Crooked Creek Lake sits at an elevation of 840 feet with campsites nestled among rolling hills and hardwood forests of western Pennsylvania. Seasonal temperature ranges from lows near 20°F in winter to highs around 85°F in summer. Most cabin sites include gravel parking pads with partial shade from mature oak and maple trees.
What to do
Fishing and water recreation: Moraine State Park offers multiple fishing spots with 42 miles of shoreline. "Beautiful park with huge pine trees. 235 sites, many with electric. Most seem pretty level and big rig friendly," notes a camper at Cook Forest State Park Campground & Cabins.
Hiking nearby trails: Trail systems connect many camping areas to scenic lookouts and waterways. "You can hit the mountain bike track, explore the ruins on the game lands, and might even see an albino fawn," according to a visitor at Mountain View Camps.
Seasonal activities: Winter camping options remain available at several locations when other facilities close. One camper at Milton Loop notes: "There are a number of regular campers that stay here, we found them all very friendly. There are some lots with power and water, some with just water and some without either."
What campers like
Quieter camping areas: Some cabin locations offer more seclusion than others. A visitor at Mountain Top Campground describes: "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."
Well-maintained facilities: Bathroom and shower facilities vary considerably between locations. "The campground was really nice, some spots gave you enough space to feel pretty secluded from other campers, which was nice for my partner and I," reports a camper from Cook Forest State Park.
Wildlife viewing: Many cabins are positioned for nature observation. "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," shares a visitor at Raccoon Creek State Park Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Operating dates vary significantly between campgrounds. "Open year round" applies to Mountain Top, while others like Bear Run operate from "Apr 15 to Oct 30." Keystone runs "1st Fri April to 3rd Sun October."
Cabin amenity variations: Basic cabins may lack running water or bathrooms. "My 9 year old and myself got a tent site with electric for two nights and had a great time. The sites were all level and were well-shaded," notes a visitor at Silver Canoe Campground.
Reservation requirements: Peak season bookings require significant advance planning. A Cook Forest camper advises: "This is our 12th Memorial Weekend spent at this campground in the rolling green mountains of Cook Forest... in spite of a completely booked holiday weekend (you'd do best to book 8-9, yes, 8-9 months out for this particular weekend)."
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly activities: Some locations offer structured activities for younger campers. "This campground is great for families. I always camp near the horses as I like a bit more privacy," recommends a visitor at Bear Run Campground.
Site selection factors: Choose sites based on proximity to bathrooms and play areas. "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," warns a Raccoon Creek visitor.
Pool availability: Several campgrounds maintain swimming pools separate from lake access. At Bear Run, "This campground is deceptively big! The nightly RV sites are close to the park entrance and are relatively flat. The campground hosts themed events, game nights and arts&crafts. There is a swimming pool and playground for the kids."
Tips from RVers
Road access challenges: Some cabin areas have difficult approach roads. A Mountain Top visitor advises: "The hardest part is finding it. The roads get narrow so if in an RV call them for the easiest route in."
Hookup limitations: Water and electric connections vary by site. At Smith Grove, "Campground is very nice. A lot of sites with plenty of room at each site. Bathrooms were very clean as well."
Site terrain: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain requiring leveling equipment. Mountain Top provides "level gravel lots with wood borders" and "lots of grass on each site as well," according to a visitor.
