Best Tent Camping near Saxonburg, PA

Tent campsites near Saxonburg, Pennsylvania offer a range of primitive to established options within easy reach of outdoor recreation areas. Mountain View Camps provides tent camping with drinking water, electric hookups, and amenities like showers and toilets. Danner Primitive Campground offers a more rugged experience with sites accessible only by hiking approximately two miles from the Kennerdell bridge trailhead.

Most tent campgrounds in the area feature basic facilities suited for self-sufficient campers. Sites at Dravo's Landing include picnic tables, fire pits, and lean-to shelters spread across a grassy clearing along the Youghiogheny River. Campers should note that while drinking water is available at several locations, Roundbottom Hiker-Biker Campground's well water is reportedly no longer potable. Toilet facilities typically consist of vault toilets or pit latrines maintained by volunteer organizations or state services. Free firewood is available at some locations, though campers should secure food overnight due to wildlife activity.

The tent camping experience varies significantly by location, with sites along the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) trail offering river access and connection to extensive hiking networks. Train noise affects several riverside camping areas, particularly overnight. According to one visitor at Roundbottom Campground, "It's not the train horn but the number of turns in the track and the squealing breaks that keep you up, so bring good earplugs." Many sites feature level tent pads or cleared areas with fire rings, particularly at the hike-in locations. Round Bottom Camping Area provides raised tent pads, Adirondack shelters, and sufficient grassy areas for multiple tents, making it popular with cyclists and hikers traversing the GAP Trail. Most tent sites are first-come, first-served, with limited or no reservation options.

Best Tent Sites Near Saxonburg, Pennsylvania (11)

    1. Mountain View Camps

    1 Review
    Kittanning, PA
    23 miles
    +1 (814) 952-1488

    $20 - $70 / night

    "Great place to stay close to hiking trails and fishing spots. Hit the mountain bike track, explore the ruins on the game lands, and might even see an albino fawn."

    2. Dravo's Landing Campground

    3 Reviews
    Sutersville, PA
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 872-5586

    "We camped out overnight with a group of 14 people, and there was plenty of room for everyone to pitch their tents and spend a relaxing night under the stars."

    "This campsite is a nice reward for west-bound riders on the GAP trail (it's the last one before Pittsburgh!)"

    3. Quiet and Secluded

    3 Reviews
    Mercer, PA
    41 miles
    +1 (724) 301-6949

    $22 - $75 / night

    "We're so happy to welcome this new property to our platform. Bill and Nancy offer a safe place to set up camp. Check them out and come back here to leave them some love! 💕"

    4. Danner Primitive Campground

    1 Review
    Kennerdell, PA
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 226-1901

    "This is a hike in or paddle in only campground. The shortest distance is about 2 miles from the trailhead at the Kennerdell bridge, but there are other trailheads throughout the tract also."

    5. The GAP Trail Campground - Bikers Only

    1 Review
    West Newton, PA
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 244-5859

    $25 / night

    "The spacious and lush lawn has lots of space for tents, but the winner is the covered seating, dining, and cooking area.  Everything is clean as a whistle…pun intended.  "

    6. Pioneer Trails Tree Farm Campground

    2 Reviews
    Struthers, OH
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (330) 330-1901

    $35 / night

    "My first camping location and review. Camping in a tree farm has been cool!

    I called the number listed and left a message. See the friendly manager walking the farm."

    7. Laurel Highlands Hemp Cannabis Farm

    1 Review
    Belle Vernon, PA
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 989-6004

    $100 - $150 / night

    "We're happy to welcome your host, Laurel, to our platform. This is a cannabis friendly campground that overlooks the Laurel Highlands Hemp field, and surrounding mountains."

