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The region surrounding Stoystown, Pennsylvania features several established campgrounds with diverse accommodation options including tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Laurel Hill State Park Campground, located about 10 miles southwest of Stoystown, offers a mix of tent, RV, and cabin camping with electric hookups and modern amenities. Quemahoning Family Recreation Area provides lakeside camping with good fishing opportunities and recreation facilities. Other nearby options include Kooser State Park Campground, Pioneer Park Campground, and Hickory Hollow Campground, all within a 15-mile radius of Stoystown.
Camping availability in the Stoystown area follows seasonal patterns with most campgrounds operating from April through October. Laurel Hill State Park remains open from mid-April to the third Sunday in October, while Kooser State Park operates from April 15 to October 15. Several private campgrounds like Hickory Hollow extend their season slightly longer, typically closing by the end of October. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends and holidays as the more popular sites fill quickly. Most developed campgrounds provide shower facilities, electric hookups, and sanitary dump stations, though amenities vary by location. As one visitor noted about Quemahoning Family Recreation Area, "The campground offers some sites with electrical and others with varying primitive services. The campground has a bathroom with showers though there are sometimes lines waiting for a shower to be available."
Campgrounds in the Laurel Highlands region receive consistently positive reviews for their natural beauty and peaceful settings. Many visitors highlight the family-friendly atmosphere and recreational opportunities like fishing, hiking, and swimming. Water access is particularly valued, with lakefront campsites at Quemahoning Family Recreation Area being especially popular. One camper described it as "peaceful and Serene. Beautiful scenery." Several campgrounds feature stocked fishing ponds, with Pioneer Park Campground offering three fishing ponds that some reviewers specifically mentioned as highlights. While most public campgrounds prohibit alcohol, some private campgrounds are more permissive. Campers should expect varying levels of privacy between sites, with some reviewers noting that certain campgrounds pack sites closely together while others offer more spacious accommodations with better shade coverage.
"The lake is separate from the campground, but it is less than a mile away and a reasonable distance walk."
"The site numbering is a bit wonky on the door loop so make sure you look at your map before you start driving the loops."
from $20 - $64 / night
Check Availability"Was pleased by the quiet despite size of campground and proximity to highway. Sites not overly large or private. Has wood vending machine at entrance for firewood."
"The morning drive started early, had several stops and starts, and I was once again glad that my big dog was along for the ride."
from $20 - $110 / night
Check Availability"Easy walk to beach area and boat launch. Very clean."
"The location on the water adds for a great view. Electric only."
from $20 - $50 / night
Check Availability"5 firewood bundles at the entrance. -Cleanest bathrooms/showers -Crystal clear stream with beautiful trail to the lake. Both stocked with fish. -Lots of picnic tables at the lake."
"Kooser State Park sits on the border of Forbes State Forest in the Laurel Highlands. It has a mix of camper & tent sites around a central clearing, and offers a few cabins."
from $22 - $79 / night
Check Availability"Ohiopyle is located in a beautiful area of Pennsylvania we've camped there a couple of times and have been able to get last minute tent sites. Lots of outdoor activities nearby."
"Very close to two Frank Lloyd Wright properties– Kentuck Knob and the more widely known Falling Waters."
from $20 - $54 / night
Check Availability"Extremely family friendly, lots to do for kiddos on weekend, stocked ponds, bathhouses very close to all sites. Laurel hill cricks/lake are 2 miles up the mountain!"
"The roads around the camp ground could use some maintenance, especially on the hill side by the pool! All in all, a wonderful place to take your family camping!"
"We stayed in cabin 170 in Fir loop and the site was incredibly spacious, heavily shaded, close to the bath house, path to the beach, and well distanced from other sites."
"Our friends were in the site next to us (17) which was also nice and there was a wide walking path between them. Family also stayed in one of the rental cabins (21)."
from $23 - $29 / night
Check Availability"Beautiful scenery, quiet location, spacious campsites, full RV hookups, well-placed fire rings, dog park, nice large bathhouses, polite staff, and Wi-Fi that works. "
"The lake and farm country provided a welcoming and relaxing setting. The trail around the lake was perfect for running or walking. "
"Next to sewer tank pump station, though. Not a problem but a few truck visits throughout the day so some people might not like that. Lots to do for kids."
"Big fishing lakes. Pool could use a heater."
"Nestled between wind turbines on a mountain ridge within sight of the nearby Flight 93 memorial, this is 2500+ acres of atv, utv, and dirt bike riding trails with camping."
Travelercheck in was easy. there’s lots to do for families kids- there’s ponds to fish, swimming pool, mini golf. golf cart rentals. playground. they also have events like family olympics and outdoor movies. site was also very nice and spacious
TravelerFrom a family of tent campers, it was perfect. We rented the river sites. The location was great and the kids had a blast playing in the river and fishing. We brought our own kayaks and enjoyed the easy paddling. The bathrooms were very nice and clean.
