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Best Campgrounds near Windber, PA

673 Reviews

Campgrounds near Windber, Pennsylvania span from state parks to family recreation areas, offering diverse camping experiences across western Pennsylvania's mountains and lakes. Quemahoning Family Recreation Area in Hollsopple, just 12 miles from Windber, provides tent, RV, and cabin camping with both wooded and lakefront sites. Other notable options include Blue Knob State Park Campground, situated on Pennsylvania's second-highest peak, and Shawnee State Park Campground, both within a 45-minute drive. These mixed-use campgrounds accommodate tent campers, RVers, and those seeking cabin stays, with varying levels of amenities and hookups.

Camping facilities throughout the region operate primarily from April through October, with limited year-round options. "Very nice campground. We've stayed in 2 different spots. Super quiet and relaxing place. Clean bathrooms," notes one visitor about Blue Knob State Park. Many campgrounds in the Windber area feature electric hookups but varying levels of water access, making advance planning essential. Cell service can be spotty, particularly at higher elevations like Blue Knob. The region experiences typical Appalachian weather patterns with cooler temperatures at higher elevations even in summer months. Most campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak summer weekends and holiday periods, with many state park campgrounds booking through Pennsylvania's reservation system.

Water access represents a significant draw for campers in the region. The Quemahoning Reservoir provides popular waterfront camping, with one camper describing it as offering "great fishing, some nice trails and generally wonderful weather during the summer season." Visitors consistently mention the peaceful, quiet atmosphere at many campgrounds in the area. Several campgrounds balance proximity to natural features with reasonable amenities like showers and restrooms. Reviews indicate campground experiences vary significantly between state parks and private facilities, with state parks generally offering more spacious sites and natural settings. Campers commonly note the hiking opportunities, particularly at Blue Knob State Park, where trails extend into adjacent state forest lands. Noise levels remain minimal at most campgrounds except those near the Pennsylvania Turnpike, where some visitors report highway sounds disrupting the wilderness experience.

Map showing campgrounds near Windber, PennsylvaniaExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Windber, Pennsylvania (119)

    1. Shawnee State Park Campground

    27 Reviews
    Schellsburg, PA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 733-4218

    $20 - $110 / night

    "Was pleased by the quiet despite size of campground and proximity to highway. Sites not overly large or private. Has wood vending machine at entrance for firewood."

    "The morning drive started early, had several stops and starts, and I was once again glad that my big dog was along for the ride."

    2. Quemahoning Family Recreation Area

    7 Reviews
    Hollsopple, PA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 233-9512

    $20 - $50 / night

    "Easy walk to beach area and boat launch. Very clean."

    "The location on the water adds for a great view. Electric only."

    3. Blue Knob State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Imler, PA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 608-3034

    $20 - $108 / night

    "it’s small, with shaded sites around the perimeter and two walk in sites just left of the entrance."

    "The hiking here is really spectacular with lots of scenery, overlooks, and side trails that extend many miles out into state forest lands which are adjacent to the park."

    4. Friendship Village Campground & RV Park

    13 Reviews
    Bedford, PA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 623-1677

    "The campground is nestled on the outskirts of Bedford Pennsylvania and is a very easy location to travel to regardless of your rig size."

    "One of the best campgrounds I have stayed at so far the pond is nice and has a 1/2 mile walking path around it with trees and beaches to stop and sit dog park is big and has a place for small or large"

    5. Laurel Hill State Park Campground

    28 Reviews
    Rockwood, PA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 445-7725

    $20 - $64 / night

    "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."

    6. Kooser State Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Jones Mills, PA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 445-8673

    $22 - $70 / night

    ". -$5 firewood bundles at the entrance. -Cleanest bathrooms/showers -Crystal clear stream with beautiful trail to the lake. Both stocked with fish. -Lots of picnic tables at the lake."

    "Kooser State Park sits on the border of Forbes State Forest in the Laurel Highlands. It has a mix of camper & tent sites around a central clearing, and offers a few cabins."

    7. 1889 Park

    1 Review
    South Fork, PA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 487-4426

    $15 - $35 / night

    8. Mirror Lake RV Camping & Fishing

    4 Reviews
    New Florence, PA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 235-2115

    "It has a huge back yard and easy access to the creek. Close by is Ligonier, Idlewild, and St. Vincent (where the Pittsburgh Steelers training camp takes place.)"

    "Not only were the staff super friendly and helpful, but we were lucky enough to get a full-hookup site right on the lake. Quiet, peaceful, everything you want on a spring trip."

    9. Rocky Gap State Park Campground

    52 Reviews
    Flintstone, MD
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 722-1480

    $23 - $29 / night

    "We stayed in cabin 170 in Fir loop and the site was incredibly spacious, heavily shaded, close to the bath house, path to the beach, and well distanced from other sites."

