Best Tent Camping near Greensburg, PA

The Laurel Highlands region surrounding Greensburg, Pennsylvania offers tent campers several options along the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail. Dravo's Landing Campground and Roundbottom Hiker-Biker Campground provide free tent sites accessible primarily by hiking or biking in. The GAP Trail corridor features primitive tent campgrounds every 8-15 miles, making it popular for multi-day backpacking or cycling trips through western Pennsylvania's forested terrain.

Most tent sites in the Greensburg area feature basic amenities with rustic facilities. Dravo's Landing offers drinking water, toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings, while some sites like Roundbottom have pit toilets but potentially non-potable water. As one camper noted, "We grabbed water at the last town before the campground." Sites typically include flat, grassy areas for tent setup, with some locations featuring raised tent pads or Adirondack-style lean-to shelters. Train noise affects many campsites along the GAP Trail, as tracks parallel both the trail and the Youghiogheny River.

Tent campers frequently use these areas as staging points for longer journeys along the 70-mile Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail. A reviewer mentioned that "Round Bottom Camping Area at Slush Run is a free camping area directly on the Great Allegheny Passage Trail around Mile 99," providing convenient access for hikers and cyclists. First-come, first-served camping is standard at most locations, with sites filling quickly on summer weekends and during peak fall foliage season. The terrain offers pleasant forest cover in warmer months, though many sites lack privacy screening between tent areas. Several campgrounds provide direct river access for filtering water or cooling off after hiking. Campers should secure food properly, as wildlife encounters with raccoons are common at established tent sites throughout the region.

Best Tent Sites Near Greensburg, Pennsylvania (12)

    1. Dravo's Landing Campground

    3 Reviews
    Sutersville, PA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 872-5586

    "We camped out overnight with a group of 14 people, and there was plenty of room for everyone to pitch their tents and spend a relaxing night under the stars."

    "This campsite is a nice reward for west-bound riders on the GAP trail (it's the last one before Pittsburgh!)"

    2. The GAP Trail Campground - Bikers Only

    1 Review
    West Newton, PA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 244-5859

    $25 / night

    "The spacious and lush lawn has lots of space for tents, but the winner is the covered seating, dining, and cooking area.  Everything is clean as a whistle…pun intended.  "

    3. Round Bottom Camping Area at Slush Run

    1 Review
    Perryopolis, PA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 872-5586

    "Being positioned directly off the GAP Trail grants easy access to those traveling the trail. "

    4. Roundbottom Hiker-Biker Campground (GAP Trail)

    1 Review
    Perryopolis, PA
    19 miles
    Website

    "This is one of the only free hiker-biker campgrounds along the GAP trail (mile 99.6), and it is laid out similarly to the Dravo Campground, with lean-tos, picnic tables, firepits and lots of spaces for"

    5. Laurel Highlands Hemp Cannabis Farm

    1 Review
    Belle Vernon, PA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 989-6004

    $100 - $150 / night

    "We're happy to welcome your host, Laurel, to our platform. This is a cannabis friendly campground that overlooks the Laurel Highlands Hemp field, and surrounding mountains."

    6. Lake Eron Park

    Be the first to review!
    Scottdale, PA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 433-1388

    $10 - $60 / night

    7. Indian Creek Camplands Inc

    1 Review
    Normalville, PA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 455-7900

    8. Laurel Ridge State Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    Normalville, PA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 455-3744

    "Laurel Ridge State Park is the greenway that protects the legendary Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail from the busy world around it."

    "It is a beautiful wooded park offering lots of trees for privacy. I wish I had more time to explore the park before moving on. The bathhouse could use a renovation. It felt old and kind of dirty."

    9. Rhododendron Camping Area

    3 Reviews
    Dellslow, WV
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 594-1561

    $25 - $35 / night

    "There is a bathhouse located closest to site 5 with trails from other sites to get there. The facilities are always clean- no shower available."

    "There was a fire place and a picnic table and an area to park your car. It was walking distance to the beautiful overlook and a great price for what you get."

