Camping sites near Clymer, Pennsylvania provide year-round options within a 20-mile radius, with several campgrounds situated at elevations between 1,200-1,800 feet. The western Pennsylvania region experiences distinct seasons with peak camping from late spring through early fall when temperatures average 75-85°F during summer days and 55-65°F at night. Winter camping opportunities remain available at select locations like Silver Canoe Campground where temperatures can drop below freezing.
What to do
Fishing in stocked lakes: Yellow Creek Campground offers fishing opportunities though one visitor noted, "Too bad the fishing isn't the best at yellow creek national park." For better fishing experiences, try Keystone State Park Campground which features a lake that provides "swimming, boating, fishing on our hot and humid camping trip."
Explore Amish country: Near Silver Canoe Campground, visitors can experience local culture. One camper mentioned, "Short drive to Smicksburg to shop. You may hear the horse drawn buggies of the Amish who keep their boats here." The campground is approximately 15 miles from Amish settlements.
Water recreation: Multiple lakes offer boating options. At Prince Gallitzin State Park, a reviewer highlighted, "Huge lake for water sports, scenic trails, small dirt bike oval track." Water activities typically run from May through September when water temperatures are most comfortable.
Local historical sites: Within driving distance of camping areas, visitors can explore regional history. A camper at Keystone mentioned, "The visitors center at Keystone was beautiful and informative of the local history which was very interesting how the park first came about."
What campers like
Private camping areas: For those seeking seclusion, Keystone State Park Campground offers two distinct camping areas. A camper explained, "There are 2 campgrounds in the park, the hillside one and the one on the lake. The lakeside one is a glorified trailer park and is packed during the summer with no privacy... The hillside one doesn't get near the crowds and it set in the woods. There are some very secluded sites."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the area maintain good standards. At Mirror Lake RV Camping & Fishing, a reviewer found "The cabin was great, very clean and cozy." Similarly, at Silver Canoe Campground, a visitor noted it's "very clean and well maintained."
Overnight island camping: Yellow Creek offers unique camping experiences. According to one camper, "The private island is a beautiful campsite and has enough room for several tents. There's plenty of trees on the island so there are plenty of sticks to find for fires."
Creek access: Several campgrounds feature water access beyond lakes. At Mirror Lake, a visitor shared, "Alot of their sites are along a small creek which the kids play in and can float down. Site 26 is our favorite. It has a huge back yard and easy access to the creek."
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds operate from mid-April to mid-October. Prince Gallitzin State Park runs "2nd Fri April to last Mon October" while others like Keystone operate from "1st Fri April to 3rd Sun October."
Reservation requirements: Campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends. At Yellow Creek, a camper advised preparing for "different prices when I went there last," suggesting variable pricing structures that may change without notice.
Temperature variations: Nights can get cold even in warm months. A Yellow Creek camper warned, "The creek surrounding the island does make it cold at night so make sure to pack warmly."
Campground ownership dynamics: Several campgrounds show strong owner involvement. At Mirror Lake, a camper observed, "You will not find better campground owners, they are amazing. After office hours they can be commonly found hanging out with their campers."
Tips for camping with families
Look for activity options: Duman Lake County Park offers diverse recreation. A visitor noted, "They have a kids' train in summer. Nice playground." The park also features "a kids' train in summer" for younger children.
Consider cabin options: Families without camping equipment can use cabins. At Yellow Creek State Park, a visitor shared, "We stayed in 3 of the cabins for 4 days at Yellow Creek State Park (not the campground). It was beautiful. Right on the water, clean, and private access to the lake. Dog friendly cabins were available."
Check swimming areas: Not all beach areas are equal. At Yellow Creek State Park, a reviewer warned, "I will say the 'beach area' we visited was less than clean and quite small." Meanwhile, Prince Gallitzin received praise for a "Very nice beach area."
Group camping opportunities: For family reunions or larger gatherings, seek specific areas. Prince Gallitzin accommodates groups: "We used the group tent sites for our Girl Scout weekend. It was a fun weekend... The site was clean, decently level area for tents, accessible to potable water and bathrooms with showers."
Tips from RVers
Site surface considerations: Check site surfaces before booking. At Keystone, a camper reported, "each site has a 30ft concrete pad to park on so I just put our tent on the concrete pad site 96." This can affect tent camping comfort but works well for RVs.
Hookup availability: Most campgrounds offer electric hookups, but amperage varies. Wheel-in Campground provides fifty-amp hookups, while others like L and M Campgrounds only offer thirty-amp service.
Size limitations: RV sites have specific length restrictions. At Prince Gallitzin State Park, "All sites are paved as are the roads," which helps with leveling but may limit positioning flexibility.
Access road quality: Roads to campgrounds vary in quality. At Duman Park, a visitor noted the "local road is close by and you do get some traffic noise before dark. It is not a high traffic road however."
