Sandra P.
Scout
ScoutCoopers Rock State Forest- McCollum Campground
Very calm campground
We stayed 2 nights. People are very nice. Bathrooms and Laundry are clean.
Spaced spots surrounded by the forrest. Some trails directly from the camp.
Camping near West Newton, PA
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Camping around West Newton, Pennsylvania centers on the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) trail system with several campgrounds designed for hikers and bikers traveling this route. The region includes both established campgrounds like Madison-Pittsburgh S.E. KOA and Fox Den Acres, as well as free primitive camping areas such as Dravo's Landing and Round Bottom Camping Area. Accommodation options range from basic tent sites to full-service RV hookups, cabins, and even yurts. Most developed campgrounds are within a 30-minute drive of West Newton, positioned along the Youghiogheny River which parallels much of the GAP trail.
Seasonal patterns strongly influence camping accessibility in this area, with many private campgrounds operating from April through October. Free hiker-biker campgrounds along the GAP trail remain open year-round but offer limited amenities during winter months. As one camper noted, "Free bike-in camp site with water access along the Youghiogheny River. Access from the Allegheny Gap trail. There were a few shelters, nice campsite." Water availability can be inconsistent at primitive sites, with several reviews mentioning uncertain potability at some wells. Train noise affects many of the riverside campgrounds, with multiple reviewers recommending earplugs for overnight stays due to frequent passing trains and squealing brakes on nearby tracks.
Developed campgrounds in the region provide various amenities including swimming pools, fishing ponds, and organized activities. Several campgrounds feature riverside locations with easy water access. "The camp is the special project of a very industrious group of scouts, and they have done a nice job. There are about 4 lean-to's which can accommodate 4 sleepers, or one 2-person tent," noted a visitor about Dravo's Landing. Sites closer to Pittsburgh tend to have more RV-oriented facilities with full hookups, while the free hiker-biker campgrounds offer a more rustic experience with pit toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. Several reviewers mentioned the availability of free firewood at some GAP trail camping areas, maintained by local volunteer groups. The proximity to the Great Allegheny Passage makes these campgrounds particularly popular with cyclists touring the trail.
Best Campgrounds near West Newton (99)
1. Kentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park
"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 Availability2. Madison-Pittsburgh S.E. KOA
"They have a pool, fishing pond and a cloud pillow with the playground next to it along with two small dog play areas.Every week they organizes different themes for bingo, and other games."
"The sites are pretty close together and we couldn’t use our fire ring because it ended up being very close to our rig."
3. Fox Den Acres Campground
"It’s very military positive, even includes a reserved place for the fallen soldiers. Some sites are a bit close, the pull through sites are very ample. Gravel roads and level sites."
"Tent site was nice and conveniently located next to the bathhouse"
from $50 / night
Check Availability4. Dravo's Landing Campground
"Access from the Allegheny Gap trail. There were a few shelters, nice campsite. It’s close to an old cemetery which is useful in telling ghosts stories around the campfire"
"This campsite is a nice reward for west-bound riders on the GAP trail (it's the last one before Pittsburgh!)"
5. Keystone State Park Campground
"Camped in the Lakeside Loop. This State Park is so Clean! The campground gives you easy access to anything you want to do. Fish, swim, hike, bike, kayak. It can all be done."
"This is our second time staying here - once in Electric site on Lakeside and this time non electric site on Hillside. Love this side of Hillside - quiet and shaded."
from $18 - $79 / night
Check Availability6. The GAP Trail Campground - Bikers Only
"Had we not stopped for the previous night’s camp 8 miles sooner, this would have been our favorite camp along the trail. Glad we stopped to check it out, but next time we will include it for sure! "
from $25 / night
Check Availability7. The Blue Canoe RV Resort
"Located on the Youghiogheny River. Many full hookups, great play ground for the kids. New pool, but not open when we stayed."
"The GAP trail rolls right through the middle of this traditional KOA campground."
from $25 - $999999 / night
Check Availability8. Pine Cove Beach Club RV Resort
"Wonderful hosts, well maintained, large sites, close to the highway but no road noise. Giant pool opened in the summer. Highly recommended."
