The Laurel Highlands region surrounding Normalville, Pennsylvania sits at elevations between 1,200 and 2,800 feet, creating a cooler microclimate than nearby Pittsburgh. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing from November through March, with summer highs rarely exceeding 85°F. Most campgrounds in the area are situated among mature hardwood forests with hiking trails connecting directly to state parks and the Great Allegheny Passage trail system.
What to do
Fishing at Yough Lake: The 16-acre lake at Tub Run Rec Area offers shoreline fishing with good catches reported. "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," notes one camper.
Star gazing platforms: Several campgrounds maintain dedicated star viewing areas due to the region's minimal light pollution. At Benner's Meadow Run Camping & Cabins, campers can use "the star gazing platform" which offers "amazing mountain views" according to reviews.
Rock climbing and bouldering: The terrain around Normalville features natural climbing opportunities. One visitor at Laurel Hill State Park mentioned "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."
Snowless tubing: For unusual summer fun, Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park offers tubing without snow. A reviewer mentioned the resort has "snowless snow tubing" among its attractions, making it a unique off-season activity.
What campers like
Modern private bathrooms: Many campers appreciate the updated facilities at some locations. At Hickory Hollow Campground, "bathrooms were well kept and the laundry was convenient with a slop sink for dishes!" One reviewer particularly noted the cleanliness: "The bathhouses themselves were great."
Lake views and beach access: Waterfront sites rank highly in camper satisfaction. "Lakeside sites open onto the beach and lake," reports one camper about Tub Run Recreation Area. Another notes, "The swimming lake was perfect and they had canoes and kayak rentals on site."
Trail connectivity: Direct access to major trails is a significant draw. The Blue Canoe RV Resort (formerly Uniontown KOA) features the "GAP trail rolls right through the middle of this traditional KOA campground," making it ideal for cyclists. A reviewer noted, "This is a perfect place to have the best of both worlds."
Free activities for children: Family-oriented campgrounds provide structured entertainment. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, one camper appreciated "tractor rides, fire truck rides and a train ride alongside the free activities for the kids," noting "there is always something fun to do."
What you should know
Tent sites can be challenging to find: While glamping near Normalville, Pennsylvania is abundant, traditional tent sites can be limited. At Keystone State Park, a camper noted "our tent site was more like an RV site as we had a hill side but each site has a 30ft concrete pad to park on so I just put our tent on the concrete pad."
Road closures affect access: Construction and maintenance can impact travel times. One camper at Ohiopyle State Park reported, "No one mentioned that the main road to the campground from Ohiopyle was also closed due to a separate paving project. This unanticipated road closure with the typically convoluted PA road system detour... infuriated my father and husband."
Limited grocery options: Plan provisions carefully as shopping is sparse. A Hickory Hollow visitor advised, "Not a lot of restaurants or stores nearby, so keep that in mind if you'll be there awhile."
Water levels vary seasonally: Lake activities depend on dam management. "Unfortunately the lake was dried up," reported one camper at Tub Run. Another mentioned visiting during low water: "In early August, the falls were not flowing heavy."
Tips for camping with families
Book sites near amenities: Parents value convenience to playgrounds and bathrooms. At Fox Den Acres Campground, "There's a swimming pool, fishing pond, and boating pond. Spacious shower house. No water sources in the primitive section, and the shower house is quite a hike from the furthest sites."
Consider off-peak timing: Weekdays offer more peaceful experiences for families. One camper at Fox Den Acres noted, "I think the weekends would be too full for my taste but mid week was very quiet."
Check for pet-friendly loops: Campground sections vary in noise and privacy. 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... Dogs were barking at all hours and there's no privacy."
Water park alternatives: Several glamping resorts near Normalville feature water attractions. At Jellystone Park, they've "upgraded the water slides 4 huge slides plus big splash pad with little slide for smaller kids & the original 2 big water slides in woods," making it ideal for families seeking water recreation beyond natural swimming areas.
Tips from RVers
Extension cords needed: Some electrical hookups are inconveniently located. A camper at Laurel Hill State Park advised, "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."
Level sites are scarce: Bring additional leveling equipment. At The Blue Canoe RV Resort, "Some river sites were small and very un level but was doable." Another camper mentioned, "I couldn't get it level with my Anderson levelers it was pretty slopped."
Larger laundry facilities available: Some campgrounds offer industrial-sized machines. At Madison-Pittsburgh S.E. KOA, a visitor was impressed by "HUGE INDUSTRIAL SIZE washers & dryers," noting the "laundry facilities would keep me coming alone" and are "the best we have encountered."
