Madison / Pittsburgh S.E. KOA

The Great Outdoors

While camping at Madison / Pittsburgh S.E. KOA, you're just a short drive from Cedar Creek Park, which encompasses 479 acres along the Youghiogheny River. There are various sports fields, an indoor activity center, and outdoor pavilions that can be rented for picnics. Coincide your visit with a summer concert at the beautiful outdoor amphitheater or hit one of the hiking, biking, or equestrian trails of the Great Allegheny Passage.Follow the Youghiogheny River south from Cedar Creek Park, and you’ll arrive at the Ohiopyle State Park, which centers around a 14-mile-long gorge. It’s renowned as one of the best whitewater rafting destinations in the eastern United States, as well as encompassing numerous hiking trails that lead to its cascades and waterfalls. You can go hiking or biking along the Youghiogheny River Trail or join one of the local whitewater rafting outfitters to tackle its legendary rapids.Adjacent to the Ohiopyle State Park is the Bear Run Nature Reserve, which is named after a tributary of the Youghiogheny River. It’s famously home to a residence known as Fallingwater designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, which was partially constructed over the Mill Run section of Bear Run. It’s been hailed by some as one of Wright’s “most beautiful jobs,” and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of “The 20th-Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright.”Ruffs Dale campers also have easy access to the Laurel Hill State Park, which centers around a human-made lake that’s a popular destination for trout, perch, and bass fishing. If you’re visiting during the summer months, you can stretch your legs along the Hemlock Trail while in the winter months, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing are all on offer. Also nearby is the Roaring Run Natural Area, a scenic woodland reserve that’s crisscrossed by streams fed by Laurel Ridge’s natural springs. Hikers can follow the North Loop trail that accesses the remains of an old logging railroad or enjoy a short walk along the 3.3-mile-long Roaring Run Trail.

Exploring the City

Madison / Pittsburgh S.E. KOA is a convenient base for visiting Pittsburgh, which lies around 45 minutes’ drive to the northwest in Allegheny County. It’s home to outstanding museums that include the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and the Carnegie Museum of Art, as well as the modern Andy Warhol Museum. You can escape the hustle and bustle of the city at the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens or experience all the footballing excitement of seeing the Pittsburgh Steelers play a home game at Heinz Field.Camp in an RV near New Stanton and you’re within easy access of a handful of supermarkets where you can pick up grocery supplies. There are also gas stations in New Stanton if you need to fill up your RV rental, along with a few eateries if you want to dine out.Just to the north of the RV campground is the city of Greensburg, which is home to the Westmoreland Museum of American Art. It’s devoted to American art, with a particular focus on artists from southwestern Pennsylvania. Admire the works of Mary Cassatt, Thomas Eakins, and Childe Hassam that are on display, together with pieces by Gilbert Stuart and John Singleton Copley.Continue north from Greensburg, and you’ll arrive in Historic Hanna's Town, which was established in 1773 as Westmoreland County’s first seat of government. Many of the original log cabins have been rebuilt, together with the early frontier Hanna’s Tavern and a reconstructed Revolutionary War-era fort. Stop in at the Westmoreland History Education Center to explore its exhibits that detail the town’s 18th-century history, then browse the gifts and souvenirs for sale in the museum shop.Whether you want to get active along the banks of the Youghiogheny River or discover the museums of Pittsburgh, book an RV in Westmoreland County and start planning your next vacation.