New owners from PA

[5picker]

Originally Posted by labcamper

Thanks. We camp with our dog and Google map showed #5 to be a good site. PA Sp's are tough on dogs.

You should be fine there.
1-2-5-6-9 are probably the best sites (for dogs & otherwise) and the rest are all very good.
As Havercamp mentioned, there is some road noise at Kooser. Not terrible but not secluded quiet.

Either SP, Kooser or Laurel Hill is about 5 miles from where I work.

Enjoy!

[labcamper]

Thanks. This is our first trip to the Laurels. Going over Easter break. We will explore the other parks and the bike trail. How far is the GAP from Kooser?

[5picker]

Originally Posted by labcamper

Thanks. This is our first trip to the Laurels. Going over Easter break. We will explore the other parks and the bike trail. How far is the GAP from Kooser?

The Great Allegheny Passage isn't real close to either Kooser or Laurel Hill.
Don't get me wrong, not terribly far. I would think the closet place to get the trail would be Rockwood, PA or Confluence, Pa but either of those are likely 15-20 miles.

[Mr Havercamp]

Originally Posted by 5picker

The Great Allegheny Passage isn't real close to either Kooser or Laurel Hill.
Don't get me wrong, not terribly far. I would think the closet place to get the trail would be Rockwood, PA or Confluence, Pa but either of those are likely 15-20 miles.

The way to ride the GAP for a day to get the best bang out of it is take two vehicles to the campground with you. Shuttle one down to either Frostburg or Mt Savage MD and then drive the other back to Rockwood then jump on the GAP eastbound. That way you ride the Salisbury and Keystone viaduct and Big Savage and Borden tunnels. Easily done leisurely in a few/3 or 4 hours, about 30 miles. It will take a little over an hour each time to shuttle the vehicles from Kooser. It's a great day ride. You just have to make sure they have the Big Savage tunnel open.....it usually opens early April but sometimes gets delayed. The ride over Big Savage is awesome.

You could also hit it at Ohiopyle for the day, no more than a 30 or 40 minute drive from Kooser if you scope out the cross country route through Scullton.

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[labcamper]

Thanks. We were thinking of going to Confluence. We normally ride 10 - 15 miles. 30 is a bit much and we are slow riders 8-10mph. I'll checkout Rockwood. How about the Laurel hiking trail going north from Kooser. Is it single track, Rocky, elevations. We might take a road trip on a Sunday to check things out we're near Reading.

[ben31]

Welcome to the family! I hope you have many fun years with your new toy!

[Mr Havercamp]

Originally Posted by labcamper

Thanks. We were thinking of going to Confluence. We normally ride 10 - 15 miles. 30 is a bit much and we are slow riders 8-10mph. I'll checkout Rockwood. How about the Laurel hiking trail going north from Kooser. Is it single track, Rocky, elevations. We might take a road trip on a Sunday to check things out we're near Reading.

Certain sections of the LHHT can be sort of challenging but it's mostly on the ridge top, so you do not really get any long climbs. There are some nice trails at Laurel Hill State Park, The Hemlock trail is a must see if you've never been there.

Also a short drive from Kooser (less than 8 miles) is Laurel Summit state park, the LHHT runs right through it. The roads to get there are gravel and sort of "rustic" but 4WD is not required. Spruce flats bog is interesting and not far from the road, and Wolf Rocks trail (about 1 3/4 miles in and out each way) is awesome, take a camera, especially in April before the leaves are out. A mile or so further out Laurel Summit Road in Forbes state forest is Beams Rocks which is worth seeing also.

[labcamper]

Thanks all, I've been checking out the FB pages for the GAP and LHHT. Looks great!
We might be rethinking Kooser and go to Laurel Hill.
Need a good site recommendation in the dog loop. We do not need full service, just electric and privacy. I can't really see much via Google maps, that's why I'm asking.
making reservations in February for April trip.

[Mr Havercamp]

Originally Posted by labcamper

Thanks all, I've been checking out the FB pages for the GAP and LHHT. Looks great!
We might be rethinking Kooser and go to Laurel Hill.
Need a good site recommendation in the dog loop. We do not need full service, just electric and privacy. I can't really see much via Google maps, that's why I'm asking.
making reservations in February for April trip.

I guess this will depend on your definition of privacy. A lot of the sites in the pet section are large but since they are located in what was essentially a pasture before the park was built in the 30's they are not wooded between the sites. When I have some free time I'll send you our favorites and try and mark up some Google Earth views and such. In April if it's not opening day of Trout the campground usually has light occupancy and maybe even some snow on the ground. Also take some 2X boards and lynx blocks because you'll most likely need them. Most sites in the pet section are not level. I can probably tell you how much you need under the low side tires on the sites I'll send you. Give me a day or two or 3.

