The Boyers region of Pennsylvania sits in Butler County at around 1,200 feet elevation, surrounded by remnants of the once-thriving oil industry and abundant forests. Camping options range from basic tent sites to upscale glamping accommodations throughout the area. The camping season typically runs April through October, with some sites remaining open for limited winter use.
What to do
Hiking trails near McConnell's Mill: At Breakneck Campground, visitors can access the 36-mile Gerard hiking trail system. "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 camper Britt B.
Disc golf courses: Oil Creek Family Campground maintains a 27-hole disc golf course winding through the woods. "My favorite was the disc golf. Their course is really nice!" shares Lydia G., who visited during Memorial Day weekend.
Water recreation options: Clear Creek State Park offers multiple water activities on the Clarion River. "The Clarion is a crystal clear, shallow, rock bottom river perfect for a cool off, fishing or kayaking. There are two kayaking/tubing companies in Cook Forest to hire watercraft to float the river," writes camper Britt B., mentioning floats as long as 9 miles.
Seasonal celebrations: Halloween weekends are particularly popular at several area campgrounds. A Terra B. review states: "Great Place for adults and children to enjoy themselves! Halloween weekends are a great time to visit!"
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Campers consistently mention the privacy of sites at Two Mile Run County Park. "When staying at two mile you will find the sites are separated by trees and offer you your own little private area. The prices are good and you truly are in nature," explains John S.
Clean facilities: Many reviewers note the cleanliness of bathhouses near Boyers. John M. remarks about Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest: "Great campground and very clean. Probably the cleanest shower house I have ever seen at a campground."
Family activities: Organized events keep children entertained at several locations. "Plenty of activities for the kids, awesome lasertag course. Best shower house I've seen," mentions Fred R. about his stay at Jellystone Park.
Convenience to natural attractions: The proximity to state parks is a frequent highlight. One camper noted, "Moraine state park is 3 minutes away with lake Aurther for sailing, canoeing, power boating, bike trails, frisbee golf coarse and swimming."
What you should know
Site selection matters: Some campgrounds have significant variation in site quality and privacy. At Mercer-Grove City KOA, camper Jen O. advises: "We stayed here for a quick overnight stop. We have a 40'class A and flat tow a Jeep. We use both the RV Garmin 890 & RV Trip Wizard and both had us doing some crazy side roads to get into the KOA. Be sure to use the park's directions for an easier drive in."
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds in the region have limited or no cell reception. Sara reports about Clear Creek State Park: "None of the major carriers have service here, but I needed to 'get away' for the night so it was perfect."
Hookup distances: Some sites require extra equipment for utilities. A reviewer at Kalyumet Campground mentioned: "Some sites require over 50' of hose and multiple power cords to reach power box due to the great amount of trees providing good shade throughout camp ground."
Weekend crowds: Weekends can be significantly busier and louder than weekdays. Sara K. noted at Breakneck Campground: "Friday night was peaceful... When we got back from a full day of climbing Saturday, a group of at least a dozen had set up camp across the road from us."
Tips for camping with families
Pool amenities: Several campgrounds offer swimming pools for summer cooling off. "They have a really nice pool and playground," notes Jim C. about his experience at Oil Creek Family Campground, adding that it's "become our goto campground that's only an hour away from Erie."
Fishing opportunities: Tionesta Recreation Area Campground offers creek-side fishing spots. "Beautiful level sites, spaced nicely apart, full hook ups, with big picnic tables and fire rings with multi-tiered grate. We had sites #46 and 48 right above the creek surrounded by tall trees," shares Lauren R.
Dog-friendly options: Many campgrounds accommodate pets with dedicated areas. Kevin D. mentions at Rose Point Park Cabins & Camping: "Overall great campground. Staff is super friendly and there was plenty for the kids to do, pool, arcade, fishing, and playground. Decent size dog park to let your dogs run and decent trails nearby."
Educational programs: Some parks offer nature learning programs. A reviewer notes about Clear Creek State Park: "This is also a great place to go year-round for kids interested in learning about nature. There is a nature museum. Seek out Ranger Susanne—she is a really great teacher!"
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many campsites in the region require leveling equipment. Isaac R. advises about Clear Creek State Park: "Its a nice place, great creek and woods. Most of the spots will require leveling blocks."
Access routes: RVers should carefully plan their arrival routes to some campgrounds. "Don't Follow GPS!" warns Jen O. about Mercer-Grove City KOA, suggesting instead to "use the park's directions for an easier drive in."
Seasonal site options: For those planning extended stays, several campgrounds offer seasonal options. "We stayed there for two months while I was in transition between states and really enjoyed it," Bradley B. shares about Mercer-Grove City KOA, noting that "it's close to the outlets and Keystone Safari."
Hookup availability: Most glamping close to Boyers, Pennsylvania offers full hookup options, but quality varies by site. "The utilities were about 3/4 the way to the back of the site so no problems with sewer, water, or electric cord lengths. The water pressure was okay at about 42 psi," reports a camper about their experience at Tionesta Recreation Area.
