How much does camping cost at Bush Recreation Area?

Camping fees at Bush Recreation Area are $25 - $50/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

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

Bush Recreation Area accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

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

Yes! Bush Recreation Area has 5 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 Bush Recreation Area?

Bush Recreation Area is open April 01 to September 14. 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 Bush Recreation Area?

Yes, Bush Recreation Area has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

How many campsites does Bush Recreation Area have?

Bush Recreation Area has 50 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Bush Recreation Area?

Yes, pets are allowed at Bush Recreation Area. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Bush Recreation Area?

Bush Recreation Area offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

Bush Recreation Area

4.20

165 reviews

440 Loyalhanna Dam Road

C+Report Card

Summer Destination

Featured in:Best Campgrounds Pennsylvania

Quick Facts

948 ft

Price

$25 - $50/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

50 campsites

Season

Open May 9 - Septemb...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

948 ft

Price

$25 - $50/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

50 campsites

Season

Open May 9 - Septemb...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Official Website

Get Directions

Bush Recreation Area

$25.00 - $50.00 / night

Campsite Fees

GROUP TENT ONLY AREA NONELECTRIC: $50.00; RV ELECTRIC & Water: $35.00; RV ELECTRIC-468372: $30.00; STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $25.00; TENT ONLY...

Group Site Fee$50.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

724-639-9013Ryan.D.Smith@usace.army.mil

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

440 Loyalhanna Dam Road

Bush Recreation Area

440 Loyalhanna Dam Road

Nearby places

New Alexandria (approximately 10 miles), Pittsburgh (approximately 40 miles)

Weather at Bush Recreation Area

Current alerts(13)

Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
All Drone use is prohibited on property.
Be aware that the campground and boat launch can be closed due to a high water event.
Camping at one or more campsites at any one water resource project for a period longer than 14 days during any 30-consecutive-day period is prohibited without the written permission of the District Commander.

Best Time to Camp at Bush Recreation Area

Best season: summer. Summer offers the fullest range of on-site activities — warm, stable weather (daytime highs typically in the mid-70s to mid-80s°F / 24–29°C, nights in the 50s–60s°F) and long daylight for boating, fishing, swimming and late-afternoon/hilltop hikes above Loyalhanna Lake. Campsites, RV hookups and group areas are fully open May 9 through September 13, and summer weekends see the highest activity levels while weekday stays are noticeably quieter. Expect occasional afternoon thunderstorms and active Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Best season: open and offers full range of water sports, rentals and fishing events.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: April 01 to September 14. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open May 9 - September 13 (Reservable season). Closed the rest of the year.

About Bush Recreation Area

Bush Recreation Area sits on the shores of Loyalhanna Lake near Saltsburg, Pennsylvania, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This mid-sized campground offers tent sites, RV hookups, primitive options, and group camping with electric and water hookups, showers, and a dump station. Campers enjoy spacious sites with scenic lake views, fishing, boating, and helpful camp hosts who keep the facilities clean and welcoming.

The Bush Recreation Area offers diverse camping options including tent camping, RV sites, and group camping. Sites vary from primitive tent spaces to RV hookups, with some featuring electric and water connections.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the fullest range of on-site activities — warm, stable weather (daytime highs typically in the mid-70s to mid-80s°F / 24–29°C, nights in the 50s–60s°F) and long daylight for boating, fishing, swimming and late-afternoon/hilltop hikes above Loyalhanna Lake. Campsites, RV hookups and group areas are fully open May 9 through September 13, and summer weekends see the highest activity levels while weekday stays are noticeably quieter. Expect occasional afternoon thunderstorms and active Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation948 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies rolling terrain at 948 feet elevation, where wooded ridges frame views of Loyalhanna Lake below. Bald eagles fish the lake most mornings. The mix of forest, water, and meadow supports songbirds and other wildlife. Some sites sit in open areas with lake exposure, while others tuck into wooded sections with more shade and privacy.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style accommodations are mentioned for this campground. It primarily caters to tent and RV camping.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are highlighted in the provided information.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

You may stay up to 14 nights at this campground during any visit and up to 14 nights total within a rolling 30-day period.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Up to 8 guests per site, depending on site type.

Groups

Group sites are available, accommodating larger numbers of campers. One group tent-only area is listed for $50 per night during peak season.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations available through Recreation.gov, contact center, and in-person.

AccessibilityAccessible features are not explicitly detailed, but some reviews note that the camp host actively assists campers, which might aid accessibility indirectly.

Site SizeCampsites are described as reasonably sized by multiple reviewers. "The campsites are a pretty good size," mentioned one camper.

PrivacyReports on privacy are mixed: "Each campsite was maybe 10 feet from the next," complained one reviewer, while others praised the wooded and secluded nature of certain sites.

Total Campsites50 campsites

Recommended SitesInner loop sites offer privacy and wooded settings; campers with trailers or RVs may prefer electric and water hookups on level sites.

Best CampsitesSites 020, 014, 033, and 036 get mentioned for lake views or convenient access to facilities. Privacy varies widely: some sites sit only 10 feet apart, while others feel more secluded in wooded sections.