9. Laurel Highlands Hemp Cannabis Farm
"This is a cannabis friendly campground that overlooks the Laurel Highlands Hemp field, and surrounding mountains. One yurt with a bed is offered. Please no alcohol."
from $100 - $150 / night
Check Availability10. Round Bottom Camping Area at Slush Run
"Round Bottom Camping Area at Slush Run is a free camping area directly on the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail around Mile 99 (East of West Newton roughly 15 miles). "
Drive Time
- 34 min from Pittsburgh, PA
- 51 min from Morgantown, WV
- 1 hr 2 min from Weirton, WV
- 1 hr 12 min from Johnstown, PA
Recent Camping Photos near West Newton, PA
197 Photos of 99 West Newton Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Dravo's Landing Campgroundl
Madison-Pittsburgh S.E. KOAP
Laurel Highlands Hemp Cannabis Farm
Fox Den Acres Campground
Round Bottom Camping Area at Slush Run
Lake Eron Park
Lake Eron Park
The Blue Canoe RV Resort
Indian Creek Camplands Inc
Donegal Campground
Laurel Highlands Campland
Keystone State Park Campground
Recent Reviews near West Newton, PA
541 Reviews of 99 West Newton Campgrounds
- K
Kevin F.
TravelerKentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park
Restrooms, showers and visitor center get an F
Stayed one night. Close to Fallingwater and Fort Necessity. The campsite was terrible; close to water and buggy, steep grade required lots of blocking to level the camper and challenging to hook up to the vehicle. Thick canopy kept Starlink from working. The worst part was the bathrooms. The one closest to our spot had no hot water. So we had to walk about a half a mile to two other restrooms and showers within 100 yards of each other. Makes no sense. Anyway, both bathrooms were filthy, had paint peeling everywhere, lots of black mold growing on the ceilings, growing everywhere. No place to hang clothes while taking a shower. One of the two toilets in each of the men’s room was probably 3 feet off the ground. Made for giants I guess! And good luck finding the visitor center. It’s hidden from view and parking is terrible. You’ll have to walk 150 yards from the nearest point of the parking lot to find it. To walk there from the bus and RV parking, add an additional 1/4 mile each way. Be aware that the visitor center store does not accept credit cards. Cash or check only. Who does that? It’s 2026 Pennsylvania!
RobScoutLazy Acres Campground
DO NOT BRING KIDS HERE
Advertised as a family camp but very far from it. I’ve watched this camp progressively get worse as the years go on, over priced camp with zero efforts to make anything worthwhile, run down play grounds, broken toilet paper roll holders in the bathrooms of the shower house, roads that make you feel like your off road. Owner plans “events” and then wants campers to pay for overpriced food. The owner complains nobody comes to events anymore but barely comes to them herself. The owner is VERY money hungry! And most importantly it’s home to a sex offender who the owner cherishes dearly.
It’s a shame to see how many people realized how terrible this camp was and are selling their camps because of it. The owner should open her eyes and realize she’s the reason people don’t want to be there anymore !!!
- Tif T.Scout
Pittsburgh Roaring Run RV Resort
Quiet
We are here for a month and it feels like we have the place to ourselves!
- SShitheadScout
Lazy Acres Campground
Filthy
Cant have no fun or drink.kids get yelled at all the time..owner sneaks around looking in campers at night..they watch every thing you do. Then they throw you out because your having to much fun. Or your up after 10pm..what a joke....please dont do nothing wrong.because.youll be on the shitlist...they are very very racist ,dont ever take a black child or try to get a place to stay or even put a tent up ,cause if your Black ,they tell you their is no room for u or a tent..STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE,ITS A BUNCH OF HYPOCRITES AND THEY DONT WANT NO BLACS IN THEIR CAMP GROOUND AT ALL..GO UP THE ROAD..THEY ARE NICER THERE...
Lynette B.ScoutQuemahoning Family Recreation Area
Perfect
Perfect little campsite with voting access fishing rod says and very clean showers
Shelby H.TravelerYough Lake Campground at Tub Run
Fantastic for Family
We love it here so much we almost never leave. There is a creek, playground and games for the kids year round. The lake is great for fishing, boating, swimming and more from March-August usually but even longer this year it seems. They are INCREDIBLY strict about 5mph and I LOVE THAT! My 8 year old can run around and be a kid at camp like I was without me being panicked. They even have events once a month. They are constantly adding and upgrading around the campground. Everything from walk to primitive sites to full hook ups and dry cabins.
Highly recommend for a long or short get away.
Dakota J.ScoutYellow Creek Campground — Yellow Creek State Park
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Cari E.
RangerKentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park
Pick the loop for you
I stayed at two sites at Ohiopyle and I’ll say it again—picking the loop that best fits your equipment is key to enjoying your camping experience here. Not all loops are created equal! My second, and heavy favorite, was my site on Ivy Road. The sites were had more privacy and most importantly, were far more level and easier to access. This loop/road is also more central to the rest of the campground, the dumpsters, and had access to much nicer (still a smidge dingy), larger bathrooms. The cell service here was also decent as this road is in a less hilly area within the campground.
