Buffalo Mills sits at the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains in southwestern Pennsylvania, where elevations range from 1,100 to 1,500 feet above sea level. Campers in this area experience four distinct seasons with warm summers averaging 80°F and cold winters with temperatures regularly dropping below freezing. The region's campgrounds typically operate between April and October with limited winter camping options outside the Raystown Lake area.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Timber Run Campground (formerly Raystown Lake/Saxton KOA) offers convenient access to Raystown Lake with multiple fishing spots nearby. "Raystown Lake has multiple access areas that are probably 15-20 minutes away - we fished at Tautman Run and Aitch - both were accessible and had lots of bluegill to steal our worms," notes one visitor.
Swimming and pool activities: The beaches and swimming areas provide relief during summer months when temperatures peak. Rocky Gap State Park Campground features dedicated swimming areas with safety protocols. "Nice beach area with volley ball nets. Lots of paddle boards and canoes for rent," reports a camper, though they warn "you cannot swim anywhere outside of the roped swim areas."
Hiking trails: Several campgrounds connect to local trail systems through wooded areas. "The 5 mile hike around Lake Habeeb is enjoyable. Great way to see all sides of the park," explains a Rocky Gap visitor. Many campgrounds maintain internal walking paths connecting amenities, with some offering access to nearby state park trail systems.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Friendship Village Campground & RV Park receives consistent praise for its site layout. "Sites are very spacious and the gravel pad was level upon parking. Good connections and solid cable," reports one camper. Another mentions, "For big rig campers, you need to stay at the upper portion of the campground at sites 200-500."
Family entertainment options: Many campers appreciate the structured activities at campgrounds in the area. "They had a movie showing in their barn on Saturday night (Despicable Me) and they also seem to schedule a lot of live entertainment, mostly Bluegrass," notes a Friendship Village visitor. Another camper mentions their experience during a special weekend: "We stayed during Bigfoot weekend. It was super fun as our family likes bigfoot fun."
Clean facilities: Rvino - Ridge Rider Campground maintains bathhouses that receive positive mentions. "Bathhouses are in fair shape. Staff was super friendly," states one review. Another camper notes: "Nice bathrooms in the rv portion of the campground, reasonably priced wood and a great well-stocked camp store."
What you should know
Road access challenges: Many campgrounds in the Buffalo Mills area require navigation through mountain roads. A camper at Pioneer Lakes RV Park notes: "The roads around the camp ground could use some maintenance, especially on the hill side by the pool!" Site leveling can also be problematic, with one visitor reporting, "The spot was so unlevel there were 19 inches between my bottom step and the ground."
Seasonal operations: Most facilities operate from April through October with reduced services during shoulder seasons. "Between April and October, most parks operate at full capacity with all amenities available," while "winter camping options are limited primarily to Friendship Village and the Raystown Lake KOA, which maintain year-round operations."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby roads or other campers. A Rocky Gap visitor reported: "It was very noisy at night due to traffic on I-68 and even the campground road, which despite a 15 mph posting has no speed bumps and seems to have a popular straightaway for cars with loud mufflers who like to open it up."
Tips for camping with families
Recreation amenities for children: Nature's Getaway RV Park provides basic amenities with a focus on outdoor activities. Many campgrounds in the area include playgrounds, swimming areas, and scheduled weekend events for children. "We had no phone service which we were okay with but it's something we wish we had known before hand," reports one family at Rvino Ridge Rider, suggesting downloading entertainment before arrival.
Site selection strategy: Choose sites based on proximity to bathhouses and play areas when camping with children. "We stayed in cabin 170 in Fir loop and the site was incredibly spacious, heavily shaded, close to the bath house, path to the beach, and well distanced from other sites," recommends a Rocky Gap visitor.
Off-site attractions: While campgrounds offer activities, nearby state parks provide additional options. "Laurel hill cricks/lake are 2 miles up the mountain!" notes a Pioneer Lakes visitor, highlighting nearby natural attractions that can supplement on-site activities when children need more entertainment options.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Electric and water connections are standard at most RV campgrounds near Buffalo Mills, Pennsylvania, though sewer hookups vary by location. One camper at Friendship Village shares: "Sites are very spacious and the gravel pad was level upon parking. Good connections and solid cable."
Site leveling challenges: Several RV parks in the region feature hilly terrain requiring careful site selection. "The site wasn't hard to level our RV but overall the sites are hilly and in fact the whole park is on a hill," notes a visitor to Timber Run Campground, suggesting bringing extra leveling blocks.
Weather preparation: The Buffalo Mills area experiences considerable seasonal variation requiring appropriate RV preparation. Summer thunderstorms can be intense while spring and fall bring unpredictable temperature swings. "Fall is particularly busy as visitors come for leaf-peeping season, making advance reservations essential," especially for RVers requiring full-hookup sites.