    10. Mountain View Camps

    1 Review
    Kittanning, PA
    42 miles
    +1 (814) 952-1488

    $20 - $70 / night

    "Great place to stay close to hiking trails and fishing spots. Hit the mountain bike track, explore the ruins on the game lands, and might even see an albino fawn."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Greensburg, PA

480 Reviews of 12 Greensburg Campgrounds


  • Britt B.
    Oct. 27, 2020

    Kooser State Park Campground

    Small Shaded Park

    Kooser State Park is a small campground nestled in the Laurel Highlands, close to Hidden Valley and Seven Springs ski resorts. The park has great amenities just a short walk from all sites. All sites have fire rings, with grills, however note they are double walled so do not expel a lot of heat outward. Great for cooking however. 

    Most sites are not level, but very grassy. Firewood is available at the entrance for$5 bundle supporting a local club. A beautiful walk through the park leads you to the Kooser Lake, great for fishing. It is also close to the Laurel Hill State Park which is great for hiking and water activities. The park is close to the road so you will experience some road noise. 

    The park is 15min from Somerset. No phone reception at this one! They welcome all furry friends!

  • Napunani
    Jun. 25, 2022

    Pioneer Park Campground

    Close to Flight 93 Memorial

    PROS 

    Able to reserve 129 days prior to arriving 

    Melissa at check-in was very friendly and helpful 

    Good overnight stop to visit Flight 93 Memorial 22 miles from campground 

    Site #391 level 

    Gravel site surrounded by grass 

    Moveable wooden picnic table 

    Large concrete fire ring 

    Clean toilet-shower building that are heavily used 

    Mostly quiet except for road noise 

    Firewood for sale in Park

    CONS 

    No discount 

    Site #391 no shade 

    Park cable connection failed 

    Sewer connection“up hill” 

    Never found trash dumpster and wasn’t marked on campground map 

    Very loud radio station blaring in the toilet/shower building that could be heard outside the building 

    2 bars Verizon 

    No WIFI

  • Johanna B.
    May. 31, 2021

    Duman Lake County Park

    Nice local park

    Duman lake review notes.

    • Well-maintained small park, stocked lake, popular with local fisherman. Kayaking/small boat fishing. I’ve seen bald eagle and osprey.
    • Six campsites, w/mature trees, level, w/paved drive & gravel area, large enough for mid-sized RVs. They state 40 ft., but all are back in. All have (lighted)30 amp & water. We did not see the tent sites. Not sure if they are developed, ask.
    • Number one is closest to the bathhouse, number five was less shaded. Number six is closest to the road.
    • Newer restroom, w/two stalls each. Push-button, hot showers. Men’s worked best.
    • Campsite number one is closest to restroom, but also behind picnic shelter number 12, so if the shelter is booked for a party could be noisy? Day use people bugged out quickly at dusk.
    • We were in #1 in May & had the entire campground & upper park to ourselves.
    • They have a kids’ train in summer.
    • Nice playground.
    • The only real downside of this campground is that the local road is close by and you do get some traffic noise before dark. It is not a high traffic road however. Dumpsters were overflowing with weekend trash & bathrooms needed a bug sweep-out. Sportsmen were target shooting nearby before dark FYI.
  • Olivia M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2019

    Coopers Rock State Forest

    Beautiful Mountains

    We often do dispersed, leave no trace, primitive camping throughout the state forest. There are wonderful, well maintained trails throughout. If you want to dive into nature within a 30 minute drive from Morgantown, this is your place to go. Take the scenic hike to raven’s rock for views that will not disappoint.

  • Danielle S.
    Apr. 16, 2019

    Coopers Rock State Forest

    Go all the way up the hill

    We stayed here 9/2018 at site #10 and can't wait to return. There is a small campground just by the entrance that has a small store and electric sites with RV hookups. Site 10 was at the campground at the top of the hill, sparsely populated, and had beautiful views beyond the trees. There were toilets and drinking water, but no electricity.  The bathrooms do not have lighting so bring a headlamp or flashlight. Each site had a fire ring and a picnic table. Trails were well maintained, but be warned that the overlook is crowded.

