I'll just keep updating the info here, so as not to take away from the discussion in the other threadI was fairly impressed with the improvements to the campgrounds at Paddler's Lane since the last time we camped there (Labor Day Weekend 2007). The grounds are very well taken care of - they keep the grass at a reasonable height, and all the other landscaping looks nice as well. We took the "car-camping spot" which is a spot (each "spot" has a fire-ring and most have a picnic table) where they allow you to pull your cars up (to hang tarps off of and the like) but the ground there has the tendency to dry slower then the rest of the ground (if its been raining recently) so I think we're gonna grab the one next to it (more spaces for tents around it) when we go up for the 4th. With the amount of people that we're gonna have I don't think the car-camping spot would work anyways. I took a few pictures of the campground while we were up there - I will post them either tonight or tomorrow.
The bathroom / shower facilities were very clean and well-maintained - they supply toilet paper, and handsoap. The men's side of the facility has two sinks/mirrors, one urinal, two stalls, and two shower stalls. I can guess that the women's side is similarly arranged (minus the urinal I would imagine).
Not a bad deal for $6 per person per night (additional $2 per night if you bring a dog). They have a dropbox to pay for camping but for a big group they might come by and ask us to pay ahead of time (though they've never done that to us). From what I understand, the folks who run the B&B and the campground (very friendly) live on the second floor of the bathhouse (I haven't been up there but I from what I saw from the ground it looks to be pretty nice) so they're generally always around.
Cons* The Trains - the campground is pretty close (about 100 yards or so) to railroad tracks, and what's more - a spot on the railroad where the tracks bend, so the trains can get pretty loud. But most people that I know that have camped there have been able to sleep through them (Morgan had no problems with them at all either). The worst it does during the day is put a nice little break in the conversation (as no one can hear each other some times when they go past)
* 10:00 PM Quiet Time - This is a generally accepted rule at almost any campground. Though, it will be 4th of July Weekend so I dunno that many people will be trying to be quiet. I really don't think this should be an issue but I would advise against 3:00 AM loud drunken renditions of Worthless Bitch.
If any of the following sounds like common sense or "thanks Dr. Obvious" sorry - I'm just trying to cover all the bases here 
DogsFor those bringing dogs - bring a leash, towel (all dogs love to jump in the river even if its unseasonably cold), bags (it is a campground but we do have to make an effort to clean up after the dogs) and expect to pay attention to your dog 24/7 - there are other dogs that roam about the campground. The owner's dog, River, is normally around every day, and is nice but blind, and will nose about every campground (always keep your coolers closed and food out away if you're not around).
FirewoodI mentioned in earlier post to buy as many supplies outside of Confluence as possible. Firewood is #1 on this list. From what I can gather, and judging by an average "bundle" size - the rule of thumb is one bundle per hour of decent fire you want. There aren't really any 24-7 gas stations anywhere nearby unless you want to go to Donegal and that's about 30 or so miles away, so stocking up before it gets dark is key.
1) So either everyone can pick up firewood on their way in - The gas stations right off of the Donegal exit from the Turnpike always have a lot and there is a Sunoco on Route 40 East right by Nemacolin Woodlands about 15 miles from Confluence but the stores in town - the Confluence Foodmart and the Dollar General have a tendency to run out.
2) Everyone can chip in and at some point on Friday and Saturday we can take an empty car and make a firewood run.
Things to BringYes, we are going there in July, and yes we will have a fire. But this is right in the mountains and it can get a little chilly at night, and when you're outside in it - high 40s/low 50s can feel like the 30s. Outside of whatever other summer-y clothes one may bring, I would suggest jeans, sweatpants or longjohns for the night if it gets really cold, and a hoodie or sweater/sweatshirt just in case. I would also suggest bringing shoes you don't mind getting dirty, raincoat and/or umbrella, extra socks (actually an extra pair of everything if you can manage it), bug spray, sunblock (the worst sunburn I have gotten in recent years I got while down on the river there) and jugs of water. And of course - beer and food.
Places to EatThe Lucky Dog Cafe -
http://www.riversportonline.com/luckydogcafe.htmlRiver's Edge Cafe (kinda fancy) -
http://www.riversedgecafebnb.com/Restaurants near 255 Paddlers Ln, Confluence, PA 15424-
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=restaurants+near+255+Paddlers+Ln,+Confluence,+PA+15424&sll=39.811635,-79.350128&sspn=0.046613,0.073128&ie=UTF8&z=12Stuff to DoRiversport School of Paddling (Rafts, Kayaks, and Bike Rentals, river trips, etc.) (2.5 miles) -
http://www.riversportonline.com/rentalprogram.htmlLaurel Caverns (28 miles) -
http://www.laurelcaverns.com/Ohiopyle State Park (12.5 miles) -
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateParks/parks/ohiopyle.aspxFallingwater (12 miles) -
http://www.fallingwater.org/Kentuck Knob (21 miles) -
http://www.kentuckknob.com/Fort Necessity (18 miles) -
http://www.nps.gov/foneDirectionsPittsburgh to Paddler's Lane (via the Turnpike) 85 miles
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Pittsburgh+PA&daddr=Glades+Pike%2FPA-31+to:39.953701,-79.200439+to:255+Paddlers+Ln,+Confluence,+PA+15424&hl=en&geocode=%3BFSAvYwIdkDJH-w%3B%3B&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=2&sz=13&via=1,2&sll=39.971858,-79.233227&sspn=0.093009,0.146255&ie=UTF8&ll=40.305713,-79.672852&spn=1.480792,2.340088&z=9Toll Between Monroeville and Donegal is now $2.85
Routes to Remember - 376E > 76E > Left onto PA-31 > Right onto Trent Road > Left onto Copper Kettle Highway > Right onto PA-281S > Confluence
Pittsburgh to Paddler's Lane (via National Pike/US-40) 75 miles (much slower speed limit though)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Pittsburgh,+PA&daddr=39.896568,-79.71611+to:255+Paddlers+Ln,+Confluence,+PA+15424&hl=en&geocode=&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=11&via=1&dirflg=t&sll=39.984486,-79.860992&sspn=0.371966,0.585022&ie=UTF8&ll=39.984486,-79.860992&spn=1.487856,2.340088&z=9No Tolls!
Routes to Remember - 51S > 40E > Left onto PA-281N > Confluence
Each way has their benefits, depending on what time of the day you leave, and all of the BS Parkway traffic, the US-40 route may be preferable. The roads are a lot more fun (up and down mountains) and the view is a lot more scenic but all things being equal the Turnpike route is quicker.
Paddler's Lane to Falls City Pub (two routes on here, I dunno anything about either of them but they seem to be pretty equal)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=255+Paddlers+Ln,+Confluence,+PA+15424&daddr=112+Garrett+St.+Ohiopyle,+PA+15470&hl=en&mra=ls&sll=40.454322,-80.001781&sspn=0.011544,0.018282&ie=UTF8&z=13MiscCell Reception - I would say there is a about a 10-15 mile radius around Confluence where there is little to no cell phone reception, even in town it's a little spotty, so plan accordingly. Generally depending on the route you take, you lose reception after you get off of the Turnpike or, going the other route - just past all the resorts on 40 East. So if the folks biking down ran into some problems, then there might not be a way for them to get a hold of the rest of us. So in short, study the maps.
Trash - There is no trash pickup there, and we're expected to leave the sites spotless when we leave. We have to pack out all trash - there is a dumpster in town by the Boat Rental place.
Youghiogheny River - There are 3 or 4 river landings from the campground to the Yough, one of them has a little beach with some benches.
