Best Tent Camping near Normalville, PA

Tent campsites throughout the Laurel Highlands region near Normalville, Pennsylvania offer a range of primitive to established sites along rivers and mountain ridges. Laurel Ridge State Park provides eight dedicated camping areas specifically designed for backpackers and tent campers along its 70-mile hiking trail. The GAP Trail (Great Allegheny Passage) features several tent-focused camping areas including Round Bottom Camping Area at Slush Run and Roundbottom Hiker-Biker Campground, both accessible only by foot or bicycle.

The tent camping experience varies significantly based on location, with most sites requiring self-sufficient preparation. Many walk-in tent locations have basic amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, but potable water availability is inconsistent. At Round Bottom, campers report that the hand pump produces discolored water, necessitating filtering from the nearby Youghiogheny River. Tent pads at select locations provide level surfaces for setup, while other areas offer grassy clearings. Several sites maintain free status, including Round Bottom and Dravo's Landing, making them popular with through-hikers and cyclists on multi-day trips. Seasonal considerations include increased popularity during October and long weekends.

Most tent campgrounds in the region feature proximity to water, with the Youghiogheny River running alongside many of the walk-in tent sites. Train noise presents a consistent challenge, as the GAP Trail follows historic rail corridors. Tent campers should prepare accordingly with earplugs for overnight stays. Areas farther from town provide deeper seclusion, though wildlife encounters become more common. The tent-only orientation of several sites creates a community atmosphere among hikers and cyclists. According to one visitor, "Round Bottom Camping Area is very peaceful and though you can still visually see the GAP Trail, you are not disturbed by passing cyclists."

Best Tent Sites Near Normalville, Pennsylvania (19)

    1. Laurel Ridge State Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    Normalville, PA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 455-3744

    "Laurel Ridge State Park is the greenway that protects the legendary Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail from the busy world around it."

    "It is a beautiful wooded park offering lots of trees for privacy. I wish I had more time to explore the park before moving on. The bathhouse could use a renovation. It felt old and kind of dirty."

    2. Indian Creek Camplands Inc

    1 Review
    Normalville, PA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 455-7900

    3. Round Bottom Camping Area at Slush Run

    1 Review
    Perryopolis, PA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 872-5586

    "Being positioned directly off the GAP Trail grants easy access to those traveling the trail. "

    4. Roundbottom Hiker-Biker Campground (GAP Trail)

    1 Review
    Perryopolis, PA
    16 miles
    Website

    "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"

    5. Lake Eron Park

    Be the first to review!
    Scottdale, PA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 433-1388

    $10 - $60 / night

    6. Laurel Highlands Hemp Cannabis Farm

    1 Review
    Belle Vernon, PA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 989-6004

    $100 - $150 / night

    "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."

    7. The GAP Trail Campground - Bikers Only

    1 Review
    West Newton, PA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 244-5859

    $25 / 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.  "

    8. Dravo's Landing Campground

    3 Reviews
    Sutersville, PA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 872-5586

    "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!)"

    9. Maple Festival Park (near GAP Trail)

    2 Reviews
    Meyersdale, PA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 442-4284

    $20 / night

    "Set your tent up on the lawn, up on the stage, or under the long lean-to, if you want to get out of the weather. It’s all up for grabs for the night."

    10. Rhododendron Camping Area

    3 Reviews
    Dellslow, WV
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 594-1561

    $25 - $35 / night

    "There is a bathhouse located closest to site 5 with trails from other sites to get there. The facilities are always clean- no shower available."

    "There was a fire place and a picnic table and an area to park your car. It was walking distance to the beautiful overlook and a great price for what you get."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Normalville, PA

661 Reviews of 19 Normalville Campgrounds


  • Britt B.
    Oct. 27, 2020

    Kooser State Park Campground

    Small Shaded Park

    Kooser State Park is a small campground nestled in the Laurel Highlands, close to Hidden Valley and Seven Springs ski resorts. The park has great amenities just a short walk from all sites. All sites have fire rings, with grills, however note they are double walled so do not expel a lot of heat outward. Great for cooking however. 

    Most sites are not level, but very grassy. Firewood is available at the entrance for$5 bundle supporting a local club. A beautiful walk through the park leads you to the Kooser Lake, great for fishing. It is also close to the Laurel Hill State Park which is great for hiking and water activities. The park is close to the road so you will experience some road noise. 

    The park is 15min from Somerset. No phone reception at this one! They welcome all furry friends!

  • K
    Jul. 27, 2022

    Swallow Falls State Park Campground

    Great camping near falls

    Clean, beautiful and quiet (occasional barking dog or children playing loudly). The basic tent sites each have a picnic table, fire pit w/ grill, and lantern post. The trails to the beautiful falls are a short walk from the campgrounds.

