Campgrounds around Saxonburg, Pennsylvania operate in a climate with average summer temperatures of 80-85°F and winter lows reaching 20°F. The region sits at elevations between 1,000-1,300 feet with rolling terrain characterized by mixed hardwood forests and creek valleys. Most primitive sites require campers to pack in their own water due to limited sources during dry periods from July through September.
What to do
Creek exploration: 10 miles south of Saxonburg at Breakneck Campground, campers can access creek-side trails leading to McConnells Mill State Park. "From our campsite we walked along the creek into McConnells Mill State Park and joined the covered bridge trail. Approx. 30min walk along the creek down into McConnells Mill State Park," notes one visitor who stayed at a primitive creek-side site.
Horseback riding: Available weekends at Bear Run Campground where Sunday rides are particularly popular with families. A camper mentioned, "My son loves the horse rides on Sundays," highlighting this as a regular weekend activity. The stable area is located in a more secluded section of the campground.
Disc golf: Free course at Crooked Creek Lake, 15 miles east of Saxonburg. Visitors note the course includes "corn hole at campground with kid playground" making it suitable for various skill levels. The course winds through open grassy areas near the campground with some moderate elevation changes.
What campers like
Mountain views: Premium sites at Mountain Top Campground feature valley vistas that campers consistently highlight. "We 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," reports one visitor. The campground sits on an elevated plateau with clear sightlines to surrounding hillsides.
Clean facilities: Bathhouses at Smith Grove receive consistent praise for maintenance standards. "Campground is very nice. A lot of sites with plenty of room at each site. Bathrooms were very clean as well," notes a recent visitor. The bathhouse includes hot water showers and is centrally located within the campground.
Dog-friendly amenities: Fenced dog run at Rose Point Park Cabins & Camping allows pets to exercise off-leash. A camper observed the campground has "all the amenities necessary on site, including nice dog park." The run features a double-gate entry system and water station for pet comfort.
What you should know
Limited cell coverage: Reception varies significantly between campgrounds and specific sites. At Breakneck Campground, "there is no phone reception at the tent sites by the creek," according to one camper who stayed in the primitive area. Higher elevation sites typically maintain better connectivity.
Shower costs: Coin-operated showers at some facilities require quarters or tokens. "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," reports a visitor at Mountain Top Campground. Typical rates are $0.25 per 3-5 minutes.
Noise levels: Weekend activity can create a lively atmosphere at certain campgrounds. One Breakneck Campground visitor reported, "I got about 2 hours of sleep Saturday night total, and the last time I was woken up my watch said 3:48 am. Clearly there is absolutely no enforcement of the quiet hours whatsoever." Sites farther from common areas typically experience less noise.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Heated swimming pool at Rose Point Park Cabins & Camping provides alternative water recreation. "They have a nice heated large pool," notes one regular visitor. The pool typically operates from Memorial Day through Labor Day with designated adult swim times in early morning hours.
Themed weekends: Halloween events are particularly popular at Rose Point Park. A camper detailed the activities: "Halloween Events: Pumpkin Carving Contest, Voting On Pumpkins (Carved), Campstore Sales, T-Shirts And Apparel (Halloween Versions), Dance Party." These events typically run weekends in October with preregistration required for contests.
Playground options: Multiple facilities for different age groups exist at area campgrounds. At Crooked Creek Lake, facilities include a "kid playground" that one visitor noted alongside other recreation options. Most playgrounds are centrally located near camp stores or bathhouses rather than individual camping loops.
Tips from RVers
Terrain challenges: Narrow access roads can present difficulties for larger rigs. A Mountain Top Campground visitor advised, "The hardest part is finding it. The roads get narrow so if in an RV call them for the easiest route in." Local campers recommend avoiding GPS routing and instead following campground-provided directions.
Grey water handling: Mountain Top Campground offers a unique solution for extended stays. "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," explains an RVer who appreciated this convenience.
Site slope: Bear Run Campground terrain presents challenges for leveling. "Very hilly campground but too hilly for kids to ride bikes," noted one visitor. RVers report needing extra leveling blocks, particularly for sites in the upper section where the grade can exceed 5% in some locations.