    8. Round Bottom Camping Area at Slush Run

    1 Review
    Perryopolis, PA
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 872-5586

    "Being positioned directly off the GAP Trail grants easy access to those traveling the trail. "

    9. Roundbottom Hiker-Biker Campground (GAP Trail)

    1 Review
    Perryopolis, PA
    47 miles
    Website

    "This is one of the only free hiker-biker campgrounds along the GAP trail (mile 99.6), and it is laid out similarly to the Dravo Campground, with lean-tos, picnic tables, firepits and lots of spaces for"

    10. Colwells Campground

    Be the first to review!
    Shippenville, PA
    37 miles
    +1 (814) 797-1621
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Tent Camping Reviews near Saxonburg, PA

332 Reviews of 11 Saxonburg Campgrounds


  • Kathleen B.
    May. 25, 2021

    Breakneck Campground

    Nice little campground

    Our first visit to this campground and we actually found from using this website! We wanted a secluded site and close to Pittsburgh. 

    We arrived around 7pm and there was no check in, we drove around for a while trying to find a spot with a fire ring per some helpful campers. There are two really nice spots by the water which were taken, and we only saw one other in the woods (the other 2 were hidden by a large group of people).

    We ended up finding a flat spot with some tree cover what was far enough from our neighbors but about as close as a bigger campground. Would be good for larger groups. Ton of flat land for tents but saw some people with smaller campers. Firewood is $5 a bucket and clean and dry. Bring a table cloth for the tables. 

    Portapot close by but full bath rooms and showers by main lodge. Lots of tent platforms that overlooked into the woods which would be fun, for a smaller 4 person tent though. 

    As another reviewer stated, there was a super loud group Friday night but Saturday was very peaceful and quiet and we met the owner who checked us in and apologized for the loud group and said he was still getting the campground ready for the season. The price is the same for either spots. 

    Short walk down cheeseman road to trail entrances to McConnells Mills State Park. Short drive to hells hallow or the covered bridge. 

    Overall we had a great time and will be back!

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2022

    Tomlinson Run State Park Campground

    Camping in the trees

    Electric Site 37 - pad is pretty level, plenty for our small camper and truck, on a slight hill to get to fire ring but lots of space to spread out. You could tent but not really a flat spot. We were near the non-electric cul de sac and a neighbor right across but not on top of each other. Trees are everywhere and wonderful during the fall season. We had a big night of rain and with the wind it dried up pretty quickly.

    Camp store - small, not a lot in it but may be end of the season items only. Mostly shirts and mugs and very little snack food. The camp store staff were all very friendly and helpful and the store has limited WiFi if you stood in the right spot. There is a laundry room available there as well.

    Dump station- 2 way and potable water on the other side of it. The only place to drop your trash too.

    Trails - lots of trails to choose from. Some were pretty easy some were a little hilly. My favorite was the fern trail - lots of ferns and a very pretty stream. Hiking poles are recommended especially if it rains.

    Playground - is available for kids and a huge shelter house too.

    Firewood is $6 a bundle and burns well, no slab cut.

    Water - have to go up to entrance as the water spouts are still shut off.

    Showers - in womens the shower on the left never got warm, other two were fine. There are 4 flush toilets.

  • Britt B.
    Oct. 27, 2020

    Breakneck Campground

    Perfect Spot to Explore McConnell's Mill

    Breakneck is a private campground on the edge of the McConnell’s Mill State Park. They offer RV sites, tent camping and cabins. The tent camping is either grassy, flat sites or on an elevated timber platform overlooking a gorge. They also offer walk-in tent sites down by the creek which are beautiful. 

    We were lucky enough to be able to to camp down by the stream. There are designated fireplaces. It is quite a walk up the hill to the campground amenities, but worth it to feel secluded down by the creek. From our campsite we walked along the creek into McConnells Mill State Park and joined the covered bridge trail. Approx. 30min walk along the creek down into McConnells Mill State Park. 

    The campground sells firewood and has great amenities. Note: there is no phone reception at the tent sites by the creek. They welcome fury friends!

