Tent camping options near Mars, Pennsylvania include several walk-in tent sites and primitive campgrounds along the Youghiogheny River corridor. Dravo's Landing Campground and Roundbottom Hiker-Biker Campground are free primitive tent camping areas that serve as popular stops for hikers and cyclists using the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) trail. Both sites provide basic amenities for tent campers but require visitors to walk or bike in, as they cannot be accessed by vehicle.
Most primitive tent sites in the region feature cleared, level spaces with fire rings and picnic tables, though amenities vary between locations. Vault toilets are standard at established sites like Dravo's Landing and Roundbottom, but potable water may not always be available. A camper mentioned, "The river is very easy to access for a quick dip after a long day on the trail," though water filtration is recommended for drinking. Walk-in tent campers should note that several sites, including Danner Primitive Campground, require permits for stays longer than one night and can only be accessed via hiking trails or by paddling.
The tent camping experience near Mars offers scenic river views and relatively secluded sites, though train noise can be a consideration. Many of the walk-in tent locations follow the GAP trail corridor, making them ideal for bicycle tourists and hikers seeking multi-day adventures. Sites at Dravo's Landing include Adirondack-style lean-tos that can accommodate small tents, providing shelter during inclement weather. A review noted, "There were a few shelters, nice campsite. It's close to an old cemetery which is useful in telling ghosts stories around the campfire." The camping areas typically feature wide, grassy spaces with room for multiple tents, and several primitive tent campgrounds provide direct river access for paddlers. First-come, first-served rules apply at most locations, with busier conditions typically occurring on summer weekends.
"We camped out overnight with a group of 14 people, and there was plenty of room for everyone to pitch their tents and spend a relaxing night under the stars."
"This campsite is a nice reward for west-bound riders on the GAP trail (it's the last one before Pittsburgh!)"
"We're so happy to welcome this new property to our platform. Bill and Nancy offer a safe place to set up camp. Check them out and come back here to leave them some love! 💕"
Available this weekend
from $22 - $75 / night
"Great place to stay close to hiking trails and fishing spots. Hit the mountain bike track, explore the ruins on the game lands, and might even see an albino fawn."
from $20 - $70 / night
"My first camping location and review. Camping in a tree farm has been cool! I called the number listed and left a message. See the friendly manager walking the farm."
from $35 / night
"The spacious and lush lawn has lots of space for tents, but the winner is the covered seating, dining, and cooking area. Everything is clean as a whistle…pun intended. "
from $25 / night
"This is a hike in or paddle in only campground. The shortest distance is about 2 miles from the trailhead at the Kennerdell bridge, but there are other trailheads throughout the tract also."
"We're happy to welcome your host, Laurel, to our platform. This is a cannabis friendly campground that overlooks the Laurel Highlands Hemp field, and surrounding mountains."
Campground full this weekend
from $100 - $150 / night
"Being positioned directly off the GAP Trail grants easy access to those traveling the trail. "
"This is one of the only free hiker-biker campgrounds along the GAP trail (mile 99.6), and it is laid out similarly to the Dravo Campground, with lean-tos, picnic tables, firepits and lots of spaces for"
from $10 - $60 / night
ScoutThis is our second time staying here. Each time in October. We love it. Unlike most RV resorts this place is small and wooded. Has free Wi-Fi, clean bathrooms and an awesome community hub room for work from home or playing games. The weekends are busy but during the week it’s so quiet and peaceful. Close to so many attractions and parks that are part of the PA Wilds. Would definitely recommend.
