122 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Gray, Pennsylvania spans tent sites, RV hookups, and cabins across a mix of state and private campgrounds. Laurel Hill State Park Campground provides a forested setting with electric hookups, showers, and reservable sites operating from mid-April through October. Nearby Kooser State Park Campground features similar amenities with picnic tables and pet-friendly policies. Private facilities like Pioneer Park Campground and Hickory Hollow Campground supplement public options with additional amenities such as water hookups, trash service, and market facilities.
Seasonal considerations strongly influence camping near Gray in this region of southwestern Pennsylvania. Most campgrounds operate from April through October, with peak season bringing higher visitation during summer weekends. Winter access is limited as many facilities close completely after mid-October. The area experiences typical Appalachian mountain weather patterns with warm summers and cold winters. Most campgrounds require reservations through official state park or private booking systems, particularly during summer months. A visitor noted: "Sites are spaced far apart in the section we were in with lots of foliage for privacy. There is walking path behind the loop along the lake that goes to the beach area and camp store."
Mixed-use campgrounds predominate in the Gray area, catering to various camping styles. Laurel Hill State Park receives positive reviews for its wooded setting and lake access, though some sites have limited separation. The region connects to natural features including lakes and trails, with many campgrounds providing amenities like fire rings, picnic tables, and bathroom facilities. Several sites offer fishing and boating opportunities, with seasonal rentals available at some locations. Primitive camping options are limited, with most sites providing at least basic amenities. One camper described Laurel Hill as "a very large and wooded state park" with "sites that are gravel; most appeared level, but some did not." Cell phone coverage varies throughout the region, with some areas having limited connectivity, particularly in more remote campsites and valleys.
"The lake is separate from the campground, but it is less than a mile away and a reasonable distance walk."
"The site numbering is a bit wonky on the door loop so make sure you look at your map before you start driving the loops."
from $20 - $64 / night
Check Availability"5 firewood bundles at the entrance. -Cleanest bathrooms/showers -Crystal clear stream with beautiful trail to the lake. Both stocked with fish. -Lots of picnic tables at the lake."
"Kooser State Park sits on the border of Forbes State Forest in the Laurel Highlands. It has a mix of camper & tent sites around a central clearing, and offers a few cabins."
from $22 - $70 / night
Check Availability"Ohiopyle is located in a beautiful area of Pennsylvania we've camped there a couple of times and have been able to get last minute tent sites. Lots of outdoor activities nearby."
"Very close to two Frank Lloyd Wright properties– Kentuck Knob and the more widely known Falling Waters."
from $20 - $54 / night
Check Availability"Easy walk to beach area and boat launch. Very clean."
"The location on the water adds for a great view. Electric only."
from $20 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Next to sewer tank pump station, though. Not a problem but a few truck visits throughout the day so some people might not like that. Lots to do for kids."
"Big fishing lakes. Pool could use a heater."
"Camped in the Lakeside Loop. This State Park is so Clean! The campground gives you easy access to anything you want to do. Fish, swim, hike, bike, kayak. It can all be done."
"This is our second time staying here - once in Electric site on Lakeside and this time non electric site on Hillside. Love this side of Hillside - quiet and shaded."
from $18 - $70 / night
Check Availability"Beautiful scenery, quiet location, spacious campsites, full RV hookups, well-placed fire rings, dog park, nice large bathhouses, polite staff, and Wi-Fi that works. "
"The lake and farm country provided a welcoming and relaxing setting. The trail around the lake was perfect for running or walking. "
"The only thing I can say about this campground that made me not give it 5 stars is, the highway noise."
"Peaceful despite being by the highway. The owners were very friendly and helpful. Will definitely be back. Dogs loved it as well"
"Nearby all the local attractions that laurel highlands has to offer....Youghiogheny River, Frank Loyd Wright house, Living Treasures Animal Park, Seven Springs, Hidden Valley, etc.."