  • Dave V.
    Aug. 1, 2020

    Round Bottom Camping Area at Slush Run

    Great Hike/Bike Camping Area on the Great Allegheny Passage Trail

    Round Bottom Camping Area at Slush Run is a free camping area directly on the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail around Mile 99 (East of West Newton roughly 15 miles).  For those not familiar with the GAP Trail, it is a Rails-to-Trails initiative that travels from Pittsburgh, PA to Cumberland, MD…meandering through numerous Trail Towns that were former thriving railroad towns at the end of the 1800's.

    Round Bottom Camping Area at Slush Run can only be accessed by the GAP Trail, which means on foot or bicycle…or paddlers on the Youghioheny River. Being positioned directly off the GAP Trail grants easy access to those traveling the trail. 

    Amenities:

    • Raised Tent pads (4)
    • Vault Toilet
    • Adirondack Shelters (2)
    • Firepits
    • Picnic tables

    No potable water…there is hand pump but the water was discolored.  It is a short walk down a trail to the river's edge, where I filtered water for drinking.

    There is plenty of grassy area for scores of tents in this area.   So if you are not fortunate enough to secure one of the two Shelters or tent pads, you can still set up a tent in the nicely mowed areas, which are still level.

    We were bikepacking the GAP Trail east from Pittsburgh and arrived on a Sunday evening mid-June. We secured the only open Adirondack Shelter and were able to set up our tent inside, along with keeping our bicycles inside and out of the elements. Which made it wonderfully convenient when it started to rain. Sites and shelters are first come, first served.

    Usually the vault toilets along this trail are clean, maintained and stocked…but on this visit, piles of trash were inside likely from an overly busy weekend.

    The only negative was the train traffic on the opposite side of the River…it is loud when they rumble through. If you don't sleep with ear-plugs, you will wish you had.

    Bicycle traffic was fairly light during the week, so not only did you have the GAP Trail mostly to oneself, the camping areas were either sparsely filled or empty. Although, things just did start opening up from the Covid-19 shutdown.

    Apart from the train noise during sleeping hours, Round Bottom Camping Area is very peaceful and though you can still visually see the GAP Trail, you are not disturbed by passing cyclists.

  • not S.
    Aug. 5, 2022

    Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Mill Run

    Kid Heaven

    We stayed in a Ranger Smith Cabin in the upper campground. I give this 3 stars because I'm a state park camper at heart: I prefer more room between sites,  more relaxation and nature when camping. But your kids will love it here: two pools, splashgrounds, fire truck rides, arcades, meeting Yogi and friends, nightly movies...the list goes on. Be prepared for an endless parade of golf carts during your stay. We were underwhelmed by the expensive cabin as it had dorm room furniture and uncomfortable beds. The walk-in tent sites were in a hilly area without pavilions, but reservable tent sites in the lower campground had pavilions and more level ground. This is a great base camp for exploring area attractions in the Laurel Highlands such as Idlewild,  Fort Necessity and the beautiful Ohiopyle State Park. If you go to Idlewild, then stop by Gino's pizza in Ligonier; order the sampler pizza (includes pierogi,  taco, white and margherita)--you won't be disappointed.

  • Joni P.
    May. 28, 2024

    Benner's Meadow Run RV Campground

    Commercialized campground

    The entry is strange as we had to block the gated entrance to get to the office to check in.  Once past that,  the staff was nice and the buildings and properties are well maintained.  They have a new bath house which is personal bathroom style and very nice.  The sites are very close together with little privacy.  We stayed in site 435.  The site was sloped pretty bad side to side and there is a drop off on the one side of the fire ring so we could not sit completely around the fire.  We did not take part in the planned events they had set up but did use the pool which was nice.  The star gazing platform leaves a lot to be desired and is in need of repair.  Roads are all gravel so no bikes or scooters for kids.

  • Ashlee L.
    Apr. 19, 2018

    Outflow Camping

    Serviceable campground

    Pros: Reasonably priced, fairly quiet campground with full shower and bath houses. The tent site I was in was also nicely designed, with a tent 'pad', as well as full campfire ring, picnic table, and lantern hanging hook. There are tent, RV, and group sites at this campground.

