Best Tent Camping near Oakmont, PA
Tent campsites near Oakmont, Pennsylvania cluster along the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail and nearby wilderness areas. Several tent-friendly sites like Dravo's Landing Campground and Roundbottom Hiker-Biker Campground offer free primitive camping directly on the trail about 20-30 miles from Oakmont, with riverside locations on the Youghiogheny River. Laurel Ridge State Park, protecting the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail, provides eight primitive camping areas for backpackers on the summit of Laurel Mountain.
Most tent camping areas in the region feature basic amenities designed for self-sufficient campers. Dravo's Landing and Roundbottom offer raised tent pads, lean-to shelters, picnic tables, and pit toilets, but potable water can be unreliable. A recent review noted, "There is a 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." Campers should bring water filtration equipment if planning to stay at sites near the Youghiogheny. First-come, first-served sites are standard at most locations, with no reservations accepted at the GAP Trail campgrounds.
Areas farther from Pittsburgh offer more secluded tent camping experiences. Sites along the GAP Trail provide easy access for hikers and bicyclists, with connections to the extensive trail network. Laurel Ridge State Park's campgrounds require backpacking in but reward with dramatic overlooks and wilderness solitude. A camper wrote, "I've heard a barred owl at night both times I camped here." Train noise is a common challenge for tent campers along the GAP Trail 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 if you hope to sleep!" Night temperatures can drop significantly in the mountainous areas even in summer, requiring proper sleeping gear for tent campers. Many sites offer abundant tree cover, providing natural shade and hammock options during warm months.
