Camping sites near Allison Park, Pennsylvania range in elevation from 800 to 1,200 feet above sea level, with most facilities located within the Appalachian Plateau region where temperature swings between day and night can reach 15-20 degrees even in summer. The camping season typically extends from mid-April through October, with some private campgrounds offering year-round accommodations despite occasional snow in early spring and late fall.
What to do
Hiking creek-side trails: At Breakneck Campground, campers can access McConnells Mill State Park directly from their campsites. "From our campsite we walked along the creek into McConnells Mill State Park and joined the covered bridge trail. Approx. 30min walk along the creek down into McConnells Mill State Park," notes one camper.
Winter hiking: Some campgrounds offer off-season access to trails even when camping facilities are closed. "Got out for a couple hours hiking in the snow. It was great. Just what we needed to stretch the legs and enjoy some family time. We did the Palomino Loop. It also was quite interesting getting to the trail. Some nice snow covered back roads," reports a visitor to Raccoon Creek State Park.
Water recreation: Swimming and boating options vary seasonally. "I had the most wonderful time on my first tent camping at Racoon Creek. We made a fire, hiked by the moonlight and swam at the warm lake at night," writes one first-time tent camper.
What campers like
Secluded creek sites: Many campers prize the more private waterfront locations. "We chose one of two primitive sites next to a small creek. Apart from the campers above us on top of the hill, we were a few hundred feet from the other primitive sites. Despite being just a minutes walk from our truck, we felt incredibly secluded," notes a visitor at Bear Run Campground.
Mountain-top views: Some campgrounds offer panoramic vistas from elevated sites. At Mountain Top Campground, "You come up a winding road and emerge atop the mountain. It's cute. Wide open grass land with sites around the perimeter. Half a dozen of them (premium) are at the edge and have a nice view to the hills beyond."
Wildlife encounters: Beyond the commonly reported deer and turkey sightings, several campgrounds support diverse wildlife. "It's close to home plus it is a great place to take the dog out to swim and chase geese and ducks. A great little beach area to lay out and enjoy the sun," reports a regular at Raccoon Creek State Park.
What you should know
Campsite privacy varies: Tent sites in some locations lack seclusion. "We stayed in the tent loop at the back of the campground. The area is not wooded at all and most sites look right into the sites next to them. If you are like me and crave privacy, avoid," warns a camper at Raccoon Creek.
Shower facilities: Most campgrounds offer showers, but facilities vary widely. At Tomlinson Run State Park Campground, "In womens the shower on the left never got warm, other two were fine. There are 4 flush toilets." Some private campgrounds charge for showers: "Only disappointment was that the showers were coin operated, so you not only needed cash on hand but then had to turn those into special coins for the shower."
Noise levels: Weekend noise can be an issue, especially in summer. "I got about 2 hours of sleep Saturday night total, and the last time I was woken up my watch said 3:48 am. Clearly there is absolutely no enforcement of the quiet hours whatsoever," reports one camper at Breakneck Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Look for activity schedules: Some private campgrounds offer organized events for children. At Indian Brave Campground, "Every weekend there are activities, there is a heated pool and Friday night Bingo. A great place with even better people!"
Consider terrain: Not all campgrounds have kid-friendly landscapes. "Nice campground but too hilly for kids to ride bikes. Very close to Lake Arthur for fishing and kayaking," notes a visitor to Bear Run Campground.
First-timer friendly sites: Some campgrounds make special efforts for new campers. "As first time travel trailer owners, they helped us accomplish our first trip away! Upon calling to book a site, we mentioned this was our first trip, they made the utmost effort to accommodate us with all of our needs. They escorted us to our campsite (which was larger than most) and made sure we had plenty of help getting backed in and set up!" reports a first-time RV owner at Indian Brave Campground.
Tips from RVers
Grey water disposal: Some campgrounds offer unique solutions for longer stays. At Buttercup Woodlands Campground, "Site C-16 over Memorial Day weekend. Very helpful when backing in! Very quiet, well kept camping area. Shower house a little far for me." Mountain Top Campground has a special arrangement: "Since they sit atop the mountain, the grey water hookup is a long hose that has an adapter which hooks up to your black and grey tank outlet and it runs down the hillside of the mountain into the grassy area."
Access considerations: Larger rigs should call ahead for routing advice. "The hardest part is finding it. The roads get narrow so if in an RV call them for the easiest way in," advises an overlander about Mountain Top Campground.
Site levelness: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven terrain. At Tomlinson Run State Park, "Most of the camp sites have electricity, but most aren't level. It's the kind of place that has some really great sits and some not so great."
