Best Tent Camping near Hidden Valley, PA
Tent campsites near Hidden Valley, Pennsylvania include several options along the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) trail. Dravo's Landing and Roundbottom Hiker-Biker Campground offer free tent camping accessible primarily by foot or bicycle. Laurel Ridge State Park provides more remote backcountry tent camping along its 70-mile hiking trail through the Laurel Highlands region, with eight designated tent camping areas available by reservation.
Most primitive tent sites in the area require advanced planning as amenities vary significantly between locations. Dravo's Landing features picnic tables, fire pits, lean-to shelters, and vault toilets, while Roundbottom Camping Area includes raised tent pads, Adirondack shelters, and basic facilities. Potable water is inconsistent across campgrounds—Dravo's Landing provides drinking water, but Roundbottom's well water is reported as non-potable according to visitor accounts. Sites along the GAP trail are first-come, first-served, while Laurel Ridge State Park requires advance reservations for its rustic tent sites at approximately $12 per night.
The tent camping experience throughout the region offers river access and trail connectivity. Sites positioned along the Youghiogheny River provide convenient water access for filtering drinking water or cooling off after hiking. According to one visitor, "Round Bottom Camping Area is very peaceful and though you can still visually see the GAP Trail, you are not disturbed by passing cyclists." Train noise is consistently mentioned as a challenge for tent campers along the GAP trail—trains regularly pass on the opposite side of the river, with reviewers recommending earplugs for overnight stays. Fall camping is particularly popular in Laurel Ridge State Park, where backcountry tent sites offer dramatic overlooks of eastern valleys. The cannabis-friendly Laurel Highlands Hemp Cannabis Farm provides an alternative tent camping option with mountain views, though alcohol is not permitted at this location.






