Glamping near Vintondale, Pennsylvania ranges from rustic to premium, with sites open primarily from April through October. Situated in the Laurel Highlands region at elevations between 1,200-2,500 feet, the area experiences distinct seasonal changes with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F. Winter camping options are limited as most campgrounds close after mid-October when nighttime temperatures regularly drop below freezing.
What to do
Mountain biking at Raystown Lake: Seven Points Campground provides access to the extensive Allegrippis Trail system directly from the campground. "Ridge camp is the furthest away from the marina and the public swimming area. However it's the closest to the Allegrippis Trail system and from the entrance of the camp loop there is a trail head!" notes Travis S.
Fishing opportunities: Laurel Hill State Park Campground offers multiple fishing spots. According to Noah R., "Very clean and helpful camp. Too bad the fishing isn't the best at yellow creek national park." For those seeking better fishing, Silver Canoe Campground features a small private fishing lake with boat rentals. "You can rent paddle boats or canoes to paddle around the lake," says Indy A.
Local heritage exploration: Take a short drive from your campsite to explore nearby historical sites. "Foggy mornings are the best in the beautiful forest near Schellsburg historical sites. Nice lake too. Easy access from the PA Turnpike," recommends Melanie Z. about Shawnee State Park.
What campers like
Lake activities beyond swimming: Mirror Lake RV Camping & Fishing receives praise for its creek access. "Creek was close and neighbors were great," shares Sherry C. The campground's creek provides a natural play area that campers enjoy. "Kids play in and can float down the creek. Site 26 is our favorite. It has a huge back yard and easy access to the creek," says Mathew H.
Well-maintained amenities: Campers appreciate Keystone State Park Campground's facilities. "The visitors center at Keystone was beautiful and informative of the local history which was very interesting how the park first came about," writes Doreen M. Bathroom cleanliness is consistently mentioned across reviews, with Tim J. noting about Seven Points: "The restroom at Ridge has 4 shower stalls which were very clean with hot water at a great water pressure."
Site privacy and layout: "The hillside campground is where its at... The lakeside one is a glorified trailer park and is packed during the summer with no privacy. I hiked with my son all the trails in the park and cut through and did not like what I saw. The hillside one doesn't get near the crowds and it set in the woods," advises Matt R. about Keystone State Park's camping options.
What you should know
Campsite selection strategy: Many sites require advance planning and careful selection. "Double check site booked. We absolutely loved our stay at this park once we changed sites. We have a 35' TT and there was no way it was going to fit in the site we originally booked," cautions Brittany V. about Shawnee State Park Campground.
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate from April to October. "Keystone State Park Campground is open from 1st Friday in April to 3rd Sunday in October," while "Prince Gallitzin State Park runs from the 2nd Friday in April to last Monday in October." During shoulder seasons, prepare for temperature fluctuations and possible campground service limitations.
Noise levels: Some campgrounds experience significant noise. "The only thing we didn't like was all of the road noise. This campground is located by 2 major highways and truck traffic and Jake brake are constant all night long. The road noise made it hard to hear when we were sitting around the fire," notes Aaron S. about Friendship Village Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Friendship Village Campground offers multiple play areas. "There are many playgrounds spread out across the property as well as a jumping pillow and a very well-built gaga ball pit. For big rig campers... In my opinion, the best sites to stay at if you have kids are sites 145–171 as those are right beside the jumping pillow, playground and gaga ball pit," recommends Christopher R.
Swimming options: Most campgrounds feature swimming areas for children. "Park itself is gorgeous with a large lake and designated swimming area. Place attracts a lot of people in the summer as its basically in the Pittsburgh suburbs along a major road artery," explains Matt R. about Keystone State Park.
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer nature programs for children. "The visitors center has a great educational area inside and a nature trail outside. Across from the visitors center is a mountain bike park," shares Rachel B. about Seven Points, making it ideal for families wanting to combine recreation with learning.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling considerations: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain. "All sites are gravel; most appeared level, but some did not," notes Lee D. about Laurel Hill State Park. For Prince Gallitzin State Park, Mark S. advises, "All sites are paved as are the roads. Some sites are larger than others."
Hookup availability: Prince Gallitzin State Park offers various hookup options. "We take our dog so there is a restriction on where you can camp. Have been camping here since it first opened and never had an awful experience," shares Mark S. Seven Points Campground features excellent dump stations: "We filled up the fresh water tank at the ultra-cool 4 lane dump station. The signage was very well marked and the fresh water spigot was more like a little tank, super-solid, clean and modern."
Site selection for large rigs: For those with larger RVs, Tim J. recommends specific areas at Seven Points: "For big rig campers, you need to stay at the upper portion of the campground at sites 200-500." He adds, "Valley Camp was a single in/out with a loop around the playground, but the sites appeared too small for our 28' TT."
