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Camping near Laughlintown, PA spans state park campgrounds with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals to privately run campgrounds with longer operating seasons. State parks dominate the camping landscape, with Laurel Hill State Park and Kooser State Park offering campgrounds within 15 miles of town. These facilities typically provide a mix of tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals with varying levels of amenities. Linn Run State Park, located just a few miles from Laughlintown, focuses primarily on cabin accommodations in a forested setting. Private campgrounds like Donegal Campground and Laurel Highlands Campland complement the state-managed options with longer operating seasons and additional amenities for both tent and RV campers.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from mid-April through mid-October, with limited winter camping options. As one camper noted about Laurel Hill State Park, "The sites are wooded but some have more separation than others. We were surprised that just a few days before Memorial Day, only a handful of sites were occupied." Poison ivy is commonly found along trail edges and campsite perimeters, requiring caution when setting up camp. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with many campgrounds reporting limited connectivity. Weekends during summer months typically see higher occupancy rates, while weekday camping, especially in spring and fall, offers more solitude and site availability.
Campers frequently mention the natural beauty and recreational opportunities as highlights of the area. Ohiopyle State Park, though slightly farther from Laughlintown, receives particularly strong reviews for its scenic location. According to one visitor, "The surrounding area is truly gorgeous, worth exploring the gorge, taking a rafting trip, hiking, cycling." Many campgrounds feature access to lakes, fishing opportunities, and hiking trails. Site privacy varies considerably, with some reviewers noting close quarters at certain campgrounds while others praise the spaciousness. Bathroom facilities generally receive positive reviews for cleanliness, though some older facilities show signs of aging. Road noise can be an issue at certain campgrounds despite their seemingly remote locations, particularly those near the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
"The lake is separate from the campground, but it is less than a mile away and a reasonable distance walk."
"The site numbering is a bit wonky on the door loop so make sure you look at your map before you start driving the loops."
from $20 - $64 / night
Check Availability"Camped in the Lakeside Loop. This State Park is so Clean! The campground gives you easy access to anything you want to do. Fish, swim, hike, bike, kayak. It can all be done."
"This is our second time staying here - once in Electric site on Lakeside and this time non electric site on Hillside. Love this side of Hillside - quiet and shaded."
from $18 - $70 / night
Check Availability"5 firewood bundles at the entrance. -Cleanest bathrooms/showers -Crystal clear stream with beautiful trail to the lake. Both stocked with fish. -Lots of picnic tables at the lake."
"Kooser State Park sits on the border of Forbes State Forest in the Laurel Highlands. It has a mix of camper & tent sites around a central clearing, and offers a few cabins."
from $22 - $70 / night
Check Availability"Ohiopyle is located in a beautiful area of Pennsylvania we've camped there a couple of times and have been able to get last minute tent sites. Lots of outdoor activities nearby."
"Very close to two Frank Lloyd Wright properties– Kentuck Knob and the more widely known Falling Waters."
from $20 - $54 / night
Check Availability"Easy walk to beach area and boat launch. Very clean."
"The location on the water adds for a great view. Electric only."
from $20 - $50 / night
Check Availability"The only thing I can say about this campground that made me not give it 5 stars is, the highway noise."
"Peaceful despite being by the highway. The owners were very friendly and helpful. Will definitely be back. Dogs loved it as well"
"Nearby all the local attractions that laurel highlands has to offer....Youghiogheny River, Frank Loyd Wright house, Living Treasures Animal Park, Seven Springs, Hidden Valley, etc.."
"Laurel Highlands campland is in a terrific location for all the local attractions."
from $45 / night
Check Availability"It has a huge back yard and easy access to the creek. Close by is Ligonier, Idlewild, and St. Vincent (where the Pittsburgh Steelers training camp takes place.)"
"Not only were the staff super friendly and helpful, but we were lucky enough to get a full-hookup site right on the lake. Quiet, peaceful, everything you want on a spring trip."
"Next to sewer tank pump station, though. Not a problem but a few truck visits throughout the day so some people might not like that. Lots to do for kids."
"Big fishing lakes. Pool could use a heater."
"There are charming rustic cabins, toilets and showers nearby. Outdoor spigots for water. They’re all right next to a shady crick, near a sliding rock, and some nice hikes. Great spot for kids."
from $33 - $75 / night
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ScoutWow, the weekends were fun. They were quite a bit of people there and my kids had a good time. The weekdays were different story we were told we had to be quiet. We had a lot of craziness go on
TravelerWe LOVED our visit to Kentuck campground and Ohiopyle. We went mid-week in early June and had very few neighbors Tuesday and Wednesday, with more rolling in toward the end of the week.
We stayed on Hickory Loop with our dog and saw quite a few other dogs while we were there. Not all sites are equal at this campground - ours was huge and lovely with adequate flattish area and a stream running along two sides of it. Others were quite small and not very level. I think we had one of the best sites on the loop, with great trees for hammocks and big rocks nearby, as well as good privacy from other sites.
