Best Tent Camping near Pittsburgh, PA
Tent campsites dot the landscape surrounding Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with several options accessible within an hour's drive of the city. The GAP Trail corridor features multiple tent-friendly campgrounds, including Dravo's Landing Campground and Roundbottom Hiker-Biker Campground, both positioned along the Youghiogheny River. These free, hike-in and walk-in sites cater specifically to tent campers and bikepackers traveling the Great Allegheny Passage, offering basic amenities in natural settings about 25-30 miles from downtown Pittsburgh.
Most tent sites in the Pittsburgh region provide basic facilities with varying amenities. The hiker-biker campgrounds feature fire pits, picnic tables, and pit toilets, though water access can be inconsistent. Dravo's Landing offers potable water, while Roundbottom Campground's well water is no longer labeled as drinking water. Several campgrounds provide lean-to shelters for tent campers, offering protection from the elements. Sites generally feature level ground suitable for tent placement, though soil conditions vary from hard-packed dirt to grassy clearings. Train noise affects multiple campgrounds along the GAP Trail corridor, as active rail lines run parallel to many camping areas.
The riverside tent campgrounds provide peaceful settings with easy water access. Round Bottom Camping Area includes raised tent pads and Adirondack shelters with sufficient space for multiple tents in grassy areas. Free firewood is available at some locations, maintained by local volunteer organizations. Tent campers frequently use these areas as overnight stops while hiking or biking the GAP Trail, with the sites spaced approximately 15-20 miles apart. Wildlife sightings are common, with raccoons known to investigate unsecured food. A review noted, "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." For those seeking more seclusion, Laurel Ridge State Park offers eight different camping areas along its 70-mile corridor with primitive tent sites requiring advance reservations.
