134 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The region around Franklin, Pennsylvania encompasses various mixed-use campgrounds with options for tent camping, RVs, cabins, and glamping. Two Mile Run County Park offers year-round access to water-based recreation on its 650-acre lake, while Kozy Rest Kampground provides more amenities with over 300 sites available from April through October. The area's campgrounds sit within the rolling hills of western Pennsylvania, typically within a 30-mile radius of Franklin, providing access to both state parks and privately operated facilities. Multiple campgrounds feature fishing opportunities in nearby waterways, including Oil Creek and the Clarion River.
Campers should consider seasonal conditions when planning trips to Franklin area campgrounds. Many sites require advance reservations, particularly during summer months when waterfront locations fill quickly. "We camped on the Ohio side of the lake but spent several hours on the Pennsylvania feeding the HUGE schools of carp at the spillway," noted one visitor, highlighting the region's popular water recreation opportunities. Snow and freezing temperatures limit winter camping options, though some year-round facilities remain accessible. Cell service varies throughout the region, with reviewers noting that T-Mobile coverage can be weak in some areas. Several campgrounds enforce alcohol prohibitions, as is common in Pennsylvania state parks, and campers should be aware of this restriction when planning their visits.
The camping experience near Franklin balances natural settings with developed amenities. Visitors frequently mention wildlife sightings as highlights, including bald eagles along the Clarion River and black bears in nearby forests. Tent sites with shade receive consistently positive feedback, with campers praising locations tucked under evergreens that provide natural privacy between sites. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "The sites are well-maintained, have a picnic table and fire ring with grill. There are a lot of cracks and crevices where bugs hide," indicating the rustic nature of some facilities despite regular maintenance. Campground options range from more remote primitive sites at Danner Campground to full-service RV parks with amenities like swimming pools, playgrounds, and organized activities for families. When searching for campgrounds near Franklin, PA, many campers appreciate the diverse terrain options, from lakeside camping to forested sites within the Allegheny region.
"Couple beautiful walk in tent sites right on the water. Plenty of nice hiking trails. Great beach for kids."
"Located deep in a county park in the forested rolling hills of PA. Every site is huge and mostly private. Combination of paved main roads and gravel dirt camp loops."
"I highly recommend this rv location and their cabins seem to be excellent"
"They have a large pool; a few llamas that the kids can feed and pet; a 27-hole disc golf course (recently expanded from 18 hole) primarily in the woods near and around the campground property; a small"
"Its become our goto campground that's only an hour away from Erie."
"The shortest distance is about 2 miles from the trailhead at the Kennerdell bridge, but there are other trailheads throughout the tract also."
from $35 - $175 / night
Check Availability"This campsite was close to an archery tournament for me. It is a huge campsite that is remote and peaceful. I will try to get this place again next year."
from $50 / night
Check Availability"Look at the campground map before you book your site if being close to a bathroom is important; ours was across the campsite behind us but we had to step in a rock set in the stream to get to it without"
"There is a pet trail through the woods that was really great to take our dog rather than walking around the campground."
from $20 - $75 / night
Check Availability"So I’ll be honest: Sometimes I camp just so I can get close to flyfishing. This particular review has less to do with the specifics of the site (although this campground is great!)"
"From I-80, take the exit for PA-36 then follow the signs to Tionesta and once you get near you'll see the Tionesta Recreation Area Signs."
from $30 - $46 / night
Check Availability"It’s close to the outlets and Keystone Safari. They have a fishing pond but I haven’t walked over and seen it. It’s across the street of the KOA so you could miss it if you don’t ask about it."
"Close to where we live so it's an easy drive and a great start to the season to shake out anything that may not be working since bringing de-winterizing our camper."
"Wolfkiel is one of two hike-in areas along the Gerard Hiking Trail, in the Oil Creek State Park. Wolfkiel is made up of six(6) Ariondack Shelters and a tent camping area."
