Roxbury campsites sit in Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands region at elevations between 1,800-3,000 feet, creating cooler summer temperatures than nearby urban areas. The rocky, forested terrain requires specific preparation for tent camping, with most campgrounds built on uneven mountain slopes that can challenge RV leveling systems during setup.
What to do
Hiking on challenging terrain: Blue Knob State Park Campground provides access to Pennsylvania's second-highest peak with trails rated from easy to difficult. Camper Laura notes, "Looking around the rest of the campground, the loop up near the cabins was a typical RV area with sites lined up with little privacy in between. I would look at the other loops for our next tent-camping visit."
Fishing year-round: Mirror Lake RV Camping & Fishing offers creek and lake access where families can enjoy water activities. According to Mathew H., "A lot of their sites are along a small creek which the kids play in and can float down. Site 26 is our favorite. It has a huge back yard and easy access to the creek."
Boating options: Shawnee State Park Campground provides rentals for water exploration. Casey S. reports, "The lake and the trails around it are beautiful. Great swimming and kayaking/small boating. The campground was nice, quiet and clean."
Mountain biking trails: Explore the extensive trail network at Ohiopyle State Park. One visitor shared, "We loved being able to access the GAP trail right from the campground. We were there in November with plans to visit Fallingwater. This campground was the perfect location for both activities!"
What campers like
Private tent sites: Quemahoning Family Recreation Area offers secluded spots among trees. Timothy M. explains, "On the lake. Good private tent sites in the woods. Rv sites too."
Peaceful atmosphere: Campers appreciate the quiet setting at many campgrounds. Diana M. shared about Quemahoning, "We have camped at the que family rec for several years. We always loved and enjoyed our stay there. It's very peaceful and Serene. Beautiful scenery."
Well-maintained facilities: Most state parks receive praise for their upkeep. Kevin E. noted about Kooser State Park, "The campground is small but it is quiet and clean. Route 31 is nearby but it wasn't all that noticeable. There was a nice playground area for kids and some nice overflow tent sites nearby."
Abundant wildlife viewing: Morning fog creates perfect conditions for spotting native animals. As Melanie Z. described at Shawnee, "Foggy mornings are the best in the beautiful forest near Schellsburg historical sites. Nice lake too. Easy access from the PA Turnpike."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Prepare for connectivity gaps in mountainous areas. At Ohiopyle State Park, one camper mentioned, "Our Sprint hotspot didn't work well (unboosted), but our Verizon did."
Site leveling challenges: Laurel Hill State Park Campground and others feature sloped sites that require preparation. Kathy L. warns, "The sites are REALLY not level because the RV sites are on a major slope, especially the pull-through sites."
Bathhouse conditions vary: Facilities range from modern to rustic. One Ohiopyle visitor cautioned, "The restroom and all the bathhouses badly need updating. The paint is peeling, they smell like mildew and the siding is rotting on them."
Weather preparedness essential: Mountain elevations create unique conditions. Travis S. advises about Blue Knob State Park, "Clouds blowing east from the Midwest tend to break on the mountains here at Blue Knob, so short little bursts of rainfall are frequent, and they don't always show up on weather apps."
Tips for camping with families
Creek play areas: Children enjoy water features at many campgrounds. Austin B. shares about Mirror Lake, "We had 8 kids and 8 adults who all had a blast playing on the playground, floating down the creek, swimming in the pool, riding bicycles etc."
Playground access: Kooser State Park Campground offers play facilities close to camping loops. Brian S. notes, "There's a great playground for kids. So if you've got a trailer and a pack of kids, this is your place."
Pet-specific loops: Many campgrounds designate specific areas for families with animals. Casey L. advises at Laurel Hill, "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."
Educational opportunities: Flight 93 Memorial access provides historical learning. Rachel L. recommends, "If you stay here, make sure to travel down the road to see the Flight 93 Memorial."
Tips from RVers
Extension cord needs: Electrical hookups may require additional equipment. Erik E. suggests at Laurel Hill, "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."
Pre-arrival site research: Carefully check site dimensions before booking. Brittany V. cautions about Shawnee State Park, "We absolutely loved our stay at this park once we changed sites. We have a 35' TT and there was no way it was going to fit in the site we originally booked."
Full-hookup availability limited: Reserve early for premium sites. Gerard notes, "My wife and I stayed for two nights at this campground and enjoyed it greatly. We happened to be assigned what I believe was the best of the RV sites, a pull through that had full hook up."
Scout
