How much does camping cost at Youghiogheny Recreation Area ?

Camping fees at Youghiogheny Recreation Area range from $65/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Is Youghiogheny Recreation Area first-come first-served or reservation?

Youghiogheny Recreation Area operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Can I see photos of campsites at Youghiogheny Recreation Area before I book?

Yes! Youghiogheny Recreation Area has 2 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Youghiogheny Recreation Area ?

Youghiogheny Recreation Area is open April 01 to October 08. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Youghiogheny Recreation Area ?

Youghiogheny Recreation Area does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Are dogs allowed at Youghiogheny Recreation Area ?

Pets are not allowed at Youghiogheny Recreation Area . This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What activities can I do at Youghiogheny Recreation Area ?

Popular activities at Youghiogheny Recreation Area include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Youghiogheny Recreation Area

4.35

10 reviews

497 Flanigan Rd Conflunce Pa

Top 3% in MDFall

FishingSummer Destination

Featured in:Boating Camping Maryland

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,434 ft

Price

$65/night

Booking

Check Site

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Youghiogheny Recreation Area Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,434 ft

Price

$65/night

Booking

Check Site

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Youghiogheny Recreation Area Official Website

Get Directions

Youghiogheny Recreation Area

$65.00 - $65.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Klondike Pavilion: $65.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No paid fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(814) 395-3242

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

497 Flanigan Rd Conflunce Pa

Youghiogheny Recreation Area

497 Flanigan Rd Conflunce Pa

Weather at Youghiogheny Recreation Area

Current alerts(3)

Alcohol is prohibitted.
All resevations are made through recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.
The phone number for the Resource Managers Office is 814-395-3242.

Best Time to Camp at Youghiogheny Recreation Area

Best season: fall. Fall offers the best combination of comfortable weather and spectacular scenery — daytime highs typically in the 50s–60s°F with crisp nights in the 30s–40s°F — making hiking, biking, and lakeside viewing especially pleasant. The surrounding northern hardwood forests reach peak color in late September through October, and boating/fishing remain very good with fewer summer crowds. Weekdays are generally quiet while popular weekends (leaf-peeping and hunting overlap) can draw more visitors, so plan Peak months: October, September, May, June Avoid: January, February

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

5.0 / 5

Top 3% in MD

Fall cited as best season: comfortable weather plus spectacular scenery and foliage.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: April 01 to October 08. Book 2-3 months ahead.

About Youghiogheny Recreation Area

Youghiogheny Recreation Area sits along the Youghiogheny River Lake in the Laurel Highlands, where the river widens into calm water backed by forested ridges. Visitors come for fishing at the stocked dam outflow, picnicking in well-maintained pavilions, and swimming at the beach on the far side of the dam. The area stays clean and peaceful, with families returning for the waterfalls and quiet atmosphere.

Camping is offered at the Youghiogheny area; specific site types and accommodations are not detailed in the provided information.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall offers the best combination of comfortable weather and spectacular scenery — daytime highs typically in the 50s–60s°F with crisp nights in the 30s–40s°F — making hiking, biking, and lakeside viewing especially pleasant. The surrounding northern hardwood forests reach peak color in late September through October, and boating/fishing remain very good with fewer summer crowds. Weekdays are generally quiet while popular weekends (leaf-peeping and hunting overlap) can draw more visitors, so plan Peak months: October, September, May, June Avoid: January, February

Elevation1434 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe landscape here follows classic Appalachian form: narrow valleys pressed between high rounded hills and steep slopes covered in northern hardwood forests. The river's power shows most dramatically at the dam, where water thunders over the outflow in heavy curtains. Mature beech, sugar maple, white ash, yellow poplar, and basswood create dense canopy throughout the area. White-tailed deer browse at dawn and dusk, black bears move through the understory, and wild turkeys frequent the clearings. You'll also spot ruffed grouse flushing from brush, plus the usual rabbits and squirrels. The lake itself opens up views across the water to the surrounding ridgelines.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

AccessibilityHandicap-accessible path from the parking lot to the pavilion.