"Laurel Highlands campland is in a terrific location for all the local attractions."
from $45 / night
Check Availability"There are charming rustic cabins, toilets and showers nearby. Outdoor spigots for water. They’re all right next to a shady crick, near a sliding rock, and some nice hikes. Great spot for kids."
from $33 - $75 / night
Check Availability
ScoutWow, the weekends were fun. They were quite a bit of people there and my kids had a good time. The weekdays were different story we were told we had to be quiet. We had a lot of craziness go on
TravelerWe LOVED our visit to Kentuck campground and Ohiopyle. We went mid-week in early June and had very few neighbors Tuesday and Wednesday, with more rolling in toward the end of the week.
We stayed on Hickory Loop with our dog and saw quite a few other dogs while we were there. Not all sites are equal at this campground - ours was huge and lovely with adequate flattish area and a stream running along two sides of it. Others were quite small and not very level. I think we had one of the best sites on the loop, with great trees for hammocks and big rocks nearby, as well as good privacy from other sites.
The campground is very shaded and was regularly several degrees cooler than elsewhere in the park, which was great to home 'home' to. There's a lot of poison ivy in the area, so be watchful.
Firewood is available for purchase on entrance to the campground.
The bathhouse was relatively clean, with a large kitchen sink for washing dishes, three toilet stalls, and two shower stalls. We never had to wait for any of it.
GuideThis campground's foliage is interesting, I saw fernes growing and trees that looked older than me. I also noticed the campground has some history shown by the rust of the firepits. There is Billy's Pizza and general store which sells firewood if you go a little further down the road that maps takes you and take the second left instead of taking the first left. I think the campground also sells firewood on site. You can order Billy's Pizza and I saw them deliver to the campsites, which is amazing, havent seen that before. I'm a light sleeper and could hear truck engine braking sounds echo through the forest from the nearby highway, so the proximity to the road ruins the feeling of seclusion and the quiet. There's a restroom with a large sink outside which is nice.
TravelerThis is one of six campsites that can be reserved through PA's DCNR website. The six campsites are spread throughout the Laurel Highlands. This is the only one at Mt. Davis. We camp with three dogs, so we really appreciated the privacy. There were occasionally the sounds of distant ATVs or farm equipment, but, overall, this is a peaceful site. The campsite does not connect to the trails at Mt. Davis and there is no vault toilet here, but both vault toilets and a trailhead are just a few minutes away at the Mt. Davis picnic area. There is only one obvious tent site, so, if you need more than one tent site, you will have to get creative. The site is along a gravel road that leads to a field which you can use to walk your dogs. There are no water features here which our dogs enjoy, so that is the only reason for the 4 out of 5 stars. We will be reserving this site again!
GuideI come here at least twice a year for the wonder campground. The hiking trails, water falls and white water rafting. The town is small but filled with tons of great shops and outfitters. Campground is clean, every sight is nice and spacious, not all are private. Get gas on your way here, once here their are no gas stations for 40 minutes in every direction. Ice and wood at campground suck. Go into town for ice or see Butch out rt 381 on the left just outside the park boundary. Highly recommended.
TravelerThis campground (now named "Orchard Station Campground" is under new management, and is open all year (I think). They are in the process of upgrading sites with new utility lines and level gravel pads.
Owner was very friendly & helpful.
Allowed me to charge my Rivian onsite (I paid him for the extra power).
Adjacent huge cemetery site is accessible via a goat path at the back of the campground and provided a great place to walk our dog every day.
We were attending the Alleghany Ukulele Soiree at the Altoona Grand Hotel, and this was a perfect spot (less than 5 minutes away).
Will definitely return!!
TravelerWe came up here in our Roadtrek campervan. Quiet woodsy forestland. Went for a walk in the morning, lots of birdsong. A bit of road noise from the nearby highways but didn’t hear anything at night.
TravelerI want to preface by saying that I believe this is a fairly nice and accommodating campground, it just missed the mark on some of my personal preferences this time around.
