Clearville, Pennsylvania sits at approximately 1,145 feet elevation in the Appalachian foothills, characterized by rolling terrain and wooded landscapes. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing with summer highs in the 80s. The area's camping options are particularly popular from April through October when overnight temperatures remain above 40°F, though many campgrounds in the region offer year-round accessibility.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Hidden Springs Campground, visitors can fish in the on-site pond. "Very nice friendly campground... well maintained," notes one camper who appreciated the accessibility of fishing options without needing to travel from their site.
Trail exploration: The 5-mile lake circuit at Rocky Gap State Park Campground provides a moderate hiking experience for all skill levels. "The 5 mile hike around Lake Habeeb is enjoyable. Great way to see all sides of the park," reports a visitor who explored the full trail system.
Water activities: Paddleboarding and canoeing options abound at local lakes. "We brought paddle boards and the lake was perfect for paddle boarding," shares a Rocky Gap visitor, though they caution that "you cannot swim anywhere outside of the roped swim areas."
Historic sites: The abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike section near Sideling Hill Roadside Sites offers a unique exploration opportunity. A camper describes it as "very interesting and haunting," adding that while "it's extremely quiet, with not a whole lot to do," it makes "a terrific place to see the stars."
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Many campgrounds in the region feature well-separated sites. "I can't believe how much space is between each site. You're close enough to see other campers but far enough away to feel you have your own section of woods," remarks one Rocky Gap camper about site 262 in the Ironwood loop.
Lake amenities: Swimming beaches with designated areas appeal to water enthusiasts. According to a visitor at Cowans Gap State Park Campground: "The lake was beautiful. There's a beach and swimming area. They have a little concession stand that sold drinks, French fries and some other snacks."
Family-friendly facilities: Multiple campgrounds offer amenities specifically designed for families. A visitor to Friendship Village Campground notes: "The kids played mini golf, jumped on the pillow, played on multiple playgrounds, enjoyed ice cream and went fishing. Can't wait to come back in the summer."
Primitive camping experience: For those seeking solitude, Green Ridge State Forest provides truly remote options. "From our campsite, we could not see or hear the next closest campsite, in fact, I'm not exactly sure where it even was," explains a camper who appreciated the isolation.
What you should know
Primitive facilities: Some campgrounds have minimal amenities. At Green Ridge State Forest, "All of the campsites are primitive sites with only a fire circle and a picknick table. Many of the back sites require high clearance, 4 wheel drive vehicles to get to."
Reservations vs. first-come: Reservation policies vary significantly. "You can't make a reservation in advance, you have to take a chance that there will be a site available," notes a Green Ridge visitor, while other campgrounds like Friendship Village require advance booking, especially during peak seasons.
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some camping experiences. A visitor to Friendship Village mentioned, "The only thing we didn't like was all of the road noise. This campground is located by 2 major highways and truck traffic and Jake brake are constant all night long."
Weather preparedness: Temperature variations require planning, particularly in spring and fall. A camper at Green Ridge noted camping there "even though it was only 14 degrees at night," highlighting the need for proper cold-weather gear during shoulder seasons.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Multiple play areas provide entertainment for different age groups. A camper at Friendship Village observed, "There are 3 play grounds all different and all well kept," making it easier to find age-appropriate activities.
Swimming access: Beach areas with amenities make water activities more comfortable. "This is one of our favorite campground that we visit often. We love that the campground has their own beach so it's not over crowded with the public," explains a Rocky Gap visitor who appreciated the dedicated access.
Activity planning: Some campgrounds offer organized events. "The property had a movie showing in their barn on Saturday night (Despicable Me) and they also seem to schedule a lot of live entertainment, mostly Bluegrass," notes a Friendship Village visitor.
Seasonal considerations: Off-season camping can provide a different experience. "We closed out the season with a trip here. It was absolutely serene and beautiful as the leaves were changing, fall vastly approaching," shares a visitor to Little Orleans Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Uneven sites can be problematic for larger rigs. At Shawnee State Park, a camper noted, "We have a 35' TT and there was no way it was going to fit in the site we originally booked. Luckily it was opening weekend and the rangers and super accommodating!"
Full hookup availability: Service options vary widely. A visitor to Little Orleans Campground stated, "Our site P1 is a full hook up pull through but it's really unlevel. We ran out of blocks trying to level on this site and were still off a bit."
Big rig accessibility: Some forest roads restrict larger vehicles. "All of the sites are primitive sites, and some require high clearance and 4 wheel drive in order to get to the site," warns a Green Ridge visitor, making it unsuitable for larger RVs.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly across campsites near Clearville, Pennsylvania. "It is a monday so I imagine this place would be much busier on the weekend but it's nice and quiet," mentions a Little Orleans camper who found the weekday experience more peaceful for RV camping.