While the park and town are excellent for exploring, I found that the highlight of my trip was Fallingwater—it’s a Frank Lloyd Wright house (personally, I think his best) that offers tours and I was shocked to find that it was less than 10 minutes away. If you need a break from hiking and the river, I cannot recommend it enough!
Guide to West Newton
Camping opportunities near West Newton, Pennsylvania range from well-established campgrounds to quieter, primitive sites along the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) trail. The region includes several developed facilities like Madison-Pittsburgh S.E. KOA and Fox Den Acres Campground, which accommodate RVs, tent campers, and those seeking cabin or glamping experiences. Several smaller camping areas cater specifically to hikers and bikers traveling the GAP trail, including Dravo's Landing and The GAP Trail Campground, which offer primitive tent sites with basic amenities for travelers exploring the Youghiogheny River corridor.
The camping season generally runs from spring through fall, with most campgrounds fully operational from May through October. Several sites remain open year-round, though winter camping requires additional preparation. "Free bike-in camp sites with water access along the Youghiogheny River make great stopping points for GAP trail riders," noted one visitor. Road access varies significantly between the developed campgrounds, which typically offer paved or well-maintained gravel roads suitable for large RVs, and the more primitive sites that may require hiking or biking in. Cell coverage can be spotty in valley areas, particularly at sites like Roundbottom and Dravo's Landing. Travelers should be aware that train noise affects several campgrounds near the GAP trail, with multiple reviewers mentioning the need for earplugs.
Water access stands out as a prominent feature in the area's camping options, with many sites positioned along the Youghiogheny River. A camper remarked, "The river is very easy to access for a quick dip after a long day on the trail." Free primitive camping areas like Dravo's Landing provide amenities such as picnic tables, lean-to shelters, and fire rings, though they lack hookups for RVs. Developed campgrounds typically offer swimming pools, fishing ponds, and full hookup sites, with some providing laundry facilities and camp stores. Family-friendly activities are common at the larger establishments, while the hiker-biker camps along the GAP trail offer a more rustic experience with pit toilets and non-potable or limited water access. Weekends tend to be busier across all camping areas, with mid-week visits offering a quieter experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I access the West Newton trailhead on the Great Allegheny Passage?
How do I access the West Newton trailhead on the Great Allegheny Passage?
The West Newton trailhead on the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) is located in downtown West Newton, along the Youghiogheny River. The trailhead features parking areas, making it accessible for day users. For cyclists planning multi-day trips, Round Bottom Camping Area at Slush Run is located approximately 15 miles east of West Newton directly on the GAP Trail around Mile 99, providing convenient trail access. The West Newton access point serves as a popular starting location for both eastbound and westbound journeys along the trail, with clear signage marking the trailhead.
Are there bicycle rental options in West Newton for the Great Allegheny Passage?
Are there bicycle rental options in West Newton for the Great Allegheny Passage?
Yes, West Newton offers bicycle rental services through Yough River Trail Council's bike rental shop located near the trailhead, providing hourly and daily rentals with various bike types available. The shop typically operates seasonally from spring through fall with weekend hours extending during peak summer months. For cyclists planning longer trips, Kentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park is within riding distance and serves as another hub for bike rentals and trail information. Make sure to call ahead to verify current rental hours and availability, especially during off-season periods.
What are the best restaurants and dining options in West Newton for trail users?
What are the best restaurants and dining options in West Newton for trail users?
West Newton offers several dining options conveniently located near the GAP Trail. The Trailside Restaurant serves American classics and is a popular stop for cyclists. Gary's Chuck Wagon offers quick bites with outdoor seating that's bike-friendly. The Bright Morning Bed & Breakfast also houses a café that's perfect for breakfast and lunch with trail-ready takeout options. For those camping in the area, Raccoon Creek State Park Campground is within reasonable driving distance and makes a good base for exploring regional dining. Tomlinson Run State Park Campground visitors also frequently venture to West Newton for its dining variety that caters to hungry trail users.
What amenities are available at the West Newton camping area?
What amenities are available at the West Newton camping area?
The West Newton camping area offers basic trail amenities including water access, restrooms, and picnic areas. For those seeking more developed facilities nearby, Bush Recreation Area provides electric hookups, fresh water, picnic tables, and playgrounds, making it family-friendly. Yough Lake Campground at Tub Run is another option with amenities catering to both tent campers and RVs, featuring creek-side sites and boat access for those wanting to explore the river. Both locations offer convenient facilities for GAP Trail users looking to camp near West Newton.
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