Camping options near Everett, Pennsylvania span across heavily wooded terrain with elevations ranging from 1,000 to 2,500 feet. The region's mountainous landscape creates distinct microclimates where temperature can drop 5-10 degrees compared to surrounding lowlands. Sites vary from open fields to dense forest settings with both electric and primitive options throughout Bedford and Somerset counties.
What to do
Swimming and water activities: Rocky Gap State Park Campground offers a designated beach area with volleyball nets and equipment rentals. "The campground beach is fun. There is a 5 mile trail that goes all around the lake. Lots of lake to paddle," notes one visitor to Rocky Gap State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Many campgrounds maintain stocked ponds for catch-and-release fishing. At Friendship Village, one camper mentioned, "This campground is tucked into the mountains of PA, in the town of Bedford" with "a pond...and a 1/2 mile walking path around it with trees and beaches to stop and sit."
Weekend activities: Scheduled events happen regularly at family-oriented campgrounds. "We stayed during Bigfoot weekend. It was super fun as our family likes bigfoot fun. We started out Friday night getting the offered $12 bbq plate that included pork burnt ends, beans and potato salad," shared a visitor to Timber Run Campground.
What campers like
Site spacing: Many campers appreciate the ample room between sites at certain parks. At Rocky Gap State Park Campground, a reviewer noted, "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 sections of woods."
Well-maintained facilities: Clean restrooms and showers matter to many visitors. "The bathhouses are always clean and well stocked. The camp sites are tucked into the woods with plenty of room for camping," reports a Rocky Gap visitor.
Family activities: Campgrounds with organized events score highly with families. At Friendship Village Campground & RV Park, a camper shared, "Lots of fun for kids, live music on the weekend, this campground was full of activity. The campground was packed with everyone from seasonal full timers to overnighters."
What you should know
Traffic noise: Some campgrounds experience road noise from nearby highways. "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 popular straightaway for cars with loud mufflers," noted one Rocky Gap State Park Campground visitor.
Site levelness: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring extra equipment. At Little Orleans Campground, a camper mentioned, "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."
Swimming restrictions: State parks often limit swimming to designated areas only. A Rocky Gap visitor noted, "You cannot swim anywhere outside of the roped swim areas. It was a hot day and we found a great shallow area and decided to take a dip and the lifeguards came out on boat and kindly told us we could not swim."
Tips for camping with families
Look for multiple playgrounds: Larger campgrounds offer various play areas throughout the property. At Friendship Village Campground & RV Park, a camper reported, "There is 3 play grounds all different and all well kept."
Check for specialized activities: Some campgrounds offer unique attractions for children. "Lots of fun for kids, jumping pillow, playground, enjoyed ice cream and went fishing," wrote a visitor to Friendship Village.
Consider seasonal scheduling: Activity calendars vary significantly throughout the year. At Pioneer Lakes RV Park, a visitor noted, "Wonderful staff and facilities. The roads around the camp ground could use some maintenance, especially on the hill side by the pool!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Many RV campers recommend paying attention to location within the campground. At Raystown Lake / Saxton KOA at Four Seasons, a reviewer advised, "The only drawback was that the sites were tight and not the most level but we made do."
RV site amenities vary: Deluxe sites offer significant upgrades over standard options. A camper at Timber Run described, "Site 22 is a deluxe patio back in site with a patio, 4 nice Adirondack chairs, a double glider, a weber propane grill and built in fire pit AND a dog fence just for that site that was maybe 6 ft x 6ft."
Camp store supplies: Most RV parks maintain well-stocked stores for essentials. At Nature's Getaway RV Park, a visitor commented, "Whether your stopping overnight on the way to somewhere or staying the weekend, this is a great place to park. We got the pull through at the end of one loop so we could face the woods. The site wasn't so level, but we made it work."
