We enjoyed our three-day stay at Raccoon Street State Park in Pennsylvania. We used it as a jumping off point to explore Pittsburgh.

The campground is large and wooded, with good-sized sites. There are five different loops, so campsites are well-spread out throughout the area. 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.

Raccoon Lake is not far from the campground. It has a lovely medium-sized beach with hills in the background. You can rent canoes and kayaks from a stand nearby. We didn’t try them but it looked like peaceful paddling. My only minus is that the bathrooms at the beach had no electricity, so they were dark even in the daytime. Floor was wet and littered. It did not seem to have been cleaned that recently!

Also near the campground is a lovely wildflower reserve with trails and an interpretive center. The center never seemed to be open, but we were there in late August after the summer season. Perhaps it was open more in the summer. Trails at the Wildflower Reserve were varied and well-marked.

The park was not ideal for frequent travel to Pittsburgh because it’s a 40-50 minute drive, depending on traffic near the tunnel just outside the city. There didn’t seem to be a campground that was closer. We didn’t really mind the drive though, as it took us through pleasant hills and small towns. And it was great to relax at the campground when we returned from the city!