Coopers Rock State Forest- McCollum Campground
Very calm campground
We stayed 2 nights. People are very nice. Bathrooms and Laundry are clean.
Spaced spots surrounded by the forrest. Some trails directly from the camp.
92 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Several campgrounds in the area surrounding Washington, Pennsylvania provide mixed camping experiences from full-service facilities to more basic accommodations. Washington-Pittsburgh SW KOA features tent, RV, and cabin camping with amenities including electric hookups, showers, and sanitary facilities. Raccoon Creek State Park Campground, located about 25 miles northwest of Washington, offers similar accommodation types with additional access options including boat-in and hike-in sites. Whispering Pines Family Campground and Ryerson Station State Park Campground expand the region's developed camping options with varying levels of amenities and seasonal availability.
Camping seasons vary significantly across these developed campgrounds, with some facilities like Pine Cove Beach Club RV Resort and Raccoon Creek State Park Campground operating year-round, while others maintain limited schedules. Washington-Pittsburgh SW KOA operates from March through December, and Whispering Pines Family Campground is available from mid-April to October. Most campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays. The region experiences four distinct seasons with humid summers and cold winters that affect camping conditions. Cell coverage can be spotty in more remote areas, especially at Ryerson Station State Park. As one visitor noted, "This is truly a spectacular campground. Spacious separation between lots, very well kept, the bathrooms are immaculate. An absolutely beautiful setting on the crest of a mountain...The downside is no cell service for Verizon."
Campers report mixed experiences with site privacy and amenities throughout the region. The campgrounds near Washington feature varying levels of site separation and natural buffers. Sites at Raccoon Creek State Park provide wooded settings with good spacing between campers. "The campground is large and wooded, with good-sized sites. There are five different loops, so campsites are well-spread out throughout the area," shared one visitor. Several campgrounds offer water recreation opportunities, with Raccoon Creek providing lake access and boat rentals. Proximity to Pittsburgh makes these camping areas popular weekend destinations, though some locations like Ryerson Station remain quieter due to their more remote location. Train noise impacts some camping areas near rail lines, requiring earplugs for light sleepers staying at certain campgrounds.
"Easy highway access great for overnight travel"
"Spots were pretty close to each other. There was a playground for the kids to unwind after a long day on the road. Campground had full hook ups and was quiet at night."
"One tip: each loop does not have its own entrance from a main road. To get to C you drive through or past A and B. Same with E and F. Each loop has its own set of flush toilets and showers."
"All and All great place to camp, good things; 1) lots of deer, turkeys, racoons, owls etc. 2) close to a farmer's market Jankowski's great place to get fresh food, 3) once you have level camp, all good"
from $18 - $128 / night
Check Availability"Wonderful hosts, well maintained, large sites, close to the highway but no road noise. Giant pool opened in the summer. Highly recommended."
"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"There are 3 trails you can take right within the campground. The downside is no cell service for Verizon."
"Small camp loop is great for little kids to bike around. There is no playground at the campground which would have been nice. There is NO Verizon service at the campground. "
from $20 - $82 / night
Check Availability"Bathhouse is heated with showers that have a fiberglass tub surround, not concrete. Nice hiking trails that connect through the campground. "
"There are trails and fishing so plenty to do. Fairly sparse in April but a lot of people still driving and walking by. Alcohol prohibited"
from $28 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Very well kept, completely free 1st come campground just outside the very small town of Bloomingdale, OH. Pit toilets and no source of safe, clean water anymore."
"The campground is situated near shooting ranges so the gunfire lasts late into the evening and begins early in the morning disrupting the serenity a bit. The best part - it's free!"
"This campsite is a nice reward for west-bound riders on the GAP trail (it's the last one before Pittsburgh!)"
"Access from the Allegheny Gap trail. There were a few shelters, nice campsite. It’s close to an old cemetery which is useful in telling ghosts stories around the campfire"











We stayed 2 nights. People are very nice. Bathrooms and Laundry are clean.
Spaced spots surrounded by the forrest. Some trails directly from the camp.
Stayed 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!
Advertised 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 !!!
We are here for a month and it feels like we have the place to ourselves!
Cant 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...
Very quiet and private. Beautiful views, fishing, and picnic areas are clean.
I 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!
My happiness with Ohiopyle SP started off rocky from the start due to two factors, which can also impact your stay:
No matter what Google Maps tells you, try to avoid taking Sugarloaf Rd into the park—it’s a very steep dirt road that is not at all direct, despite popping you out in the middle of town (which was widely surreal as I landed in the middle of some kind of festival), but most importantly there is no cell service which is frustrating when you’re unexpectedly routed down backroads as night approaches
which loop you stay in really matters, more so than many other parks I’ve stayed at. My first few nights were on Hickory road and many were small and wildly unleveled—I saw one individual give up trying to get his small RV backed in due to the site being a basin shape. So you truly need to do your research and find a site that fits your equipment. The bathroom in this leg was also small and dingy, to put it nicely, but serviceable. Personally, I would not stay in Hickory again.
That said, this is a beautiful park with phenomenal hiking and water adventures. The town (which is in the park) was also quaint and lovely, with a variety of food and shopping options.
A little too close together for my comfort. But very nice and relaxing area. And definitely more spread a part than commercial campgrounds.
Camping near Washington, Pennsylvania provides varied options in hilly terrain about 30 miles southwest of Pittsburgh. The region sits at elevations between 1,000-1,200 feet with rolling landscapes characteristic of the Appalachian foothills. Winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that can drop below 20°F, while summer campers should pack for humidity and occasional thunderstorms.
