Camping near Youngwood, Pennsylvania occurs predominantly in the western foothills of the Laurel Highlands region, with elevations ranging from 900-2,000 feet across available sites. Winter operations are limited, with temperatures typically dropping to the 20-30°F range from December through February. Most campgrounds remain accessible via PA Turnpike exits, though sites at higher elevations may experience seasonal road closures during snow events.
What to do
Explore local swimming options: Keystone State Park features a sizable lake with designated swimming area that attracts summer visitors. "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," notes one Keystone State Park Campground visitor.
Ride the GAP Trail: The Great Allegheny Passage trail runs directly through several nearby campgrounds, offering easy bicycle access. A camper at The Blue Canoe RV Resort explains, "Awesome campground right on the Great Allegheny Passage trail. We loved being able to access the GAP trail right from the campground."
Fish at multiple skill levels: Fishing opportunities exist at several locations within a 30-minute drive. "Can be crowded during summer times but always clean and well maintained. Everybody is very friendly and great place to fish with young children," reports one Keystone State Park visitor.
Visit Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater: This architectural landmark sits within reasonable distance of camping options. "We were there in November with plans to visit Fallingwater. This campground was the perfect location for both activities," mentions a Blue Canoe RV Resort guest.
What campers like
Hillside camping sections: Multiple campgrounds offer varied terrain with hillside options that provide more privacy. According to a visitor at Keystone State Park Campground: "There are 2 campgrounds in the park, the hillside one and the one on the lake. The lakeside one is a glorified trailer park and is packed during the summer with no privacy... The hillside one doesn't get near the crowds and it set in the woods."
Easy Pittsburgh access: Most camping options sit within 35-45 minutes of Pittsburgh's eastern suburbs. One visitor to Fox Den Acres Campground noted, "Although the campground is close to several large cities, it is very relaxed, wooded, and quiet."
Wooded privacy at select sites: Despite the popularity of the region, campers report finding secluded options. "Mostly an RV campground, but several tent sites. Each site was very spacious and well shaded. Fire ring and table at each sight," explains a Fox Den Acres visitor.
Free camping options: Budget-conscious travelers can find no-cost alternatives. One visitor to Dravo's Landing Campground shares: "Free bike-in camp site with water access along the Youghiogheny River. Access from the Allegheny Gap trail. There were a few shelters, nice campsite."
What you should know
Train noise impacts sleep: Railroad tracks parallel many camping areas, causing nighttime disturbances. A Dravo's Landing camper advises: "One thing to consider with these campgrounds next to the trail is the number of trains that pass by in the night. 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 if you hope to sleep!"
Highway proximity affects some sites: Several campgrounds sit close to major transportation corridors. As one Donegal Campground visitor notes: "The campground is situated right off of the main road so the road noise can be an issue if it bothers you. We personally, didn't sleep well because of the road noise."
Reservation policies vary seasonally: Some sites restrict reservations during off-peak periods. Others have inconsistent communication about availability, as one camper discovered: "No one - not either website or the woman whom I spoke to - mentioned that the main road to the campground from Ohiopyle was also closed due to a separate paving project."
Bathhouse conditions differ significantly: Facility quality ranges widely across properties. "The restroom and all the bathhouses badly need updating. The paint is peeling, they smell like mildew and the siding is rotting on them. They are clean but the creepy and gross factor are too much," reports one Ohiopyle State Park visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Book evening activities in summer: Programs at family-focused campgrounds often include structured entertainment. One visitor to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Mill Run shared, "They provide activities almost every evening, making sure everything age range is catered to throughout the week."
Schedule shopping before arrival: Grocery access is limited near most campgrounds. A camper at Madison-Pittsburgh S.E. KOA advised, "Make sure you grocery shopping before you pull in. Campstore is sparse, they need to bring it up date and offer more."
Site selection matters for privacy: Location within campgrounds significantly impacts experience. "We decided to go here for our first RV trip as it is close to home for us. Great first experience! We stayed at site 43 in the Hillside Loop because we brought our 2 large dogs. Site was very private and relatively flat," explains a Keystone State Park visitor.
Water activities keep kids busy: Swimming and water features rank highest for family entertainment. "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," reports a Jellystone visitor.
Tips from RVers
Request level sites when booking: Many campgrounds have significant grade issues. "The sites in the lower field, where I was, were roomy and level and all pull-throughs," explains a Donegal Campground visitor, while others report challenging terrain at numerous locations.
Plan electrical hookup placement: Power post locations vary across sites. "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," advises a Laurel Hill State Park visitor.
Avoid peak weekends for setup space: Maneuvering larger vehicles becomes difficult during busy periods. "There's a predictably overpriced store where you can buy since essentials, and a few luxuries. Most of the primitive sites were graveled at some point in the past, but they've done a good job of fixing that," notes a Fox Den Acres camper.
Check individual site reviews before booking: Site quality varies significantly even within the same loop. One visitor noted of their RV site at Madison-Pittsburgh S.E. KOA: "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."
