The Laurel Highlands region surrounding Markleton, Pennsylvania offers camping spots at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,500 feet, creating cooler summer temperatures than nearby urban areas. Most camping facilities in this area experience nighttime temperatures 10-15 degrees cooler than daytime highs, even during July and August. The combination of mountain terrain and proximity to multiple watersheds creates distinct microclimates within short distances of Markleton.
What to do
Hiking to scenic vistas: Savage River State Forest provides numerous trail options with varying difficulty levels. "This area is gorgeous! Many of the sites are along streams that run down toward the river. Get here early-- we arrived late on a Thursday and scored a great spot," notes one visitor to Savage River State Forest.
White water activities: The Youghiogheny River offers excellent opportunities for rafting and kayaking. A camper at Yough Lake Campground at Tub Run shared, "We camped here with our RV and boat... 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."
Winter recreation: Some campgrounds maintain seasonal access for cold-weather activities. "This campground is located along the Great Allegheny Passage trail. We were there in November with plans to visit Fallingwater. This campground was the perfect location for both activities," commented a visitor to Outflow Camping.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Many campers appreciate the separation between campsites at certain locations. A visitor to Hickory Hollow Campground stated, "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."
Affordable options: Budget-conscious campers find good value at several locations. "It's a small park nestled in a little pristine valley that feels like you are in another world! You are surrounded by old growth hemlock, miles of trails, and a good lake," shared one visitor to New Germany State Park Campground.
Trail access: Direct connections to regional trail systems rank high in camper satisfaction. "This is a very nice campground. Plan your meals well, before arriving. There are a couple of restaurants in Ohiopyle, but they are not open late," advises a camper at Ohiopyle State Park, adding, "I feel fortunate to live only about 2 hours from this beautiful place, with the Montour biking/hiking trail running right through it."
What you should know
Bathroom facilities vary significantly: Quality and cleanliness of facilities differs between campgrounds. At Scarlett Knob Campground, one camper noted, "Facilities are not kept up so they are dirty and need some love. There is one spot with a flushable toilet and it's a bit of a walk. The pit toilets are actually pretty ok."
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds have limited or no connectivity. "Note that there is very little to no cell phone reception in the park, so combined with the lack of hookups, this is definitely an unplugged, 'connect with nature' type of camping experience," shared a visitor at New Germany State Park.
Site selection matters: Researching specific sites before booking improves experience. "The sites are very spread out, and not very consistent in size/quality. We were able to nab site 112 and it was fantastic: lots of space, and privacy too," explains a camper at Savage River State Forest.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for kids: Several campgrounds offer swimming and boating options. "The lake has a small beach and the water is always cool," mentions a camper at New Germany State Park, while another notes, "For kids they have a small jungle gym and critter center. Overall a very nice family camping area."
Resort-style amenities: Some private campgrounds offer extensive activities. A visitor to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Mill Run shared, "This Yogi Bear campground offers a large waterpark area, large pool, monster truck rides and many activities. You don't have to leave to find something to do, but there are also many local attractions as well."
Quieter camping loops: For families seeking peace, certain camping areas provide more separation. "We loved this campground. It was quieter than Deep Creek with shaded good sized camp sites in the Hemlock loop where pets are allowed," noted a New Germany State Park visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the area have uneven terrain. At Kooser State Park, an RVer pointed out, "My only complaint is that many of the sites are not level at all and take some serious work to get your rig level."
Utility connections: Hookup locations may require planning. At Laurel Hill State Park, one camper observed, "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."
Access roads and site size: Some campgrounds have limitations for larger vehicles. "The roads were very narrow, with a decent incline, so not big-rig friendly," warned a visitor to New Germany State Park, while another RVer at Laurel Hill added, "Note: sites can be a bit small or awkward for campers. Our neighbor had a bit of a rough time accessing our shared electric box."