The campground is very shaded and was regularly several degrees cooler than elsewhere in the park, which was great to home 'home' to. There's a lot of poison ivy in the area, so be watchful.
Firewood is available for purchase on entrance to the campground.
The bathhouse was relatively clean, with a large kitchen sink for washing dishes, three toilet stalls, and two shower stalls. We never had to wait for any of it.
GuideThis campground's foliage is interesting, I saw fernes growing and trees that looked older than me. I also noticed the campground has some history shown by the rust of the firepits. There is Billy's Pizza and general store which sells firewood if you go a little further down the road that maps takes you and take the second left instead of taking the first left. I think the campground also sells firewood on site. You can order Billy's Pizza and I saw them deliver to the campsites, which is amazing, havent seen that before. I'm a light sleeper and could hear truck engine braking sounds echo through the forest from the nearby highway, so the proximity to the road ruins the feeling of seclusion and the quiet. There's a restroom with a large sink outside which is nice.
TravelerThis is one of six campsites that can be reserved through PA's DCNR website. The six campsites are spread throughout the Laurel Highlands. This is the only one at Mt. Davis. We camp with three dogs, so we really appreciated the privacy. There were occasionally the sounds of distant ATVs or farm equipment, but, overall, this is a peaceful site. The campsite does not connect to the trails at Mt. Davis and there is no vault toilet here, but both vault toilets and a trailhead are just a few minutes away at the Mt. Davis picnic area. There is only one obvious tent site, so, if you need more than one tent site, you will have to get creative. The site is along a gravel road that leads to a field which you can use to walk your dogs. There are no water features here which our dogs enjoy, so that is the only reason for the 4 out of 5 stars. We will be reserving this site again!
GuideI come here at least twice a year for the wonder campground. The hiking trails, water falls and white water rafting. The town is small but filled with tons of great shops and outfitters. Campground is clean, every sight is nice and spacious, not all are private. Get gas on your way here, once here their are no gas stations for 40 minutes in every direction. Ice and wood at campground suck. Go into town for ice or see Butch out rt 381 on the left just outside the park boundary. Highly recommended.
TravelerThis campground (now named "Orchard Station Campground" is under new management, and is open all year (I think). They are in the process of upgrading sites with new utility lines and level gravel pads.
Owner was very friendly & helpful.
Allowed me to charge my Rivian onsite (I paid him for the extra power).
Adjacent huge cemetery site is accessible via a goat path at the back of the campground and provided a great place to walk our dog every day.
We were attending the Alleghany Ukulele Soiree at the Altoona Grand Hotel, and this was a perfect spot (less than 5 minutes away).
Will definitely return!!
TravelerI want to preface by saying that I believe this is a fairly nice and accommodating campground, it just missed the mark on some of my personal preferences this time around.
I had a two night trip the opening weekend at the Elm Loop, site 118. I actually came to this campground amidst a wind advisory, will definitely not make that mistake again because it was a beast. The grounds were easy to navigate even during the night. Putting up the tent was a bit frustrating as the tent pad was very rocky and it was difficult to get the pegs into the ground.
One of my biggest qualms was that I arrived expecting to be able to buy firewood from the camp store, especially since the provided flyers and maps listed the store being open until 9pm. I got to the store only to find out that it had been shut down last year. A bit disappointing as we couldn’t have a fire that night, would’ve been nice to know ahead of time. Thankfully firewood was available the next day but at the registration office at the entrance of the park. Not sure if they plan on opening the store again, but just be aware if you do plan to go and are expecting it to be open.
Other than that, it’s a well versed site. Plenty for any group to do. I went fishing towards the dam while the other half of my group hiked the lake trail. Bathrooms were available and in usable condition. Sites are a good distance apart, the ones along the lake are pretty. Not sure if I’d return again but it was a nice to try.
GuideTLDR: this is a horrible campsite in a horrible campground. You should reserve somewhere else and leave it open for me. ;-)
My family has a wide variety of preferences. My husband is a water guy. I'm a mountain girl. My kids want a paved campground road so they can scooter and a nearby playground. This place is all of those things - a mountain lake with paved roads and heavy on amenities.
We stayed in site 11, which has a direct path to the lake-loop trail, which is also a straight shot to the beach/playground. We were there in March, so we weren't swimming/boating, but in the summer this would be a prime spot for those reasons too. It's a liiittle far from the bath house. But we RV, so it's not a huge deal. It had a great view of lake and mountains (though once the leaves come in, probably less so).
Sites are nice and private, well spaced. The fire pit was nice and deep, which was slightly inconvenient, but is probably intended to combat the mountain winds. The campground store and other peak season amenities were closed, so I can't speak to those, but it looked like they had very nice facilities. The playground was really nice. (We didn't go onto resort/casino property)
TravelerMy wife has been going to keystone all her life, I’ve only gone since she and I started dating. I’ve been all over the world hiking and camping, but keystone is nostalgic for her. And it’s a great place for our one year old to cut his teeth in the great outdoors!! He loves going and love camping!! He loves to be outside more than anything!! Gentle trails and a smooth lake, a great place for a quick weekend from the city
Laughlintown's camping options extend throughout Pennsylvania's Laurel Ridge mountain chain at elevations ranging from 1,800 to 2,800 feet. The region experiences significant seasonal temperature variations with summer highs averaging 80-85°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. Campgrounds near Laughlintown often have uneven, sloping terrain that requires careful site selection for level camping.