TravelerWe rented a tent pad site and a glamping site side by side here and absolutely loved the place. This place is perfect for retreats or group camping experiences since there's only 6-8 tent pads and two glamping tents. Theres a his and hers lavatory cabins that are new and have a large industrial sink to wash your dishes in...big plus. Only a 20 minute drive to downtown berkley springs. Will be coming back this fall when the leaves start changing!
ScoutGenuinely the nicest owner and host! We stayed in tent site A and loved it! Mr.Sullivan even greeted us and told us about the Paw Paw trees. My husbands been camping but it was mine and our baby’s first time camping and I was surprising my husband for Father’s Day. I reached out to the owners for help and questions and was met with nothing but kindness. Never once made me feel stupid for asking a question and genuinely wanted to help. We will for sure be back
GuideGorgeous area and well worth it to go. $10 a night and go to the HQ to book. (address at the bottom of the green sign in pic). It’s first come first serve but if Hq is closed you can sign up on a clipboard outside. This is about 30 minutes from the forest itself depending on which site you get. Some sites are better than others so try to get in early. Leave no trace
GuideFive stars because this place was very clean and I felt at ease. The river is gorgeous and so are the trails bring a bike if you have one. There’s a bar within walking distance that’s cash only. Outhouse is clean enough but it does smell a little so check map and try to book a site that isn’t right next to it.
TravelerWe LOVED our visit to Kentuck campground and Ohiopyle. We went mid-week in early June and had very few neighbors Tuesday and Wednesday, with more rolling in toward the end of the week.
We stayed on Hickory Loop with our dog and saw quite a few other dogs while we were there. Not all sites are equal at this campground - ours was huge and lovely with adequate flattish area and a stream running along two sides of it. Others were quite small and not very level. I think we had one of the best sites on the loop, with great trees for hammocks and big rocks nearby, as well as good privacy from other sites.
The campground is very shaded and was regularly several degrees cooler than elsewhere in the park, which was great to home 'home' to. There's a lot of poison ivy in the area, so be watchful.
Firewood is available for purchase on entrance to the campground.
The bathhouse was relatively clean, with a large kitchen sink for washing dishes, three toilet stalls, and two shower stalls. We never had to wait for any of it.
GuideThis campground's foliage is interesting, I saw fernes growing and trees that looked older than me. I also noticed the campground has some history shown by the rust of the firepits. There is Billy's Pizza and general store which sells firewood if you go a little further down the road that maps takes you and take the second left instead of taking the first left. I think the campground also sells firewood on site. You can order Billy's Pizza and I saw them deliver to the campsites, which is amazing, havent seen that before. I'm a light sleeper and could hear truck engine braking sounds echo through the forest from the nearby highway, so the proximity to the road ruins the feeling of seclusion and the quiet. There's a restroom with a large sink outside which is nice.
TravelerThis is one of six campsites that can be reserved through PA's DCNR website. The six campsites are spread throughout the Laurel Highlands. This is the only one at Mt. Davis. We camp with three dogs, so we really appreciated the privacy. There were occasionally the sounds of distant ATVs or farm equipment, but, overall, this is a peaceful site. The campsite does not connect to the trails at Mt. Davis and there is no vault toilet here, but both vault toilets and a trailhead are just a few minutes away at the Mt. Davis picnic area. There is only one obvious tent site, so, if you need more than one tent site, you will have to get creative. The site is along a gravel road that leads to a field which you can use to walk your dogs. There are no water features here which our dogs enjoy, so that is the only reason for the 4 out of 5 stars. We will be reserving this site again!
Stoystown camping areas sit within the Laurel Highlands region at elevations between 1,800-2,500 feet, creating cooler summer temperatures than surrounding lowlands. Most campgrounds in this area feature wooded settings with a mix of open meadow and forest sites. Winter camping is limited, with only Shawnee State Park maintaining year-round accessibility while most other facilities close between late October and mid-April.
Hiking on dedicated trails: At Rocky Gap State Park Campground, campers can access a 5-mile trail that circles Lake Habeeb. "The trail around the lake was incredible for biking - highly recommend! Everything in this park and campground are extremely well marked and maintained," notes one visitor who appreciated the well-maintained paths.
Fishing in stocked ponds: Pioneer Lakes RV Park maintains three fishing ponds that remain popular with campers. As one camper notes, "We stayed here to go to the flight 93 memorial so we didnt do much at the campground except fish cought a few nice bass."
ATV and dirt bike riding: For those seeking more active recreation, Mountain Ridge offers 2,500+ acres of riding trails. "Nestled between wind turbines on a mountain ridge within sight of the nearby Flight 93 memorial, this is 2500+ acres of atv, utv, and dirt bike riding trails with camping. The view is amazing, the turbines up close are other worldly, and the trails were a blast."