  • Napunani
    Jun. 25, 2022

    Pioneer Park Campground

    Close to Flight 93 Memorial

    PROS 

    Able to reserve 129 days prior to arriving 

    Melissa at check-in was very friendly and helpful 

    Good overnight stop to visit Flight 93 Memorial 22 miles from campground 

    Site #391 level 

    Gravel site surrounded by grass 

    Moveable wooden picnic table 

    Large concrete fire ring 

    Clean toilet-shower building that are heavily used 

    Mostly quiet except for road noise 

    Firewood for sale in Park

    CONS 

    No discount 

    Site #391 no shade 

    Park cable connection failed 

    Sewer connection“up hill” 

    Never found trash dumpster and wasn’t marked on campground map 

    Very loud radio station blaring in the toilet/shower building that could be heard outside the building 

    2 bars Verizon 

    No WIFI

  • Evan C.
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Robert W. Craig - Jennings Randolph Lake

    Great Tenting, Little Busy

    8/14/2025

    USACE-managed campground with hosts who are on-site all season. Nice sites (easy staking) with picnic tables and fire pits, plus a camp store for firewood and other supplies (got there too late to check it out though). A little crowded with what seemed like folks who stay there for a hefty chunk of the season, and the sites are pretty close together, but there weren't any issues with rowdy folks - it seems like the hosts keep things in order/enforce quiet hours if necessary. 

    Drinking water right next to the site (37) as well as a trail to a restroom - I think there's a shower on the other loop/section. 

    $22 for a basic (non-electric) tent site.

  • Johanna B.
    May. 31, 2021

    Duman Lake County Park

    Nice local park

    Duman lake review notes.

    • Well-maintained small park, stocked lake, popular with local fisherman. Kayaking/small boat fishing. I’ve seen bald eagle and osprey.
    • Six campsites, w/mature trees, level, w/paved drive & gravel area, large enough for mid-sized RVs. They state 40 ft., but all are back in. All have (lighted)30 amp & water. We did not see the tent sites. Not sure if they are developed, ask.
    • Number one is closest to the bathhouse, number five was less shaded. Number six is closest to the road.
    • Newer restroom, w/two stalls each. Push-button, hot showers. Men’s worked best.
    • Campsite number one is closest to restroom, but also behind picnic shelter number 12, so if the shelter is booked for a party could be noisy? Day use people bugged out quickly at dusk.
    • We were in #1 in May & had the entire campground & upper park to ourselves.
    • They have a kids’ train in summer.
    • Nice playground.
    • The only real downside of this campground is that the local road is close by and you do get some traffic noise before dark. It is not a high traffic road however. Dumpsters were overflowing with weekend trash & bathrooms needed a bug sweep-out. Sportsmen were target shooting nearby before dark FYI.
  • Olivia M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2019

    Coopers Rock State Forest

    Beautiful Mountains

    We often do dispersed, leave no trace, primitive camping throughout the state forest. There are wonderful, well maintained trails throughout. If you want to dive into nature within a 30 minute drive from Morgantown, this is your place to go. Take the scenic hike to raven’s rock for views that will not disappoint.

  • Danielle S.
    Apr. 16, 2019

    Coopers Rock State Forest

    Go all the way up the hill

    We stayed here 9/2018 at site #10 and can't wait to return. There is a small campground just by the entrance that has a small store and electric sites with RV hookups. Site 10 was at the campground at the top of the hill, sparsely populated, and had beautiful views beyond the trees. There were toilets and drinking water, but no electricity.  The bathrooms do not have lighting so bring a headlamp or flashlight. Each site had a fire ring and a picnic table. Trails were well maintained, but be warned that the overlook is crowded.

  • Benjamin S.
    Dec. 7, 2023

    Swallow Falls State Park Campground

    Peaceful and Serene

    Campground was well maintained. Tent pads were great. It rained on us but tent pads were elevated enough that we stayed dry. It is so peaceful and serene there. Hiked the trails to the waterfalls and had a great time. Firewood was cheap. Bathrooms were good and clean.

  • Dave V.
    Aug. 1, 2020

    Round Bottom Camping Area at Slush Run

    Great Hike/Bike Camping Area on the Great Allegheny Passage Trail

    Round Bottom Camping Area at Slush Run is a free camping area directly on the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail around Mile 99 (East of West Newton roughly 15 miles).  For those not familiar with the GAP Trail, it is a Rails-to-Trails initiative that travels from Pittsburgh, PA to Cumberland, MD…meandering through numerous Trail Towns that were former thriving railroad towns at the end of the 1800's.

    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. Being positioned directly off the GAP Trail grants easy access to those traveling the trail. 

    Amenities:

    • Raised Tent pads (4)
    • Vault Toilet
    • Adirondack Shelters (2)
    • Firepits
    • Picnic tables

    No potable water…there is hand pump but the water was discolored.  It is a short walk down a trail to the river's edge, where I filtered water for drinking.

    There is plenty of grassy area for scores of tents in this area.   So if you are not fortunate enough to secure one of the two Shelters or tent pads, you can still set up a tent in the nicely mowed areas, which are still level.

