The best camping near Keystone State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Keystone State Park adventure.

Get back to nature with a glistening lake, soaring herons, twinkling fireflies and, oh yes, a yurt

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Keystone State Park

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Keystone State Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Keystone State Park

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Muddy Myst

4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents30 acres · Kittanning, PA

Eco-Campsites and Recreation Area located in the heart of Western Pennsylvania! The site is in a great location, only a 12 minute drive from Buttermilk Falls and the Rails to Trails Bike Path that runs along the Allegheny River. For those interested in fishing we are only a short drive from Pine Creek, Cowanshannock Creek, Keystone Lake, Mahoning Dam, and Crooked Creek Lake. For those interested in off-roading, the Scrubgrass OHV park is only 20 minutes away.

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Somerset Resort

36 sites · Lodging, RVs10 acres · Friedens, PA

Somerset Resort, formerly known as Rainbow Woods Campground, was brought under new ownership in 2024. Our goal is to provide a family-friendly atmosphere for you to enjoy the outdoors. We are located in the heart of the Laurel Highlands in Somerset County. We are a mixed-use 33-site resort with modern cabins, log cabins, and transient RV sites available for nightly and monthly bookings. Explore scenic trails, majestic waterfalls, and charming small towns. Indulge in outdoor adventures like hiking, skiing, and whitewater rafting. Discover serenity and adventure in this picturesque Pennsylvania paradise. Forget the camping supplies, and come stay in our luxurious modern cabins. These cabins are complete with beds, a living room, a kitchen, and a full bathroom. Enjoy the outdoors like never before. Enjoy the Somerset woods by bringing your RV to Somerset Resort. With pull-through and back-in sites available, enjoy a quiet campground in the heart of the Laurel Highlands. We look forward to seeing you. A highlight of Somerset Resort is the luxury cabins. With both modern and log styles to choose from, enjoy the peacefulness of the outdoors from the comfort of a park model cabin.

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Ridge Top Retreat

5 sites · Lodging, Tents150 acres · Westover, PA

We are located in beautiful Clearfield county Pennysalvina. Our farm is on over 150 acres. It’s has been in the family for generations. It has beautiful farm views with wooded areas. There is lots of wildlife to see. Including bear, bobcat, deer, eagles, fishers, and many other species. We have lots of hiking trails and our property also boarders state game lands. It’s a short drive to the Susquehanna River and other parks. You can also enjoy the cows, goats, peacocks, chickens, ducks, and turkeys at the farm. Contact the host and set up a time to visit and feed the animals. Learn more about our family farm and the animals. We also have a sawmill and wood shop. Nearby is Bilgers Rocks, Rock Run Atv Park, Prince Gallitzin State Park, the Susquehanna River, and many other fantastic outdoor activities. It’s a place to unwind and relax. And connect with nature.

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Ranger's Retreat

21 sites · RVs, Tents25 acres · Jennerstown, PA

Nestled in the Laurel Mountains the property offers a secluded, quiet getaway from the hustle and bustle of life! Nearly unlimited activities nearby as well! 1/2 mile from the Laurel Highlands hiking trail, 2 golf courses within 5 minutes, Jennerstown speedway 2 miles away! Three Vail resorts nearby, Seven Springs, Hidden Valley and Laurel Mountain! Swimming, fishing and canoing 10 mins away at the Quemahoning dam! 9/11 memorial 20 minutes away! 9 for 9 miners rescue memorial 10 minutes away! Public Game Lands 2 miles away! 30 minutes from historic Johnstown "The Flood City" which is home to the steepest incline plane in the world! Historic Ft. Ligonier, Linn Run State park and Idlewild theme park is a 15-20 minute drive over the mountain! Pittsburgh Airport 90 minutes away! Latrobe airport "offering Spirit airlines" 25 minutes away! Mountain Ridge ATV park located off hwy 160 is a 20-25 minute drive! We offer water fill and sewage dump for a small fee! We are committed to the continued development of our property and have plans to add more amenities in the future for guest convenience!

