Best Tent Camping near Ligonier, PA
Tent campgrounds around Ligonier, Pennsylvania offer a mix of established sites and primitive camping areas, particularly along the Laurel Ridge State Park corridor. The Laurel Highlands region provides several tent-only camping options, including eight separate camping areas along the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail where backpackers can find rustic sites away from developed facilities. Indian Creek Camplands and Round Bottom Camping Area offer additional tent-specific sites in the surrounding woodlands.
Most tent sites in the Ligonier area require campers to bring their own water or treat available sources. At Laurel Ridge State Park's tent sites, water needs to be treated before drinking, and firewood is often reported as "punky" or damp. The primitive tent campgrounds generally feature basic amenities such as fire rings and picnic tables, with pit toilets available at most locations. Some sites like Dravo's Landing provide free camping with picnic shelters and lean-to structures designed specifically for tent campers, though these fill quickly during peak season. Many of the tent-only areas operate seasonally, with Laurel Ridge's tent camping available from May through October.
Sites along the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail provide specialized tent camping experiences for hikers and bikers. These backcountry tent camping areas like Round Bottom offer raised tent pads, Adirondack shelters, and direct access to the Youghiogheny River. Train noise can be an issue at many of the riverside tent sites, with several reviews mentioning the need for earplugs. A recent review noted that "the train line runs on the opposite side of the River, it is loud when they rumble through." Despite this, many tent campers appreciate the quiet weekday atmosphere, with plenty of space between sites. The free tent-only camping areas are particularly popular with long-distance hikers seeking natural settings with minimal facilities but maximum trail access.
