Camping around Shinglehouse, Pennsylvania puts you in the Pennsylvania Wilds region, where the 2,100-foot elevation brings cooler summer temperatures and earlier fall foliage. The area sits at the junction of the Allegheny and Oswayo valleys with rolling hills and mixed hardwood forests dominating the landscape. Winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that often drop below 10°F in January.
What to do
Stargazing adventures: Cherry Springs State Park Campground offers exceptional night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. "Cherry Springs had a great campground with decent space between campsites. Each campsite had a fire pit and a picnic table and most had trees behind them. We stayed in a drive up site that was close to the restrooms and had a clear field near us to look up and stargaze," says Taylor K.
Fishing opportunities: Riverhurst Park Campground provides access to the Allegheny River for fishing enthusiasts. "We stayed at Riverhurst one night during our travels. It was a lovely site situated right on the bank of the Allegheny River. It was very beautiful, relaxing and peaceful there," notes Rachel S. The campground has multiple river access points for anglers.
Trail exploration: Lyman Run State Park Campground features 6 miles of hiking trails through diverse terrain. "Nice hiking trails, beach area by lake, fishing and then the stars! One of my favs," reports Peggy S. The trails connect to nearby state forests for longer hikes.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Trout Run Camp Resort maintains exceptionally clean bathrooms and grounds. "Bathrooms were very clean. Lots of things to do for young ones; heated pool, splash pad, pickleball court, basketball hoops and Gaga ball court," comments Sydney W.
Privacy options: Campers appreciate the secluded sites at Riverhurst Park Campground. "My family and I had a wonderful stay tent camping here. The grounds are huge and very well maintained, including the grass being mowed. There are large, beautiful trees to tent camp in the shade," shares JoJo S.
No cell service: Many campers value the digital disconnect at Lyman Run State Park. "No cell service, so you really get to get away from everything," Katie S. points out. This feature allows for genuine relaxation without technological interruptions.
What you should know
Road access challenges: Some dispersed camping areas have specific access requirements. For Palmers Pond State Forest, Matt M. advises: "Abundant flat and grassy terrain under pines near a beautiful lake. Fire pits, a table, and parking area are in place but nothing else." Other visitors note access issues: "The directions took us to a dead end like the other reviews stated. Do not take Palmers pond road."
Seasonal considerations: Campgrounds in the Shinglehouse area have varying operating seasons. Most established campgrounds close by early November, while some remain open for winter camping. "The park is actually quite open all year round, so if you come at the right season, it can be magically scenic," notes Joshua L.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends and fall foliage season. "Since Cherry Springs (at the time of this writing) does not take reservations, we opted for the sure thing," explains Bill G. about staying at Lyman Run as an alternative.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Allegheny River Campground offers structured activities for children. "We always love ARC the kids had a blast and we were able to relax!" says Ben S. The campground includes playgrounds and organized events during summer weekends.
Swimming options: Look for campgrounds with swimming facilities for hot summer days. "Lots of things to do for young ones; heated pool, splash pad," mentions Sydney W. about Trout Run Camp Resort. Natural swimming areas are also available at several campgrounds.
Educational opportunities: Some campgrounds feature nature programs for children. Kristina D. notes that Allegheny River Campground has "very well kept campground with many options for kids and dogs." Local forests also offer junior ranger programs during summer months.
Tips from RVers
Site selection advice: For pet friendly camping near Shinglehouse, Pennsylvania, RVers recommend checking site dimensions carefully. "Perfect location for us. Quiet spacious sites. Very pleasant owner allowed us to stay even though they were technically closed for the season," shares Kristina D. about Allegheny River Campground.
Hookup information: Quaker Area — Allegany State Park provides various hookup options. "Upon entering the park it was a 20 minute drive to our site. Our site was perfect wooded, gravel pad, water spigot across the street, bear proof box (a first for us)," reports Bobby C.
Firewood considerations: Purchase firewood locally but compare prices. "The park service asks you not to transport fire wood. We understand why, my problem is when you get to the park the small bundles way over priced 35$ lasted for a night. The next day we found camp wood 32"x60" rack for 15$ that lasted us 2 days," advises Bobby C.
