State parks and forests surrounding Glen Campbell, Pennsylvania feature a variety of camping experiences within the rolling hills of western Pennsylvania. Prince Gallitzin State Park's Crooked Run Campground, located about 15 miles northeast of Glen Campbell, offers lakeside camping with both primitive and developed sites. Yellow Creek State Park, situated approximately 20 miles southwest, provides tent camping, RV sites with hookups, cabins, and even yurts. The region includes several specialized camping areas like Clayworks in the Rock Run Recreation area, which caters to off-road enthusiasts with direct trail access. Most campgrounds in this area operate seasonally from April through October, with a few exceptions offering year-round accommodations.
Reservations are essential during peak season, particularly for waterfront sites which fill months in advance. According to one camper at Prince Gallitzin State Park, "This campground is perfect for people looking to get away from busy city life or just want to relax next to a lake." Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with many campgrounds reporting limited or no coverage. Weather conditions can change rapidly, with temperatures near lakes and in wooded areas often running 5-15 degrees cooler than surrounding towns. Pennsylvania state parks prohibit alcohol consumption, a regulation strictly enforced at campgrounds like Cook Forest State Park. Many campgrounds feature clean, well-maintained bathhouses with hot showers, though some visitors note facilities at certain locations need updating.
Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors to the area. Campers report excellent fishing opportunities in stocked lakes and the Clarion River, which runs through several nearby recreation areas. Wildlife sightings are common, with one reviewer noting, "The Clarion River is full of wildlife including bald eagles hunting the river and an occasional black bear nearby." Family-friendly amenities abound at most established campgrounds, including playgrounds, swimming beaches, and boat rentals. Site privacy varies considerably, with some campgrounds offering spacious, well-separated sites while others place campers in closer proximity. Hiking trails connect many campgrounds to surrounding natural areas, providing additional recreational opportunities beyond water activities. For those seeking more solitude, dispersed camping options exist on public lands within driving distance of Glen Campbell.
$15 - $49 / night
"This campground is perfect for people who are looking to get away from busy city life or just want to relax next to a lake."
"The site was roomy enough, but next time I know to try to reserve on the outside perimeter for more room. Dogs are permitted in this area of the campground and honestly they were all well behaved."
"This spot allows you to relax without to much concern,dogs welcome ,boating and swimming was awesome for around this area. Camping is great especially at night with boats on the water."
$44 - $49 / night
"Right on the water, clean, and private access to the lake. Dog friendly cabins were available. We cannot wait to come back."
"The creek surrounding the island does make it cold at night so make sure to pack warmly."
$20 - $35 / night
"Located in Rock Run Recreation park, our site (#14) was not the greatest, it had a lot of length, but no real level side room, fell downhill when exiting the camper lol."
$40 / night
"Staff drives around periodically on a ranger and can be flagged down if help is needed. There is a fishing pond on site for the kids to fish."
"Lots of trails to hike. Decent camp store."
"It is very close to I80, however, there is a 5 mile drive thru a housing development where the 25 MPH speed limit is enforced by an overly zealous security guard."
"Dog run is ok and have to walk a good was to the trash bin depending on campsite. Will be back. Some sites have concrete patio which I do recommend."
$20 - $123 / night
"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."
$8 - $51 / night
"Large sites, nice restrooms, big hall, pool, lake to canoe, boat & fish. They have a small cafe for breakfast and lunch. You can rent the hall for parties and weddings."
"The camp store was a great asset for small items left behind, plus prices were great for ice and firewood. We will be back!"
ScoutThe owners of the campground are friendly and easy to get ahold of. The campground has always been clean when I visit. They have a wooded walking trail that passes a creek. The game lands are also close by. The top level has year round sites, which is a big bonus!
GuideStayed for about a week. But it has thick snow when we went
TravelerMy wife has been going to keystone all her life, I’ve only gone since she and I started dating. I’ve been all over the world hiking and camping, but keystone is nostalgic for her. And it’s a great place for our one year old to cut his teeth in the great outdoors!! He loves going and love camping!! He loves to be outside more than anything!! Gentle trails and a smooth lake, a great place for a quick weekend from the city
TravelerIve camped at Black Moshannon State Park many times both in a tent and our camper. The Park has tent only, electric and full hookup sites. It is well cared for and clean. The bathhouses are nice and well maintained. The Park itself offers a lot to do with fishing. Hiking, the beach, kayak rentals, etc. I've never had a bad time at Black Moshannon and will keep coming back.
ScoutStaying for two weeks.
TravelerWe came here after finding this campsite on the dirt app. When we arrived, there was no one around. There are no rules or payment stations. There are a lot of RVs that seem to be set up in a permanent location. We camped on a field and haven’t seen anyone. There are bathrooms and showers and they are open. It looks like this is the site of the fairgrounds and maybe it is a hopping place in the summer? I will update this review if anyone comes by.
GuideHaving PTSD and serious anxiety. This spot allows you to relax without to much concern,dogs welcome ,boating and swimming was awesome for around this area. Camping is great especially at night with boats on the water.
TravelerFirst I'll just say that the Rothrock campsites should probably each be listed separately, rather than as a group; they are very spread out throughout the State Forest and each is a different experience. This review will be for site 002 Colerain Road.
This site is accessed by driving up a bit of a winding dirt road up the mountain. It's easy enough during the summer, though the road is narrow and you've got some sharp bends depending on which way you come from. This road is not safe to access in the winter in my opinion.
The parking is just right off the road, and there's a picnic table and large stone fire ring near the parking. There's a small path further up the hill into the woods where there is a tent pad, another fire ring and another picnic table. There are also a lot of flat spots nearby for additional tents to be set up.
