Campsites near Normalville, Pennsylvania feature varied terrain across elevations from 1,200 to 3,000 feet in the Laurel Highlands region. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F with overnight lows in the 50s. Many campgrounds in this area experience crowded conditions during October leaf-peeping season, with sites booking up to six months in advance for peak fall weekends.
What to do
Whitewater adventures: Access world-class paddling directly from Kentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park, with multiple trip options. The Middle Yough offers a gentler experience for beginners. "The Yough for short. A picturesque waterfall, numerous outdoor retailers, bicycle & raft rentals, peaceful trails and a sweet, cutting edge visitor/nature center," notes camper Dave V. Trips typically last 3-4 hours depending on water levels.
Star gazing platform: Unique astronomical viewing area at Benner's Meadow Run RV Campground provides excellent night sky observation opportunities. Sites in the wooded areas offer additional viewing spots. One camper mentioned, "Got a nice secluded spot to camp in the wooded area that had amazing mountain views and the star gazing platform."
Trail access: Many campgrounds connect directly to the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) trail system. "Awesome campground right on the Great Allegheny Passage trail. We loved being able to access the GAP trail right from the campground," according to a camper at Ohiopyle State Park. The trail runs 150 miles from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Maryland, with numerous access points throughout the region.
What campers like
Wooded privacy: Scarlett Knob Campground offers more secluded sites compared to other area campgrounds. "All time favorite campsite yet. Each site is far away from other sites you feel alone," reports Amanda A. Sites typically include fire rings with cooking grates and cost $25-40 per night depending on amenities.
Fishing options: Multiple water access points for anglers at various skill levels. Kooser State Park provides creek fishing while Laurel Hill offers lake fishing. "The park is close to the Laurel Hill State Park which is great for hiking and water activities," notes one camper. Most fishing spots are within 15-20 minutes of campsites.
Reasonable pricing: Outflow Camping receives consistent praise for value. "Affordable, clean, great location. Just about perfect," mentions David W. Most tent sites range from $15-25 per night, while electric sites typically run $30-40, significantly less expensive than some private campgrounds in the area.
What you should know
Road closures: Seasonal construction can impact access to popular campgrounds. "No one - not either website or the woman whom I spoke to - mentioned that the main road to the campground from Ohiopyle was also closed due to a separate paving project," reports a frustrated camper at Ohiopyle State Park. Always call ahead within 48 hours of arrival to verify current road conditions.
Site leveling challenges: Several campgrounds feature sloped terrain requiring extra preparation. "The sites are REALLY not level because the RV sites are on a major slope, especially the pull-through sites," notes Kathy L. about Laurel Hill State Park Campground. Bring extra leveling blocks, particularly for larger RVs.
Highway noise: Campgrounds near major roads experience traffic sounds. "The campground is situated right off of the main road so the road noise can be an issue if it bothers you. We personally, didn't sleep well because of the road noise," mentions one camper about Donegal Campground. Request sites furthest from highways when making reservations.
Tips for camping with families
Water features: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Mill Run offers extensive water recreation beyond what's mentioned at state parks. "Mill run by far the best yogi bear/campground we have been to. Second time we have been & they have upgraded the water slides 4 huge slides plus big splash pad with little slide for smaller kids," explains Erik W. Daily water park access runs $15-25 per person depending on season.
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies significantly between campgrounds. "The bathhouses themselves were great," according to a camper at Ohiopyle, while another noted at Scarlett Knob that "The only thing that I was unimpressed with was the bathrooms/showers. I felt dirtier after showering." Bring shower shoes and extra towels as a precaution.
Loop selection: Consider carefully which camping section to reserve. "There are two main loops in this campground. One that is pet friendly and more of a pitch-your-tent-in-the-yard thing and another that is pet-free and wooded. We didn't realize and stayed in the first one. Dogs were barking at all hours and there's no privacy," advises Casey L. about Laurel Hill State Park.
Tips from RVers
Extension cords: Electrical hookups at several campgrounds have unusual placement. "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," suggests Erik E. Pack a 25-50 foot extension cord depending on your setup.
Grocery planning: Limited shopping options exist near most campgrounds. "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," advises Robert C. The nearest full supermarkets are in Somerset, approximately 20-30 minutes from most area campgrounds.