ScoutPLEASE DONT GO HERE ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE KIDS AND IF YOUR NOT WHITE..THE OWNER IS A RACIST HYPOCRITE AND SO ARE ALL OF HER CREW AT THIS LOWLIFE CAMPGROUND. JUST BECAUSE SHE DONT DRINK AND LIKE TO HAVE FUN, SHE RUINS IT FOR ALL THE OTHER CAMPERS..YOU HAVE TO BE IN BED AT 10PM..WHAT A FRIGGING JOKE..SHE SNEAKES AROUND IN HER GOLF CART AT NIGHT AND CREEPS IN YOUR WINDOWS TO SEE WHAT YOUR DOING. THATS WHY YOUR NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE CURTAINS CLOSED .SO HER AND HER SO CALLED HYPOCRITE FRIENDS CAN SEE WHAT YOUR DOING..WE USED TO BE UP THERE UNTIL WE SAW HOW SHE TREATED AND TALKED ABOUT THE POOR LITTLE BLACK KIDS..ESPECIALLY ON CHRISTMAS IN JULY, SHE BOUGHT TOYS FOR EVERY WHITE KID UP THERE WHILE SHE WATCHED THE LITTLE BLACK KIDS CRY THEIR EYES OUT BECAUSE THEY WERE 10 MINUTES LATE TO GET THEIR GIFTS..SHE IS A WHICH IN DISQUISE..EVERY KID GOT TO RIDE THE WAGON WITH SANTA AND WHEN SHE SAW YHE BLACK KIDS ,THEY JUST PASSED THEM UP LIKE THEY DIDNT EVEN SEE THEM...HOW CRUEL CAN SOMEONE BE🤬🤬BUT THEN AGAIN, ITS HER ,SHE HATES PEOPLE HAVING FUN UP THERE.DONT DRINK AFTER HER HRS .DONT PLAY MUSIC AFTER HER HRS..DONT DO SHIT UP THERE UNLESS YOU WANT KICKED OUT THE NEXT DAY...I NEVER SEEN ANYONE SO CRUEL AND HEARTLESS
....THERES A FEW OTHER CAMPGROUNDS AROUND THE BEND .PLEASE GO THERE IF YOU DONT WANT TO CAMP IN A PRISON CAMPGROUND....SHE'LL NEVER CHANGE..MAYBE UF YOYR WHITE, SHELL BE NICE 🤣🤣🤣AND YOU WOLNT GET KICKED OUT..
ScoutThere’s no electricity and no where in walking distance and the internet isn’t great, and at night u hear raccoons in the trash cans. If you come here bring a portable phone charger. There’s really nothing here, and the bathrooms are disgusting
TravelerStayed the weekend for the first time and it wasn’t bad! There were kids playing at sites nearby but that was all the noise, highway noise at all! I like how they have a spot for your tent with a picnic table and fire ring. I was in my rooftop tent on my truck so I wish the parking spot went back a little deeper for a little more privacy. But it was nice that there was bathrooms and showers within a 1 minute walk from the site! Also it says on here there is no AT&T signal, that’s not true…it’s not great but there is a bar or 2 at times!
ScoutThe park is beautiful, unlevel shade sites; is challenging to get the trailer level. unfortunately, the bathhouses are neglected, dark and full of mildew inside the showers. The park really needs to upgrade the bathhouses. The park itself is very nice and offers a lot of opportunities for outdoor exploration and hiking.
GuideThis is more a campground for RVs then tents or even roof top tents. Place is clean and the sites 90% of them are in the open. Very little shade. Travis runs the place and very nice and accommodating. Fire wood is 20 dollars for a massive amount.
ScoutSpent three nights there in August Mid-week. Was pretty quiet but was clean and nicely taken care of. No mosquitos or bugs at night. Nice walking paths. Pool, hot tub, outdoor showers all very nice.
ScoutAdvertised as a family camp but very far from it. I’ve watched this camp progressively get worse as the years go on, over priced camp with zero efforts to make anything worthwhile, run down play grounds, broken toilet paper roll holders in the bathrooms of the shower house, roads that make you feel like your off road. Owner plans “events” and then wants campers to pay for overpriced food. The owner complains nobody comes to events anymore but barely comes to them herself. The owner is VERY money hungry! And most importantly it’s home to a sex offender who the owner cherishes dearly.
It’s a shame to see how many people realized how terrible this camp was and are selling their camps because of it. The owner should open her eyes and realize she’s the reason people don’t want to be there anymore !!!
ScoutCant have no fun or drink.kids get yelled at all the time..owner sneaks around looking in campers at night..they watch every thing you do. Then they throw you out because your having to much fun. Or your up after 10pm..what a joke....please dont do nothing wrong.because.youll be on the shitlist...they are very very racist ,dont ever take a black child or try to get a place to stay or even put a tent up ,cause if your Black ,they tell you their is no room for u or a tent..STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE,ITS A BUNCH OF HYPOCRITES AND THEY DONT WANT NO BLACS IN THEIR CAMP GROOUND AT ALL..GO UP THE ROAD..THEY ARE NICER THERE...