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 24, 2022

    Shenango Campground

    Huge COE

    After getting off I80, our RV GPS wanted to take us on a wonky route, so we followed Waze and the campground’s(CG) web instructions that took us across the causeway on N. Hermitage Rd, then a right turn off on Birchwood Rd, which led us to take a left turn back across N. Hermitage Rd to get back to the Shenango Rec Area turn. Once we got to the CG, check in was quick and very easy. Just happened, our next door neighbor/camp host checked us in and told us we could get water off their site so we proceeded straight to site 199 that’s a back in with electric(50/30 AMP) only plus one of the better spaced sites in the CG. We had to maneuver a couple of times to get into the 90 degree site but the road was wide with no obstacles to prevent swinging into the site. We quickly found out that our 50 AMP connection had issues and after reporting it, a maintenance crew came within 20 minutes and fixed a bad breaker. We got 3 bars on Verizon and a handful of OTA channels. Due to the amount of mature trees, satellite would be iffy depending on your site. There are no FHU sites(camp host sites have electric& water). Electric sites are centrally grouped within the loops and spaced closer together than most COEs. The majority of the sites within this CG are dry camping and they too are fairly close together. The sites right on the lake were all dry camping. With all the dry camping sites in this CG, its nice that they allow generator use during non quiet hours. Quiet hours here are 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM. There are water spigots periodically located within the loops and the CG map identifies where they are. There’s also a two-lane dump station located near the entrance but there is no potable water. There are signs stating no alcohol in the park, but people were openly drinking. We also noted that the contractors who clean the restroom/shower facilities start early in the morning and close the facility while cleaning, which was inconvenient for the dry campers just waking up. If we were to stay at this CG again, we’d come during the week and get a dry camping site on the water.

  • Dave V.
    Aug. 1, 2020

    Round Bottom Camping Area at Slush Run

    Great Hike/Bike Camping Area on the Great Allegheny Passage Trail

    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).  For those not familiar with the GAP Trail, it is a Rails-to-Trails initiative that travels from Pittsburgh, PA to Cumberland, MD…meandering through numerous Trail Towns that were former thriving railroad towns at the end of the 1800's.

    Round Bottom Camping Area at Slush Run can only be accessed by the GAP Trail, which means on foot or bicycle…or paddlers on the Youghioheny River. Being positioned directly off the GAP Trail grants easy access to those traveling the trail. 

    Amenities:

    • Raised Tent pads (4)
    • Vault Toilet
    • Adirondack Shelters (2)
    • Firepits
    • Picnic tables

    No potable water…there is hand pump but the water was discolored.  It is a short walk down a trail to the river's edge, where I filtered water for drinking.

    There is plenty of grassy area for scores of tents in this area.   So if you are not fortunate enough to secure one of the two Shelters or tent pads, you can still set up a tent in the nicely mowed areas, which are still level.

    We were bikepacking the GAP Trail east from Pittsburgh and arrived on a Sunday evening mid-June. We secured the only open Adirondack Shelter and were able to set up our tent inside, along with keeping our bicycles inside and out of the elements. Which made it wonderfully convenient when it started to rain. Sites and shelters are first come, first served.

    Usually the vault toilets along this trail are clean, maintained and stocked…but on this visit, piles of trash were inside likely from an overly busy weekend.

    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.

    Bicycle traffic was fairly light during the week, so not only did you have the GAP Trail mostly to oneself, the camping areas were either sparsely filled or empty. Although, things just did start opening up from the Covid-19 shutdown.

    Apart from the train noise during sleeping hours, Round Bottom Camping Area is very peaceful and though you can still visually see the GAP Trail, you are not disturbed by passing cyclists.

  • Dena L.
    Apr. 26, 2022

    Fox Den Acres Campground

    Review for tent campers

    Mostly an RV campground, but several tent sites. Each site was very spacious and well shaded. Fire ring and table at each sight. Restroom were a short walk away. Firewood available for purchase. I would stay again.

  • Ashley F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 20, 2023

    Laurel Highlands Hemp Cannabis Farm

    Beautiful Overlook

    Ashley here with The Dyrt. We're happy to welcome your host, Laurel, to our platform. 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. Friday nights are Toke With A Goat Yoga at 7 at the barn weather depending. Book your stay today and leave them some love!

