If you live in Pittsburgh, PA and want to get out of the city to hike, bike, fish, swim and camp, there are many options less than an hour away. Some of the best campsites have primitive tent sites as well as furnished cabins. Once you have your RV loaded and ready to go, there are many options for RV camping, for both small and mega RVs. Here are the absolute best campsites near Pittsburgh.
1) Mountain Top campsite
Although Pittsburgh isn’t known for its majestic mountains, there are a few smaller mountains nearby, including Mountain Top Campground at the top of one, just 30 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh. The view from the campground really makes it one of the absolute best places to camp near Pittsburgh. You can watch the sunset while sipping your favorite drink right from your campsite. The locations are spaced out nicely so you have some space and don’t feel like you’re on top of each other. There is a nice walking trail around the park where you might spot some squirrels, white-tailed deer or maybe a little buzzard.
There are 59 campsites and 1 cabin for rent, with almost all sites having full hookups. The outer rim locations offer some of the best views of the surrounding valley and downtown Pittsburgh. Toilets, showers, laundry facilities and a band stand for shows are located directly in the park. A great place to camp for the weekend, a week or longer stays!
| location | Northeast of downtown, just off Highway 28 in Tarnetum |
| Distance from downtown Pittsburgh | 30 minutes (25 miles) |
| camper pitches | Yes, 59 locations, most with full ports, back-in and pull-thru |
| tent sites | Yes |
| cabins | Yes, 1 available for rent |
| Picnic tables at each location | Yes, on request |
| Fire pit at each location | Yes, on request |
| Disposal station on site | Yes |
| Furnishing | Toilets, showers, laundry |
| Pet friendly | Yes |
| reservations | Yes |
| Which makes it one of the best | Some of the best views right from your campsite! |
Tony Campbell/Shutterstock.com
2) Raccoon Creek State Park
Raccoon Creek State Park is one of the most visited state parks in Pennsylvania. The 7,572-acre park is located about 40 minutes west of downtown Pittsburgh on Raccoon Lake. After setting up camp at one of the 172 RV/tent sites, you can hike one of the 44 miles of hiking trails, set up your lounge chair on the sandy beach and go swimming or try your hand at fishing. Raccoon Lake has bass, carp, trout and walleye… you may be able to catch your dinner! Other activities on the lake include kayaking, paddle boarding, and hydrobikes (all for rent…or bring your own).
The campground itself has several loops with some areas for RVs and others for tents only. 2 of the loops are pet friendly and some of the loops have 10 cabins available. This is a great place to camp with access to the lake and all lake activities right at the campsite.
| location | West of downtown Hookstown, PA |
| Distance from downtown Pittsburgh | 40 minutes (32 miles) |
| Pitches for mobile homes/tents | 172 pages |
| cabins | Yes, 10 cabins are available for rent, 2 and 3 bedrooms |
| Primitive camping at the Sioux Rustic Campground | Primitive places with non-flush toilets and potable water |
| Picnic tables at each location | Yes |
| Fire pit at each location | Yes |
| dump station | Yes |
| Furnishing | Toilets, hot showers, playground |
| Pet friendly | Yes, pets are allowed in loops C and F |
| reservations | Yes |
| Which makes it one of the best | Classic camping by the lake! |
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3) Washington/Pittsburgh SW KOA trip
If you love camping but prefer a more resort-like experience, then camping at the Washington/Pittsburgh KOA might be for you. The campground is just southeast of Washington, PA, about 40 minutes southwest of downtown Pittsburgh. Close enough to see a pirates game, visit the Andy Warhol Museum, or stop at the many shops and restaurants, then return to the campsite for a dip in the pool or a game of volleyball.
