The Emlenton area features a rolling landscape of hills and forests around 1,120 feet above sea level. Located in Venango County at the confluence of the Allegheny River and Richey Run, the region typically sees cool-to-warm temperatures between April and October with moderate rainfall throughout camping season. Weather conditions can change quickly during spring and fall, with overnight temperatures dropping significantly even in summer months.
What to Do
Floating the Clarion River: Cook Forest State Park offers river experiences for all skill levels with numerous access points within 20 miles of Emlenton. "The river is slow and serene, perfect for families," notes a camper at Cook Forest State Park Campground.
Historical Exhibits: Visit the ranger station for educational programs at Cook Forest. "Each Memorial Saturday, a meet and greet is recreated with an American historical figure. Good fun for all," explains a visitor to Cook Forest State Park.
Outdoor Games: RV Village Camping Resort provides recreational facilities for group activities. "The pool and playground are awesome for the kiddos. There are a ton of permanent sites which the folks are all very friendly. The resort is golf cart friendly and that's how most get around," reports a camper at RV Village.
Family Crafts: Look for scheduled activities during weekend stays. At Rustic Acres RV Resort, one visitor mentioned, "Our children enjoyed the Saturday kids program, crafts, snacks and games with other children. Owners were great and extremely accommodating and helpful."
What Campers Like
Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high standards for bathroom facilities. A visitor to Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest stated, "Great campground and very clean. Probably the cleanest shower house I have ever seen at a campground."
Quiet Camping Areas: For more seclusion, some campgrounds offer sites away from busy areas. At Chestnut Ridge Park and Campground, a camper noted, "This campground has beautiful scenic open spaces, a large playground, and super friendly host. It's also really easy to get to from Interstate 80."
Community Atmosphere: Seasonal campers often create a welcoming environment. At Rustic Acres RV Resort, a reviewer commented, "I can't remember when we were at a campground where everyone said hi and waved to each other. Loved it and will return!"
Level Sites: RV campers appreciate well-maintained sites for easier setup. "They keep up on the gravel and leveling which is always appreciated," notes a camper at Rvino - Campers Paradise.
What You Should Know
Reservation Requirements: During peak season, book well in advance for holiday weekends. "This is our 12th Memorial Weekend spent at this campground in the rolling green mountains of Cook Forest... you'd do best to book 8-9, yes, 8-9 months out for this particular weekend," advises a camper at Cook Forest State Park.
Site Dimensions: Some campgrounds have limitations for larger rigs. At Chestnut Ridge Park and Campground, a visitor reported, "It does not feel crowded, sites were grassy and all utilities worked well. Big rig accessible."
Hookup Placement: At certain campgrounds, utility connections may require extra equipment. One camper at Kalyumet Campground noted, "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."
Seasonal Operations: Most campgrounds in the area close for winter. At RV Village Camping Resort, operations run "Apr 1 - Oct 31," while Rustic Acres RV Resort stands out as one of the few "open all year" rv sites near Emlenton, Pennsylvania.
Tips for Camping with Families
Weekend Programs: Look for campgrounds with organized children's activities. A visitor to Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest shared, "We love camping at Jellystone at Kozy Rest! Staff is super friendly and campground is always very clean. Tons of activities to keep the kids busy all day!!"
Swimming Options: Multiple campgrounds offer swimming facilities. At RV Village Camping Resort, a camper mentioned, "Overall a great campground. The pool and playground are awesome for the kiddos. The resort has lots of planned activities on the weekends."
Multi-Generational Appeal: Some campgrounds cater to all age groups. "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!" reports a visitor to Rustic Acres RV Resort.
Tips from RVers
Utility Requirements: Bring extra extension cords and water hoses for some sites. "We plan to return but 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," advised a camper at Kalyumet Campground.
Accessibility: For RVers seeking convenient overnight stops when traveling I-80, Love's RV Hookup in Brookville provides 7 sites with water and electric hookups about 30 minutes from Emlenton.
Site Selection: When making reservations for rv sites near Emlenton, Pennsylvania, request specific information about site dimensions. At Chestnut Ridge Park and Campground, a reviewer appreciated that "Sites are large and the spacing is not crowded."
Water Systems: During peak usage times, water pressure may fluctuate. "Dump stations are available at all the major RV parks," with most offering full hookup options for extended stays.
