Camping near Dunbar, Pennsylvania centers on areas within the Laurel Highlands, an elevated region with 2,000-3,000 foot peaks and over 100 miles of trails. The region's camping season typically runs from April through October, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during the day and dropping to 50-60°F at night. Road access to most campgrounds requires navigating mountain terrain with elevation changes of 500-1,000 feet between valley floors and campsite locations.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Yough Lake Campground at Tub Run, visitors access both creek and lake fishing within the campground property. "Yough lake is small, but fun to explore. Good fishing," notes one camper. The campground offers boat slips and trailer storage for those bringing watercraft.
Biking on the GAP Trail: Campers staying at The Blue Canoe RV Resort can access the Great Allegheny Passage directly from the campground. One reviewer states, "The GAP trail rolls right through the middle of this traditional KOA campground. The seasonal RVers and weekend warriors have long claimed their sites, but for through riders on the trail there is a special place to camp."
Disc golf and stargazing: Tall Oaks Campground offers recently added disc golf facilities for campers seeking recreational activities. "The stargazing opportunities are amazing here," reports one visitor. The campground maintains a designated star-gazing platform for night sky viewing, though some visitors note it "is in need of repair."
What campers like
Secluded campsites: Scarlett Knob Campground receives praise for site privacy. "Each site is far away from other sites you feel alone," writes one reviewer. Another notes, "The sites are pretty spread out and full of trees. So for tent camping it is fantastic. Each site feels very private and the atmosphere is great."
Family-focused activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Mill Run caters specifically to families with children. "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," explains one reviewer. Another adds they have "4 huge slides plus big splash pad with little slide for smaller kids."
Cleanliness and maintenance: Many campers commend Benner's Meadow Run RV Campground for upkeep. "Clean and well kept," writes one reviewer. Another notes the "buildings and properties are well maintained" and mentions "a new bath house which is personal bathroom style and very nice."
What you should know
Road access challenges: Getting to some campgrounds requires careful route planning. At Tall Oaks Campground, "roads going to campsites are rocky so be careful if you have a low car." Multiple reviewers mention gravel roads throughout campgrounds in the region.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly by campground and carrier. At Laurel Hill State Park Campground, visitors report "fleeting cell at best on Verizon." Other campgrounds offer Wi-Fi with varying reliability.
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies widely between campgrounds. At Scarlett Knob Campground, one camper reported: "The only thing that I was unimpressed with was the bathrooms/showers. I felt dirtier after showering." By contrast, Outflow Camping receives more positive reviews: "Bath house isn't modern but showers are hot and have great pressure."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water features: Family campers should consider water recreation options. "The swimming lake was perfect and they had canoes and kayak rentals on site," notes one visitor at Yough Lake Campground. During hot summer months, water access becomes especially valuable.
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer playground facilities for younger children. The Blue Canoe RV Resort provides "multiple pools, playsets, cabins and river sites," according to a recent visitor. Families should check if playground equipment is appropriate for their children's ages.
Noise considerations: Families concerned about noise should research specific loops or areas within larger campgrounds. At Laurel Hill State Park Campground, one visitor observed: "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."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: RV campers report varying site conditions across the region. At Laurel Hill State Park Campground, "all sites are gravel; most appeared level, but some did not." Another camper noted that "the RV sites are on a major slope, especially the pull-through sites."
Hookup configurations: Electrical service varies between campgrounds. At Kentuck Campground in Ohiopyle State Park, "the sites are all located on roads leading off the main road; we stayed in a 20/30amp site on Cherry Road. It was right next to the bathroom which was good and bad." Other campgrounds like Laurel Hill State Park have power posts that may require extensions: "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."
Seasonal planning: Fall is a popular time at campgrounds near Dunbar, with special events drawing crowds. "We try to come every year for trick or treat!" notes a visitor to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park. Reservations during these peak times should be made well in advance.