The campsite has pitches for mobile homes and tents, as well as cabin rentals and glamping tents! Some of the sites have full hookups with nice toilets/bathhouses nearby. They just finished the new pool and it’s open and ready for some cannonballs. Visit the camp shop for forgotten items or grab some marshmallows for your campfire s’mores. A friendly campground that is clearly one of the absolute best places to camp near Pittsburgh!
| location | SW of downtown Pittsburgh |
| distance from | 40 minutes (32 miles) |
| camper pitches | Yes, some with full connectors, up to 86 feet long |
| tent sites | yes electricity and water |
| cabins | Yes, basic and deluxe |
| Glamping tents | Yes, some sleep 2, others sleep 4 |
| Picnic tables at each location | Yes |
| Fire pit at each location | Yes |
| Furnishing | Toilets, showers, laundry, swimming pool, playground, volleyball, basketball |
| Pet friendly | Yes, Kamp K9 (no pets in the cabins or glamping tents) |
| reservations | Yes |
| Which makes it one of the best | Resort-like amenities just 28 miles from Pittsburgh! |
Ana Hollan/Shutterstock.com
4) Keystone State Park
A little less than an hour east of downtown is Keystone State Park, centered around Keystone Lake. There are two campsites, one by the lake and one a little further away from the lake. All campgrounds accommodate RVs and tents and have picnic tables and fire pits. Toilets and hot showers are located on both campsites. If you want to try something different, spend the night in one of the two yurts! The large canvas yurts have bunk beds, electric heating, microwave and fridge, picnic table and a large wooden deck. Keystone also has modern cabins for rent and cottages that are right near the lake.
There are 8 miles of hiking trails including the Lakeside Loop Trail that goes around the lake. Ideal for walking or cycling. Keep an eye out for painted turtles, bullfrogs and herons along the shore, or take a hike through the red and white mountain pines, home to many birds such as warblers, osprey and creels. After a morning of hiking, you can go for a swim at the sandy beach. All your classic camping activities in a medium-sized campsite. Definitely one of the absolute best places to camp near Pittsburgh!
| location | East of downtown in New Alexandria, PA |
| distance from downtown | 50 minutes (35 miles) |
| Pitches for mobile homes/tents | 100 sites, some with electricity, Lakeside Campground is near the lake and Hillside Campground is more secluded and allows pets |
| yurts | 2, 5 sleeping places |
| Modern cabins | 11, 6 people, two bedrooms, private bathroom and kitchen |
| cottages | 3, 5 sleeping places |
| Picnic tables at each location | Yes |
| Fire pit at each location | Yes |
| Furnishing | Toilets, hot showers, bathing beach |
| Pet friendly | Hillside allows pets, Lakeside doesn’t, no pets on the beach |
| reservations | Yes |
| Which makes it one of the best | Great wildlife viewing right on the lake. |
iStock.com/Anna39
5) Bear Run campsite
When visiting Pittsburgh, one of the most popular attractions is the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium. Visit the African Savanna Exhibit where you can see African elephants, black rhinos and Maasai giraffes, or spend some time at the aquarium and watch the jellyfish and stingrays drift through the coral reef. There is enough to see and do in the zoo that you could easily spend the whole day. After your zoo adventure, head north to Bear Run Campground, just 38 minutes from Pittsburgh.
Bear Run Campground is a large campground near Lake Arthur and Moraine State Park. Spend time at the lake, explore the state park or just hang out at the campground. The campsite has its own swimming pool, playground, volleyball and softball and a trout pond for fishing. Choose between a walk-in tent site near the fishing pond or one of the large RV sites located in multiple loops. There are deluxe 2 bedroom/private bath/kitchen cabins and rustic cabins with beds and public toilets nearby. The complex is well-kept and family-friendly with bike paths and a recreation center. A great base for exploring Pittsburgh and the surrounding area.
| location | North of downtown Pottersville |
| distance from downtown | 38 minutes (38 miles) |
| camper pitches | Yes, some with full connectors |
| tent sites | Yes, walk in or park |
| cabins | Yes, from basic to deluxe |
| RV Rental | Yes, there are several campers/motorhomes for rent |
| Picnic tables at each location | Yes |
| Fire pit at each location | Yes |
| dump station | Yes |
| Furnishing | Toilets, showers, laundry, storage shop, swimming pool, playground |
| Pet friendly | Yes, (most cabins and rentals also allow pets) |
| reservations | Yes |
| Which makes it one of the best | Beautiful wooded campground with lots of fun amenities! |
iStock.com/tseybold
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