106 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Vanderbilt, Pennsylvania range from developed state parks to private RV resorts, with most concentrated along the Youghiogheny River corridor. Ohiopyle State Park's Kentuck Campground serves as a central camping hub with tent sites, RV hookups, and yurts, while private options like Benner's Meadow Run RV Campground and Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park offer cabin and glamping accommodations. The region includes several campgrounds within 20 miles of Vanderbilt, with most offering electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings. Primitive camping options exist at Round Bottom Camping Area, which provides free tent sites accessible only by hiking or biking along the Great Allegheny Passage trail.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping experiences in the Vanderbilt area, with most campgrounds operating from April through October. Winter camping options are limited, though some facilities like Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park remain open year-round. "The campground and surrounding area is hilly and wooded. Very beautiful and friendly. Nearby rafting is amazing!" noted one visitor about Ohiopyle State Park. Access to some campgrounds requires navigating steep terrain, particularly at Kentuck Campground where bikers must push their loaded bikes up a quarter-mile trail from the GAP Trail. Cell service varies throughout the region, with most campgrounds reporting limited coverage. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends and holiday periods when facilities frequently reach capacity.
Campers consistently highlight the natural beauty and recreational opportunities surrounding Vanderbilt area campgrounds. The proximity to water features prominently in visitor experiences, with many campgrounds offering access to fishing, swimming, and boating on the Youghiogheny River or nearby lakes. According to one visitor, "Round Bottom Camping Area at Slush Run is very peaceful and though you can still visually see the GAP Trail, you are not disturbed by passing cyclists." Privacy between campsites varies significantly across facilities, with some reviewers noting sites "packed in like sardines" at busier campgrounds while others offer more secluded options. Most developed campgrounds provide clean restrooms and showers, though several reviews mention aging facilities at some state park locations. The region's extensive trail network, including the Great Allegheny Passage, provides additional recreational opportunities for hikers and cyclists staying at area campgrounds.
"Ohiopyle is located in a beautiful area of Pennsylvania we've camped there a couple of times and have been able to get last minute tent sites. Lots of outdoor activities nearby."
"Very close to two Frank Lloyd Wright properties– Kentuck Knob and the more widely known Falling Waters."
from $20 - $54 / night
Check Availability"We ended with a very private tent site with no amenities but around the corner from a pavilion with an outside washing station and flush toilets."
"ask for with 2 swimming pools. 4 water slides ,tractor rides ,fire truck rides and a train ride alongside the free activities for the kids there is allways something fun to do and only a few minute drive"
from $115 - $750 / night
Check Availability"I was traveling alone and was looking for something about an hour away when I used my Dyrt app to locate a recommended campground. Benner’s popped up near Ohiopyle State Park."
"The campground was really nice, although PA Winters are drab, so we kind of had to use our imagination for how beautiful the campground might be when there's vibrant greenery all around."
"Located on the Youghiogheny River. Many full hookups, great play ground for the kids. New pool, but not open when we stayed."
"The GAP trail rolls right through the middle of this traditional KOA campground."
from $25 - $999999 / night
Check Availability"They have a pool, fishing pond and a cloud pillow with the playground next to it along with two small dog play areas.Every week they organizes different themes for bingo, and other games."
"The sites are pretty close together and we couldn’t use our fire ring because it ended up being very close to our rig."
"It’s very military positive, even includes a reserved place for the fallen soldiers. Some sites are a bit close, the pull through sites are very ample. Gravel roads and level sites."
"Tent site was nice and conveniently located next to the bathhouse"
from $50 / night
Check Availability"We were very close to the state park and all activities there."
"There is one spot with a flushable toilet and it’s a bit of a walk. The pit toilets are actually pretty ok. The showers could use some TLC as well."
"The lake is separate from the campground, but it is less than a mile away and a reasonable distance walk."
"The site numbering is a bit wonky on the door loop so make sure you look at your map before you start driving the loops."
from $20 - $64 / night
Check Availability"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). "
"Very large tent site and surrounded by woods. Not close to your neighbor like most campgrounds. Peaceful! Van Life sites are tucked away in the woods for privacy. Open fields for large groups."