Tent camping near Mars, Pennsylvania provides access to the Youghiogheny River corridor and Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) trail system. Most camping areas sit at elevations between 800-1,100 feet, with typical summer temperatures ranging from 60-85°F. The region experiences frequent thunderstorms during summer months, making shelters particularly valuable for overnight stays.
River access for paddling: At Danner Primitive Campground, paddlers will find designated water entry points. "There are 8 sites spread out along the edge of the river, some being closer together than others. A few of the sites had stairs to the water for paddler access," notes Casey L.
Mountain biking opportunities: Trails near Mountain View Camps offer varied terrain for biking enthusiasts. "Great place to stay close to hiking trails and fishing spots. Hit the mountain bike track, explore the ruins on the game lands, and might even see an albino fawn," shares Richard C.
Train spotting: For railroad enthusiasts, several camps offer close-up views of active rail lines. "One thing to consider with these campgrounds next to the trail is the number of trains that pass by in the night. It's not the train horn but the number of turns in the track and the squealing breaks that keep you up," explains Shari G.
Cannabis-friendly camping: For adults seeking specialty camping, Laurel Highlands Hemp Cannabis Farm offers unique experiences. "Friday nights are Toke With A Goat Yoga at 7 at the barn weather depending," notes Ashley F.
Accessible water sources: Many campers appreciate the river proximity for cooling off. "The river is very easy to access for a quick dip after a long day on the trail," notes a reviewer at Roundbottom Hiker-Biker Campground.
Covered dining areas: At The GAP Trail Campground, cyclists enjoy protected eating spaces. "The spacious and lush lawn has lots of space for tents, but the winner is the covered seating, dining, and cooking area. Everything is clean as a whistle," writes Shari G.
Proximity to trail systems: Campers value the strategic location along biking routes. "What a treat! Had we not stopped for the previous night's camp 8 miles sooner, this would have been our favorite camp along the trail," shares a cyclist about The GAP Trail Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Natural settings provide wildlife encounters not available at developed campgrounds. "Explore the ruins on the game lands, and might even see an albino fawn," notes a Mountain View Camps visitor.
Wildlife precautions: Food storage matters at tent camping sites. "Just be sure to secure your food overnight - if you don't, the raccoons will make quick work of it!" warns Sarah Q. at Dravo's Landing Campground.
Water filtration needs: Potable water isn't guaranteed at primitive sites. "The well for the campground stated that it was no longer potable. My guess is that this is simply because the volunteer organization which maintains this campground lacks the funds for testing," explains a Roundbottom visitor.
Reservation systems: Most primitive tent sites operate first-come, first-served. "Danner Primitive Campground sites are first come first serve. There are 8 sites spread out along the edge of the river, some being closer together than others," reports Casey L.
Access limitations: Many sites require human-powered transportation. "This is a hike in or paddle in only campground. The shortest distance is about 2 miles from the trailhead at the Kennerdell bridge," notes a Danner Primitive Campground reviewer.
Noise considerations: Families should prepare for train noise at river corridor sites. "It's not the train horn but the number of turns in the track and the squealing breaks that keep you up -- so bring good earplugs!" suggests a reviewer at Roundbottom.
Group camping options: Quiet and Secluded accommodates larger family gatherings. "Beautiful place. Host was very accommodating. Great time," shares Tom J. about their family stay.
Kid-friendly activities: Natural features provide entertainment for younger campers. "My family and I had a great time. It was very easy and relaxing. The trees were quite the entertaining experience for the kids," notes Andrew O. about their camping experience.
Clean facilities: Some sites maintain exceptional restroom cleanliness. "There are vault toilets that were clean and well maintained, with hand sanitizer," reports a Danner Primitive Campground visitor.
Limited hookup options: Most tent camping areas near Mars have minimal RV services. "This campsite is a nice reward for west-bound riders on the GAP trail, and a nice easy introduction to bikepacking camping for the east-bound," notes Shari G., highlighting the primitive nature of facilities.
Parking constraints: Vehicle access presents challenges at many sites. "Round Bottom Camping Area at Slush Run can only be accessed by the GAP Trail, which means on foot or bicycle…or paddlers on the Youghioheny River," explains Dave V.
Electric considerations: For RVers needing minimal power, options exist but are limited. "We camped out overnight with a group of 14 people, and there was plenty of room for everyone to pitch their tents and spend a relaxing night under the stars," notes Sarah Q., emphasizing the tent-focused nature of most sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Mars, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Mars, PA is Dravo's Landing Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Mars, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Mars, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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