Best Tent Camping near Presto, PA
Tent camping options around Presto, Pennsylvania include several walk-in tent sites along the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail. Dravo's Landing Campground and Roundbottom Hiker-Biker Campground provide free tent sites accessible primarily by foot or bicycle. These campgrounds are positioned directly off the GAP Trail, which runs from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Maryland, following historic railroad routes through former thriving railroad towns.
Most walk-in tent sites in the area feature raised tent pads, picnic tables, and fire rings. Dravo's Landing offers lean-to shelters that can accommodate small tents, while Roundbottom Camping Area includes Adirondack shelters and multiple tent pads. Vault toilets are standard at these locations, though water availability varies. At Roundbottom, campers should bring water filters as the hand pump produces discolored water that is not recommended for drinking. The Laurel Ridge State Park Campground provides more remote tent camping with eight different camping areas along the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail, though these require advance reservations.
The tent camping experience along the GAP Trail offers riverside settings with easy water access. Sites are typically first-come, first-served, with weekday camping providing the most solitude. Train noise is a common challenge at these locations, as active rail lines run along the opposite side of the Youghiogheny River. "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," noted one camper about Roundbottom. Despite this, the walk-in tent sites remain popular with hikers and cyclists for their scenic river views, abundant space, and convenient trail access. During summer months, the river provides a refreshing place to cool off after a day of hiking or biking.
