This is a really great park. I been here multiple times through the years. There is a lot of fun trails to go on. Which you can view the water falls and river. The welcome center is very hands on. But there was a lot of construction when I was there. I recommend going in the summertime. When it’s warmer you can go down the natural waterslide and swim in the river.
Very large park with a variety of campsites ranging from tent, 20/30 amp, 50 amp, and yurts. Price is the same for all electric sites, regardless of amperage. There is a 40-foot maximum vehicle length allowed in the campground– not a problem for our 17-foot van but the staffer who checked us in remarked that many people come in with larger rigs trying to squeeze in and are unable to. We had no problem securing a site with no reservation on a Monday evening after Labor Day. Very close to two Frank Lloyd Wright properties– Kentuck Knob and the more widely known Falling Waters. Other things to do in or near the park include whitewater rafting, rail trail biking, hiking, zip-lining and touring Laurel Caverns. The nearby town of Ohiopyle has many outfitters and several restaurants. The sites are all located on roads leading off the main road; we stayed in a 20/30amp site on Cherry Road (Site 49). It was right next to the bathroom which was good and bad. Good for proximity but bad because we could hear the hum quite clearly. Also, the door to the women’s room would hit you in the rear quite forcefully unless you held onto it (it took me three times to remember to do this)! There was a dishwashing sink in the women’s room (and I’m assuming in the men’s room?); it was very clean, but the only downside was having to do the dishes by myself! Alcohol is prohibited. Only certain areas allow pets. Only one garbage/recycling station outside of the campground. Wood and ice are available 24/7 on the honor system– very nice not to have to wait until a host is on duty to get what you need. Quiet hours 9 pm-8 am, a bit longer than most campgrounds but except for some sites with campfires still burning with people talking, it was very quiet in this campground. Surprisingly strong cell signal for being deep in the woods.
Went to Kentuck Campground with a group of 10 of my closest friends... definitely had an absolute great time. We stayed at sites 6 & 7 which was in a cul de sac and was perfect! However our second night(out of 3) a park ranger walked into our site at about 11:30pm complaining about the noise... however none of us were loud by any means, we were actually very quiet and heard our neighbors a ton within the nights we were there. Definitely do not bring alcohol (not allowed at all), we learned the hard way and got an alcohol citation and were then evicted the next morning at 11am and we ended up going to Green Ridge in Maryland. Absolutely loved the campground though, so beautiful with a ton of shade and space!
This was my first time actually “camping” and using a tent in the wilderness. This camp was laid out very well and had plenty of maps and trails, as well as daily activities. They have a small amphitheater with easy access, a dump and recycling area. RVs had access to water and sewage drainage. The main trail we took (was also pet friendly!!) took us down to the main stretch between DC and Pittsburgh. The views are great and there is plenty of things to do within hiking distance. The only thing I would like to see is a picture of each spot. Some spots seem to be laid out better than others or slightly bigger. The spot next to us had room for a second car while ours was rather awkward. We ended up camping in the gravel but made it work. Ops.
Beautiful area! Waterfalls, campground is quiet and clean! Just stopping for the night but will come back again to explore more!
Make sure you find the actual address of this campsite before driving to it. We used the one that automatically entered in when I booked it and it took us an extra hour to actually find it, with limited cell reception. Campsite was huge! Many bathrooms, dish washing section, very clean. 3 flushing toilets, 2 showers, 2 sinks. Campsite had a large area. Fire ring, picnic table, bench. They had a special event on Friday by the park ranger and we got to go to the helapad and stargaze!! Would highly recommend this campground! Just find the address before driving to it! Oh and at the campsite, there was cell service( verizon). Ice and firewood for sale. Honor system. $2.50 for bags of ice and $6 for firewood. But tons of sticks and fallen logs for firewood so we didnt need any.
We took our two daughters camping for the first time and tested our all our new gear before heading to Iceland.
This was a perfect spot where we could drive in but also hike to area attractions.
Firewood, kindling, and even ice is available across the road, and the staff is super friendly.
Definitely recommend staying here!!!
This is a very nice campground. Plan your meals well, before arriving. There are a couple of restaurants in Ohiopyle, but they are not open late. There are no grocery stores real close. Having said that, there are a multitude of fun activities to do in the area. I feel fortunate to live only about 2 hours from this beautiful place, with the Montour biking/hiking trail running right through it. There is rafting, kayaking, fishing, trails and more, all nearby. If you haven't been here before, you must check it out.
We had a blast camping here and we went when it was 15 degrees out. So, we were a little hesitant at first but we had a lot of fun. Bring your bikes if you have them. It's a lot of fun to bike around and to bike into the little town. I recommend going when the leaves are changing!