    "Our friends were in the site next to us (17) which was also nice and there was a wide walking path between them. Family also stayed in one of the rental cabins (21)."

    10. Kentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park

    80 Reviews
    Ohiopyle, PA
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 329-8591

    $20 - $54 / night

    "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."

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Recent Camping Photos near Windber, PA

283 Photos of 119 Windber Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Windber, PA

673 Reviews of 119 Windber Campgrounds

  • Kathy L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Laurel Hill State Park Campground

    Okay campground

    Okay campground. We met nice people staying there. However, the sites are REALLY not level because the RV sites are on a major slope, especially the pull-through sites. Large open grassy area. The camp host saw me walking my pups, and as I walked toward the trash can(near the bathroom) to throw away a pooped that I had picked up, she yelled across the green area from her site“no dogs in the bathrooms!” Kinda rude, but later she was friendly. Some okay hiking trails off the campground in a meadow.

  • S
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Rothrock Roadside Campsites — Rothrock State Forest

    Nice spot to camp in the mountains

    First I'll just say that the Rothrock campsites should probably each be listed separately, rather than as a group; they are very spread out throughout the State Forest and each is a different experience.  This review will be for site 002 Colerain Road.  

    This site is accessed by driving up a bit of a winding dirt road up the mountain.  It's easy enough during the summer, though the road is narrow and you've got some sharp bends depending on which way you come from.  This road is not safe to access in the winter in my opinion.  

    The parking is just right off the road, and there's a picnic table and large stone fire ring near the parking.  There's a small path further up the hill into the woods where there is a tent pad, another fire ring and another picnic table.  There are also a lot of flat spots nearby for additional tents to be set up.  

    Just behind the upper tent site is the top of the mountain, and the site has their own private overlook to the valley below.  The site is pretty remote, though there were vehicles and the occasional biker coming up the road.  Traffic may have been busier than usual the weekend we went because there was the Mid Atlantic Overland festival nearby at the same time.  At one point a family parked in the campsite's parking to start a walk... (there's a better trailhead up closer to Indian Lookout they should have used).

    No hookups, water, bathrooms, etc; its fully primitive camping here.  Cell coverage was fine on Xfinity Mobile (Verizon). 

    These sites used to be totally free but they're now $10 a night.  You still need to book a while out if you want to be here on a weekend, especially during the fall when Penn State is playing.

  • Ronnie B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Hidden Springs Campground

    Labor Day Weekend

    It was packed-all went smoothly. From check in, wood delivery, and parking.

  • Sue J.
    Aug. 5, 2025

    Rocky Gap State Park Campground

    Willing to give it another try

    I just returned from a 2-night tent camping solo trip with my dog.  This was my first time at Rocky Gap and I found some strong pros and cons.

    Pros

    Large camp sites, with decent space for tents. The descriptions on the State Park site seem very accurate. Mid week (Sunday and Monday nights) the campground was less than a third full, and the folks who were there were spread out so it felt more spacious than it was. There are some great trails for hiking, and the dog beach was perfect. You can rent kayaks, canoes, and SUPs, or bring your own for no launch fee.

    Cons

    It was very noisy at night due to traffic on I-68 and even the campground road, which despite a 15 mph posting has no speed bumps and seems to have a poplar straightaway for cars with loud mufflers who like to open it up. I don't know if the I68 traffic just sounds louder at night because everything else is quiet, or if the sound carries farther at night. But sleeping my tent, I was woken up many times by the sound of trucks down shifting and braking.

    Another noise -- during the day I heard what sounded like the world's largest circular saw, only to discover that there is a large saw mill about 2 miles north. Fortunately that noise stopped by about 6 pm.

    And finally, although there were only a few occupied sites in Dogwood loop, some were with very large groups with either no self awareness or no consideration for others. No fault of the park, and people did basically follow quiet hours, but 8:30am blasting music, and hooping and hollering into the night. Just. know that it is a popular park for large groups.

    Based on other reviews here saying that it was quiet, I'm willing to give it another try in a different loop. Or, not in a tent but in a camper van which is my other option.

