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Babeh
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camping in PA, where can we go roughing it?
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.
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