Camping near Gibsonia, Pennsylvania ranges from hilltop sites with valley views to secluded woodland retreats. The region sits approximately 1,200 feet above sea level with moderate summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F from June through August. Fall brings colorful foliage with cooler camping conditions as temperatures drop into the 40-60°F range by October.
What to do
Hiking and biking trails: Raccoon Creek State Park provides over 40 miles of trails with varying difficulty levels. "I had the most wonderful time on my first tent camping at Racoon Creek. We made a fire, hiked by the moonlight and swam at the warm lake at night," shares Mariana N. from Raccoon Creek State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Lake Arthur at Moraine State Park offers year-round fishing access. "This is a great place just off interstate 79. Been going there since I was a kid. This park has an awesome trail system for walking or biking," notes Jim L. about Group Camping and Cabins — Moraine State Park.
Creek exploration: Multiple campgrounds offer water access for swimming and creek exploration. "We were in a lower loop with platforms overlooking the hill. The overall vibe was clean, safe, and beautiful. I believe the river would have only been a short walk/drive away," reports Jenae R. about her stay at Breakneck Campground.
What campers like
Elevated camping views: Sites with valley vistas rank highly among campers in the Gibsonia area. "You come up a winding road and emerge atop the mountain. Half a dozen of them (premium) are at the edge and have a nice view to the hills beyond. Nice fire holes with a view," writes Jennifer H. about Mountain Top Campground.
Secluded creek-side sites: For campers seeking privacy, some campgrounds offer more isolated options. "We definitely lucked out with one of the best campsites; we were right next to the creek, it was super spacious and super private. There's rough terrain so typically these sites are walk-in," reports Taylor S. from Breakneck Campground.
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness receives consistent praise across reviews. "Campground is very nice. A lot of sites with plenty of room at each site. Bathrooms were very clean as well," notes Tyler R. about his experience at Smith Grove.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "We recently stayed at this campsite with our 3 very young kids and dog. They called me and texted me in advance to remind me us of our reservation and also to find out if we were coming in late," explains Dave from Mountain Top Campground.
Shower access: Some campgrounds charge for shower use. "Mountain Top was off the beaten path and very quiet. Only disappointment was that the showers were coin operated, so you not only needed cash on hand but then had to turn those into special coins for the shower," Jennifer N. points out.
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds in the area have limited seasons. "Indian Brave Campground is open Apr 15 - Oct 15 with 185 sites available," while some facilities like Rose Point Park Cabins & Camping offer extended seasons with both summer and fall events like "Pumpkin Carving Contest, Voting On Pumpkins, Dance Party," according to Owen I.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Some campgrounds offer organized events specifically for children. "We loved camping at Bear Run so much we bought an old trailer and we now park it there year around. Every weekend there are activities, there is a heated pool and Friday night Bingo," explains Amy S. from Bear Run Campground.
Level sites for setup: Families appreciate easy setup areas. "The sites are pretty spread out and spacious. The hardest part is finding it. The roads get narrow so if in an RV call them for the easiest way in," advises Corey L. about Mountain Top Campground.
Playground access: Not all campgrounds have dedicated play areas. "This is an amazing campground with reasonable prices, an array of camping options to suit different camping needs as well as budget range. Activities include wagon rides to the lake, talent show, karaoke…etc," shares Bettina A. about Bear Run Campground.
Tips from RVers
Road access considerations: Several campgrounds require careful navigation. "This campground was perfect for what we needed to accomplish! As first-time travel trailer owners, they helped us accomplish our first trip away! They escorted us to our campsite (which was larger than most) and made sure we had plenty of help getting backed in and set up," reports Jon H. about his experience at Indian Brave Campground.
Site amenities: Full hookup availability varies between locations. "Nice campsite, the closest to Pittsburgh that I found. Level gravel lots with wood borders. Lots of grass on each site as well. Full Verizon coverage LTE. 30 + 50amp services. Grey water dump on most sites," notes James B. about pet-friendly camping near Gibsonia at Mountain Top Campground.
Seasonal stays: Many Gibsonia-area campgrounds offer long-term options. "We live in Oregon and our son and family live in Zelienople. We have stayed here in 2019, 2021, 2023 and now 2024. The owners and staff are wonderful, right on top of things," shares Kim S. about her repeated visits to Indian Brave Campground.
