Campgrounds and RV parks near Jennerstown, PA

Water activities anchor the area. The Quemahoning Reservoir offers swimming, kayaking, and fishing, and visitors can use pavilions, the boat and kayak launch, swim beach, and sports fields at Quemahoning Family Recreation Area, with a swim beach, nature trails, fishing pier, playground, and sports fields. Mirror Lake RV Camping and Fishing keeps things simple for anglers who want a small lake at the doorstep. On land, the region gives hikers direct access to the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail. This 70-mile backpacking trail goes from Ohiopyle State Park to the Conemaugh River, and the PA 31 parking area and shelter are near Kooser State Park. Kooser State Park adds shorter nature trails, a small trout lake, and CCC-era stone architecture. The Flight 93 National Memorial and the historic town of Ligonier are both within a short drive.

The camping calendar in this part of Pennsylvania is dictated by mountain weather and state park schedules. At Kooser State Park, the campground opens in mid-April and closes in mid-December. There are 28 sites with electric hookups, seven non-electric sites, and five sites with full service hookup, which includes sewer, water, and electricity. Private campgrounds in the area generally run a similar April to October or November window, with a handful of options for self-contained rigs outside those months. Spring is trout season and brings green forests, though nights stay cold into May and streams can run high. Mountain laurel typically blooms in June and rhododendron in late June and early July. Summer is peak season for lake swimming and hiking, with cool nights at elevation thanks to the 2,600-foot altitude. Fall foliage typically peaks in early to mid-October and drives some of the busiest weekends of the year. Winters can be harsh, with heavy snowfall often limiting access to certain areas of the park. Most private RV parks close or offer only limited winter service.

Sites in this region skew rustic. Expect gravel or grass pads, fire rings, and picnic tables as the norm, with electric hookups common and full sewer service less so. At Quemahoning Family Recreation Area, 28 RV sites accommodate pop-up campers, fifth-wheel trailers, travel trailers, and motor-homes, all with a firm packed pad, fire ring, picnic table, and 110V/30 amp electric service, with sites 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 16, 27, and 28 also offering 50 amp service; sewage dump and water are nearby, and there is no water hook-up at each site. Cell service can be spotty in the mountains and hollows, so download park maps before arrival. Campers are not allowed to bring along their own firewood from out of state, and only firewood bought in the state of Pennsylvania is permitted to be used at the park. Black bears are present, so store food inside the rig overnight.