Pittsburgh Parks

[joraz]

We're going to visit our daughter in Pittsburgh in September. I've read there are issues around there with narrow roads and low bridges. Anyhow, I'm looking for recommendations on places to park the rig (40 footer and toad). We don't need to park real near to her house. She lives in the North Shore area near Allegheny General Hospital. Thanks.
jor

[cbshoestring]

Be careful when looking for a CG in this area. A lot of land owners took advantage of the increase in migrant workers due to fracking wells. I said fracking, honest, not a swear word. Throw in some water and electric, buy a honey wagon for the tractor. Ta-da....campground!!!!

Sounds like Mountain top may be one of THOSE.

Pine Cove is also NEW, however, judging by their website, may be a more respectful place. Albeit rather far from PGH.

That of course is the problem. Pittsburgh has no CLOSE campgrounds. Several State parks worth a stay, but not really close. Guess it depends on how long the OP is staying, how close they want to be, and what type of amenities is expected. Lots of nice places to stay about a hour outside the city. Mountains, lakes, creeks, etc... just not many real close.

EDIT: I just noticed that you said you are not worrying about being real close. Do you have a preferenc? ....Mountains to the east, several large State Parks on lakes and near streams. Several private CG's. Amish country north and west. Shopping? Casino?

[journey15]

rr2254545 wrote:

journey15 wrote:
Just stayed a few days at Mountain Top and will not go back. We were there for the sole purpose of visiting our son and family who lives in Pittsburgh.
They do not have sewage hookups but we were not told this when we made our reservations. There are a lot of campers there who appear to be there on a work assignment. These RV's are parked around the perimeter and are allowed to drain their gray water off of the side of the "mountain" top. Who's to say that these folks don't also allow black tank drainage to drain out? They have a honey wagon that they charge $25 for a pump out once weekly on Wednesday's. There is a low hanging power line that d****s across the entrance lane to the campground, where by the way, the dump station is also. The sites are on a grassy field that are unlevel. The entrance to the campground is up a winding narrow road that if you meet someone, it is a scary situation to say the least.
If you do decide to visit, be aware that you need to follow the directions on their website and not the GPS. Take exit 16 off of Hwy 28 and not exit 14. Exit 14 has a 10 ft. 8 inch one lane tunnel on it.
They have no amenities whatsoever. These people that own this campground say they purchased it a year ago and are going to be making improvements. But there was no activity while we were there to indicate this.
We visited 2 other campgrounds in the car while we were there and have decided when we go back, we will stay at Pine Cove. The KOA in Washington is a dump and a disgrace to the KOA name, in my opinion.
Sad to say, there really aren't any really close to Pittsburgh. I wish there were!

This is on their home page guess you did not see it

We have both back-in and pull-through sites, 30 or 50 amp electric and water hookups, and a dump station on site. We offer a tank clean-out service and laundry facilities if you will be staying with us for a longer period of time. A limited number of tent sites and bathroom and shower facilities are also available. Big rigs welcome!

Can you tell us more

When I made the reservations I told them I wanted "full hookups" as were going to be there 6 nights. No problem I was told. Got W/E only when I arrived. You also have to share water hookups with your neighbors if there is one. Not too good, in my opinion also. The water faucet leaked very badly and we told the owner about it. Granted, he did repair it.

[NeverHome2]

I've lived in the Pittsburgh area all my life and operated big trucks all over and in town. Now there are interstates into, out of and in Pittsburgh. All bridges, tunnels, overpasses are over 13'6" so no problem. AGH is on the old truck route of RT. 19 before I-79 was built. From the east or south exit off the I-279 onto 10th St. then turn left onto the 9th street bridge and go up to AGH. There is no place to park your RV there but you can take your toad.

The problem with campgrounds is the same with truckstops. No one can afford the high taxes to operate a high end large acreage facility. You will have to find a campground out of the urban/suburban sprawl outside the 50 mile radius of town. Don't be afraid of taking your motorhome through town. The truck routes are clearly marked and will keep you out of trouble.

[rr2254545]

journey15 wrote:
Just stayed a few days at Mountain Top and will not go back. We were there for the sole purpose of visiting our son and family who lives in Pittsburgh.
They do not have sewage hookups but we were not told this when we made our reservations. There are a lot of campers there who appear to be there on a work assignment. These RV's are parked around the perimeter and are allowed to drain their gray water off of the side of the "mountain" top. Who's to say that these folks don't also allow black tank drainage to drain out? They have a honey wagon that they charge $25 for a pump out once weekly on Wednesday's. There is a low hanging power line that d****s across the entrance lane to the campground, where by the way, the dump station is also. The sites are on a grassy field that are unlevel. The entrance to the campground is up a winding narrow road that if you meet someone, it is a scary situation to say the least.
If you do decide to visit, be aware that you need to follow the directions on their website and not the GPS. Take exit 16 off of Hwy 28 and not exit 14. Exit 14 has a 10 ft. 8 inch one lane tunnel on it.
They have no amenities whatsoever. These people that own this campground say they purchased it a year ago and are going to be making improvements. But there was no activity while we were there to indicate this.
We visited 2 other campgrounds in the car while we were there and have decided when we go back, we will stay at Pine Cove. The KOA in Washington is a dump and a disgrace to the KOA name, in my opinion.
Sad to say, there really aren't any really close to Pittsburgh. I wish there were!

