Southwest Pennsylvania

[garmp]

Looking to spend a week or so in southwest Pennsylvania, staying at, preferably COE parks. State parks are also ok. Want trees, level, 30amp spacious sites. Can move around a bit and want to see more of the area, including water falls, sights of interest, etc.
Our grand plan is from there go into WV, VA, then into KY and work our way back to ST. Louis, MO, again predominately hitting COE parks with State parks as back ups.
Hopefully be in the area the first of July and taking two weeks from there to get back home.
Any and all help appreciated.

[Mayor30]

Check out Pa state parks here. https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAParkByRegion/Pages/default.aspx Also while not quite in the southwest,Raystown Lake is a great campground.In West Virginia, there are several Corps campgrounds along I-79. Stonewall Jackson, Burnsville and Sutton. We have stayed at the last 2.Very nice along lakes with electric hookups.Also Trout Pond in West Virginia is a nice Forest Service campground with electric and a beach for swimming.In Virginia we liked Goose Point Campground on Philpott Lake.Some sites right on the lake with electric hookups.

[afidel]

Kentuck campground is definitely NOT big rig friendly, had a hard time with our little 18' trailer! Luckily OP has a rig that is perfectly suited to the campground, hard to get much easier than a 21' RV without a trailer or toad!

Btw we were in site 194, perhaps the hardest site I've ever seen at a campground. It's located on a switchback, but the natural entrance and lineup for the trailer is actually pointing downhill towards the reverse of the traffic flow. The wife had to be super careful getting the rig going in the right direction while avoiding putting the nose of the TV into the hill that formed the switchback. It probably didn't help that we arrived after dark, but the angles would have been the same with or without light and we had the advantage of time since we weren't blocking the road for anyone else.

[vermilye]

If you want waterfalls in PA, head to the north east, and check out Ricketts Glen State Park. Dry camping, but restrooms with hot showers. 21 waterfalls along a 7 mile trail. Unless you want to test your tug, don't drive in from the south (Red Rock) - 3 mile 18% grade up to the park entrance. Some photos from a couple of visits.

[wilcamp]

Two additional websites which might be of use in your travel plans:

https://www.laurelhighlands.org/
https://www.visitpa.com/region/laurel-highlands

I hope you will enjoy a most pleasant stay in this beautiful area. I grew up in the area, and still spend quality time there with my wife, kids, and grandson, skiing with friends in the winter and camping with family in the summer.

Please be advised and educate yourself as to the various openings and easing of COVID-19 restrictions in Pennsylvania. Their policies are changing frequently.

[wilcamp]

Southwest PA, particularly the Laurel Highlands is a wonderful area in which to spend a quality time. The area is easily accessed on your trip from St. Louis by following Interstate 70 E through Ohio, West Virginia, and into Pennsylvania. Pick up the PA Tpk in New Stanton for 15 miles, and take the next exit (91) at Donegal. Turn left on US Rte 31, and you'll be in the heart of the beautiful Laurel Higlands Many State Parks and activities are available by searching the DCNR Homepage
https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/Pages/default.asp

I would highly recommend the Flight 93 Memorial (9/11 crash site), Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water and Kentuck Knob home tours by reservation and ticket. Seven Springs and Hidden Valley Mountain resorts are summer activity meccas, as well. The historic town of Ligonier, located on US Rte 30, with ties to George Washington and General Braddock in the French and Indian War era, is worth a visit. Also located on US 30, you can find Idlewild Park and Story Book Forrest. This nostalgic theme park has entertained countless generations of visitors. It's a tradition to pack a picnic basket/cooler for your lunch in the park's pavilion.

We have enjoyed camping at Laurel Hill SP (a little off the main road), and Kooser SP, with easy in-and-out access to US Rte 31. Kooser can be a bit noisy with highway truck traffic, but the location makes it very convenient for travel to any of these points of interest. Due to the July 4th holiday, availability will be limited. Reservations will likely be necessary. There are other privately-owned, quality campgrounds in the region. Search the Somerset, Fayette, and Westmoreland county areas for more information.

Ohiopyle SP, and the town itself offer exciting whitewater rafting, biking, and hiking opportunities. However, be forewarned, traveling to its Kentuck Campground requires careful route planning for large RVs and campers. Read carefully the fine print on their reservation page for recommendations for arrival.