Camping sites near Johnstown, Pennsylvania encompass mountain terrain with elevations ranging from 1,100 to 2,800 feet, creating varied access conditions. The Allegheny Mountains that surround the city feature predominantly hardwood forests with valleys that often collect morning fog during summer months. Campers can expect temperature variations of 15-20°F between valley locations and higher elevation campgrounds during spring and fall seasons.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Mirror Lake RV Camping & Fishing offers easy access to stocked ponds with multiple fishing spots. "The cabin was great, very clean and cozy. The campgrounds are very nice they have a pool as well as a community building and camp store. 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," notes one visitor about the Mirror Lake RV Camping & Fishing.
Biking access: The Blue Canoe RV Resort provides direct access to the GAP trail for cyclists. "The GAP trail rolls right through the middle of this traditional KOA campground. The seasonal RVers and weekend warriors have long claimed their sites, but for through riders on the trail there is a special place to camp, close to the west-bound entrance," explains a cyclist who stayed at The Blue Canoe RV Resort.
Star gazing: Several campgrounds offer dedicated star viewing areas for night sky observation. "Got a nice secluded spot to camp in the wooded area that had amazing mountain views and the star gazing platform," shares a camper at Benner's Meadow Run RV Campground.
What campers like
Family activities: Friendship Village Campground offers numerous recreational options within the facility. "The campground is quite spread out through the property with sites ranging from primitive campsites to full hook up big rig sites. There are multiple ponds on the property however only one of them can be fished in. No license is required for fishing here. There are also two pools at each end of the campground," explains a camper at Friendship Village Campground & RV Park.
Clean facilities: Timber Run Campground maintains well-kept restrooms and common areas. "I have stayed here at Raystown Lake/Saxton KOA several times. This time, however, the campground has new owners. When I heard of this a few weeks before the sale was final, I told the new owners they had big shoes to fill! Well, they did it and more! First, what hasn't changed: It is still a small family run and family friendly campground, it still has a pool the is as clean as they come," reports a returning visitor at Timber Run Campground.
Helpful staff: Many campgrounds feature attentive personnel who assist with site selection and setup. "Great place to stay! You will not find better campground owners, they are amazing. After office hours they can be commonly found hanging out with their campers. Pick up cornhole games, bonfires, are the norm at the community building," writes a guest about their experience at Mirror Lake RV Camping & Fishing.
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Many rv camping spots near Johnstown, Pennsylvania require significant leveling due to mountain terrain. "The site wasn't so level, but we made it work," notes a camper at Nature's Getaway RV Park, while another mentions, "The sites are close together, but for a weekend getaway it isn't unbearable."
Special events: Campgrounds often host themed weekends and activities during peak season. "We stayed during Bigfoot weekend. It was super fun as our family likes bigfoot fun. We started out Friday night getting the offered $12 bbq plate that included pork burnt ends, beans and potato salad that were 'oh it's so good'. On Saturday was rock painting and then bingo and ended the night with a DJ dance party," describes a visitor at Benner's Meadow Run RV Campground.
Seasonal considerations: Water activities vary significantly by season. "Close by is Ligonier, Idlewild, and St. Vincent (where the Pittsburgh Steelers training camp takes place)," mentions a regular camper about Mirror Lake, highlighting nearby attractions during summer months.
Tips for camping with families
Activity scheduling: Plan around campground-specific entertainment schedules. "They held a movie showing in their barn on Saturday night (Despicable Me) and they also seem to schedule a lot of live entertainment, mostly Bluegrass," reports a visitor about Friendship Village Campground.
Age-appropriate areas: Check which campgrounds have dedicated kids' zones. "Lots of fun for kids, live music on the weekend, this campground was full of activity. The campground was packed with everyone from seasonal full timers to overnighters," notes a camper at Friendship Village Campground.
Cabin options: Consider cabin rentals during unpredictable weather periods. "The bathroom and shower facilities are modern and well maintained. And, of course, they have ice cream and laundry available! They also have cabins if you need to get out of the weather. We didn't check those out, but saw them on the property," explains a visitor at Pioneer Lakes RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Route planning: RV camping near Johnstown requires careful attention to road grades. "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. The sites are very sloped pretty bad side to side and there is a drop off on the one side of the fire ring," notes an RVer who stayed at Benner's Meadow Run.
Cell service reliability: Reception varies significantly by campground location. "Wifi was good enough to work and stream Netflix. Will definitely make this a go-to spot," shares a remote worker who camped at Benner's Meadow Run in late September.
Site selection priority: For larger RVs, request specific site information before booking. "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," recommends a visitor at Friendship Village Campground who traveled with family.
