Tent camping opportunities near Tarentum, Pennsylvania include several primitive tent sites along the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail following the Youghiogheny River. Dravo's Landing Campground and Roundbottom Hiker-Biker Campground offer free tent camping accessible primarily by foot or bicycle. Both campgrounds provide basic amenities for tent campers seeking a natural experience within 30 miles of Tarentum, with sites frequently used by through-hikers and cyclists traversing the GAP trail corridor.
The tent sites at these primitive campgrounds typically feature cleared, level spaces with modest amenities. Dravo's Landing provides drinking water, picnic tables, and toilet facilities, while maintaining a pack-in, pack-out approach for other supplies. Most tent campgrounds in the region offer fire pits with adjustable grates, though firewood availability varies by location. Permits are generally not required for overnight stays at the GAP trail campsites, but Danner Primitive Campground requires permits for stays longer than one night. Train noise affects several campgrounds along the river corridor, with sites close to active rail lines experiencing nighttime disturbances.
Tent campsites throughout the region provide direct access to hiking and cycling trails, with many positioned alongside rivers for swimming opportunities. Most primitive tent areas near Tarentum offer a mix of open and sheltered sites, with some locations featuring Adirondack-style lean-tos that accommodate small tents. The GAP trail campgrounds balance accessibility with a remote feeling, making them suitable for weekend tent camping trips. According to one visitor, "Round Bottom Camping Area has plenty of grassy area for scores of tents, with nicely mowed areas that remain level even if you don't secure one of the raised tent pads." Wildlife encounters are common, with raccoons frequenting campgrounds where food storage precautions aren't followed.
"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!)"
"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. "
from $25 / 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."
from $20 - $70 / 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."
Campground full this weekend
from $100 - $150 / night
"Being positioned directly off the GAP Trail grants easy access to those traveling the trail. "
"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"
"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."
"Laurel Ridge State Park is the greenway that protects the legendary Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail from the busy world around it."
"It is a beautiful wooded park offering lots of trees for privacy. I wish I had more time to explore the park before moving on. The bathhouse could use a renovation. It felt old and kind of dirty."
from $10 - $60 / night
ScoutThis is our second time staying here. Each time in October. We love it. Unlike most RV resorts this place is small and wooded. Has free Wi-Fi, clean bathrooms and an awesome community hub room for work from home or playing games. The weekends are busy but during the week it’s so quiet and peaceful. Close to so many attractions and parks that are part of the PA Wilds. Would definitely recommend.
ScoutPLEASE DONT GO HERE ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE KIDS AND IF YOUR NOT WHITE..THE OWNER IS A RACIST HYPOCRITE AND SO ARE ALL OF HER CREW AT THIS LOWLIFE CAMPGROUND. JUST BECAUSE SHE DONT DRINK AND LIKE TO HAVE FUN, SHE RUINS IT FOR ALL THE OTHER CAMPERS..YOU HAVE TO BE IN BED AT 10PM..WHAT A FRIGGING JOKE..SHE SNEAKES AROUND IN HER GOLF CART AT NIGHT AND CREEPS IN YOUR WINDOWS TO SEE WHAT YOUR DOING. THATS WHY YOUR NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE CURTAINS CLOSED .SO HER AND HER SO CALLED HYPOCRITE FRIENDS CAN SEE WHAT YOUR DOING..WE USED TO BE UP THERE UNTIL WE SAW HOW SHE TREATED AND TALKED ABOUT THE POOR LITTLE BLACK KIDS..ESPECIALLY ON CHRISTMAS IN JULY, SHE BOUGHT TOYS FOR EVERY WHITE KID UP THERE WHILE SHE WATCHED THE LITTLE BLACK KIDS CRY THEIR EYES OUT BECAUSE THEY WERE 10 MINUTES LATE TO GET THEIR GIFTS..SHE IS A WHICH IN DISQUISE..EVERY KID GOT TO RIDE THE WAGON WITH SANTA AND WHEN SHE SAW YHE BLACK KIDS ,THEY JUST PASSED THEM UP LIKE THEY DIDNT EVEN SEE THEM...HOW CRUEL CAN SOMEONE BE🤬🤬BUT THEN AGAIN, ITS HER ,SHE HATES PEOPLE HAVING FUN UP THERE.DONT DRINK AFTER HER HRS .DONT PLAY MUSIC AFTER HER HRS..DONT DO SHIT UP THERE UNLESS YOU WANT KICKED OUT THE NEXT DAY...I NEVER SEEN ANYONE SO CRUEL AND HEARTLESS
....THERES A FEW OTHER CAMPGROUNDS AROUND THE BEND .PLEASE GO THERE IF YOU DONT WANT TO CAMP IN A PRISON CAMPGROUND....SHE'LL NEVER CHANGE..MAYBE UF YOYR WHITE, SHELL BE NICE 🤣🤣🤣AND YOU WOLNT GET KICKED OUT..