"The walk in is less than a mile(~15min). The drop toilets were open, but probably wise to BYO toilet tissue."
from $8 / night
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TravelerCame tent camping here. Stayed on new duck loop, which from the looks of all the other sites, this one seemed more open, less R. V. Campers. Plenty of open spots even for the weekend. Place is clean, well kept, bathrooms are clean which is a plus. All the sites around have decent space between them. Close access to a lake. You can bring your boat
ScoutStayed on a Thursday, found a spot late at night. Some spots you park and walk down to camp others you park and they have a fire ring and grass area above the river
ScoutNice campground and almost every site is level. Presque aisle is a little too far away to visit by bicycle or E bike.
TravelerBeautiful gravel and wood chip site right along a small slow moving creek that at night with a fire create a wonderful camping experience. And they are very dog freindly.
TravelerBeautiful gravel and wood chip site right along a small slow moving creek. At night when the sun sets and the fire burns it creates a wonderful camping experience. And they are very dog freindly.
TravelerNice campground! They hold lots of random activities for kids like tie dying, tractor ride, etc. We stayed in spot 24, which is very spacious, but I did not like the fact that it’s right next to the road where cars are speeding by. I do not think this spot in particular would be good if you have small children
GuideI've heard there are campgrounds that discriminate against car camping, first time experiencing it. There are many sites where people have a LARGE camper, a car, and multiple tents spread out over a large area. We have 2 SUV's with tents that attach to the backs. We followed all the rules and are taking up about HALF of our site. We were told that is not allowed. When asked for reasoning and comparing to what we've seen around the park, we get no clear answer that makes sense. We are here with a group that rented about 20 sites. After spending 4 hours setting everything up, she says one may have to leave; she's waiting to hear from her boss. I will definitely never return here!
ScoutIt was much nicer than another of campgrounds I been to
GuideStayed one night while visiting friends. The campground was nice but could use some updating. It was definitely geared more towards families with small children. The showers were interesting. In the men’s they had a pull cord and a button in the women’s. Hot water was more of a mild suggestion rather than an actual thing you got. Luke warm was a generous way of describing it. Not a bad campground if you have a reason to be in the area for a night, but I would recommend it for long stayed unless your camper is very self contained.
The region surrounding Franklin, Pennsylvania offers diverse camping options within western Pennsylvania's rolling hills. Most Franklin area campgrounds feature tree-lined sites at elevations between 1,100-1,400 feet, with summer temperatures averaging 80°F during peak camping season. The area typically receives significant rainfall during summer months, making waterproof gear essential for tent campers.
Disc golf adventures: The 27-hole course at Oil Creek Family Campground provides a challenging woodland experience. "We had a blast on the disc golf course, fishing in the pond, and playing ping pong," notes a visitor who enjoyed the recently expanded course that winds through the wooded property.
Floating the creeks: Access to Oil Creek provides excellent water recreation opportunities with gentle currents suitable for beginners. "It is a stocked creek and it's great for both trout and bass fishing. Some parts of the creek also have a lot of northern water snakes which was cool to see," reports one camper about the waterways near Oil Creek.
Adirondack shelter camping: Unique overnight options exist for hikers seeking a wilderness experience without full tent exposure. "The Adirondack shelters are perfectly positioned to be private from one another, each looks out over the forest. They are a raised timber platform with a slanted roof and stone chimney with fireplace," explains a visitor to Wolfkiel Run Shelters in Oil Creek State Park.
Spacious wooded sites: Campers appreciate the privacy and shade at Two Mile Run County Park, where natural buffers create secluded camping spots. "Shen staying at two mile you will find the sites are separated by trees and offer you your own little private area. The prices are good and you truly are in nature," notes one reviewer.
Primitive riverside camping: For those seeking a more rugged experience, Danner Primitive Campground offers paddle-in or hike-in access. "This is a hike in or paddle in only campground. The shortest distance is about 2 miles from the trailhead at the Kennerdell bridge. The sites are level and clear, each with a new picnic table and nice fire rings with adjustable grates," explains a visitor.
Winter camping options: Unlike many seasonal campgrounds, some locations remain accessible year-round. "We have stayed at the park for Christmas Eve the past two years. Had the Adirondack shelters to ourselves each year. Firewood is available but you have to donate some cash, split it and haul it to your shelter," reports a winter visitor at Oil Creek State Park.
