Situated among the rolling hills of southwestern Pennsylvania, North Irwin offers direct access to the region's diverse waterways, forests, and parklands. The area sits at approximately 1,200 feet elevation with a humid continental climate featuring warm summers and cold winters. Camping options near North Irwin range from seasonal facilities that close during winter to premium year-round options, with many campgrounds undergoing significant renovations in recent years.
What to do
Boating and fishing access: Bush Recreation Area provides direct access to Loyalhanna Creek with designated boat launches for motorized watercraft. "The boat launch is a nice size to fit 2 boats at a time. The only problem is the beach is not that great. However we stayed out in the boat on the lake most of the time. It's a great place to fish and swim and just relax," notes a camper who visited Bush Recreation Area.
Biking on the GAP trail: The The Blue Canoe RV Resort in Connellsville offers direct access to the Great Allegheny Passage trail. "The GAP trail rolls right through the middle of this traditional KOA campground... For through riders on the trail there is a special place to camp, close to the west-bound entrance. The picnic tables and fire rings are surrounded by hammock poles and there's lots of space for scattered tents," explains one cyclist.
Off-site attractions: The region offers multiple cultural and historical sites within driving distance. "We stayed for 2 nights while we visited Fallingwater and the Flight 93 Memorial. We should have stayed another night so we could visit Fort Necessity NP just down the road but ran out of time," shares a visitor at Benner's Meadow Run RV Campground.
What campers like
Large, well-maintained pools: Several campgrounds feature swimming pools as main attractions. At Pine Cove Beach Club RV Resort, one camper praised the "pool & concession stand, beautifully maintained lawns and gravel campsites, modern hookups, good shower/laundry facilities, nice fire rings with built in grills, trash pickup service." Another visitor called the facility "a giant pool opened in the summer."
Dedicated camping areas for different needs: At The Blue Canoe RV Resort, through-hikers and cyclists have specialized camping areas separate from RV sites. "For through riders on the trail there is a special place to camp, close to the west-bound entrance. The picnic tables and fire rings are surrounded by hammock poles and there's lots of space for scattered tents."
Kid-friendly amenities: Multiple campgrounds prioritize family facilities. "Got a nice secluded spot to camp in the wooded area that had amazing mountain views and the star gazing platform. Kids had a great time and lots of activities for them to do!" noted a visitor at Benner's Meadow Run RV Campground.
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Many area campgrounds have terrain issues requiring leveling equipment. At Madison-Pittsburgh S.E. KOA, one camper found: "I couldn't get it level with my Anderson levelers it was pretty slopped. On my way out I heard they were having someone come in to level the sites so I imagine it was just the time of year we visited."
Varying water quality: While most RV parks offer water hookups, quality varies significantly. "The water is not filtered," reports a camper at Bush Recreation Area. Others note the pool at Madison-Pittsburgh S.E. KOA is "clean and small but does the job, they try to open it ASAP every year."
Seasonal fluctuations: Availability and conditions change dramatically by season. A camper at Fox Den Acres Campground explained, "We stayed early in the season so many of the amenities were not open yet. We did watch kids fishing and pulling fish out as soon as they put their line in!"
Tips for camping with families
Reserve playground-adjacent sites: At Bush Recreation Area, site planning makes a difference. "We rented space 16 late August 2020 and our friends (and their kids) rented #17 on the inner circle, right next to us with the playground right behind us. Great spots! Our kids were within easy eye and earshot of the playground."
Look for organized activities: Fox Den Acres Campground provides scheduled programming. "Wonderful campground. They provide activities almost every evening, making sure every age range is catered to throughout the week," notes one reviewer.
Check bathroom facilities: Quality varies widely between campgrounds. At Madison-Pittsburgh S.E. KOA, a visitor reported, "Showers really need an update. There are no shower heads. Office is really hard to get in contact with."
Tips from RVers
Site selection affects hookup quality: At Mirror Lake RV Camping & Fishing, location influences amenities. "Monthly (which I have currently) man are those a nervous wreck! Very steep and awkward but we got it done. The whole back area is covered in blackberry bushes and in the morning you're awaken by the beautiful sounds of birds singing."
Water capacity limitations: Small facilities may have limited hot water. One camper warns, "If you stay in one of the smaller kabins with a shower, just know there will be a flood and you should wet, turn the water off, lather, then rinse. Also don't think everyone is showering one after the other or you can do dishes and wash hands as much as you want before showering because it's very small water tank, it goes lukewarm to cold quick."
Laundry facilities vary dramatically: While many RV campgrounds near North Irwin offer laundry, quality differs. Madison-Pittsburgh S.E. KOA features "big machines and dryers making life easier and less time spent doing laundry. Nice little pool and lake for fishing. Lots of full timers here. Nice bath houses."