Kayak and canoe rentals: Several campgrounds offer affordable water equipment rentals. At Laurel Hill State Park, "Kayak rental of $15 for an hour was the cheapest we have seen and allowed us to explore more of the lake."
Private tent sites: Many campers value the secluded wooded tent sites at Quemahoning Family Recreation Area. A camper noted, "On the lake. Good private tent sites in the woods. Rv sites too." The campground maintains separate areas for different camping styles.
Well-spaced campsites: Hickory Hollow Campground receives consistent praise for site separation. "Hickory Hollow's campsites were nicely spaced out, perched on a hillside, but with nice flat pads. The lake and farm country provided a welcoming and relaxing setting."
Clean facilities: Kentuck Campground at Ohiopyle State Park maintains high cleanliness standards. One visitor mentioned, "Just what u expect. Woods, large sites picnic table, fire ring, lantern hook. Large site level hravel."
Separate pet-friendly areas: Multiple campgrounds have designated pet areas. Kooser State Park has a full pet-friendly section, with one camper reporting, "They welcome all furry friends!"
Shower availability varies: At Quemahoning, "The campground has a bathroom with showers (2 for men, 2 for women). The result is there are sometimes lines waiting for a shower to be available."
Site leveling challenges: Many campsites require significant leveling work. At Kooser State Park Campground, "My only complaint is that many of the sites are not level at all and take some serious work to get your rig level."
Road noise at some parks: Several campgrounds sit near major roads. A visitor to Kooser noted, "There is road noise, which really didn't bother me. I liked the good cell coverage since my oldest kid was at home."
Non-potable water: Some facilities lack drinking water access. At Mountain Ridge, "The water was non potable so bring with."
Varying cell service: Coverage is inconsistent across the region. At Laurel Hill State Park, campers report "Fleeting cell at best on Verizon."
Look for dedicated swimming areas: Shawnee State Park Campground offers a designated swimming beach. "The lake and the trails around it are beautiful. Great swimming and kayaking/small boating. The campground was nice, quiet and clean."
Consider playgrounds: Several parks maintain play areas for children. At Rocky Gap, one visitor noted, "Near the beach there is a nice playground near shade for parents to watch."
Check for bathroom proximity: Family sites near facilities reduce nighttime treks. A Hickory Hollow visitor mentioned, "Bathhouses very close to all sites."
Firewood availability: Most campgrounds sell firewood on-site, but quality varies. A Shawnee visitor noted, "Camp wood at the entrance is $5 and is tiny; our biggest piece was a foot long, 4 inches wide and 2 inches thick!"
Verify site dimensions: Many RV sites can't accommodate larger rigs. A visitor to Shawnee State Park observed, "We have a 35' TT and there was no way it was going to fit in the site we originally booked. Luckily it was opening weekend and the rangers and super accommodating!"
Electric hookup positioning: 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."
Dump station access: Some facilities have limited dump facilities. A Pioneer Park visitor mentioned, "Easy access to the dump station as you exit."
Road conditions: Interior park roads can be rough. A recent visitor noted, "The roads are small and a mix of asphalt, gravel and dirt."
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best camping options near Stoystown, PA?
The Stoystown area offers several excellent camping options. Quemahoning Family Recreation Area is a top choice with waterfront sites, boat access, and basic amenities just minutes from Stoystown. For a more full-service experience, Hickory Hollow Campground near Rockwood provides water hookups, toilet facilities, and is big-rig friendly. Other solid options within driving distance include Pioneer Park Campground and Kooser State Park, both offering a range of camping experiences from tent sites to RV accommodations.
What amenities are available at Stoystown campgrounds?
Campgrounds around Stoystown offer varying amenities to suit different camping styles. Friendship Village Campground & RV Park provides easy check-in, spacious sites, and is particularly accommodating for RVs of all sizes. Hidden Springs Campground features clean, well-lit central shower/bath houses, relatively quiet surroundings even on busy weekends, and family-friendly facilities. Most area campgrounds provide basic amenities like fire rings, picnic tables, and access to water. Several offer electrical hookups for RVs, while tent campers can find both open field sites and more secluded spots depending on the campground.
How close is Stoystown to Flight 93 Memorial camping?
Stoystown is ideally situated for visiting the Flight 93 National Memorial, located only about 10 minutes away by car. While there's no camping at the memorial itself, Pioneer Park Campground near Somerset is one of the closest options, approximately 15-20 minutes from both Stoystown and the memorial. Kooser State Park Campground offers another nearby option with drive-in and walk-in sites about 25 minutes from the memorial. Both provide convenient bases for visiting this important historical site while enjoying the natural beauty of the region.
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