Situated in the Appalachian foothills, the Parkhill region features forested terrain at elevations between 1,000-2,000 feet. The camping season typically runs April through October, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during the day. Winter camping options are limited as most facilities close after mid-October due to weather conditions.
What to do
Lake activities at Prince Gallitzin State Park: Visitors can enjoy the 1,635-acre lake with boat rentals including canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards. The park features a designated swimming beach specifically for campers. One visitor noted, "The campground beach is fun. There is a 5 mile trail that goes all around the lake. Lots of lake to paddle."
Mountain biking at Laurel Hill State Park: The park offers both beginner and intermediate trails through wooded terrain. The trails around the lake are particularly popular with cyclists. A camper mentioned, "The lake and walking trail has some less used fishing spots if you are willing to walk. We enjoyed the easy walking lake trail with the kids because it was wide and flat."
Whitewater activities near Ohiopyle: Located within 45 minutes of Parkhill, the Youghiogheny River offers rafting opportunities for various skill levels. Many outfitters provide equipment rentals and guided trips. According to one visitor, "Running smack dab through the center of town is the Youghiogheny River. A picturesque waterfall, numerous outdoor retailers, bicycle & raft rentals, peaceful trails and a sweet, cutting edge visitor/nature center."
What campers like
Private wooded sites at Keystone State Park: The hillside campground area offers more seclusion than the lakeside section. A reviewer advised, "There are 2 campgrounds in the park, the hillside one and the one on the lake. The lakeside one is a glorified trailer park and is packed during the summer with no privacy. The hillside one doesn't get near the crowds and is set in the woods. There are some very secluded sites."
Year-round accessibility: Some parks remain open for winter camping or have select sections available during colder months. A camper at Shawnee State Park noted, "The site we were assigned was easily accessed and had a nice view of the campground. The lake is gorgeous and has a large, sandy beach. Would love to spend more time there to explore the park further."
Family-friendly amenities at Friendship Village: The campground provides activities beyond standard camping fare, including multiple playgrounds and recreational facilities. A visitor shared, "The kids played mini golf, jumped on the pillow, played on multiple playgrounds, enjoyed ice cream and went fishing. Can't wait to come back in the summer."
What you should know
Site selection considerations: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain that can challenge RV leveling. At Rocky Gap State Park, a visitor emphasized, "Large camp sites, with decent space for tents. The descriptions on the State Park site seem very accurate. Mid-week the campground was less than a third full, and the folks who were there were spread out so it felt more spacious than it was."
Noise factors: Highway proximity affects some camping areas with traffic sounds, particularly at night. As one camper explained, "It was very noisy at night due to traffic on I-68 and even the campground road. I was woken up many times by the sound of trucks down shifting and braking."
Limited services: Most campgrounds have restricted water access during early spring and late fall seasons. A visitor to Keystone noted, "Plan your meals well, before arriving. There are a couple of restaurants in Ohiopyle, but they are not open late. There are no grocery stores real close."
Tips for camping with families
Water features: Lakes with gentle shorelines provide safer swimming options for children. At Mirror Lake RV Camping & Fishing, families appreciate the creek access: "A lot of their sites are along a small creek which the kids play in and can float down. Site 26 is our favorite. It has a huge back yard and easy access to the creek."
Choosing cabin locations: For glamping near Parkhill, Pennsylvania, select cabins based on proximity to facilities. At Yellow Creek Campground, cabins offer lakefront positioning: "We stayed in 3 of the cabins for 4 days. It was beautiful. Right on the water, clean, and private access to the lake. Dog friendly cabins were available."
Weather preparation: The mountain location means temperature drops at night, even in summer. Pack accordingly for glamping stays. A visitor at Linn Run State Park advised, "They're all right next to a shady crick, near a sliding rock, and some nice hikes. Great spot for kids. The creek surrounding the island does make it cold at night so make sure to pack warmly."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Request site photos or specific recommendations when booking RV spots. At Shawnee State Park, one RVer shared, "We heeded the advice of other reviewers warning that many sites were not level and did not reserve ahead of time. A Monday in mid-October had many open sites. Most of the non-electric sites were decidedly not level but many of the FHU and electric sites were fairly level."
Hookup locations: Power posts may be inconveniently positioned at some parks. As noted at Laurel Hill State Park, "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."
Seasonal availability: Full-hookup sites typically close earlier in fall than electric-only sites. Kentuck Campground at Ohiopyle State Park maintains limited winter availability: "This is a very nice campground. Some sites have gravel pads that were level and vary in length from 20' to 115'. Most of the non-electric sites had no definable pads at all and as mentioned, were not level."