I had a two night trip the opening weekend at the Elm Loop, site 118. I actually came to this campground amidst a wind advisory, will definitely not make that mistake again because it was a beast. The grounds were easy to navigate even during the night. Putting up the tent was a bit frustrating as the tent pad was very rocky and it was difficult to get the pegs into the ground.
One of my biggest qualms was that I arrived expecting to be able to buy firewood from the camp store, especially since the provided flyers and maps listed the store being open until 9pm. I got to the store only to find out that it had been shut down last year. A bit disappointing as we couldn’t have a fire that night, would’ve been nice to know ahead of time. Thankfully firewood was available the next day but at the registration office at the entrance of the park. Not sure if they plan on opening the store again, but just be aware if you do plan to go and are expecting it to be open.
Other than that, it’s a well versed site. Plenty for any group to do. I went fishing towards the dam while the other half of my group hiked the lake trail. Bathrooms were available and in usable condition. Sites are a good distance apart, the ones along the lake are pretty. Not sure if I’d return again but it was a nice to try.
GuideTLDR: this is a horrible campsite in a horrible campground. You should reserve somewhere else and leave it open for me. ;-)
My family has a wide variety of preferences. My husband is a water guy. I'm a mountain girl. My kids want a paved campground road so they can scooter and a nearby playground. This place is all of those things - a mountain lake with paved roads and heavy on amenities.
We stayed in site 11, which has a direct path to the lake-loop trail, which is also a straight shot to the beach/playground. We were there in March, so we weren't swimming/boating, but in the summer this would be a prime spot for those reasons too. It's a liiittle far from the bath house. But we RV, so it's not a huge deal. It had a great view of lake and mountains (though once the leaves come in, probably less so).
Sites are nice and private, well spaced. The fire pit was nice and deep, which was slightly inconvenient, but is probably intended to combat the mountain winds. The campground store and other peak season amenities were closed, so I can't speak to those, but it looked like they had very nice facilities. The playground was really nice. (We didn't go onto resort/casino property)
Laurel Hill State Park offers camping opportunities in southwestern Pennsylvania's mountainous terrain. The park spans several woodland loops with sites that accommodate tents, RVs, and cabins. Most campgrounds in this region operate from April through October, with Laurel Hill State Park Campground featuring both electric and non-electric options set among forested areas near a 63-acre lake.
Hiking and exploring: Linn Run State Park features several trails near its rustic cabins. As one visitor notes, "They're all right next to a shady crick, near a sliding rock, and some nice hikes. Great spot for kids."
Fishing: Multiple campgrounds in the area offer fishing opportunities. At Quemahoning Family Recreation Area, one camper mentioned it's "Great for fishing kayaking. Very family oriented." The reservoir provides a peaceful setting for anglers of all skill levels.
Boating and water activities: Laurel Hill State Park Campground offers lake activities during summer months. A visitor shared: "Kayak rental of $15 for an hour was the cheapest we have seen and allowed us to explore more of the lake." The park also features swimming areas and boat launches.
Winter recreation: For those visiting during colder months, Kooser State Park provides winter activities. According to a review: "We met with friends from Pittsburgh here, they visit often and consider this a hidden gem. We enjoyed the waterfront camping and snowshoeing."
Bouldering: Some parks feature unique rock formations for climbing enthusiasts. One visitor to Laurel Hill noted: "This was a very fun place! There was easy little rocks to boulder and climb! And even a few smaller caves to explore! It was an adventure paradise with a close location to the seven springs ski resort."
Privacy between sites: At Hickory Hollow Campground, the spacious layout receives positive reviews. A camper described it as: "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."
Loop selection matters: When camping at Ohiopyle State Park, choosing the right loop makes a difference. One camper advised: "There are two main loops in this campground. One that is pet friendly and more of a pitch-your-tent-in-the-yard thing and another that is pet-free and wooded... Campsites more spread out with trees in between and way quieter."