Bridge access limitations: Some campgrounds have restricted entry points for larger vehicles. "We were contacted by campground about an alternate route. My daughter called and learned it was regarding a small bridge that would accommodate our 31' RV, so we went that route," notes a visitor to Mercer-Grove City KOA.
Variable shower facilities: Bathroom quality differs significantly between campgrounds in the region. "The center bathhouse located adjacent to the pavilion with 2 shower stalls and an additional toilet per gender has unfortunately fallen into somewhat disrepair over the last decade. The up side is that there is always hot water," comments a frequent visitor to Cook Forest State Park.
Cash requirements: Many smaller campgrounds operate primarily with cash. At some facilities, amenities like firewood require on-site cash payments. Even dump station usage for non-guests may require cash payment, as one visitor noted: "They permit non guests to utilize the dump site at a small fee $20 during non peak times."
Water-based activities: Families with children appreciate accessible swimming areas during summer months. "Couple beautiful walk in tent sites right on the water. Plenty of nice hiking trails. Great beach for kids," mentions a camper at Two Mile Run County Park regarding the lake facilities.
Entertainment options: Family-oriented campgrounds often provide scheduled activities. "Plenty of activities for the kids, awesome lasertag course. Best shower house I've seen," reports a visitor to Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest, highlighting the organized recreation opportunities.
Maze and playground access: Some campgrounds feature unique amenities that keep children entertained. "They have a great playground, a maze, a catch and release pond. Lots of things to do to keep the kids, or in our case the grandkids occupied," notes a visitor to Oil Creek Family Campground about their distinctive features.
Site selection guidance: RVers should research specific site dimensions before booking. "We stayed in site C6 one of the reservable sites. Every site has plenty of room. And most if not all of the full hookups are pull throughs," advises a visitor at Two Mile Run County Park.
Road conditions awareness: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain features. "Only reason for not 5 stars is the 3 dirt speed bumps with no signs. You hit them pulling a camper and it was horrible," cautions a camper at Tionesta Rec. Area Campground about access road conditions.
Utility placement considerations: The location of hookups can create challenges for some RV configurations. "The utilities were about 3/4 the way to the back of the site so no problems with sewer, water, or electric cord lengths. The water pressure was okay at about 42 psi," notes a Tionesta camper regarding the practical layout of camping sites near Franklin, Pennsylvania.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any free camping spots near Franklin, Pennsylvania?
While true free camping is limited near Franklin, several affordable options exist. Tionesta Rec. Area Campground offers reasonably priced sites and provides excellent access to fly fishing opportunities in the surrounding wilderness areas. For those willing to forgo amenities, Wolfkiel Run Shelters in Oil Creek State Park provides more primitive camping experiences at minimal cost. Additionally, dispersed camping may be available in select areas of Allegheny National Forest with proper permits, though campers should always check current regulations with the Forest Service before planning their trip.
What amenities are available at Franklin, PA campgrounds?
Pymatuning State Park Campground offers lakeside sites with beautiful views, electric hookups, and excellent water recreation options. The park is popular with boaters and anglers, with efficient staff to assist campers. Shenango Campground features over 300 sites with both lakefront and wooded options, making it ideal for fishing and boating enthusiasts. Amenities across the region's campgrounds typically include clean restrooms, shower facilities, picnic tables, fire rings with grills, and access to recreational trails. Many campgrounds offer electric sites and some have full RV hookups, while more primitive options are available for tent campers seeking a basic experience.
What are the best campgrounds near Franklin, PA?
The Franklin area offers excellent camping options. Clear Creek State Park Campground is highly recommended for both tent and RV camping, with beautiful sites along the Clarion River perfect for kayaking and nearby hiking trails. Cook Forest State Park Campground & Cabins is another top choice with good-sized sites featuring picnic tables and fire rings, plus pet-friendly areas and numerous hiking opportunities. Other notable options include Two Mile Run County Park and Oil Creek State Park, both offering scenic surroundings and outdoor recreation possibilities.
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