"Call in advance and reserve one of the sites that is up the hill farther away from people."
from $16 - $45 / night
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GuideThe spots are spread out and the trees are beautiful. The people are so nice. The drive in is tight narrow lanes. We stayed one night at #49, pull through with water and electric, no sewer. We booked #43 but Becky moved us to 49 cuz it’s more level.
ScoutWe stayed 2 nights. People are very nice. Bathrooms and Laundry are clean.
Spaced spots surrounded by the forrest. Some trails directly from the camp.
TravelerStayed one night. Close to Fallingwater and Fort Necessity. The campsite was terrible; close to water and buggy, steep grade required lots of blocking to level the camper and challenging to hook up to the vehicle. Thick canopy kept Starlink from working. The worst part was the bathrooms. The one closest to our spot had no hot water. So we had to walk about a half a mile to two other restrooms and showers within 100 yards of each other. Makes no sense. Anyway, both bathrooms were filthy, had paint peeling everywhere, lots of black mold growing on the ceilings, growing everywhere. No place to hang clothes while taking a shower. One of the two toilets in each of the men’s room was probably 3 feet off the ground. Made for giants I guess! And good luck finding the visitor center. It’s hidden from view and parking is terrible. You’ll have to walk 150 yards from the nearest point of the parking lot to find it. To walk there from the bus and RV parking, add an additional 1/4 mile each way. Be aware that the visitor center store does not accept credit cards. Cash or check only. Who does that? It’s 2026 Pennsylvania!
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...
ScoutPerfect little campsite with voting access fishing rod says and very clean showers
TravelerWe love it here so much we almost never leave. There is a creek, playground and games for the kids year round. The lake is great for fishing, boating, swimming and more from March-August usually but even longer this year it seems. They are INCREDIBLY strict about 5mph and I LOVE THAT! My 8 year old can run around and be a kid at camp like I was without me being panicked. They even have events once a month. They are constantly adding and upgrading around the campground. Everything from walk to primitive sites to full hook ups and dry cabins.
Highly recommend for a long or short get away.
RangerI stayed at two sites at Ohiopyle and I’ll say it again—picking the loop that best fits your equipment is key to enjoying your camping experience here. Not all loops are created equal! My second, and heavy favorite, was my site on Ivy Road. The sites were had more privacy and most importantly, were far more level and easier to access. This loop/road is also more central to the rest of the campground, the dumpsters, and had access to much nicer (still a smidge dingy), larger bathrooms. The cell service here was also decent as this road is in a less hilly area within the campground.
While the park and town are excellent for exploring, I found that the highlight of my trip was Fallingwater—it’s a Frank Lloyd Wright house (personally, I think his best) that offers tours and I was shocked to find that it was less than 10 minutes away. If you need a break from hiking and the river, I cannot recommend it enough!
Camping spots near Vanderbilt, Pennsylvania typically feature forested terrain with elevations ranging between 1,000-2,500 feet in the Laurel Highlands region. The area experiences distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping months. Most campgrounds remain open from mid-April through October, with limited winter camping options available at select facilities.
Whitewater rafting on the Youghiogheny: Multiple outfitters near Ohiopyle State Park offer trips ranging from mild to wild. "We chose Wilderness Voyageurs across the river, over the tracks and to the right. Time and finances limited us to a 'family friendly' float self-guided raft down the Middle Yough... laced with minimal Class 1 and 2 rapids, which I would classify as riffles. The float took three hours, was relaxing, serene and full of solitude," noted one visitor.
Hiking the Laurel Highlands: The region features miles of hiking trails through forests and along waterways. A camper at Benner's Meadow Run RV Campground mentioned, "We stayed for 2 nights while we visited Fallingwater and the Flight 93 Memorial. We should have stayed another night so we could visit Fort Necessity NP just down the road but ran out of time."
Cycling the Great Allegheny Passage: This rail-trail runs directly through several camping areas near Vanderbilt. According to a cyclist who stayed at The Blue Canoe RV Resort, "The GAP trail rolls right through the middle of this traditional KOA campground... This is a very busy campground, nothing like the serenity of the less easy to access sites along the GAP trail, but offers some nice services for those in need of them."