This is on their home page guess you did not see it

We have both back-in and pull-through sites, 30 or 50 amp electric and water hookups, and a dump station on site. We offer a tank clean-out service and laundry facilities if you will be staying with us for a longer period of time. A limited number of tent sites and bathroom and shower facilities are also available. Big rigs welcome!

Can you tell us more

[journey15]

Just stayed a few days at Mountain Top and will not go back. We were there for the sole purpose of visiting our son and family who lives in Pittsburgh.
They do not have sewage hookups but we were not told this when we made our reservations. There are a lot of campers there who appear to be there on a work assignment. These RV's are parked around the perimeter and are allowed to drain their gray water off of the side of the "mountain" top. Who's to say that these folks don't also allow black tank drainage to drain out? They have a honey wagon that they charge $25 for a pump out once weekly on Wednesday's. There is a low hanging power line that d****s across the entrance lane to the campground, where by the way, the dump station is also. The sites are on a grassy field that are unlevel. The entrance to the campground is up a winding narrow road that if you meet someone, it is a scary situation to say the least.
If you do decide to visit, be aware that you need to follow the directions on their website and not the GPS. Take exit 16 off of Hwy 28 and not exit 14. Exit 14 has a 10 ft. 8 inch one lane tunnel on it.
They have no amenities whatsoever. These people that own this campground say they purchased it a year ago and are going to be making improvements. But there was no activity while we were there to indicate this.
We visited 2 other campgrounds in the car while we were there and have decided when we go back, we will stay at Pine Cove. The KOA in Washington is a dump and a disgrace to the KOA name, in my opinion.
Sad to say, there really aren't any really close to Pittsburgh. I wish there were!

[Dance_Chick]

We stayed at Fox Den Acres in New Stanton PA to visit some friends in Murrysville, which is near Pittsburgh. Googlemaps says New Stanton is 39 minutes from Pittsburgh.

[rr2254545]

Following this too as my son just moved to Pittsburg- wonder why none of us have heard of mountaintop - not in the data base for Good Sam -

On their website I see they are passport America

[cbshoestring]

Yeah Tom---how come I haven't heard of Mountaintop? Buttercup, Coopers, etc...YES. Never heard of Mountaintop.

Looks like it may be a nice place for a quick weekend get-away, not far from home. The boy just had me up to Millerstown pick-a-part looking for pieces for his car a week or two ago. I think I could pull the TT straight up Bull Creek.

EDIT: By the way, a weekly trip to FL leaving on a Sunday night :h I am thinking SELLS, probably not Black Horse. Or maybe down to ECM, although that stood for East Coast Mostly, when I worked for them.

[cbshoestring]

Pittsburgh is not exactly BIG RIG friendly. Perfectly OK, if you stay on the main interstates, but you don't want to get off onto the surface streets. Oneways, bridges, tunnels. The north shore----you don't want to park over there.

Smith Grove campground in Butler, PA is 38 miles. Straight shot up Rt 28. Not a fan----mostly permanent, dusty roads, people driving gas powered golf carts, ANNOYING----water, electric, dump on way out.

Bear Run CG in Portersville, PA 37 miles. I-279N to I-79 north. Small secure place. Haven't been in a while. Do not recall pull-thru sites. In fact, it is kinda on a hill.

Racoon State Park (west of town) 41 miles. Water/electric I believe. Most SP in Pa are just water/Electric.

My house---15 miles to AGH. Large, level grassy site---NO SERVICES, the owner is a complete idiot, has an extension cord running to his own TT. The neighborhood is quiet, so no loud parties unless you invite us.

What is the going rate for level, grassy area????? The US Open is coming to OCC next year. I am less than 5 miles away?????

If I can help you with anymore info----let me know.

[Tom_N]

The closest is Mountain Top CG. Not far from the Northside less than 30 minutes from AGH.

http://mountaintopcampground.com/

BTW, I drive directly across the Point in downtown Pittsburgh, mostly Sunday mornings, when traffic is light. I cross downtown and through the Fort Pitt Tunnel out toward the airport and then south on I-79 to FL. Don't attempt during weekly rush hour.

[Teacher_s_Pet]

I take it you have never been to Pittsburgh. My guess you'll be lucky to get within 30-45 minutes of her home. Narrow roads, steep cobblestone streets, tunnels, tight corners, cars parked on both sides of streets making them about a lane and a half, plus low bridges. All these come to mind as a person who traveled the area on business for over 20 years in a car or van.