Dark skies for stargazing: Some campgrounds offer excellent nighttime viewing. At Hickory Hollow Campground, a visitor mentioned: "We really enjoyed the clear night sky's and during the day you can watch cattle play on the hillside(no bad smells!) while looking out over the hills and mountains."
Lake views: Quemahoning Family Recreation Area earns praise for its waterfront setting. A reviewer noted: "Great campground, people were very friendly. Has a small store, very quiet, good view of the water in most areas of the campground."
Clean facilities: Multiple reviewers note the well-maintained bathhouses at campgrounds in the area. At Pioneer Park Campground, a visitor mentioned: "Very friendly ownership. Always go out of their way to accommodate. Pleanty of very well maintaIned large sights all pull through. Great camp store, fire wood, fire rings, very clean facilities."
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in the Gray area close for winter. At Kooser State Park Campground, the season runs "April 15 to October 15," according to park information.
Site leveling challenges: Several campgrounds have uneven terrain. At Kooser State Park, a camper noted: "My only complaint is that many of the sites are not level at all and take some serious work to get your rig level."
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds sit near highways. A visitor to Donegal Campground shared: "The campground is situated right off of the main road so the road noise can be an issue if it bothers you. We personally, didn't sleep well because of the road noise."
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies widely across the region. A visitor to Laurel Hill noted: "Fleeting cell at best on Verizon." This can affect planning, especially for those needing to stay connected.
Weather preparation: The mountainous terrain creates variable conditions. At Laurel Hill, sites may have drainage issues: "Our site backed up to the creek but surprisingly, there was not a lot of water flowing in the spring."
Look for playgrounds: Kentuck Campground at Ohiopyle State Park offers family-friendly features. A camper noted: "There is also a playground, volleyball, shuffleboard, and a large picnic area at the end of one of the loops."
Kid-friendly water features: Several parks have natural features children enjoy. At Laurel Hill, a visitor mentioned: "The lake provides a great place to fish and the walking trail has some less used fishing spots if you are willing to walk. We enjoyed the easy walking lake trail with the kids because it was wide and flat."
Consider cabin options: For families not wanting to tent camp, Kooser State Park offers alternatives. A visitor explained: "They also have cabins but we were just in a tent (I don't know if the cabins are open all year)."
Pack for varied activities: The region offers diverse recreation options. One camper at Pioneer Park Campground noted: "Great family friendly campground. Site 202 is right on a pond, a nice shady spot with lots of space. Lots to do for kids."
Check swimming availability: Not all parks maintain swimming areas. A visitor to Kooser State Park mentioned: "It has a pretty decent campground with nice spots. A great area for hiking and taking walks. Pet friendly. Only downfall is that the lake swimming area is closed."
Site selection is crucial: At Pioneer Park Campground, sites vary in size and quality. One RVer cautioned: "Roads are small and a mix of asphalt, gravel and dirt. Camp sites are tiny, packed together like sardines and muddy when it rains. The pull through sites are only large enough for your camper (barely)."
Electrical hookup locations: Consider your power cord length when setting up. At Laurel Hill State Park, a camper 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."
Leveling preparation: Bring leveling blocks, especially at Keystone State Park Campground. A reviewer shared: "We stayed at site 43 in the Hillside Loop because we brought our 2 large dogs. Site was very private and relatively flat."
RV size limitations: Not all parks accommodate larger rigs. At Laurel Hill, a camper observed: "Looking around the rest of the campground, the loop up near the cabins was a typical RV area with sites lined up with little privacy in between."
Water and dump station access: Check hookup availability before arrival. At Donegal Campground, full hookups are available, and a visitor reported: "We had a really nice camping experience here. Tent camping at an electrical site. We were on the outside edge of the pet loop so there was some nice shade there."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Gray, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Gray, PA is Laurel Hill State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 28 reviews.
What parks are near Gray, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 parks near Gray, PA that allow camping, notably Youghiogheny River Lake and Crooked Creek Lake.
Keep Exploring
