Garrett, Pennsylvania sits in the Laurel Highlands region, nestled at an elevation of approximately 2,300 feet with a humid continental climate featuring cold winters and moderate summers. The area's elevated position creates cooler temperatures than surrounding lowlands, with evening temperatures often dropping 15-20 degrees below daytime highs even during summer camping season. The region's topography includes rolling hills with rocky outcroppings and dense forest cover that provides natural windbreaks around many camping areas.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: 4 miles of trails at Swallow Falls State Park showcase Maryland's highest waterfall at 53 feet. The trail system offers several smaller falls on a family-friendly loop. A camper noted, "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!"
Lake activities: Crystal clear water at Rocky Gap State Park Campground offers swimming, paddling and fishing opportunities. The campground provides its own beach area separate from public access. One visitor shared, "We love that the campground has their own beach so it's not over crowded with the public. Near the beach there is a nice playground near shade for parents to watch. I really like that there are trails from the camp loops to the beach."
Mountain biking: Extensive trail networks surround the camping areas, with connections to larger systems like the Great Allegheny Passage. At Ohiopyle State Park, trails connect directly to major routes. A reviewer mentioned, "Awesome campground right on the Great Allegheny Passage trail. We loved being able to access the GAP trail right from the campground. We were there in November with plans to visit Fallingwater. This campground was the perfect location for both activities!"
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Campers consistently praise the generous spacing between sites at Hickory Hollow Campground, which offers both wooded and open sites. A recent visitor observed, "Hickory Hollow's campsites were nicely spaced out, perched on a hillside, but with nice flat pads. The lake and farm country provided a welcoming and relaxing setting. The trail around the lake was perfect for running or walking."
Clean facilities: Bathhouses receive high marks at many area campgrounds, particularly for cleanliness and maintenance standards. At Deep Creek Lake State Park Campground, campers appreciate the well-maintained facilities: "The bathrooms were quite possibly the cleanest camp bathrooms I've ever come across. Overall, I couldn't have asked for a better first experience there."
Wildlife viewing: The forested settings provide excellent wildlife observation opportunities, from deer to fireflies. One camper at Deep Creek Lake State Park mentioned: "Camp site was pretty small and close to each other. The forest where the camp site was situated was beautiful. We were lucky enough to witness a spectacular light show put up by thousands of fireflies at night."
What you should know
Leveling challenges: Many sites require careful setup due to uneven terrain. At Shawnee State Park Campground, campers report: "I heeded the advice of other reviewers warning that many sites were not level and did not reserve ahead of time. A Monday in mid-October had many open sites. Most of the non-electric sites were decidedly not level but many of the FHU and electric sites were fairly level."
Bear activity: Several campgrounds provide bear boxes and have regular bear sightings. Store food properly according to campground regulations. At Deep Creek Lake, a reviewer noted: "Bears are common so they emplaced a big old bear box at every site. It's enough room to hold your food for a month of camping!"
Road noise considerations: Despite remote locations, some campgrounds experience road noise from nearby highways. At Rocky Gap State Park, one camper observed: "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 poplar straightaway for cars with loud mufflers who like to open it up."
Seasonal crowds: The popularity of glamping near Garrett, Pennsylvania means summer weekends fill quickly. A reviewer at Ohiopyle commented: "Kentuck Campground is a very nice campground, the sites are plentiful, and though there are many...there is enough foliage that separate campsites that it feels somewhat private."
Tips for camping with families
Look for specialized glamping options: Beyond the covered wagons at Hickory Hollow, families can find yurts at Swallow Falls State Park that offer comfort without sacrificing outdoor experience. One family reported: "We visited Swallow Falls over Labor Day Weekend. We had an awesome corner campsite. The campground was quiet, regardless of it being a holiday weekend with lots of kids around."
Choose campgrounds with playgrounds: Several area campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. A parent at Swallow Falls noted: "I gave it a 5 star for many reasons. First the campground is clean and made us feel like we were in a forest not just a campground. The grounds had paths everywhere and were well kept. I didn't feel like I was walking in the dirt or through someone's campsite to get to the bathroom or the playground for the kids."
Bring fishing gear: Many campgrounds offer fishing access directly from the property. At Pioneer Lakes RV Park, one visitor shared: "We stayed here to go to the flight 93 memorial so we didnt do much at the campground except fish cought a few nice bass."
Check for ranger programs: Several parks offer structured activities for children during peak season. Look for schedules upon arrival or check online before your trip.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Many campgrounds have a mix of level and sloped sites. At Laurel Hill State Park Campground, an RVer warned: "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. However, as we drove through the rest of the RV park area we noted that many of the sites had very awkward back-in approaches that did not provide sufficient area to maneuver a large rig into them."
Extension cords recommended: Power hookups at some sites are positioned inefficiently. One RVer at Laurel Hill State Park noted: "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."
Prepare for limited supplies: Many campgrounds are located in rural areas with few nearby stores. Stock up before arrival. A camper at Hickory Hollow observed: "Not a lot of restaurants or stores nearby, so keep that in mind if you'll be there awhile."