Fishing local waters: Many campgrounds near Vanderbilt offer fishing access. "We have a wonderful, big electric and water site. We have a wonderful, big electric and water site... Small pond in middle of campground - great for fishing. Amazing stay!" reported a visitor at Scarlett Knob Campground.
Private camping spaces: Unlike crowded campgrounds, some areas near Vanderbilt offer secluded sites. A visitor to Scarlett Knob Campground noted, "It's very cheap and rustic. The sites are pretty spread out and full of trees. So for tent camping it is fantastic. Each site feels very private and the atmosphere is great."
Water activities: Swimming pools and water features are popular amenities. One family staying at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Mill Run commented, "Mill run by far the best yogi bear/campground we have been to. Second time we have been & they have upgraded the water slides 4 huge slides plus big splash pad with little slide for smaller kids & the original 2 big water slides in woods."
Natural features: The surrounding landscape offers scenic views and outdoor exploration. A camper at Tall Oaks Campground mentioned, "The spots are huge and mostly very private- I prefer back country camping and not in actual campgrounds- this place is a nice compromise for my girlfriends who aren't as outdoorsy!"
Free camping options: Budget-conscious campers appreciate no-cost camping areas. A visitor to Round Bottom Camping Area explained, "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."
Weather impacts: The region's climate affects camping experiences year-round. A visitor to Laurel Hill State Park Campground reported, "We were hoping to do some hiking in the morning but got rained out. However the trails looked nice and we hope to be back soon."
Site conditions vary significantly: Terrain and site quality differ widely between campgrounds. One camper observed, "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."
Bathroom facilities: Quality and cleanliness of facilities varies across campgrounds. A visitor to Scarlett Knob Campground commented, "The only thing that I was unimpressed with was the bathrooms/showers. I felt dirtier after showering."
Train noise: Railroad tracks along the Youghiogheny River can disrupt sleep. A camper at Round Bottom Camping Area noted, "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."
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds have poor connectivity. A reviewer at Ohiopyle State Park mentioned, "Our Sprint hotspot didn't work well (unboosted), but our Verizon did."
Choose campgrounds with dedicated activities: Some facilities offer regular programming for children. A family staying at Fox Den Acres Campground shared, "Wonderful campground. They provide activities almost every evening, making sure everything age range is catered to throughout the week."
Consider accessibility needs: Some campsites require strenuous access. One visitor noted, "Tent site was nice and conveniently located next to the bathhouse," making it easier for families with young children.
Look for natural play opportunities: Kids enjoy unstructured outdoor exploration. A parent camping at Tall Oaks reported, "Got a nice secluded spot to camp in the wooded area that had amazing mountain views and the star gazing platform. Kids had a great time and lots of activities for them to do!"
Pack for varying temperatures: Even summer nights can be cool in the Laurel Highlands. The elevation changes throughout the region cause temperature variations of 5-10 degrees, requiring layered clothing options for comfort.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven terrain. A visitor to The Blue Canoe RV Resort mentioned, "I couldn't get it level with my Anderson levelers it was pretty slopped. On my way out I heard they were having someone come in to level the sites so I imagine it was just the time of year we visited."
Road access considerations: Narrow roads can present challenges for larger rigs. "Roads going to campsites are rocky so be careful if you have a low car," advised a camper at Scarlett Knob.
Utility placement: Some campgrounds have inconveniently positioned hookups. A visitor to Laurel Hill State Park Campground noted, "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."
Campsite selection matters: Review sites carefully before booking. An RVer at Fox Den Acres explained, "Some sites are a bit close, the pull through sites are very ample. Gravel roads and level sites. Lots of grass areas for play and walking."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Vanderbilt, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Vanderbilt, PA is Kentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park with a 4.5-star rating from 87 reviews.
What parks are near Vanderbilt, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 parks near Vanderbilt, PA that allow camping, notably Youghiogheny River Lake and Crooked Creek Lake.
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