    We were bikepacking the GAP Trail east from Pittsburgh and arrived on a Sunday evening mid-June. We secured the only open Adirondack Shelter and were able to set up our tent inside, along with keeping our bicycles inside and out of the elements. Which made it wonderfully convenient when it started to rain. Sites and shelters are first come, first served.

    Usually the vault toilets along this trail are clean, maintained and stocked…but on this visit, piles of trash were inside likely from an overly busy weekend.

    The only negative was the train traffic on the opposite side of the River…it is loud when they rumble through. If you don't sleep with ear-plugs, you will wish you had.

    Bicycle traffic was fairly light during the week, so not only did you have the GAP Trail mostly to oneself, the camping areas were either sparsely filled or empty. Although, things just did start opening up from the Covid-19 shutdown.

    Apart from the train noise during sleeping hours, Round Bottom Camping Area is very peaceful and though you can still visually see the GAP Trail, you are not disturbed by passing cyclists.


Guide to Normalville

Tent campsites near Normalville, Pennsylvania concentrate in the hills and valleys of the Allegheny Mountains, with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,800 feet. The area experiences distinct seasonal changes with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during daytime and 55-65°F at night. Train noise affects many camping locations as historic rail corridors run parallel to popular hiking and biking routes throughout the region.

What to do

Explore the Eastern Continental Divide: Located just 8 miles from Maple Festival Park, this significant geographical feature marks where water flows either toward the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico. "You are only about 8 miles from the Eastern Continental Divide!" notes camper Shari G.

Filter river water for drinking: When staying at primitive campsites with unreliable water sources, bring filtration equipment. As one camper at Round Bottom Camping Area explains, "It is a short walk down a trail to the river's edge, where I filtered water for drinking."

Watch sunrise from overlooks: For early risers, primitive camping spots near Normalville provide excellent dawn viewing opportunities. At Rhododendron Camping Area, camper Sienna L. recommends, "Wake up early and watch the sunrise at the overlook I'm telling ya!"

What campers like

Cannabis-friendly options: The Laurel Highlands Hemp Cannabis Farm offers unique tent camping experiences with mountain views. Ashley F. describes it as "a cannabis friendly campground that overlooks the Laurel Highlands Hemp field, and surrounding mountains." The farm offers Friday night "Toke With A Goat Yoga" sessions at their barn.

Free camping on multi-day trips: Budget-conscious campers appreciate no-cost options along the GAP Trail. At Dravo's Landing Campground, camper Sarah Q. found "plenty of room for everyone to pitch their tents and spend a relaxing night under the stars. We made friends with a few other folks who were stopping at Dravo during their bike trips along the GAP."

Historical connections: Many campsites connect to the region's industrial past. Lauren C. notes that Dravo's Landing is "close to an old cemetery which is useful in telling ghosts stories around the campfire."

What you should know

Train noise levels vary by location: Railroad tracks parallel many camping areas, with noise levels differing based on proximity. At Maple Festival Park near the GAP Trail, Mark G. notes, "There are quite a few trains thru town," while Shari G. adds that "the train line, and the trail, are a steep hike up the hill from the rest of town, so the noise is much less bothersome during the night."

Off-season availability: Many tent camping sites near Normalville operate seasonally, typically May through October, with limited winter access. Laurel Ridge State Park's camping season runs from May to October, making shoulder seasons ideal for solitude.

Wildlife protection measures: Wildlife encounters increase at more remote sites. Sarah Q. from Dravo's Landing warns, "Just be sure to secure your food overnight - if you don't, the raccoons will make quick work of it!"

Tips for camping with families

Bathroom considerations: Facility quality varies significantly across camping areas. Emily M. observed at Rhododendron Camping Area that "the bathrooms at the overlook are better maintained than the campground bathrooms plus the camp bathroom light didn't work while we were visiting so it got a littttttle creepy after sunset."

Easy introduction sites: For families new to tent camping, starting with locations closer to amenities helps ease transition. Shari G. notes that The GAP Trail Campground offers "the outdoor shower/toilet block is such a divine sight, it makes you crave one whether you're stinky or not."

Pack earplugs for everyone: Train noise affects sleep quality at many camping locations. Shari G. advises, "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 if you hope to sleep!"

Tips from RVers

Small RV considerations: Most tent campsites near Normalville cannot accommodate large RVs, though some permit smaller campervans. Indian Creek Camplands offers sites for both tents and smaller RVs, with Christopher M. noting they are "not the most level areas but good clean and quiet campsites."

Camp kitchen setups: Because full hookups are rare, RVers should prepare for primitive cooking conditions. For small RVs that can access these areas, bringing portable cooking equipment and water containers proves essential.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Normalville, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Normalville, PA is Laurel Ridge State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Normalville, PA?

TheDyrt.com has all 19 tent camping locations near Normalville, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.