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Sunnyday's Forest

2 sites · Lodging25 acres · Tarentum, PA

Sunnyday's farm and forest was a Christmas tree farm in the 1950's. I've owned it for the last 30 years and it is now a horse farm with pastures and woods.Rustic area of 25 acres of pastures and forest bordering a hundred of acres of railroad and municipal forest. Great for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking. 1.5 miles from Deer Lakes park which has fishing, hiking, mountain biking and a great playground. The Allegheny river, judged to be one of the cleanest in the country, is just 6 miles away. Harrison Hills park offers great hiking along the river and an occasional river otter. The Rachel Carson Trail and Baker trail are just a few miles away. It is a secluded log cabin in the woods on top of a hill overlooking a pasture. It is a very primitive cabin with a fireplace, brick floor, large porch, fabric interior and no chinking in the logs. We provide a bunk bed and cots and 2 picnic tables.. There is a large grassy area in front of the cabin for tents. There is no vehicle access, no electricity and no water at the cabin, but LOTS of downed wood for fires. There are horses, goats, chickens, ducks and a pig that roam the pastures. The cabin is about 300 yards from the parking area up a fairly steep hill, but the location is worth the walk! If you're stopping with an RV or trailer we have ample parking near the road and have overnight accommodations for horses Great place for a stopover.

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Ferns in the Forest

3 sites · Lodging, RVs32 acres · Farmington, PA

Learn more about this land: This wooded area is 5 miles away from the Ohiopyle State Park whitewater launch area and GAP bike trail. We are less than 9 miles from Frank Lloyd Wright's Classic Fallingwater and about 8 miles from Kentuck Knob one of the last resident homes he designed (both are open for tours). Fort Necessity National Battlefield is 5 miles away. There are numerous native trout streams in the area. Youghiogheny Reservoir is 7 miles away for fishing, boat rentals, and water-sports. The Fern House is the primary camp cabin on the property in 2024. Although if someone would want to park a "self contained" camper or small RV on the property we would permit the unit to occupy the area in front of the driveway just pass the entrance gate. It is not within the ferns and is next to the road. There is an electrical outlet available at this small RV or van camper site. We are "nice pet" friendly. We have a mountain spring (when the spring is running) up the trail road (450 feet away). The ferns will normally be in full glory by the end of May to the beginning of October and are amazing, covering the forest floor. Deer, bear, wild turkey, fox, chipmunks, squirrels and many woodland birds abound the property especially owls. A picnic table, fire ring and firewood is available on the property. Free WiFi on the property as long as the plant life is not too thick! There is a mile hiking loop right on the property and many challenging trails in the area, including the starting point for the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail.

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Sycamore Island

1 site · Tent14 acres · Blawnox, PA

Camp on an island only accessible by boat/kayak/canoe or however you want to get across the river! Please read the full description. The island is open to visitors from dawn to dusk to enjoy the trails and wild scenery. Camp reservations secure your overnight visit to stay at the designated campsite area, which has a fire ring for cooking, a picnic table, and room for a tent or hammock. Sycamore Island can only be reached by canoe, kayak, or rowboat. You are required to have a permit for an overnight stay: Please sign this form before submitting your stay request. https://alleghenylandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Camping-at-Sycamore-Island-Rules-and-Regulations-4.5.16-Fillable.pdf Please plan your visit in advance- requests to camp the same day or day before may not receive a timely approval. Acquired and protected by Allegheny Land Trust in 2008, Sycamore Island is a floodplain forest with a ranking of “high significance” within the Allegheny River Biological Diversity Area (BDA) Natural Heritage Area. Before the island was protected by ALT, the island had periodic interludes of recognition and appreciation by humans as a natural refuge. In 1936, both Sycamore Island and Nine Mile Island were leased from the Pennsylvania Railroad by the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania, making these islands the first bird sanctuaries in the Pittsburgh region. The Harbor Isle Boat Club was in existence on the island during the late 1960s but was later abandoned leaving behind several significant features; including a barge that remains embedded in the sand at the island’s southern tip, a partially installed swimming pool, docking platform, and a series of offshore pilings in the back channel.

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Riverside camp

2 sites · RVs, Tents2 acres · Smithton, PA

Private riverside camp good for fishing, kayaking, camping. Large mostly open lot with a trail leading down to the youghiogheny river. Nice view of the river. Good for tenting, pop ups, smaller rv’s and travel trailers. There are used train tracks close by. Currently there are no restrooms on site. Electric is available Basically one large camp site

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Rustic Resort at the Farm

4 sites · Lodging85 acres · PA

Learn more about this land:Relax under the stars in one of our two canvas tents here on the farm. Includes a spacious tent on a platform with queen bed, and a fire ring. A 3 minute walk to the main house for port a john and sink. Enjoy the farm by visiting the animals (pigs, chickens, ducks), checking out the veggie fields, or hiking in the woods). We are just a half hour from Pittsburgh, so you can take a jaunt into the city too!