  • Casey L.
    Apr. 11, 2022

    Danner Primitive Campground

    Nice Primitive Campground

    I have not yet camped here but passed it on my hike the other day and knew I hadn’t seen it in the Dyrt yet, so I wanted to add it for others. This is a hike in or paddle in only campground. The shortest distance is about 2 miles from the trailhead at the Kennerdell bridge, but there are other trailheads throughout the tract also. This is meant more to be a stop along a paddling or hiking trip than a destination camping trip - you must get a permit to stay more than one night. They are first come first serve. There are 8 sites spread out along the edge of the river, some being closer together than others. They are level and clear, each with a new picnic table and nice fire rings with adjustable grates. A few of the sites had stairs to the water for paddler access. The first 2 sites had wheelchair friendly picnic tables, so I'm not sure if you can arrange to be able to drive back for that situation or what other reason they would put them there. That's nice if the case, I'm just not sure as there is a gate locked at the trailhead that's only opened during hunting season. Plus there's no pavement or gravel down at the sites so I imagine it could be difficult to access. But something to investigate. There are vault toilets that were clean and well maintained, with hand sanitizer. There is a spring for water which says to boil before drinking. There is also a big display board with state forest info and maps. Another thing to note, while the travel in makes it feel very remote, there are cabins all along the opposite site of the river, including directly across from the campsites.  This could be a positive or negative depending on your thoughts, I personally would like it because it would make me feel a little safer. All in all, it’s a nice little campground, in better shape than some of the regular bigger campgrounds I’ve seen.

  • Kassie F.
    May. 25, 2019

    Bush Recreation Area

    Not too shabby

    My husband & I recently purchased our first 20ft. pull-behind camper. Having made reservations for a tent site for Memorial Day weekend back in February, there were slim pickings when it was time to find a site w/an electric hookup mere weeks before the 3 day weekend. I stumbled upon Bush Recreation Area on recreation.gov (FYI- the website has been redesigned & is still working out kinks) and it was the only campground w/availability. It’s located east of Pittsburgh and is tucked alongside a large boat dock/launch on the Loyalhanna Creek. Motorized boating is allowed and there’s access for fishing from the shore. Some of the sites are more open & exposed (see picture) but others are back in a more wooded area further away from the water. There wasn’t a map for the facility on the website; we stayed at site 18 & noticed the higher the site number (starting at about #25), the further back in the wooded area it was, where there’s more privacy. It’s definitely a great choice for families, especially those w/young children- there’s a nice playground and green space. Reservations are required (recreation.gov) and as of 5/25/19 the dump station is closed & undergoing construction. My husband and I prefer places w/easier access to hiking & biking trails and more privacy, but for our first weekend in our new camper, it worked out well!


Guide to Saxonburg

Tent camping near Saxonburg, Pennsylvania offers a variety of scenic locations perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in nature.

Tent campers should check out Dravo's Landing Campground

  • This campground features amenities like drinking water, picnic tables, and firewood, making it a comfortable spot for tent campers. You can find it here.
  • Located along the Youghiogheny River, it provides a beautiful backdrop for camping and is a popular stop for those biking the Great Allegheny Passage.
  • With no permit required and free access, it’s an ideal choice for spontaneous camping trips.

Enjoy local activities at The GAP Trail Campground

  • This bikers-only campground offers a unique experience with outdoor showers and a covered dining area, perfect for relaxing after a day of biking. Check it out here.
  • Located near the GAP Trail, it’s a great base for exploring the scenic route while enjoying the comforts of a well-maintained site.
  • The campground is just a short walk from local restaurants, allowing for easy access to food and supplies.

Tips for tent camping near Saxonburg

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Saxonburg, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Saxonburg, PA is Mountain View Camps with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Saxonburg, PA?

TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Saxonburg, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.