Creek exploration: Laurel Hill State Park offers multiple water-based activities for campers. "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," notes Jill R.
Fishing opportunities: The area provides various fishing spots across multiple campgrounds. At Quemahoning Family Recreation Area, campers can enjoy "great fishing, some nice trails and generally wonderful weather during the summer season," according to Thomas G.
Biking access: Several campgrounds connect to regional biking trails. "Awesome campground right on the Great Allegheny Passage trail. We loved being able to access the GAP trail right from the campground," mentions Bounding Around about their experience at Kentuck Campground.
Lake activities: Many campgrounds feature lake access for various activities. At Laurel Hill State Park, "the lake is separate from the campground, but it is less than a mile away and a reasonable distance walk," notes Lee D. "Kayak rental of $15 for an hour was the cheapest we have seen and allowed us to explore more of the lake."
Privacy levels: Site seclusion varies significantly between campgrounds and specific loops. Casey L. explains that at Laurel Hill State Park, "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... Campsites more spread out with trees in between and way quieter."
Water features: Campers appreciate the streams and lakes throughout the region. Kate D. shared about Laurel Hill State Park Campground: "We had a really nice camping experience here. Tent camping at an electrical site... The beaches were great. We went canoeing on the lake."
Proximity to attractions: The region's central location provides easy access to multiple destinations. Terra B. noted that Laurel Highlands Campland offers a "great location" that's "nearby all the local attractions that laurel highlands has to offer...Youghiogheny River, Frank Loyd Wright house, Living Treasures Animal Park, Seven Springs, Hidden Valley, etc."
Family-friendly amenities: Campgrounds often offer facilities specifically for families. "Laurel Highlands campland is in a terrific location for all the local attractions... The outdoor pool is large and the indoor pool is great for those rainy days," mentions Terra B.
Seasonal variations: Many campgrounds have limited operating times. According to Lee D.'s experience at Laurel Hill State Park: "We were surprised that just a few days before Memorial Day, only a handful of sites were occupied. We've been very impressed by the pristine conditions of many Pennsylvania state parks, but this one had a more rustic feel."
Site leveling challenges: The mountain terrain creates difficulties for level camping. Kevin E. notes about Kooser State Park Campground: "My only complaint is that many of the sites are not level at all and take some serious work to get your rig level."
Road noise: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds. About Kooser State Park, Britt B. mentions: "The park is close to the road so you will experience some road noise." Similarly, Theresa T. shared about Donegal Campground: "It's located right off the highway so the traffic noise is a little loud, so it takes away from the great sounds of camping."
Limited facilities: Some parks offer basic amenities. Brian S. explains: "The campground is small but it is quiet and clean. Route 31 is nearby but it wasn't all that noticeable. There was a nice playground area for kids and some nice overflow tent sites nearby."
Swimming options: Multiple swimming locations are available for children. At Mirror Lake RV Camping & Fishing, Austin B. shared: "My family 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."
Tent site selection: Finding ideal tent spots requires research. Laura notes about Laurel Hill State Park: "We chose site 102 because it looked decent in the picture and seemed a little apart and more private... Unfortunately, it was not great for tent camping as there wasn't really a spot to set up our 4-person tent."
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play equipment. At Kooser State Park, Brian S. notes, "The campground has been recently restructured to allow for more big rig camping... There's a great playground for kids."
Creek play areas: Children enjoy the accessible water features. Mathew H. says about Mirror Lake: "A lot of their sites are along a small creek which the kids play in and can float down. Site 26 is our favorite. It has a huge back yard and easy access to the creek."
Hookup placement: Pay attention to utility locations when reserving sites. At Laurel Hill State Park, Erik E. notes: "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."
Pull-through availability: Several campgrounds offer easier access sites. Denny S. shared about Pioneer Park Campground: "Very friendly ownership. Always go out of their way to accommodate. Plenty of very well maintained large sites all pull through."
Site drainage: Be prepared for potential mud issues during rain. Marc P. observes: "Roads are small and a mix of asphalt, gravel and dirt. Camp sites are tiny, packed together like sardines and muddy when it rains."
Satellite connections: Tree coverage affects reception at many sites. Preston G. commented about Donegal Campground: "A very nice campground that I'll go back to if I'm ever in the area. I could get around with my huge fifth wheel but it was still very thickly treed the way I like them."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Laughlintown, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Laughlintown, PA is Laurel Hill State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 28 reviews.
What parks are near Laughlintown, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 parks near Laughlintown, PA that allow camping, notably Youghiogheny River Lake and Crooked Creek Lake.
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