TravelerStayed the weekend for the first time and it wasn’t bad! There were kids playing at sites nearby but that was all the noise, highway noise at all! I like how they have a spot for your tent with a picnic table and fire ring. I was in my rooftop tent on my truck so I wish the parking spot went back a little deeper for a little more privacy. But it was nice that there was bathrooms and showers within a 1 minute walk from the site! Also it says on here there is no AT&T signal, that’s not true…it’s not great but there is a bar or 2 at times!
ScoutThe park is beautiful, unlevel shade sites; is challenging to get the trailer level. unfortunately, the bathhouses are neglected, dark and full of mildew inside the showers. The park really needs to upgrade the bathhouses. The park itself is very nice and offers a lot of opportunities for outdoor exploration and hiking.
GuideThis is more a campground for RVs then tents or even roof top tents. Place is clean and the sites 90% of them are in the open. Very little shade. Travis runs the place and very nice and accommodating. Fire wood is 20 dollars for a massive amount.
ScoutSpent three nights there in August Mid-week. Was pretty quiet but was clean and nicely taken care of. No mosquitos or bugs at night. Nice walking paths. Pool, hot tub, outdoor showers all very nice.
ScoutAdvertised 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 !!!
ScoutWe are here for a month and it feels like we have the place to ourselves!
ScoutCant 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...
Tent campsites near Tarentum, Pennsylvania offer multiple wilderness options connecting river access with trail systems. Most primitive sites sit along the Youghiogheny River corridor, accessible primarily by bike or foot via the Great Allegheny Passage. Campers can expect variable water access depending on the site, with most campgrounds experiencing regular train noise from nearby rail lines.
River access points: At Roundbottom Hiker-Biker Campground, campers can easily reach the Youghiogheny River for swimming. "The river is very easy to access for a quick dip after a long day on the trail," notes Shari G., who visited in 2021.
Ghost stories: At several sites including Dravo's Landing Campground, campers can explore unusual features. One reviewer mentions, "It's close to an old cemetery which is useful in telling ghosts stories around the campfire," making it popular for evening entertainment.
Bike touring preparation: Sites near Pittsburgh serve as ideal starting points for longer journeys. According to Shari G., Dravo's Landing is "a nice reward for west-bound riders on the GAP trail (it's the last one before Pittsburgh!), and a nice easy introduction to bikepacking camping for the east-bound."
Spacious grounds: Many campsites offer ample room for large groups. Sarah Q. notes about Dravo's Landing: "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."
Maintained facilities: The GAP Trail Campground receives praise for its cleanliness. "Everything is clean as a whistle…pun intended. Here's where that luxury kicks in, so much that you'll wonder if what you're doing still qualifies as camping," writes Shari G.
Shelter options: Multiple campgrounds offer structures beyond tent sites. The GAP Trail Campground features "covered seating, dining, and cooking area," while Roundbottom provides "lean-tos, picnic tables, firepits and lots of spaces for tents."
Train disruptions: Nearly all riverside tent sites experience train noise. One camper at Roundbottom warns: "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!"
Varying water quality: At Danner Primitive Campground, water comes from a spring that requires treatment. Casey L. notes there is "a spring for water which says to boil before drinking."
Wildlife concerns: Food storage matters at these campgrounds. At Dravo's Landing, Sarah Q. cautions: "Just be sure to secure your food overnight - if you don't, the raccoons will make quick work of it!"
Permit requirements: Unlike GAP trail sites, some campgrounds have stay limitations. Casey L. explains that at Danner Primitive Campground "you must get a permit to stay more than one night. They are first come first serve."
Site visibility: At Mountain View Camps, families can enjoy wildlife viewing opportunities. Richard C. mentions you "might even see an albino fawn" while exploring the area.
Activity variety: Multiple sites near Tarentum offer diverse recreation options. Mountain View Camps is "close to hiking trails and fishing spots. Hit the mountain bike track, explore the ruins on the game lands," according to reviewers.
Nearby town access: When camping at The GAP Trail Campground, families can easily reach services. "Town is a short walk away, with a few restaurants and other options for necessities as well," which helps when camping with kids who might need additional supplies.
Limited accessibility: Most tent campsites near Tarentum have difficult RV access. At Indian Creek Camplands, Christopher M. notes it's "just beyond owners side yard. Not the most level areas but good clean and quiet campsites."
Site leveling challenges: RVers should bring leveling blocks to most area campgrounds. Christopher M. specifically mentions: "Not the most level areas" at Indian Creek Camplands, making proper setup equipment essential.
Season considerations: Many tent campgrounds in the region have limited operating seasons. Laurel Ridge State Park Campground operates from "May to October," requiring off-season alternatives for RV camping near Tarentum.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Tarentum, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Tarentum, PA is Dravo's Landing Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Tarentum, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 tent camping locations near Tarentum, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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