RV campgrounds near Ford City, Pennsylvania offer camping options within the Allegheny River valley at elevations ranging from 780 to 1,400 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F and winter lows frequently below freezing. Most campgrounds in the area remain open from April through October with some offering year-round access despite the cold Pennsylvania winters.
What to Do
Explore Amish country nearby: Silver Canoe Campground sits close to Smicksburg where campers can experience Amish culture. "Short drive to Smicksburg to shop. You may hear the horse drawn buggies of the Amish who keep their boats here," notes one Silver Canoe Campground visitor.
Fishing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer pond or lake access for fishing. At Mountain View Camps, a visitor mentioned, "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."
Mountain biking trails: The area features numerous trails for mountain biking enthusiasts. Mountain View Camps provides direct access to trails as one camper noted in their review about hitting "the mountain bike track" during their stay.
What Campers Like
Level sites with views: Many campgrounds offer sites with scenic vistas. One camper at Mountain Top Campground shared, "I luckily got a spot on looking over a very dense tree-d valley with a beautiful sunset. Sites 41-48 are the best view at sunset."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses and amenities. A visitor at Mountain Top mentioned, "Bathhouse was clean. Only disappointment was that the showers were coin operated, so you not only needed cash on hand but then had to turn those into special coins for the shower."
Family activities: Campgrounds organize regular events for families. At Rustic Acres RV Resort Campground, a camper shared, "Our children enjoyed the Saturday kids program, crafts, snacks and games with other children. I can't remember when we were at a campground where everyone said hi and waved to each other."
What You Should Know
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds require navigating narrow mountain roads. A visitor to Mountain Top Campground advised, "Was a little concerned as I was driving off the highway to get there. However once there, it's a very nice place."
Grey water management: Several RV parks offer creative solutions for waste water. At Mountain Top, they provide "grey water dump on most sites" as noted in a review, though black tank service varies across locations.
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds operate with limited schedules. Mirror Lake RV Camping & Fishing runs from "April 21 to October 22" according to their listing information, while others like Silver Canoe and Mountain Top remain open year-round.
Tips for Camping with Families
Look for dedicated children's programs: Some campgrounds offer organized activities for kids. One family at Rustic Acres noted, "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!"
Consider campgrounds with recreation amenities: Water features are popular with children. At Silver Canoe Campground, "there's a little fishing lake. You can rent paddle boats or canoes to paddle around the lake," as one visitor mentioned.
Check for playground availability: Not all campgrounds have play areas for children. A reviewer at Mountain Top Campground pointed out in their "cons" list: "no kids park," which might be important for families planning extended stays.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing matters: Pine Cove Beach Club RV Resort offers "large sites, close to the highway but no road noise," according to a reviewer who also noted the "Giant pool opened in the summer."
Hookup locations vary by park: At Mountain Top Campground, a visitor explained their unique setup: "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."
Plan for length of stay: Pump-out services might only be available on certain days. At Mountain Top, they "give you the option of having a mobile pump-out come to your rig to pump you out for an additional $30 only on Wednesdays" for weekly stays, according to a camper's detailed review.
