Best Dispersed Camping near Frenchville, PA

Dispersed camping sites near Frenchville, Pennsylvania cluster primarily in the Moshannon and Elk State Forests at elevations between 1,200-1,800 feet. The forest terrain features predominantly oak, maple and hemlock stands with uneven access roads throughout. Winter temperatures commonly drop below freezing from November through March, making autumn and spring popular camping seasons for visitors seeking solitude.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Several ponds and creeks offer fishing without crowds. At Red Mill Pond, visitors note the fishing appears promising. As one camper observed, "The fishing looks pretty good, but I don't fish."

River activities: Kayaking and canoeing are common activities along waterways. Visitors to Clarion River Campground report "We were lucky to snag a spot on the side of the river. We had direct River access! There were some people kayaking in the river."

Wildlife observation: The mature forest areas provide habitat for deer, birds and small mammals. One camper at Millstone Creek noted, "Tremendous solitude, but it was a Thursday night in late March and very cold. This was a great spot for my first dispersed camping experience."

What campers like

Privacy between sites: The spacing between designated camping areas creates natural privacy. At Millstone Creek Campground, "Sites are well spaced. Mature forest canopy."

Quiet atmosphere: The remote locations limit noise and traffic, particularly on weekdays. One visitor to Red Mill Pond reported, "Came in on a Sunday afternoon and nobody was there. Several hunters drove past but no other campers."

Natural settings: The undeveloped environment appeals to self-sufficient campers. As one camper described, "Many disbursed spots along the river over several miles. Size of camping spots ranges from large open fields with fire pits to spots on the shoulder of the road."

What you should know

No facilities: Amenities are extremely limited or non-existent at most sites. One camper stated about Red Mill Pond: "There is no vaulted toilet at this site any more. Repeated vandalism resulted in its closure."

Access challenges: Road conditions can be problematic for passenger vehicles. A visitor noted, "Pro: There was a pond, campfire rings, and a big spot to maneuver a van. Neutral: No amenities. Con: the road in was bumpy with a lot of pot holes."

Information resources: Finding site information requires advance planning. At Clarion River, a camper advised, "There's an information station along River Rd with a pit toilet house. On the billboard you'll find a map of the designated camp spots along both River Rd and Millstone. Take a picture of it. There's no reception here."

Tips for camping with families

Site selection timing: Weekends see higher occupancy rates, making advance arrival important. One visitor to Millstone Creek reported, "We came in on a Saturday and found one of the road side sites open. Not much traffic and very friendly people in the area."

Safety considerations: Forest conditions require awareness of potential hazards. A camper cautioned, "Though I would always look for widow makers above because some of the trees seem to be diseased."

Campfire preparation: Bring your own firewood as supplies are not available onsite. A camper at Red Mill Pond described basic conditions: "No amenities, only some fireplaces. Good for a short stay, quiet."

Tips from RVers

Suitable vehicle types: Smaller RVs and vans navigate the area more successfully than large rigs. One Red Mill Pond visitor shared, "Been there with camper van. No facilities, only some fireplaces. Good for a short stay, quiet."

Parking surfaces: Look for level, stable areas for larger vehicles. A camper noted, "Hard, fairly flat parking surface right off of paved road. Rock fire ring."

Site availability: Arrive early to secure suitable parking spots. One Clarion River camper warned, "This camp area could be 5 Stars if you get lucky. We got here very late, and almost all the sites were full."