Lake activities at Raccoon Creek State Park: The 101-acre lake offers fishing, kayaking, and swimming opportunities from April through October. Boat rentals are available during summer months. "I had the most wonderful time on my first tent camping at Raccoon Creek. We made a fire, hiked by the moonlight and swam at the warm lake at night," shares a visitor at Raccoon Creek State Park Campground.
Hiking trails: Most campgrounds in the region connect to trail systems of varying difficulties. Tomlinson Run State Park features well-maintained pathways through wooded areas. "The hiking trails are very well kept. The guy the runs the store and check-in was a very nice guy," notes a camper at Tomlinson Run State Park Campground.
Shooting range access: For target shooting enthusiasts, Hidden Hollow Campground in Fernwood State Forest offers proximity to a shooting range, though it affects the soundscape. "Gun range 5 mins away or so. Normal camping bugs also, so bring bug spray," advises a visitor who stayed at the campground.
Privacy levels: Site spacing varies significantly across the region's campgrounds. "Very well kept, completely free 1st come campground just outside the very small town of Bloomingdale, OH. Very quiet everytime I've camped there, many times btw," reports a camper at Hidden Hollow Campground.
Bathroom facilities: Newer facilities receive positive mentions at several campgrounds. "The bathhouse looked to be new or remodeled. It was very clean and nice. Laundry is available there as well," notes a visitor at Ryerson Station State Park Campground.
Seasonal options: Several campgrounds offer extended or year-round availability. Washington-Pittsburgh SW KOA operates from March through December, while Pine Cove Beach Club RV Resort remains open all year. "We are in the extended stay part of the campground which is quiet and slightly more secluded than the other spots," explains a long-term visitor.
Site terrain challenges: Many campgrounds in this region feature uneven terrain. "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 visitor at Washington-Pittsburgh SW KOA.
Cell service limitations: Reception varies significantly by location and carrier. "There is NO Verizon service at the campground. We walked up to the amphitheater and were able to get out a few texts but no looking at the radar," shares a camper at Ryerson Station State Park.
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds require navigating steep or winding access roads. "Very steep narrow roads to access campground and sites... sites not level and noisy, next to highway," cautions a KOA visitor. Another camper advises: "Follow the signs to the campground NOT the GPS in order to avoid some narrow and sharp turn roads."
Pool options: Several campgrounds offer swimming pools as alternatives to natural water bodies. "The pool looked very well maintained," notes a KOA visitor. Ryerson Station recently added a splash area for children: "The pool and splash area were very nice! There is a playground down near the pool area, basic but nice."
Playground availability: Not all campgrounds have dedicated play areas. "There is no playground at the campground which would have been nice," notes a visitor at Ryerson Station. Other campgrounds offer more family-friendly amenities: "There was a playground for the kids to unwind after a long day on the road," shares a visitor at Whispering Pines Family Campground.
Loop biking for children: Campgrounds with circular layouts provide safe biking opportunities for younger campers. "Small camp loop is great for little kids to bike around," mentions a Ryerson Station visitor. Another camper at Tomlinson Run notes: "It's a quiet little campground. Very pretty area."
Hookup variations: Electric service differs between campgrounds, with some offering 30-amp while others provide 50-amp options. "Camping in a 33 ft travel trailer with slides. Verizon service is great. Wifi in extended parking doesn't work well," reports a monthly visitor at Washington-Pittsburgh SW KOA.
Dump station availability: Some campgrounds like Kentuck at Ohiopyle State Park offer sanitary dump stations but limited sewer hookups. "Awesome campground right on the Great Allegheny Passage trail. We loved being able to access the GAP trail right from the campground," shares an RV camper.
Site grading: Many campsites in the region require leveling blocks. "Site 166 is not flat what so ever," warns a camper at Ohiopyle State Park. Another visitor notes: "Site 37 - pad is pretty level, plenty for our small camper and truck, on a slight hill to get to fire ring but lots of space to spread out."
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top campgrounds near Washington, PA?
The Washington, PA area offers several excellent camping options. Raccoon Creek State Park Campground is a standout choice with its large wooded setting, spacious sites, and five different loops providing privacy. It's ideal for exploring Pittsburgh and the surrounding area. Another excellent option is Ryerson Station State Park Campground, which offers a more secluded experience in southwestern Pennsylvania. For those seeking a private campground experience, the Washington-Pittsburgh SW KOA provides convenient amenities including water, toilets, and is big-rig friendly. Most campgrounds in the region are open from spring through fall, with state parks typically offering the best value for budget-conscious campers.
Where can I find RV camping options near Washington, PA?
RV campers near Washington, PA have several good options. Bush Recreation Area offers electric hookups and fresh water access with spacious sites that can accommodate pull-behind campers. Sites along the inner circle provide convenient access to facilities and playground areas. Austin Lake RV Park & Cabins is another excellent choice, offering lakeside camping with multiple amenities and family activities. For those willing to travel a bit further, Washington-Pittsburgh SW KOA is big-rig friendly with full hookups. Most RV parks in the region are open seasonally from spring through fall, with some offering year-round access. Reservations are recommended, especially during summer weekends and holidays.
Are there any waterfront camping sites near Washington, Pennsylvania?
Yes, there are several waterfront camping options within driving distance of Washington, PA. Dravo's Landing Campground offers riverside camping along the Great Allegheny Passage trail, making it perfect for those who enjoy fishing and water activities. It's particularly popular with cyclists as it's the last campground before Pittsburgh on the GAP trail. Tomlinson Run State Park Campground in the northern panhandle of West Virginia provides waterfront sites with opportunities for fishing, swimming, and paddle boating. Located within an hour's drive of Washington, PA, this park combines water recreation with hiking trails and family amenities. Waterfront sites at these campgrounds typically fill quickly, so advance reservations are recommended.
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