Dispersed camping sites near Everett, Pennsylvania offer diverse experiences beyond standard campgrounds, with elevations ranging from 800 to 1,800 feet throughout the region. The area sits at the intersection of the Allegheny Mountains and Ridge and Valley Appalachians, creating distinctive camping environments. Winter camping options remain available at select locations with year-round operations, though weather conditions often limit accessibility from December through March.
What to do
Lake activities: Explore multiple swimming beaches. Rocky Gap State Park Campground features a designated swimming area with volleyball nets and equipment rentals. According to a camper, "The camp sites are tucked into the woods with plenty of room for camping. I really like that there are trails from the camp loops to the beach. The bathhouses are always clean and well stocked."
Mountain biking: Access dedicated trail systems. Lake Raystown Resort provides multiple biking trails with lake views. "The lake is absolutely gorgeous and offers endless outdoor adventure—hiking, biking, fishing, boating, kayaking, and more," notes one visitor who found the lakeside camping experience worthwhile despite closely spaced sites.
Primitive camping: Experience true forest immersion. Green Ridge State Forest offers primitive camping with significantly more privacy than developed campgrounds. "My family and I have gone camping all over Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, but had never visited Green Ridge before this weekend... The forest is beautiful, the campsites are large and very spaced out, firewood is bountiful, the area feels very remote," reports a camper who appreciates the distance between sites.
What campers like
Privacy levels: Secluded sites away from crowds. Cowans Gap State Park Campground earns praise for its layout and natural setting. "Our first time at Cowans Gap and we loved it. 5 nights, 6 days with no cell or wifi to stress us out. Biking, Hiking, sitting around a campfire, very nice," writes a camper who appreciated the digital detox.
Spacious campsites: Room to spread out. Rocky Gap State Park Campground impresses with site sizing. "First time here but will be back. 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," notes a camper from site 262 in the Ironwood loop.
Off-grid experience: Limited connectivity. Many campers appreciate the disconnected nature of several campgrounds in the region. "You are totally off the grid as far as cell, WiFi, and TV signal. Be prepared to be out of communication during your stay," explains a visitor to Cowans Gap State Park, highlighting a feature many consider positive rather than negative.
What you should know
Primitive camping requirements: Prepare for basic facilities. Green Ridge State Forest demands self-sufficiency. "The Cons: The area is beautiful, but it is a working forest so don't expect a ton of old growth trees and some areas will have been freshly logged. All of the campsites are primitive sites, and some require high clearance and 4 wheel drive in order to get to the site."
Site selection considerations: Research before booking. Friendship Village Campground & RV Park requires careful site selection. "We stayed at site number 41 for the weekend and have no complaints at all. It's a little more of a tight packed area versus the rest of the campground but it was in good vicinity to everything."
Noise factors: Highway sounds affect some locations. Traffic noise impacts multiple campgrounds. "Nice campground, clean and plenty of activities for the kids. 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," reports a Friendship Village visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Schedule around weekend events. Friendship Village Campground offers structured programming. "Went camping here for the first time this weekend. Although it was the off season there was still tons to do. 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."
Swimming options: Compare beach facilities. Shawnee State Park Campground features a lake with designated swimming areas. "The lake and the trails around it are beautiful. Great swimming and kayaking/small boating. The campground was nice, quiet and clean."
Accessibility needs: Select appropriate sites. Raystown Lake / Saxton KOA at Four Seasons offers specialized sites for families. "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. it was big enough for our 2 labs to fit into when we fed them."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Check before finalizing reservations. Shawnee State Park Campground requires planning for RVs. "We absolutely loved our stay at this park once we changed sites. 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!"
Utility connections: Verify hookup types. Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. "My wife and I stayed for two nights at this campground and enjoyed it greatly. We happened to be assigned what I believe was the best of the RV sites, a pull through that had full hook up. We have a 32 foot trailer. The site we were assigned was easily accessed and had a nice view of the campground."
