Southwestern Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands region offers diverse camping near Farmington, PA at elevations between 1,500-2,500 feet. The area experiences all four seasons distinctly, with summer temperatures typically ranging 70-85°F during peak camping months. Winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that can drop below freezing, especially at higher elevations.
What to do
Hiking at Ohiopyle State Park: The park features numerous trails for all skill levels connecting to natural features. "The trails to the namesake falls are beautiful and very family-friendly, with lots of helpful signage. However, the parking lots and trailheads were PACKED on the weekend, so if you're a day tripper, get there early!" notes a visitor to Swallow Falls State Park.
Water activities on Youghiogheny River: Fishing, kayaking and rafting opportunities abound throughout the region. A camper at Yough Lake Campground at Tub Run shared: "We camped here with our RV and boat... The boat ramp, slips and trailer storage made it an easy boating/camping vacation spot. Yough lake is small, but fun to explore. Good fishing."
Biking the Great Allegheny Passage: This multi-use trail connects to several campgrounds in the area. A visitor to Outflow Camping reported: "The campground is right on the GAP so it may be a good place to overnight if you're doing a long bike trip."
What campers like
Private, spacious campsites: Many campgrounds offer well-separated sites for a more secluded experience. A camper at Tall Oaks Campground shared: "Very large tent site and surrounded by woods. Not close to your neighbor like most campgrounds. Peaceful! Van Life sites are tucked away in the woods for privacy. Open fields for large groups."
Stargazing opportunities: The region's elevation and distance from major cities creates excellent night sky viewing. A visitor mentioned: "The stargazing opportunities are amazing here. We stayed in a tent site and they accommodate up to 10 people, so they are very large. Our site was secluded enough to have privacy, which is what our goal was."
Proximity to attractions: Campers appreciate the convenient base for exploring regional highlights. A visitor to Coopers Rock State Forest noted: "The campground is only a short drive to the scenic overlook but if you're feeling adventurous you can take a hike. There is a playground for the kids and plenty of room for them to play."
What you should know
Bathhouse quality varies significantly: Facilities range from modern to basic across different campgrounds. A visitor to Scarlett Knob Campground commented: "Facilities are not kept up so they are dirty and need some love. There is one spot with a flushable toilet and it's a bit of a walk. The pit toilets are actually pretty ok. The showers could use some TLC as well."
Site terrain and layout: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain that affects tent placement and RV leveling. A camper mentioned: "We chose site 102 because it looked decent in the picture and seemed a little apart and more private than other areas. Unfortunately, it was not great for tent camping as there wasn't really a spot to set up our 4-person tent."
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult approach roads. A visitor to Tub Run noted: "Tub Run Road is a rough (but pretty) ride to the campground. Once you hit the property, everything is well-maintained."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Select campgrounds with specific family activities. A visitor to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Mill Run shared: "What a pleasure, this place is great. Neat mixture of old campground and new campground. Kids had a blast, plenty of activities, water park, outstanding camp store. Can't say enough about this place."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer water recreation specifically designed for children. Another camper noted: "With 2 swimming pools, 4 water slides, tractor rides, fire truck rides and a train ride alongside the free activities for the kids there is always something fun to do."
Exploring natural features: The region's waterfalls and rock formations captivate young explorers. A visitor to Swallow Falls wrote: "The largest falls in Maryland, Muddy Creek Falls, 53 feet. Several other falls on the Youghiogheny River."
Tips from RVers
Hookup limitations: Know what utilities are available at your selected campground. A camper at Benner's Meadow Run RV Campground mentioned: "We went to Benner's meadow the end of September. Not many people were there and the seasonal campsites were mostly closed up for the winter. This was our first big trip with two large dogs and it did not disappoint. Wifi was good enough to work and stream Netflix."
Site layout considerations: Pay attention to how utilities are arranged at campsites. A visitor to Laurel Hill State Park observed: "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. You may want to have an extension for your power cable."
Leveling requirements: Many sites in the region require significant leveling. A camper noted: "Okay campground. We met nice people staying there. However, the sites are REALLY not level because the RV sites are on a major slope, especially the pull-through sites."
