The Laurel Highlands region surrounding Hollsopple, Pennsylvania sits at elevations between 1,200 to 2,800 feet, creating distinct seasonal camping conditions throughout the year. The area receives approximately 45 inches of precipitation annually, with summer temperatures averaging in the mid-70s and winter lows regularly dropping below freezing. Campgrounds near Hollsopple typically open mid-April through October, with limited year-round options for yurt camping and cabin rentals.
What to do
**Waterfront fishing: The lakes and ponds surrounding Hollsopple offer excellent fishing without requiring a license at some private campgrounds. At Pioneer Lakes RV Park, campers can fish in stocked ponds directly accessible from campsites. "Laurel hill cricks/lake are 2 miles up the mountain!" notes Catelyn T. about the fishing options near Pioneer Lakes.
**Historic sites exploration: Several campgrounds provide convenient access to the Flight 93 Memorial. As Rachel L. mentions about her stay at Shawnee State Park Campground: "I spent a night here on my way to Pittsburgh one weekend, and I couldn't be more impressed. it was huge and very well maintained. If you stay here, make sure to travel down the road to see the Flight 93 Memorial."
**Trail hiking: The area features numerous interconnected trail systems with varying difficulty levels. At Ohiopyle State Park, the Ferncliff Trail loops around the Youghiogheny River through moss-covered forest. Dave V. reports, "The Ferncliff Trail loops around the inside of the Yough as it does a near 360 in town. Gentle terrain along the falls and then through moss covered forest."
What campers like
**Spacious, private sites: Many campgrounds in the region offer larger-than-average campsites with natural buffers. Hickory Hollow Campground receives consistent praise for site spacing. According to Brandy Q., "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."
**Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses rank high on camper satisfaction lists. Anne B. comments about Hickory Hollow: "They have a brand new bath house which was spotless and a well kept dog park for the furs." Similar sentiments appear in reviews of other campgrounds throughout the region.
**Water recreation options: The lakes provide multiple activity options beyond swimming. At Laurel Hill State Park Campground, Kate D. notes: "And what a lovely state park. The beaches were great. We went canoeing on the lake. And had fun just hiking around a bit."
What you should know
**Site levelness varies significantly: Even within the same campground, site conditions can differ dramatically. At Shawnee State Park, Lee D. observes: "Most of the non-electric sites were decidedly not level but many of the FHU and electric sites were fairly level, and we did not have a problem finding one. Some sites have gravel pads that were level and vary in length from 20' to 115'."
**Limited grocery options: The rural location means limited shopping opportunities, so plan accordingly. Becky C. mentions about Hickory Hollow Campground: "Not a lot of restaurants or stores nearby, so keep that in mind if you'll be there awhile."
**Reservation timing matters: For yurt camping in Hollsopple, Pennsylvania and surrounding areas, reservations often open 11 months in advance and fill quickly, especially for summer weekends. Laura notes about Laurel Hill State Park: "We camped for 1 night. 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."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with dedicated recreation areas: Friendship Village Campground offers multiple playgrounds and activities. Tasha M. shares: "Went camping here for the first time this weekend. Although it was the off season there was still tons to do. The kids played mini golf, jumped on the pillow, played on multiple playgrounds, enjoyed ice cream and went fishing."
Consider pet-friendly loop selection carefully: When bringing pets, research which loops allow animals. Casey L. advises about Laurel Hill: "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."
Check campground event schedules: Many local campgrounds host family-oriented activities on weekends. Christopher R. notes about Friendship Village: "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 cords recommended: The electrical hookup placement varies widely between campgrounds. Erik E. advises about Laurel Hill State Park: "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."
Pre-arrival site research is crucial: Study campground maps and site details before booking, especially for larger rigs. Brittany V. shares about Shawnee: "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!"
Advance planning for yurt accommodations: Limited yurt options exist throughout the region, with some available at Mirror Lake RV Camping & Fishing. Jessica D. describes their unique accommodations: "We stayed in the covered wagon, which was pretty cool. The covered wagon sites (there are 2) are isolated in their own clearing within the trees next to the lake."