Recommended SitesThe Klondike Pavilion provides convenient access to two nearby restrooms via a short walk, a handicap-accessible path from the parking lot, and a short path to the beach area and boat launch. A fishing pier is located in the campground.

Amenities available

The Klondike Pavilion provides parking, grills, tables, electric (at the pavilion), waste receptacles, and a buffet-style countertop. The pavilion has a short walk to two restrooms and a handicap-accessible path from the parking lot; a short path leads to the beach area and boat launch.

Picnic tables

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

The area offers a wide range of water- and land-based recreation, including camping, boating and water skiing, fishing, hiking, biking, picnicking and wildlife viewing. The lake and surrounding forested hills provide settings for sightseeing and nature observation.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

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Policies & Safety

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Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.4

10 reviews

Recommended

Youghiogheny Recreation Area is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews are overwhelmingly positive, describing Youghiogheny Recreation Area as a beautiful, peaceful, and very well‑maintained spot for camping, fishing, picnics, and day use. Visitors consistently mention clean facilities, scenic waterfalls and water views, and an overall relaxing atmosphere that families and repeat visitors enjoy.

Review Summaries

Based on 10 reviews

What Campers Love

Campers and day-use visitors love the natural beauty, including “thundering waterfalls,” the power of the water, and good trout fishing at the dam outflow. The campground and park areas are...

Based on 10 reviews

Common Concerns

The only recurring issue mentioned is that gnats can be bad at times. No other consistent complaints about facilities or operations appear in the reviews provided.

Based on 10 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Several reviewers highlight particular facilities: Jones Pavilion is noted as “nice” and having electric, and the Klondike Pavilion in the Spillway loop is described as “just spectacular” with a...

Based on 10 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Be prepared for gnats, especially in warmer months, by bringing bug spray or other protection. Consider using the Jones Pavilion if you need electricity, or the Klondike Pavilion for a particularly...

Based on 10 reviews

Camper Quotes

“Very nice. Camp ground was full but it was kept very clean.. Above average for a state park.. Shower house was clean.” “The Yough dam outflow is a breeding ground for fish and is stocked with trout....

Based on 10 reviews

Accessibility Features

One reviewer specifically notes a “handicap ramp and platform” at the fishing area, indicating at least some accessible infrastructure for people with mobility needs to enjoy fishing. No additional...

Based on 10 reviews

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Nearby Campgrounds

Outflow Camping sits along Youghiogheny River Lake near Confluence, Pennsylvania, in the Allegheny foothills. Operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, this campground offers full-hookup RV sites, tent camping, and group options with access to the Great Allegheny Passage trail. Campers fish, boat, bike, and hike during the seasonal operating period, with clean facilities and helpful hosts noted by visitors.

$25.00 - $65.00 / night

Frequently Visited

4.3

(69)

Mill Run Recreation Area

Youghiogheny River Lake

Mill Run Recreation Area sits on Youghiogheny River Lake in Pennsylvania's foothills, managed through Recreation.gov. This small campground offers tent and RV sites with a designated swim area, dump station, and flush toilets. Campers fish, boat, and explore nearby Ohiopyle State Park during the seasonal operating window.

$20.00 - $20.00 / night

PO BOX 105, OHIOPYLE, Pennsylvania, 15470, United States

Ohiopyle State Park sits above the Youghiogheny River gorge in the Laurel Highlands, offering 200 campsites that range from walk-in tent spots to RV sites accommodating 50-foot rigs. The park includes cabins and primitive sites. Fees run $26-$80 per night. The campground puts you within reach of whitewater, waterfalls, and the Great Allegheny Passage trail, but expect train noise at night and sloped, uneven ground at many sites.

$26.00 - $80.00 / night

Frequently Visited

4.6

(11)

Laurel Ridge State Park

1117 JIM MOUNTAIN ROAD, ROCKWOOD, Pennsylvania, 15557, United States

Laurel Ridge State Park sits atop Laurel Mountain ridge, spanning the stretch from the Youghiogheny River at Ohiopyle to the Conemaugh Gorge near Johnstown. At 2,707 feet, the park offers primitive tent camping and access to the 70-mile Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail, which threads through ridgetop forest and features overnight shelters with fire rings and firewood. The semi-wilderness corridor attracts backpackers and day hikers seeking rugged terrain without total isolation.

