground had no water hookups... We were one of the only people in the campground, so we ended up just moving to one of the more level campgrounds." Most glamping facilities winterize water systems by November.
Site leveling challenges: RV owners should prepare for uneven terrain. "Every site was horrible. Either unlevel, muddy or something," reports Theodore C. about Tappan Lake Park. Similar challenges exist at other campgrounds in the region due to the hilly topography.
Variable camp store inventories: Availability of supplies fluctuates seasonally. "Camp store - small, not a lot in it but may be end of the season items only. Mostly shirts and mugs and very little snack food," reports Shannon G. about Tomlinson Run State Park.
Wildlife sounds: Natural sounds can affect sleep quality. As one visitor to Barkcamp notes, "The worst part about our experience was that there was a group of cows somewhere nearby that were moaning in distress all of Saturday, Saturday night and Sunday morning." Agricultural operations border many glamping properties.
Tips for camping with families
Activity schedules: Benner's Meadow Run RV Campground maintains family-oriented programming. "They are family oriented and not looking for large/loud groups. They accommodate tents and RVs, and offer cabins. The staff is helpful and friendly, and so are most of the campers," explains Mark E., adding, "They even have entertainment and Saturday night was a fun DJ."
Fishing access: Multiple campgrounds offer fishing opportunities for children. At Fox Den Acres Campground, "We did watch kids fishing and pulling fish out as soon as they put their line in!! So much fun for them," according to Patience W. Many glamping sites stock small ponds specifically for youth fishing.
Site selection for play space: Request sites with ample room for children's activities. "Got a nice secluded spot to camp in the wooded area that had a amazing mountain views and the star gazing platform. Kids had a great time and lots of activities for them to do!" reports Tom C. about Benner's Meadow Run.
Bathroom proximity: When glamping with young children, location matters. One Tomlinson Run visitor advises, "I would definitely recommend this site if you like privacy but it is a longer walk to the bath house but we didn't mind that at all." Request sites closer to facilities when traveling with toddlers.
Tips from RVers
Dump station procedures: Most glamping sites with RV access provide waste disposal facilities. At Tappan Lake Park, an RVer notes, "Water pressure was good and had no issues with the power." Sites with full hookups eliminate dump station needs entirely.
Connectivity limitations: Cell service and WiFi vary significantly by location. "I have AT&T cell service and found 1 and 2 bars throughout the park," reports one visitor to Tappan Lake Park. For remote work needs, Madison-Pittsburgh S.E. KOA offers stronger WiFi near the office building.
Limited winter sites: Year-round operations exist but with reduced capacity. "We're staying in the winter for a few nights to visit friends who live outside Pittsburgh. Friendly and cozy spot. They've done a great job in the winter despite the frigid weather by using heat tape on the spigots," explains Zachary H. about Madison-Pittsburgh S.E. KOA.
Site width considerations: Many older campgrounds have narrower sites. "The pad was narrow so you had to pay attention when exiting the camper," reports Bobby C. about Tappan Lake. Modern glamping facilities typically offer wider sites with designated patio areas.
