Crooked Creek Lake area camping options span through rolling Pennsylvania terrain in Armstrong County, typically 60 to 90 minutes northeast of Pittsburgh. The elevation ranges from 830 to 1,100 feet across local camping areas, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season. Most RV sites near Crooked Creek Lake sit within moderate terrain that remains accessible throughout all seasons, though fall offers optimal camping conditions with reduced humidity.
What to do
Creek activities: At Mirror Lake RV Camping & Fishing, visitors enjoy wading and floating in the small creek that runs through the property. "A lot 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," shares Mathew H.
Hiking trails: Several campgrounds offer immediate access to hiking paths. At Mountain View Camps, campers can explore nearby game lands. Richard C. notes, "Great place to stay close to hiking trails and fishing spots. Hit the mountain bike track, explore the ruins on the game lands, and might even see an albino fawn."
Local attractions: Campgrounds serve as convenient baselines for regional exploration. Mirror Lake RV Camping puts visitors within driving distance of several attractions. As Mathew H. points out, "Close by is Ligonier, Idlewild, and St. Vincent (where the Pittsburgh Steelers training camp takes place)."
What campers like
Campground activities: Many parks organize scheduled events for guests. At Rustic Acres, families particularly appreciate the children's programming. "Our children enjoyed the Saturday kids program, crafts, snacks and games with other children," shares Misty L., while another review notes, "We were thrilled to find they had a children's program on Saturday mornings. Our children had a ball making crafts, playing games, finding items on a scavenger hunt and of course snacks!"
Swimming facilities: The pool facilities at Pine Cove Beach Club RV Resort receive consistent praise from visitors. Heath T. describes his stay as a "Perfect weekend at the pool" with "The pool & concession stand, beautifully maintained lawns and gravel campsites, modern hookups, good shower/laundry facilities, nice fire rings with built in grills, trash pickup service."
Scenery views: Mountain Top Campground offers exceptional vistas that campers frequently mention. "You actually do really sit at the mountain top and gives you pretty good views of the valleys and surrounding areas from any of the rim campsites," explains Dave, while Jennifer H. adds, "You come up a winding road and emerge atop the mountain. Half a dozen of them (premium) are at the edge and have a nice view to the hills beyond."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Operating schedules vary among campgrounds near Crooked Creek Lake. Mirror Lake RV Camping & Fishing runs from "April 21 to October 22," while Mountain Top Campground remains open year-round.
Bathroom maintenance: Facility cleanliness receives mixed reviews. At Pine Cove Beach Club, Heath T. noted that "bathrooms weren't cleaned daily," while at The Blue Canoe RV Resort, a reviewer observed that "staff kept washing the showers with dish soap getting it everywhere! Got dish soap all over my pool towels."
Management interactions: Camper experiences with staff vary between locations. A Blue Canoe RV Resort review states, "The management is rude and unfriendly. Also, the seasonal campers are also salty," while at Mountain Top Campground, Corey L. says, "The family is always out making improvements, talking with the campers, and putting on events."
Hookup configurations: Several campgrounds feature unusual utility layouts. At Mountain Top Campground, James B. explains they have "grey water dump on most sites" but "no black sewer hookup (does have dump station and honey wagon)."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Organized programs significantly enhance family stays. Misty L. praised Rustic Acres: "Our children had a ball making crafts, playing games, finding items on a scavenger hunt and of course snacks! The campground is clean, the grass is kept cut, with no trash to be seen anywhere."
Playground access: Kalyumet Campground offers facilities for children. Stephanie H. notes, "Not far from the River and has a number of things for the kids to do at the campground. It has a really nice pool and playground for the kids."
Pool monitoring: Some campgrounds have issues with non-registered guests using facilities. At Kalyumet, Tiffany V. suggests, "I would suggest someone monitor the pool area so that the paying guests can enjoy with their family. While we were in the pool, random people who weren't staying came in and used the pool. They were rowdy and vulgar."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose carefully to avoid utility challenges. At Kalyumet Campground, Ember M. warns, "Our only complaint would be the site we were in (11) and others next to it were quite far from the water and cable hookups. I ended up having to run 60ft of water hose and 50ft of cable in order to get a connection."
Road access: Mountain roads can present navigation challenges. Corey L. suggests for Mountain Top Campground, "The roads get narrow so if in an RV call them for the easiest way in. The hardest part is finding it."
Grey water systems: Mountain Top Campground offers an unusual solution for partial hookups. Dave explains, "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."