Tents

Primitive

17.836 km

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Highly Popular

4.6

(230)

Laurel Hill State Park

1454 LAUREL HILL PARK ROAD, SOMERSET, Pennsylvania, 15501, United States

Laurel Hill State Park sits at 2,257 feet in Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands near Somerset, offering 145 campsites around a 63-acre lake. Sites range from tent pads to full-hookup RV spots and cabins, with rates from $20 to $75 per night. Reviewers consistently praise the cleanliness. One visitor called the facilities "the cleanest I've ever seen at a campground". Though cell service is spotty or absent for most carriers.

$20.00 - $75.00 / night

Frequently Visited

4.7

(49)

Savage River State Forest

Maryland State Parks, Maryland

Savage River State Forest sits at 2,674 feet on Maryland's Appalachian plateau, offering 26 primitive campsites along the Savage River, tributaries, and reservoir. Expect vault toilets, fire rings, and no hookups. Cell service is effectively nonexistent for all major carriers, so download maps before you arrive.

New Germany State Park

Maryland State Parks, Maryland

New Germany State Park sits at 2,566 feet in a dense hemlock-hardwood forest around a quiet 10-acre lake. The campground has 54 sites across three loops (Pines, White Oak, Hemlock), plus modern cabins with full kitchens. Roads and driveways are tight. Reviewers warn against large RVs. Electric hookups are scarce (only two confirmed sites), and cell service is essentially nonexistent throughout the park.

943 GLADES PIKE, SOMERSET, Pennsylvania, 15501, United States

Kooser State Park sits at 2,600 feet on the eastern foothills of Laurel Mountain, a 250-acre forest retreat popular with families and anglers. The campground has 35 sites plus cabin rentals, with fees running $1–5 per night. Highway noise is audible throughout the park, but clean facilities and productive trout fishing keep visitors coming back.

$1.00 - $5.00 / night

Less Visited

0.0

(1)

Deep Creek Lake State Park

Maryland State Parks, Maryland

Nestled along the sparkling waters of Deep Creek Lake, this scenic state park offers the perfect blend of water adventures and woodland exploration. Launch your kayak from the shore, pedal through forest trails on the beloved Cherry Creek loop, or discover local wildlife at the nature center's aviary. Whether you're seeking paddling adventures or peaceful hikes with water views, the park's shoreline and wooded uplands create an ideal mountain lake escape.

119 campsites

Reservable

32.132 km

$3.00 - $5.00 / night

Less Visited

4.5

(43)

Swallow Falls State Park

Maryland State Parks, Maryland

Swallow Falls State Park sits along the Youghiogheny River in western Maryland's hemlock forest, offering 69 sites and direct access to short waterfall hikes. The campground has showers, flush toilets, and a small number of electric/water hookup sites. Sites are generally small and close together, with uneven terrain in places.

Maryland State Parks, Maryland

Big Run State Park sits at 1,503 feet in Western Maryland's Savage River valley, offering 30 primitive campsites along Big Run creek and the Savage River Reservoir. The wooded sites are well-spaced and attract paddlers, anglers, and campers willing to trade cell service and running water for quiet and seclusion. Reserve sites along Big Run Road online if you want those specific locations.

Campgrounds

Youghiogheny Recreation Area

About Youghiogheny River Lake

Context for the broader area surrounding Youghiogheny Recreation Area , sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

In the heart of the Laurel Highlands and spanning the Mason-Dixon line between Pennsylvania and Maryland lays Youghiogheny River Lake. Boaters consider Youghiogheny River Lake, with its 16-mile length and channels up to one-half mile wide, the best powerboat and water-skiing lake in southwestern Pennsylvania. The tail waters of the dam are one of the few in Pennsylvania open for trout fishing year round and are stocked by the Fish and Boat Commission on a regular basis throughout the spring and summer.

Directions

From Confluence, PA, go .5 miles south on PA 281.