Need help booking Bush Recreation Area?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

The Bush Recreation Area at Loyalhanna Lake offers a variety of amenities to enhance the camping experience. Every campsite is equipped with picnic tables and campfire grill rings, making it convenient for campers to enjoy meals outdoors. The campground has flushing toilets, drinking water access, showers, and a dump station. Showers are private and upgraded, though multiple user reviews highlight that they operate on a push-button mechanism, requiring reactivation every 7-10 seconds. Drinking water is advertised as available; however, numerous user reviews cite issues with this, including notices of non-potable water and rusty water at some locations. This creates ambiguity regarding consistent potable water availability. Cell phone reception varies significantly—some reviewers mention difficulty making calls, while others note no reception at all. Firewood is not available on-site, according to certain reviews.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

I manage this campground

RV details

Things to do at Bush Recreation Area

The Bush Recreation Area offers a wide range of recreational activities. Visitors can engage in boating with unlimited horsepower, as well as kayaking and canoeing with rentals available. Fishing is highly popular, with bass tournaments and frequent fish stockings, making it a top destination for channel catfish anglers in Pennsylvania. Bird watching and wildlife viewing are common, with eagles and other species regularly observed. While the site itself lacks hiking and biking trails, the West Penn Trail is located 10 minutes away.

Boating4.0/5

Boating permitted with unlimited horsepower; kayak/canoe rentals available.

Wildlife viewing4.0/5

Bald eagles fish the lake most mornings; songbirds and other wildlife common.

Water Sports4.0/5

Winter Activities

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Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

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Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.2

165 reviews

Satisfactory

Bush Recreation Area is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews for the Bush Recreation Area are mixed, with both positive and negative experiences reported. Visitors commonly praise the helpfulness of the camp host, Darlene, and the peaceful environment. However, water quality concerns and inconsistent enforcement of rules detract from some campers' experiences.

Review Summaries

Based on 165 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive reviews emphasize the friendliness and helpfulness of the camp host, spacious sites, clean facilities, and scenic views. "Darlene, the camp host, is wonderful. She was so helpful," noted one...

Based on 165 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints include non-potable water at certain locations, push-button showers, lack of swimming areas, and inconsistent enforcement of quiet hours. "The water available for tent campers was a rusty...

Based on 165 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site-specific reviews highlight both positive and negative aspects. "Site 28 had a garbage bin nearby, generating unpleasant odors," noted one user. Another recommended avoiding certain sites due to...

Based on 165 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring firewood, as it is not available on-site. Plan ahead if you require potable water and familiarize yourself with the push-button shower mechanism. "Make sure you are stocked up before you get...

Based on 165 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews indicate better camping experiences during the summer months when water sports are accessible. However, late-night noise and rule violations are more common during peak season.

Based on 165 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Darlene is great. I'll be coming back," said one reviewer. Another noted, "Very nice campground. Bathhouse and sites were clean. Lake is a stone’s throw away."

Based on 165 reviews

Accessibility Features

No direct reviews from users with disabilities are available, though the helpfulness of the camp host may indirectly assist visitors.

Based on 165 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, though some complaints involve barking dogs disturbing the peace. "We were booked for seven days but left after five because there was a dog that barked constantly," shared one...

Based on 165 reviews

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Bush Recreation Area

$25.00 - $50.00 / night

Campsite Fees

GROUP TENT ONLY AREA NONELECTRIC: $50.00; RV ELECTRIC & Water: $35.00; RV ELECTRIC-468372: $30.00; STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $25.00; TENT ONLY...

Group Site Fee$50.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

724-639-9013Ryan.D.Smith@usace.army.mil

Go if

You want a family-friendly lake campground with full hookups, clean facilities, and excellent fishing access.

Skip if

You need potable water at your site, wide RV roads, or a designated swim beach.

Nearby Campgrounds

1150 KEYSTONE PARK ROAD, DERRY, Pennsylvania, 15627, United States

Keystone State Park spreads across 1,200 acres in Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands near Derry, where 99 campsites and 14 cabins ring a man-made lake at 1,109 feet elevation. The park splits camping between two areas: Hillside offers 40 sites and 11 cabins, while Lakeside has 59 sites and 3 cottages. Sites run $25-35 per night and fill quickly on summer weekends when families claim spots for swimming, boating, and fishing.

Bush Recreation Area

Quick Facts

Quick Facts

Get Notified When Available

Ask Camp Sage about Bush Recreation Area

Campground Map

Weather at Bush Recreation Area

Current alerts(13)

Best Time to Camp at Bush Recreation Area

Planning Tips

About Bush Recreation Area

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Bush Recreation Area?

Amenities available

RV details

Things to do at Bush Recreation Area

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Site-Specific Reviews

Get Notified When Available

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Ask Camp Sage about Bush Recreation Area

Current alerts(13)

Best Time to Camp at Bush Recreation Area

Planning Tips

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Bush Recreation Area?

Amenities available

Things to do at Bush Recreation Area

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Site-Specific Reviews