Just behind the upper tent site is the top of the mountain, and the site has their own private overlook to the valley below. The site is pretty remote, though there were vehicles and the occasional biker coming up the road. Traffic may have been busier than usual the weekend we went because there was the Mid Atlantic Overland festival nearby at the same time. At one point a family parked in the campsite's parking to start a walk... (there's a better trailhead up closer to Indian Lookout they should have used).
No hookups, water, bathrooms, etc; its fully primitive camping here. Cell coverage was fine on Xfinity Mobile (Verizon).
These sites used to be totally free but they're now $10 a night. You still need to book a while out if you want to be here on a weekend, especially during the fall when Penn State is playing.
GuideThis camp area could be 5 Stars if you get lucky. We got here very late, and almost all the sites were full... the one nice one that was available had food everywhere. Don't do this! There were chicken carcasses and popcorn, eggs, and a bag of food in a fire ring. Having seen racoons & other wildlife on the road in, obviously we couldn't tent there. We car c(r)amped at another site. M7(?). There was no place for a tent & no fire ring at that spot. The river view in the morning was nice though. Had we arrived earlier or gotten lucky, this area is probably an awesome camp spot! 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 but that's how you know it's a nice area!
Dispersed camping opportunities around Glen Campbell, Pennsylvania are complemented by several established campgrounds within a 25-mile radius. The region sits at elevations between 1,200-1,800 feet in the Allegheny Mountains, creating cooler microclimates than surrounding areas. Seasonal operations typically run April through October, with some sites experiencing temperature drops of 10-15 degrees at night compared to daytime highs.
Disc golf adventures: Curwensville Lake Campground offers an unexpected recreation option for campers looking beyond traditional activities. One visitor noted, "I had no idea there was disc golf, I keep a couple in my truck and so i played more game then fished."
BMX track for kids: Crooked Run Campground at Prince Gallitzin State Park features a BMX track that keeps younger visitors entertained. A reviewer mentioned, "Great place for kids! We love staying at crooked run campground. Has a beach on the lake. Affordable boat rentals. Bmx track for kids."
Hiking ancient forests: Cook Forest State Park provides access to old-growth forest trails with well-marked paths. A camper reported, "On the hike there are blazes everywhere so you don't get lost." The park's trail system connects directly to multiple camping areas for easy access.
Private island camping: Yellow Creek State Park offers a unique camping experience on a private island. One camper shared, "The private island is a beautiful campsite and has enough room for several tents. There's plenty of trees on the island so there are plenty of sticks to find for fires."
Dog-friendly areas: Silver Canoe Campground welcomes all dogs without breed restrictions. A reviewer appreciated this policy, noting, "The main reason we started going there is because they are dog friendly and they don't hold breed restrictions against bully breeds. This place is literally a diamond find for us."
Offroad trail access: Clayworks in Rock Run Recreation area allows campers to access trails directly from their sites. One visitor explained, "We'll be back for sure because it's convenient to ride right from your camper. They also have several other campgrounds in the park that don't have any hookups but would be nice to tent or camp with a genny."
Weather preparation: Cook Forest campsites can experience significant temperature variations. According to one camper, "This tent is labeled as a 4 season tent, however, you should note that this is only when you pair it with appropriate attire, sleepsack and mat. Otherwise, it gets fairly cold up there."
Site selection matters: Many campgrounds in the region have varied site quality within the same facility. A Clayworks visitor advised, "Our site (#14) was not the greatest, it had a lot of length, but no real level side room, fell downhill when exiting the camper lol. Who wants to hang out behind there camper lol."
Reservation timing: For the best places to camp near Glen Campbell, Pennsylvania, book well in advance, especially for holiday weekends. One Cook Forest camper recommended, "You'd do best to book 8-9, yes, 8-9 months out for this particular weekend."
Yurt options: Yellow Creek State Park offers alternative accommodations perfect for families new to camping. A visitor explained, "We stayed in one of the yurts, and it was perfect for the group of 6 I went with. It dumped rain the first night we were there and the yurt kept us perfectly comfortable and dry."
Group sites available: Curwensville Lake Recreation Area provides camping areas designed for families with common play spaces. A reviewer noted, "Our kiddo loved playing at the playground right by our campsite. Clean campground, clean bathrooms, no privacy but not right on top of each other."
Cabins for inclement weather: When camping near Glen Campbell with children, consider cabin options during unpredictable weather seasons. A Yellow Creek visitor shared, "We stayed in 3 of the cabins for 4 days at Yellow Creek State Park (not the campground). It was beautiful. Right on the water, clean, and private access to the lake."
Access challenges: DuBois/Treasure Lake KOA presents navigation difficulties despite good camping facilities. One RVer warned, "This KOA is located 5 miles in the back of a gated community. Signage is lacking and it's confusing to locate once past the gate, especially after a long day of driving."
Big rig considerations: For those with larger RVs seeking the best camping options near Glen Campbell, Pennsylvania, DuBois/Treasure Lake KOA offers suitable spaces. A camper noted, "This KOA is way back in the woods. Love it. Rock sites mostly level. Most sites are huge. Some sites have concrete patio which I do recommend."
Limited shaded RV sites: Many campgrounds in the region have few trees in RV areas. One visitor observed, "Very limited sites that had shade! A lot of their sites were in an open field." Arrive early for check-in to increase chances of securing a shaded spot during summer months.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Glen Campbell, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Glen Campbell, PA offers a wide range of camping options, with 107 campgrounds and RV parks near Glen Campbell, PA and 4 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Glen Campbell, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Glen Campbell, PA is Crooked Run Campground — Prince Gallitzin State Park with a 4.3-star rating from 26 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Glen Campbell, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Glen Campbell, PA.
What parks are near Glen Campbell, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 parks near Glen Campbell, PA that allow camping, notably Crooked Creek Lake and Raystown Lake.
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