[PSUFan1]

Originally Posted by Mr Havercamp

The way to ride the GAP for a day to get the best bang out of it is take two vehicles to the campground with you. Shuttle one down to either Frostburg or Mt Savage MD and then drive the other back to Rockwood then jump on the GAP eastbound. That way you ride the Salisbury and Keystone viaduct and Big Savage and Borden tunnels. Easily done leisurely in a few/3 or 4 hours, about 30 miles. It will take a little over an hour each time to shuttle the vehicles from Kooser. It's a great day ride. You just have to make sure they have the Big Savage tunnel open.....it usually opens early April but sometimes gets delayed. The ride over Big Savage is awesome.

You could also hit it at Ohiopyle for the day, no more than a 30 or 40 minute drive from Kooser if you scope out the cross country route through Scullton.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Forest River Forums mobile app

Road the GAP trail for the first time last summer. Did a 3 day trip from Pittsburgh to Cumberland MD. Great ride.

[Mr Havercamp]

Originally Posted by labcamper

Thanks all, I've been checking out the FB pages for the GAP and LHHT. Looks great!
We might be rethinking Kooser and go to Laurel Hill.
Need a good site recommendation in the dog loop. We do not need full service, just electric and privacy. I can't really see much via Google maps, that's why I'm asking.
making reservations in February for April trip.

57 is pick of the litter, just re-done and opened back up last July. Really long gravel pad, fairly level, and new 50 amp service. Extremely large, lots of room for puppies. If you back in until your wheels are at rear of pad your camper will screen you from the pull through site behind. Fire ring is in good location. Only downsides IMO are if it rains really hard you will get some runoff between pad and large maple you can see in the picture. Good late day shade. Shower house is screened by large pines.

19, not so much private but nice, medium sized with a couple nice maples, fairly level, You'll need a long extension cord for the power on this one. A 30 in addition to your regular cord should do. They have one twin 30 amp pedestal between every two sites. Use an EMS. Old power. It works but you never know. They now call it 20 amp but still has a 30 amp receptacle as do all. Not an issue when not crowded which is should not be in April.

64A - Large, no gravel pad, old power but its ok. If you back straight in close to 64 your camper screens you if anyone is on that site and the large pines screen you from the center road.

83- Huge, no one hardly ever on 84, no gravel, new 50 amp power, you'll have to work on the level on this one. Might be tough if wet getting in.

Any questions just ask. For giggles I threw up a picture of that area of the campground when it was still a farm from 1939 right after the CCC built the entire park and one from 1967 while they were building that section of the campground. Lots of CCC history at this park. When you go into the main campground entrance the gift shop / CCC museum to the left is the farmhouse you see in the 1939 pic which I circled.

[labcamper]

Thanks for the info Mr H. #57 was not reserveable and we did not want to park on a grassy site. We booked #81. Was going for #82, but max size for that site was 20 feet. So our Rockwood is only 25 feet and #81 hopefully will work.
What did you say wee needed for the electric service?
This is our first trip to the Highlands, so it will be a learning experience and a fun time. The pups will love it!

[5picker]

Originally Posted by labcamper

Thanks for the info Mr H. #57 was not reserveable and we did not want to park on a grassy site. We booked #81. Was going for #82, but max size for that site was 20 feet. So our Rockwood is only 25 feet and #81 hopefully will work.
What did you say wee needed for the electric service?
This is our first trip to the Highlands, so it will be a learning experience and a fun time. The pups will love it!

You'll see when you get there how much different the sites are than the booking description. We've stayed on #82 a few times with an older 5th wheel that was 28'. There's a big tree that kind of blocks 81 from 82 and I think that's why the length restriction. You kind of have to back in near it. It really isn't in the way though.

I'm guessing you will like 81 better than 82 as 81 is more level IIRC.

[Mr Havercamp]

Originally Posted by labcamper

Thanks for the info Mr H. #57 was not reserveable and we did not want to park on a grassy site. We booked #81. Was going for #82, but max size for that site was 20 feet. So our Rockwood is only 25 feet and #81 hopefully will work.
What did you say wee needed for the electric service?
This is our first trip to the Highlands, so it will be a learning experience and a fun time. The pups will love it!

It will work and you will fit easily. 5picker is correct there is a pine about 80 feet high and probably 30' in diameter that separates it from 82. That site was just reopened last July from the upgrades and has new 50 amp service. The pedestal will have a 50, a 30 and two standard 15 amp receptacles. Those upgraded sites now have an individual pedestal for every site. I can not remember how that pedestal is oriented but I believe no extension cord will be required but may want to have a 25' one just in case. I may make it up there in the next couple of months to take the granddaughter sled riding and if so I'll get some pictures for you. It's not an overly large site and you'll be facing a steep bank and the playground is about 50' from the top of that bank. The playground will have little use in April if any. You'll like that one I think. I stayed on it once over 5 years ago.

[Mr Havercamp]

labcamper, here are some pics from 81. At sometime last year they trimmed out the bottom of the pine that separated 81 from 8 for whatever reason. Hope this helps as it was a little snowy.

[labcamper]

81 was the best site! That whole big park was almost empty except for the dog loop.Riley was tired from the long hike. There was some leftover snow at the ski slope. Lotsa opening day fisherman in the area.
Thanks again.