  • B
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Pioneer Lakes RV Park

    Don't waste your money

    This was the worst experience I have ever had camping. We always do a huge family aging trip which we end up booking multiple sites. Every site was paid in full before arrival. One family checked in and had to pay extra when they checked in while the others did not. Camp sites where not mowed and unpresentable. Picnic tables where falling apart and one was not even usable because the bolt rusted on the bench seats and the boards where falling off. The roads are full of potholes going back to the sites. The staff are extremely rude and ignorant. When I was on the gulf cart going up to pick up my family from the pool, the one staff member stepped out in front of me blockkng me from going to pick up my family who was standing by the office steps. Told me I had to go park in the grass. Anytime you left the camp ground we where one, they watched us like Hawks. We had visitors that came and went to get a visitors pass and was treated like crap in the office and they actually told our visitors they where being dishonest. The playground area is unsafe. The wood on the playsets are falling apart and splintering. I had to pull alot of splinters out of my childs hands and feet. In the guys and girls restrooms, toilets where make closed and some of the knobs where broken off in the shower rooms. The wifi is terrible. You can't even use your cellphone on the wifi, let alone trying to stream TV. The pool water is terrible. Its so filled with salt that when you get out your skin is extremely dry and your lips shrivel up. You have to pay to go fishing but yet their ponds are scummy. Driving around we noticed that one Campsite was completely under water and it hasn't rain enough for a site to be flooded, another site the freshwater connection was held down by raquet straps to keep it together, another site there was a pile of shale and a mini excavator sitting in the lot with campers there. There was a band at the pavillion and there was a moonshine tent and staff was at it doing taste testing. I feel that drinking on the job is inappropriate. We use to go once a year here for the last 25 years and since the new owners took over, we will no longer camper there. Overall our trip was more frustrating than enjoyable. They need to find new staff that are customer friendly and not tyrants.

  • Kimberly H.
    Jul. 14, 2025

    Rocky Gap State Park Campground

    Such a treasure of a state park!

    We stayed in cabin 170 in Fir loop and the site was incredibly spacious, heavily shaded, close to the bath house, path to the beach, and well distanced from other sites. There are only 2 cabins on this loop and this one is the best positioned. The bath house was kept very clean, even though the campground was full. We brought paddle boards and the lake was perfect for paddle boarding. Note that you cannot swim anywhere outside of the roped swim areas. It was a hot day and we found a great shallow area and decided to take a dip and the lifeguards came out on boat and kindly told us we could not swim. We will definitely be back here to camp again soon.

  • Tiana S.
    Jul. 13, 2025

    STAR LEE FARM

    Great stay

    Place was very pretty and secluded. And customer service was excellent. There's a huge field to start gaze as well as taking pictures, lots of hiking and if you're a bee enthusiast they grow their own honey in the property and you're more than welcome to walk around and look at all the boxes. There's no electricity there but the owner is working on that but there is power in the shower house. Service is a little sketch but it's perfect for those who want to completely escape the business of modern world. Highly recommend

Guide to Windber

Camping near Windber, Pennsylvania, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a quiet retreat or a fun family adventure, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Ohiopyle State Park. One visitor mentioned, "There is a lot of hiking nearby, most of which you need to drive to within the state park."
  • Water Activities: Enjoy kayaking or swimming at Rocky Gap State Park Campground. A camper shared, "We love that the campground has their own beach so it’s not overcrowded with the public."
  • Fishing: Cast a line at Cowans Gap State Park Campground. One reviewer noted, "The campground has a beach swim area with concession stand, picnic area with tables, and large bath house."

What campers like:

  • Privacy: Campers appreciate the spacious sites at Laurel Hill State Park Campground. A visitor said, "Most of the sites are shaded and not crowded."
  • Clean Facilities: Many enjoy the well-maintained bathrooms at Green Ridge State Forest. One camper remarked, "The bathhouses are always clean and well stocked."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Families love the amenities at Shawnee State Park Campground. A reviewer mentioned, "The sandy swim beach and roped-off area in the water made it great for keeping an eye on the kids."

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: Be prepared for spotty cell service at Black Moshannon State Park Campground. One camper noted, "Cell service is extremely limited to non-existent."
  • Seasonal Access: Some campgrounds, like Prince Gallitzin State Park, are only open from the second Friday in April to the last Monday in October. A visitor mentioned, "We stayed in one of the pet-friendly loops of the park."
  • No Alcohol Allowed: Many campgrounds, including Swallow Falls State Park, have strict no-alcohol policies. A camper shared, "The campground is dog-friendly, but didn’t realize the park is not."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Plan Activities: Make sure to check out the playgrounds and swimming areas at Rocky Gap State Park Campground. One parent said, "There is a nice playground near shade for parents to watch."
  • Choose the Right Site: Look for spacious sites at Cowans Gap State Park Campground. A visitor noted, "Our site was level and sizable."
  • Pack for Comfort: Bring extra blankets and pillows for a cozy night at Laurel Hill State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "The bathrooms were nice and kept clean."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure to verify site dimensions at Seven Points Campground. A reviewer advised, "Some sites on particular loops are very close together."
  • Utilize Dump Stations: Use the dump station on your way in at Ohiopyle State Park. One camper suggested, "Get water at the dump station on the way in!"
  • Be Prepared for Walks: Some campgrounds, like Rocky Gap State Park Campground, have bathhouses that require a bit of a trek. A visitor noted, "The bathhouse is up at the top of the hill. Be prepared for that walk."

Camping near Windber, Pennsylvania, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Windber, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Windber, PA is Shawnee State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 27 reviews.

What parks are near Windber, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 24 parks near Windber, PA that allow camping, notably Raystown Lake and Youghiogheny River Lake.

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