Camping in the Laurel Highlands near Hopwood, Pennsylvania features significant elevation changes, with campgrounds ranging from 1,200 to 2,500 feet above sea level. This topography creates distinct microclimates where temperatures can vary by 5-10 degrees between valley and ridge locations. Most camping facilities close between mid-October and April due to the region's average winter snowfall of 65 inches.
What to do
Bike the GAP Trail: The Great Allegheny Passage trail runs through several campgrounds, making it ideal for cycling day trips. At The Blue Canoe RV Resort, "The GAP trail rolls right through the middle of this traditional KOA campground," with convenient access for riders wanting to explore the region. This 150-mile rail trail connects to multiple outdoor attractions.
Explore water features: The Youghiogheny River Lake offers boating and swimming opportunities within 20 minutes of Hopwood. At Yough Lake Campground at Tub Run, "The boat ramp, slips and trailer storage made it an easy boating/camping vacation spot. Yough lake is small, but fun to explore. Good fishing." The campground also rents watercraft: "They had canoes and kayak rentals on site."
Visit historic sites: The region contains significant landmarks within 30 minutes of most campgrounds. Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater is located near Benner's Meadow Run RV Campground, making it a convenient base for architectural tourism. As one camper noted, "We stayed for 2 nights while we visited Fallingwater and the Flight 93 Memorial." Fort Necessity National Park is also within driving distance.
What campers like
Stargazing opportunities: The area's higher elevations and minimal light pollution create exceptional night sky viewing. Tall Oaks Campground is noted for "The stargazing opportunities are amazing here." Their field sites are particularly popular for this activity, allowing unobstructed sky views away from tree cover.
Site privacy: Many campers appreciate the secluded nature of certain campgrounds compared to more developed locations. Tall Oaks Campground receives praise for its "Private mini getaway" atmosphere where "Our site was secluded enough to have privacy, which is what our goal was." Another reviewer noted, "The spots are huge and mostly very private—I prefer back country camping and not in actual campgrounds—this place is a nice compromise."
Family-friendly activities: Structured recreation keeps children entertained at several area campgrounds. Scarlett Knob Campground features "a fishing pond and a huge rec field" for family enjoyment. The rustic setting appeals to families seeking more natural experiences while maintaining basic amenities.
What you should know
Weather preparedness: The mountain region experiences rapid weather changes, especially during spring and fall. Campers should pack for temperature variations of 20-30 degrees within a 24-hour period. Rainfall can make access challenging at certain campgrounds, as one visitor to Scarlett Knob Campground noted: "roads going to campsites are rocky so be careful if you have a low car."
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Quality and cleanliness of facilities differ dramatically between campgrounds. At Coopers Rock State Forest, "The new bath house is excellent. Old ones… meh.. they are old." Another camper mentioned, "The bathrooms do not have lighting so bring a headlamp or flashlight."
Limited grocery options: Few full-service grocery stores exist within 20 minutes of most campgrounds. As one camper at Coopers Rock State Forest advised: "Plan your meals well, before arriving. There are a couple of restaurants in Ohiopyle, but they are not open late. There are no grocery stores real close."
Tips for camping with families
Multiple pool options: Several campgrounds offer swimming facilities for children. Benner's Meadow Run RV Campground receives praise for being "Great for kids! Family friendly atmosphere, cordial staff, well run campground. Lots of activities." One visitor specifically noted they have "multiple pools, playsets, cabins and river sites."
Playground access: Many campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. At Sand Springs Campground, "There is an awesome kids playground towards the office," making it convenient for parents to supervise while handling camp duties.
Safety considerations: Terrain varies significantly, requiring appropriate footwear and supervision. At Outflow Camping, each site has "a tent pad on gravel/dirt that is level with no rocks, tree roots, etc. that you might have elsewhere," providing safer footing for younger campers compared to more rugged sites in the region.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds feature sloped sites requiring significant leveling equipment. One RVer at Benner's Meadow Run noted "it was challenging to level because the big gravel rocks on the site," suggesting bringing additional leveling blocks or pads.
Access road considerations: Several campgrounds have narrow access roads with steep grades. The route to Sand Springs Campground involves "About 3 miles from the interstate, narrow roads. Big rigs probably hard to back in," according to a recent visitor.
Seasonal site availability: Full-hookup sites book quickly during peak season (May-September). As one visitor to Sand Springs Campground observed, it "Gets booked up for holiday & football weekends because of limited full h/u in area."
Ranger