    Cons: The bath/shower houses could've used a much better cleaning (but were not the worst I've encountered). Also, I'm not from the area, and the drive to get to this out-of-the-way campground was awful. It's really far from a main highway (which isn't so bad), but the roads to get to the campground are hilly, winding country roads with 55 mph speed limits that I found way too fast if you're not a local. And the locals are really aggressive drivers.


Guide to Greensburg

Tent camping options near Greensburg, Pennsylvania concentrate along the Laurel Highlands and Youghiogheny River corridor, with most sites situated between 1,200-2,300 feet elevation. The region experiences significant seasonal temperature variations with summer highs averaging 80-85°F and winter lows often below freezing. Fall camping remains popular through mid-October when hardwood forests transition to vibrant colors, though nighttime temperatures can drop to the 40s even in early autumn.

What to do

Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forests surrounding Laurel Ridge State Park Campground offer excellent chances to observe native species. "I've heard a barred owl at night both times I camped here," reports one visitor, highlighting the park's thriving nocturnal wildlife.

Hike the mountain trails: The Laurel Highlands area features numerous interconnected trail systems beyond just the GAP Trail. A camper at Mountain View Camps noted you can "explore the ruins on the game lands, and might even see an albino fawn" while hiking the surrounding terrain.

River activities: Many campsites provide direct access to the Youghiogheny River. At Dravo's Landing Campground, one camper mentioned the "free bike-in camp site with water access along the Youghiogheny River" creates opportunities for swimming and water filtering during warmer months.

What campers like

Community atmosphere: The shared experiences of through-hikers and cyclists create a friendly environment. At The GAP Trail Campground - Bikers Only, one reviewer described it as "more like a Spa than a Campground" with "covered seating, dining, and cooking area" where travelers can connect.

Well-maintained facilities: Despite being remote, many sites receive regular care. Campers at Dravo's Landing appreciate that "the local volunteer group also keeps the free wood pile stocked and ready to go" while maintaining basic amenities.

Budget-friendly options: Several locations offer free or low-cost tent camping. A visitor to Rhododendron Camping Area commented it was "a great price for what you get" with "a fire place and a picnic table and an area to park your car."

What you should know

Train noise: Railroad tracks parallel many camping areas near Greensburg. "One thing to consider with these campgrounds next to the trail is the number of trains that pass by in the night. It's not the train horn but the number of turns in the track and the squealing breaks that keep you up," warns a camper.

Water availability varies: Not all campgrounds provide reliable potable water. At Indian Creek Camplands Inc, campers should bring their own drinking water as on-site sources are limited, though the site offers "good clean and quiet campsites" according to a recent visitor.

Reservation requirements: While some sites operate on first-come, first-served basis, others require planning. The best tent camping near Greensburg, Pennsylvania often requires reservations, especially for Laurel Ridge State Park where you "have to reserve a rustic campsite beforehand" through their online system.

Tips for camping with families

Bathroom considerations: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. At Rhododendron Camping Area, a camper noted "the bathhouse located closest to site 5 with trails from other sites to get there," adding that "the facilities are always clean- no shower available."

Wildlife precautions: Secure food storage is essential with children. At Dravo's Landing Campground, campers warn to "be sure to secure your food overnight - if you don't, the raccoons will make quick work of it!"

Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds near Greensburg offer historical features. One site is "close to an old cemetery which is useful in telling ghost stories around the campfire," providing natural learning opportunities for children about local history.

Tips from RVers

Limited hookup availability: Most primitive camping areas near Greensburg don't accommodate larger vehicles. Small RVs can access some sites, but a visitor to Laurel Highlands Hemp Cannabis Farm noted the site "overlooks the Laurel Highlands Hemp field, and surrounding mountains" but has terrain constraints for larger rigs.

Camp layout considerations: Campground designs vary in suitability for RVs. Indian Creek Camplands offers RV spots that are "not the most level areas but good clean and quiet campsites," requiring leveling blocks and careful positioning.

Alternative accommodations: For RVers seeking more comfort, some campgrounds offer cabin options. Lake Eron Park provides cabin rentals alongside tent sites, giving RVers a non-hookup alternative when traveling through the Greensburg area during peak season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Greensburg, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Greensburg, PA is Dravo's Landing Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Greensburg, PA?

TheDyrt.com has all 12 tent camping locations near Greensburg, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.