Camping near New Sewickley includes sites scattered across the hilly terrain of western Pennsylvania, where elevations range from 900 to 1,200 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F, while spring and fall camping sees cooler 50-65°F days with colder nights. Several campgrounds feature creek access with small rapids suitable for wading during warmer months.
What to do
Hiking trails: 40+ miles available at Raccoon Creek State Park Campground, where campers can find varied terrain for all experience levels. "We got out for a couple hours hiking in the snow. It was great. Just what we needed to stretch the legs and enjoy some family time. We did the Palomino Loop. It also was quite interesting getting to the trail. Some nice snow covered back roads," notes one visitor to Raccoon Creek State Park Campground.
Kayaking and canoeing: Multiple locations offer water access, especially at Tomlinson Run State Park. The park features both lake and stream options. "Tomlinson Run is a great state park with trails for hiking and biking. The campground is nice with clean bathrooms and showers," one camper shares about Tomlinson Run State Park Campground.
Creek exploration: Walk-in access points at Breakneck Campground provide intimate water experiences. "We chose one of two primitive sites next to a small creek. Apart from the campers above us on top of the hill, we were a few hundred feet from the other primitive sites. Despite being just a minutes walk from our truck, we felt incredibly secluded," reports a visitor.
What campers like
Privacy options: Wooded sites available at multiple campgrounds with varying levels of seclusion. "This is my happy spot. I have been coming to this place since I was a kid (Now I'm old). The new owners are pretty fantastic and have changed a lot of things for the better," says a regular at Indian Brave Campground.
Mountain views: Elevated camping spots provide scenic vistas at Mountain Top Campground. "Mountain Top was off the beaten path and very quiet. The check in process was easy and our site was flat. We had the most amazing views from our site," explains one camper at Mountain Top Campground.
Year-round accessibility: Select campgrounds remain open through winter. "Beaver Creek State Park Campground has probably the nicest pit toilets I have experienced and while we didn't use it, the sun shower building would give anyone privacy if they had packed a portable shower," notes one visitor who appreciated the off-season amenities.
What you should know
Tent-specific challenges: Limited dedicated areas at some locations can make tent camping less ideal. "I would give the park as a whole a 5/5 but for tent camping the campground is mediocre. It is a really large campground with lots of adjoining loops. We stayed in the tent loop at the back of the campground. The area is not wooded at all and most sites look right into the sites next to them," explains a camper at Raccoon Creek.
Weekend noise levels: Several campgrounds experience significant changes in atmosphere between weekdays and weekends. "Very nice for me but your mileage may vary. It's a nice simple, small campground with sites for everyone, RV to tent, older bathhouses but clean," reports a visitor to Beaver Creek State Park Campground.
Road access concerns: Steep approaches to certain campgrounds require careful navigation. "You drive up a long, steep, windy road to the campgrounds, not to mention the drive to get to the town was very out of the way," warns one camper about their experience at a local site.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Request sites near play areas for convenience with young children. "We got a site near the playground, which my 3 year old enjoyed. The campground wasn't busy and we had a lot of privacy. The sky was dark enough to see far more stars than you'd see near any larger towns or cities," shares a family camper.
Swimming options: Multiple locations offer different water experiences for families. "This campground is great for a little getaway. Most sites are spacious! Only downside is you can hear the airport. Not a huge deal though!" notes a visitor to Raccoon Creek regarding their beach area.
Nature programs: Seasonal activities are available at select parks. "Every weekend there are activities, there is a heated pool and Friday night Bingo. A great place with even better people!" reports a regular at Bear Run Campground.
Tips from RVers
Grey water management: Hillside campgrounds often have special systems for drainage. "Since they sit atop the mountain, the grey water hookup is a long hose that has an adapter which hooks up to your black and grey tank outlet and it runs down the hillside of the mountain into the grassy area," explains an RVer at Mountain Top Campground.
Dump station access: Plan accordingly as some campgrounds offer limited services. "There is no black sewer hookup (does have dump station and honey wagon). The dump station has a fixed dump hose that all you have to do is pull up and connect to it. They also have a water hose with a sprayer if needed," notes a camper describing the facilities.
Site leveling challenges: Bring extra blocks for many regional campgrounds. "A dozen or so of the sites are not level, not only that but they are narrow and where you sit is a slope making it very uncomfortable," warns a camper at Washington-Pittsburgh SW KOA about conditions campers should prepare for.
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