Camping near Hollsopple, Pennsylvania centers around the Laurel Highlands region with elevations ranging from 1,200-3,000 feet, creating distinct seasonal camping conditions. Weather patterns can change rapidly in this mountainous area, with temperature drops of 10-15 degrees possible between valley locations and higher elevations. Winter camping options remain limited to a few year-round facilities, while summer attracts the heaviest visitation.
What to do
Fishing from shore or boat: At Mirror Lake RV Camping & Fishing, visitors can enjoy multiple fishing opportunities. One visitor shared: "We stayed in one of the cabins while friends were in their campers... We had 8 kids and 8 adults who all had a blast playing on the playground, floating down the creek, swimming in the pool, riding bicycles etc."
Rock scrambling and cave exploration: Blue Knob State Park offers natural bouldering terrain for climbers of various skill levels. A camper 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."
Cross-country skiing: Winter recreation options exist for those willing to brave colder temperatures. A visitor to Kooser State Park Campground reported: "Simple wooded beauty in southern PA, an hour or so from Pittsburgh not far off 76. Pros: nice swimming, short trail, great XC skiing (here and nearby), nice green area with rolling hills, cabin options, hot showers."
Creek floating: Several campgrounds feature streams suitable for summer recreation. At Pioneer Lakes RV Park, the creek serves as a popular attraction: "Been going to pioneer park since I was like 3. Extremely family friendly, lots to do for kiddos on weekend, stocked ponds, bathhouses very close to all sites. Laurel hill cricks/lake are 2 miles up the mountain!"
What campers like
Private tent sites in wooded areas: Quemahoning Family Recreation Area receives consistent praise for its secluded tent camping options. One camper wrote: "On the lake. Good private tent sites in the woods. Rv sites too." Another visitor specifically mentioned: "The owner is very friendly and helpfull. The location on the water adds for a great view. Electric only."
Campground maintenance and staff: Management quality varies across facilities, with some receiving exceptional reviews. A visitor to Quemahoning noted: "We have camped at the que family rec for several years. We always loved and enjoyed our stay there. Ken and his staff do a wonderful job with the park and great customer service also."
Waterfront camping: Several campgrounds offer lakeside sites with easy water access. A reviewer at Shawnee State Park Campground shared: "The lake and the trails around it are beautiful. Great swimming and kayaking/small boating. The campground was nice, quiet and clean. There are a few sites that are a bit close together that you can't really know until you're there."
Level sites: Finding flat camping spots can be challenging in the hilly Hollsopple region. One visitor to Blue Knob State Park observed: "Small quiet campground with room for tents and travel trailers at most sites. Two walk in sites that are less than 100 yards off the access road."
What you should know
Site slope challenges: Many campgrounds in the Hollsopple region have uneven terrain. A camper at Laurel Hill State Park Campground reported: "We chose site 102 because it looked decent in the picture and seemed a little apart and more private than other areas. Unfortunately, it was not great for tent camping as there wasn't really a spot to set up our 4-person tent."
Road noise: Some campgrounds experience traffic disruption despite rural settings. A visitor to Friendship Village Campground mentioned: "Nice campground, clean and plenty of activities for the kids. The only thing we didn't like was all of the road noise. This campground is located by 2 major highways and truck traffic and Jake brake are constant all night long."
Variable bathhouse quality: Facility conditions differ substantially between parks. A camper at Laurel Hill noted: "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. I would look at the other loops for our next tent-camping visit."
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies widely between campgrounds. One camper noted about Kooser State Park: "The park is 15min from Somerset. No phone reception at this one! They welcome all furry friends!"
Tips for camping with families
Larger sites for group camping: When camping with multiple families, site selection becomes crucial. A visitor to Friendship Village Campground & RV Park advised: "For tent campers I recommend staying in the area of sites 5-25 as there is a very nice bathhouse very close by. For big rig campers, you need to stay at the upper portion of the campground at sites 200-500."
Activity-based site selection: Positioning your campsite near recreational facilities can enhance family experiences. The same camper continued: "In my opinion, the best sites to stay at if you have kids are sites 145–171 as those are right beside the jumping pillow, playground and gaga ball pit."
Dog-friendly areas: Pet accommodation varies between campgrounds. A visitor to Kentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park noted: "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. We didn't realize and stayed in the first one. Dogs were barking at all hours and there's no privacy."
Weekend programming: Many campgrounds offer scheduled activities for children. A camper at Friendship Village shared: "The property had a movie showing in their barn on Saturday night (Despicable Me) and they also seem to schedule a lot of live entertainment, mostly Bluegrass."
Tips from RVers
Extension cord needs: Power hookup locations can present challenges. At Laurel Hill, campers 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."
Site verification: Online photos may not accurately reflect actual site conditions. A Shawnee State Park visitor advised: "We absolutely loved our stay at this park once we changed sites. We have a 35' TT and there was no way it was going to fit in the site we originally booked. Luckily it was opening weekend and the rangers and super accommodating!"
Leveling challenges: The mountainous terrain around Hollsopple creates uneven campsites. A visitor to Kooser State Park observed: "My only complaint is that many of the sites are not level at all and take some serious work to get your rig level. The campground is close to many places in the Laurel Highlands which makes it convenient."
Seasonal road closures: Infrastructure projects can impact accessibility. One camper reported: "No one - not either website or the woman whom I spoke to - mentioned that the main road to the campground from Ohiopyle was also closed due to a separate paving project."