If you like camping right next to another group and being packed in like sardines, this is the place for you! You'll be about 15 feet away from the group next to you. They do have quiet hours though, so if you want super quiet camping...you'll like it here. Because it is also a PA state park....you can't legally drink alcohol here. But if you put it in a different container and don't make a lot of noise....nobody seems to bother you. The bathrooms are clean, but you have to drive to them if you want to use the bathrooms before it starts running down your leg....the walk is far.
I have stayed at Kentuck twice now, once while leading a trip with students where we were in tents, and once on a personal camping trip in a van. Both times I loved how close Kentuck is to Ohiopyle, and the amenities they have there. There is firewood for sale (cheap), bathhouses, water, dumpsters, fire rings at all sites, and the staff was helpful and friendly. I drove there both times, but there are campsites available that are near a trail that runs through the park and the campground I believe. I recommend this place!
We just recently visited this campground with our 25 foot trailer and had a wonderful time, in spite of the rain. We spent a week there in site 168, electric site with 50 Amp capable. Pretty much all sites here are in the shade. Big, tall trees. Great to keep your campsite cool, not good if you rely on solar power. The sites are large and separate, not really private but good space between. I have been in this campground in past years with a tent several times and it has been good each time. The site we were on was pretty level, as many trailer sites appear to be but some of the tent sites may be level challenged. The bathrooms and shower houses are pretty nice, clean and the hot water was free and no problem. There is no camp store but there is a firewood and ice concession at the entrance to the campground. The road in is quite hilly but manageable with a 25 foot trailer. We did see some larger rigs so with care you can navigate there.
Activities there range from plenty of hiking, whitewater, and Architecture (Falling Water, Kentuk Knob), The Flight 93 Memorial, Pittsburg. There is no close grocery store, at least none we found. The town of Ohiopyle has restaurants with good food. And there are a number of whitewater outfitters to do the rafting. I highly recommend this campground.
We stayed at a walk in site. The campground was quiet, woodsy and shady. The restrooms were basic, but adequate. There were no paper towels or hand dryers in the bathroom nearest our site. Firewood and ice available for purchase at the campground, but it was cash only, on the honor system. The gift shop at the visitor center in town was cash only too, and so were several stores in town, so be sure to bring cash. The park is close to two Frank Lloyd Wright houses - Kentuck Knob and Fallingwater. There’s so much to do here with the bike trail, hiking, whitewater rafting, natural water slide, cool fossils, waterfalls. There’s really something for everyone.
The campground and surrounding area is hilly and wooded. Very beautiful and friendly. Nearby rafting is amazing! The sites are roomy. They have dog friendly sites and suprisingly it was very quiet in that area! Frank Lloyd Wrights Falling Water is close by and so are natual water slides! There is a very steep inclined road to access campground. If towing there are alternate directions and on their website.
great place to go white water rafting!!!
Really nice campground overall, I have only stayed in the walk-in sites... be aware they range from a slight level walk from the roads edge to a long hike up a steep hill! Be cautious with the farther back from the road sites, if you have a lot of gear or children you may regret it. most sites are secluded enough that you feel like you are alone in the woods... you may or may not even see the light of a neighbors campfire.
Bathrooms are OK. Not super modern or clean. But they suffice.
Lots of hiking, rafting, and biking to be had in the area.
They also have a pretty good beer festival in town around Father's Day each year. (you can actually hike to and from it directly from the campround). Alcohol is NOT permitted in any PA State Parks, but I have never had an issue, maybe bring a solo cup and keep your campsite noise to a low level. I have personally never seen a Park Ranger at any Walk-in site that I have camped in.
ohiopyle gets very crowded during the season. There is plenty to do around the park. The bathrooms are kept very clean all throughout the park
Great site, level and not far from the GAP trail (great Allegheny pass). Fit our yurt shaped tent perfectly, and the bathhouses were close to each site. Definately plan to return.
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This campground was really animal friendly. They have certain camping areas for dogs. The showers/bathrooms were only a short walk away. The park and trails were fairly close also. Only reason this does not get a complete 5 Star is because at our campsite (176) you could hear a generator or pump all the time.
There is anything imaginable to do up here from biking/hiking to amazing geology and fossils to whitewater rafting/kayaking all the way to camping in all forms. We stayed at one of the walk-in campsites and it was the perfect mix of convienient yet secluded. Tons of wildlife and nature for any interest. Be sure to check out Cucumber Falls and the natural water slides! Some absolutely amazing geology there and stunning views!
let the pic speak for them self
ohiopyle has so much to offer. The state park is very big and has fantastic facilities. We camped at some of the hike-in sites which were really level and nicely wooded, while still being within an easy walk to the bathrooms/showers. You have to check out the rail trail for biking, walking, or running and highly recommend the white water rafting trip if you can do it. Some good rock climbing in this area too.
