So a few friends and I are planning a camping trip in the first week of August. We live in western PA, so we're looking for places towards the middle of the state, and the far right side of Ohio. The whole point of the question is that we don't want any old campground. We want to be somewhere that is in deep woods, not next door to some family in a pop up. Basically a place that will let us "rough it" with lots of tent sites. Any good suggestions?
Answer
The only way you will find quiet deep woods camping in PA in the summer is if you are willing to hike at least a few miles into the forest. Anyplace you can drive up to will be occupied by others. So a place with "lots of tent sites" may be problematic if you are looking for solitude.
That said, there are many places in the Allegheny National Forest to your north and in Monongahela National Forest in WV, to your south. Both are about a 4 hour drive from Pittsburgh. The West Virginia mountains will tend to be more rugged and less populated. Due to increased logging and gas well development in the Allegheny Forest it is getting harder to find your way away from people and roads.
I've backpacked and camped extensively in both areas. As the previous answer mentioned, the PA department of Natural Resources has excellent state maps and guides on line to all the camping areas in the state. Some of the more spectacular and remote areas in WV are Cranberry Backcountry, Dolly Sods, Otter Creek and Spruce Knob and you can find info on line from the state of WV on those.
Even closer to Pittsburgh, there are nice campsites along the Laurel Highlands Trail that runs roughly north-south 50 miles to the east. And the John P. Saylor Trail near Johnstown has several loop trails with great campsite areas for multiple tents. Go on line and check the reservation requirements for any place you are headed to make sure you comply with location restrictions and that areas are not already overbooked. There are published guides to both National Forests available in outfitter shops and book stores. I recommend taking a book -- easier access than on on-line when you're beyond "civilization".
The closest really deep roadless wilderness is the Adirondacks in upstate NY.
The only way you will find quiet deep woods camping in PA in the summer is if you are willing to hike at least a few miles into the forest. Anyplace you can drive up to will be occupied by others. So a place with "lots of tent sites" may be problematic if you are looking for solitude.
That said, there are many places in the Allegheny National Forest to your north and in Monongahela National Forest in WV, to your south. Both are about a 4 hour drive from Pittsburgh. The West Virginia mountains will tend to be more rugged and less populated. Due to increased logging and gas well development in the Allegheny Forest it is getting harder to find your way away from people and roads.
I've backpacked and camped extensively in both areas. As the previous answer mentioned, the PA department of Natural Resources has excellent state maps and guides on line to all the camping areas in the state. Some of the more spectacular and remote areas in WV are Cranberry Backcountry, Dolly Sods, Otter Creek and Spruce Knob and you can find info on line from the state of WV on those.
Even closer to Pittsburgh, there are nice campsites along the Laurel Highlands Trail that runs roughly north-south 50 miles to the east. And the John P. Saylor Trail near Johnstown has several loop trails with great campsite areas for multiple tents. Go on line and check the reservation requirements for any place you are headed to make sure you comply with location restrictions and that areas are not already overbooked. There are published guides to both National Forests available in outfitter shops and book stores. I recommend taking a book -- easier access than on on-line when you're beyond "civilization".
The closest really deep roadless wilderness is the Adirondacks in upstate NY.
Is there a spot in Piedmont or Oakland, CA where we could park a pop-up camp trailer while visiting family?
optimist72
Can't park in driveway or on street. We travel as campers.
We need a parking spot for the trailer, not a place to camp.
Answer
To the south (about a ten minute drive from Piedmont, and right on the southern border of Oakland) is Anthony Chabot Regional Park. The park is quite large, and provides many different spots for camping AND trailer parking (it has both, though it is a park setting. If you were hoping for somewhere within the cities to park your trailer, Piedmont won't have anything. It's a tiny city of houses, a couple of schools, a bank, and a gas station. Lovely neighborhood, but it won't have for what you're looking).
From the East Bay Regional Park website:
"Overlooking the lake is Chabot Family Campground, a year-round getaway only minutes from the city (camping fee). The camp has 75 trailer, tent, or walk-in campsites, hot showers, naturalist-led campfire programs, an amphitheater, and hiking/fishing access to Lake Chabot. There are reservable youth group campsites within the park as well. For reservations, telephone (510) 562-2267, up to 12 weeks in advance." http://www.ebparks.org/parks/anchabot.htm
There are a few trailer parks in Oakland, but I don't know if you can leave your trailer there for a bit without intention of staying.
To the south (about a ten minute drive from Piedmont, and right on the southern border of Oakland) is Anthony Chabot Regional Park. The park is quite large, and provides many different spots for camping AND trailer parking (it has both, though it is a park setting. If you were hoping for somewhere within the cities to park your trailer, Piedmont won't have anything. It's a tiny city of houses, a couple of schools, a bank, and a gas station. Lovely neighborhood, but it won't have for what you're looking).
From the East Bay Regional Park website:
"Overlooking the lake is Chabot Family Campground, a year-round getaway only minutes from the city (camping fee). The camp has 75 trailer, tent, or walk-in campsites, hot showers, naturalist-led campfire programs, an amphitheater, and hiking/fishing access to Lake Chabot. There are reservable youth group campsites within the park as well. For reservations, telephone (510) 562-2267, up to 12 weeks in advance." http://www.ebparks.org/parks/anchabot.htm
There are a few trailer parks in Oakland, but I don't know if you can leave your trailer there for a bit without intention of staying.
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