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Cliff Mine Heights

1 site · RV1 acre · Coraopolis, PA

We purchased the property as a foreclosure five years ago, and have been remodeling ever since. The property is located close to all the city amenities we love, but still gives us the privacy we wanted. Learn more about this land: The RV site is next to the house and is nearly level. (30A plug available) Road is visible from RV site, large backyard with fire pit is available. Local Park, wave pool, bike trails, shopping, and local eats or all within a 5 minute drive, some even within walking distance! JoJo's dinner is just around the corner.

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Ohiopyle Camping @ Benner's

3 sites · Lodging, Tents130 acres · Farmington, PA

Welcome to Benner's Meadow Run Campground! We are a spacious campground tucked in the beautiful, lush Laurel Highlands of western PA. Our tent sites are mostly secluded and private with plenty of room for you to enjoy the outdoors with your friends and/or loved ones. Benner's has a myriad of fun activities and on-site amenities for your enjoyment. Our amenities include a swimming pool, a beautiful NEW bathhouse with hot showers, mini golf, communal fire pits, arcade, store with ice cream and drinks, fishing ponds, and much more. The amenities are open during the camping season from May through October. Tent camping is available year round too (for you cold weather people). We are located near Ohiopyle State Park and Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob!

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Footbridge Haven Farm

2 sites · Tents25 acres · Mt Pleasant, PA

My wife and I and our four children moved to this 25 acre farm in 2017, and the creek and adjoining Mammoth Park soon became our favorite spots to relax. Our two boys swim and fish in the holes, while the girls enjoy picking flowers and making "houses" among the trees. We also love hosting friends and family for cookouts, or spending a Sunday afternoon in the cool shade beside the creek. On our 15 acres of pasture land, we raise chickens, pigs, a few dairy cows, and some steers. We are not a certified organic farm, but we raise our animals on pasture grass as much as possible, without chemicals or synthetic fertilizers. The Mammoth Park, which adjoins our property, features a 20-acre lake, a new 9-hole disc golf course, walking trails, pavilions, ball fields, a giants slide, RC airstrip, and more. We'd love to share our favorite spots with you! Learn more about this land: Relax to the sound of the babbling brook, stroll through woods and pastures, cool off in the stream, or join us for an outdoor milking experience. Take a hike, catch a sunset view, firsh or throw a round of disc golf at the beautiful Westmoreland County Mammoth Park. Our 25-acre farm is located at the base of the Chestnut Ridge in the Laurel Highlands, beside the Westmoreland County Mammoth Park. Our camp site features a pavilion, fire place with a grill, fire ring, and swings, all beside the beautiful, clear waters of the Welty Run. You can park at our buildings and walk to your site, or park at the site. Small campers are allowed with 4x4 vehicles. Nearby attractions include golf courses, state parks in the Laurel Highlands, Frank Lloyd Wright houses, caverns, and white water rafting. Or, schedule your stay around our local events like the Westmoreland County Airshow, Westmoreland County Fair, or the one-of-a-kind Kecksburg UFO festival. Whether you're looking for a beautiful, relaxing retreat, or a base camp for exploring the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania, we look forward to hosting you at the Footbridge Haven Campsite. Directions: On Blacksmith Road off of Rt 982, you will pass our house (715) on the left, with 2 driveways. Go past both driveways, and you will see a pasture fence on your left. Continue to the end of the fence. There, turn left between the telephone pole and the corner of the fence. There is an opening in the trees, leading to the site. There is a picture of the entrance in the pictures.

The best camping near Keystone State Park guide

Overview

About

When you need a break from city life, this park provides an idyllic oasis. Located in Derry Township, this 1,200-acre park offers swimming, boating, and multiple hiking trails. In spring, the flora and fauna are visual treats, from colorful wildflowers to migrating birds.

Boaters with a launching permit can put in at the north shore. Boats and canoes are available for rental near the main launch. Fishing is open year-round, with trout and largemouth bass among the favorite catches.

A sandy beach borders the swimming area, which is open Memorial Day to Labor Day. Plan a cookout in a covered pavilion, or grab munchies at the concession. In winter, you can ice skate on the lake or cross-country ski on the trails.

Two campgrounds offer about 100 ADA accessible sites, some with electric hookups. Modern cabins with full kitchens sleep up to six and are located near the dam. More rustic overnight accommodations include three camping cottages and two yurts with cooking facilities.

When to go

The ideal time to visit Keystone State Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the natural scenery is at its peak. Summer offers a full bloom of activities, but also brings crowds. Winters can be harsh, making some areas less accessible.

Know before you go

Check the park's website for any alerts or closures before your visit.
Wear appropriate footwear and clothing for hiking and outdoor activities.
Remember to pack out all your trash and respect wildlife habitats.
Cell service may be limited, so plan accordingly.
Accessible facilities are available; inquire at the park office for more information.