We loved the falls, you could even go down them but looked a little rough lol. You could spend a week here just going through all the trails. Many different levels of trails as well! Loved it!
It has it all.. primitive sites and cabins. Hiking, biking, rafting, kyaking and canoeing, fishing, etc.
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.
My boyfriend and I took our puppy golden retriever on his first camping trip here. We did 8 miles of hiking in one day and didn’t want to stop! The views were amazing. Lots of waterfalls and massive valleys. The other people we met on the trails were so friendly. The campsite itself was very well kept, spacious and safe. I love that they have dog-friendly areas.
We also loved that the cute downtown area was a short walk away.
This state park review is of the state park itself, not the related Kentuck campground. We have stayed at Kentuck, and I have written a separate review of the campground itself. I also wanted to post a review of the park, however, because we have visited many times and it’s one of our favs!
Ohiopyle is a well-known location to any outdoor enthusiast in the Pittsburgh area, in fact it’s probably the most popular destination within a few hours of the city. There are great hiking trails including the Laurel Highlands hiking trail (70+ miles) which is popular with backpackers, fantastic white-water rafting opportunities on ‘the Yough’, and the Great Allegheny Passage or ‘GAP’ biking trail (150+ miles from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, MD) runs right through town. In the winter, you’re near the best ski mountains in the Pittsburgh area, and many of the hiking trails become snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trails. No matter the season, there really is something for everyone if you like being outdoors. The town of Ohioyle itself is also a cute (though very small) area to spend some time, with a couple of nice outfitters, mostly focused on white water rafting and kayaking. Paddler’s Pizza and the nearby bakery + chocolate / candy shop make for great stops after a hike, bike or paddle, or if you just want to pick up some picnic stuff and head down to the waterfront in town for a relaxing lunch.
Something I didn’t know until the spring of this year (after heading down to this area for years) is how close it is to another gem: the Youghiogeny River Lake and dam area (about 15 minutes outside of town, up the road towards Baughman’s Rocks). This is a beautiful lake for boating or kayaking with great fishing. It’s a little weird to find, as you have to take a side road (there are signs pointing the way to the lake) and you actually end up driving on top of the dam itself (which is crazy! great view though) into the parking area on the other side where the boat launch and beach area is. The dam outflow area (which is in a separate location closer to the main road) is cold water release and offers some of the best trout fishing in the greater Pittsburgh area, along with the resulting start of the Youghiogeny River.
In general, this area is one of the most relaxing, outdoor-focused locations in the greater Pittsburgh area, with a ton of stuff to see and do!
We camped at Kentuck Campground (site 192) two weekends before the typical summer camping season (2 weeks before Memorial Day), and I was honestly extremely disappointed in the campground, though part of that frustration is probably more appropriately aimed at the state park system as a whole, and their lack of communication.
Prior to reserving the two campsites (we have a pop-up, and we were camping with my parents, who use a tent), I had called the Kentuck campground park office to ensure the campground was actually open, as the reservation system was very confusing (for this park only - I’ve used the state reservation system more times that I can count). There were special notices at the bottom of the site’s page stating that certain campground facilities were closed, and a conflicting message on the reservation site’s page for the campground - which also mentioned a detour that was necessary for ‘big rig’ campers traveling to the campground. I called the office, spoke with a woman who assured me that the campground was open on the weekends (not during the week), but there was a paving project going on and only the largest bath house near the main entrance was open - cool, no problem, that was the closest one to our camp sites anyway. I booked the sites.
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. This unanticipated road closure with the typically convoluted PA road system detour - coupled with the fact that everyone in the town of Ohiopyle was telling visitors to the area that the campground was fully closed - infuriated my father and husband so much that we almost turned around and drove back home. After finding a local park ranger and getting detailed directions for how to navigate the 30-minute detour (because… Pennsylvania.), we finally arrived at the campground, along with the other 3 cars that had also frustratingly swarmed around the poor park ranger in town for the same reason.
The campground itself was buggy, not well maintained, and covered in poison ivy. The bathhouses themselves (which were almost all open, unlike what I was told on the phone) were great. The roads were torn up due to the paving project, and the playground area did not look to be maintained. I understand that paving projects need to take place, and that it was the best time of year to do them (several weeks prior to Memorial Day when prime time begins) - I don't fault them for that.
Bottom line is that Ohiopyle is one of the premier outdoor destinations around the Pittsburgh area, and the state park (and additional forests and related state parks nearby) are fantastic in every way - and I expected a state park campground that matched the area. Kentuck is not it!
On a campout with REI, we reserved a group spot which had clean facilities and was super close to some amazing hiking trails! Definitely a great spot for those who want to hike some rugged terrain! Awesome wildlife in the area too!
