Best Campgrounds near Kennerdell, PA

Camping opportunities near Kennerdell, Pennsylvania range from primitive sites to full-service facilities, with several options within a 20-mile radius. Danner Primitive Campground offers hike-in tent camping along the river, requiring a permit for stays longer than one night. Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest in Harrisville provides a family-friendly alternative with 312 sites including tent, RV, cabin, and glamping accommodations. Two Mile Run County Park features wooded campsites with varying levels of privacy and full hookups for RVs, while also offering walk-in tent sites directly on the water.

Seasonal operations affect campground availability throughout the region, with many facilities closing during winter months. Jellystone Park operates from April 15 to October 31, while Two Mile Run County Park remains open year-round. Access to Danner Primitive Campground requires a 2-mile hike from the Kennerdell bridge trailhead or paddling in via the river. Most tent sites include fire rings with adjustable cooking grates and picnic tables, though facilities vary significantly between primitive and developed campgrounds. Some locations, like Danner, have vault toilets and spring water that requires boiling before consumption. As one visitor noted, "This is a hike in or paddle in only campground... meant more to be a stop along a paddling or hiking trip than a destination camping trip."

Campers frequently mention the cleanliness and privacy of sites as standout features in this region. Two Mile Run County Park receives praise for its spacious, tree-separated campsites that create private camping areas. A reviewer highlighted that "every site has plenty of room. Campground overall is quiet. And most if not all of the full hookups are pull throughs." For families, Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest consistently earns high ratings for its extensive amenities and activities. Despite feeling remote, some primitive camping areas like Danner have cabins visible across the river, which some campers appreciate for added security. Water access represents a common theme in positive reviews, with both primitive sites along the Allegheny River and developed campgrounds near lakes offering opportunities for paddling, fishing, and swimming.

Best Camping Sites Near Kennerdell, Pennsylvania (121)

    1. Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest

    13 Reviews
    Boyers, PA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 735-2417

    2. Danner Primitive Campground

    1 Review
    Kennerdell, PA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (814) 226-1901

    "The shortest distance is about 2 miles from the trailhead at the Kennerdell bridge, but there are other trailheads throughout the tract also."

    3. Two Mile Run County Park

    5 Reviews
    Rouseville, PA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 676-6116

    "Couple beautiful walk in tent sites right on the water. Plenty of nice hiking trails. Great beach for kids."

    "The lake is nice for canoeing"

    4. Cook Forest State Park Campground & Cabins

    51 Reviews
    Cooksburg, PA
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 744-8407

    $20 - $67 / 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."

    5. Gaslight Campgrounds

    1 Review
    Emlenton, PA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 867-6981

    6. Starr Farm

    1 Review
    Polk, PA
    9 miles
    +1 (412) 628-0118

    $50 / night

    "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."

    7. Wolfs Camping Resort

    5 Reviews
    Shippenville, PA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 797-1103

    $55 - $250 / night

    "Super friendly staff, great location. stocked lake with catch and release fishing. Loved it.

    Stayed in May 2017"

    8. Mercer-Grove City KOA

    9 Reviews
    Mercer, PA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 748-3160

    "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."

    9. Rustic Acres

    8 Reviews
    Shippenville, PA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 226-9850

    $39 - $69 / night

    "This campground is easy access to I80, Less than 10 minutes. It is very clean, amazingly helpful staff, mix of seasonal, weekly, and overnight. Nice playground for the kids."

    "Close to I80."

    10. Oil Creek Family Campground

    7 Reviews
    Titusville, PA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 827-1023

    "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."

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Recent Reviews near Kennerdell, PA

499 Reviews of 121 Kennerdell Campgrounds


  • Bettina A.
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Bear Run Campground

    Options.

    This is an amazing campground with reasonable prices, an array of camping options to suit different camping needs as well as budget range. I am unsure if I just happen to have gotten lucky and decided to go camping during a special weekend, but it’s Labor Day weekend and I am loving that there is a calendar of events for campers to participate in if they choose to. Activities include wagon rides to the lake, talent show, karaoke…etc, as well as church! This was an unexpected gem as we are from Florida and were blessed enough to stumble upon the right person in a parking lot when my husband asked if they knew of any places that we could possibly camp at nearby and that gentleman told us about Moraine Park. Upon making our way out to here, we found Bear Run and have loved our experience so far. Love it!

  • Don H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Shenango Campground

    Great camping

    Great place to camp. Beautiful lake and wonderful people.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Mountain Top Campground

    Solitude peace and quiet

    You come up a winding road and emerge atop the mountain. It’s cute. Wide open grass land with sites around the perimeter. Half a dozen of them (premium) are at the edge and have a nice view to the hills beyond. Basic amenities. Some ice and fire wood that are self serve. We’re just here for the night and are hoping to catch an uber into the city for a pirates game. Place is full - ish but is super quiet. If you’re looking for a place to hang a hammock and read a book. This is it. Nice fire holes with a view.

  • Dani T.
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Clarion River Campground

    Possibly 5 Stars IF...

    This 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!

  • S
    Jul. 24, 2025

    Chestnut Ridge Park and Campground

    Great community

    When I first got here the 2 owners went above and beyond in so many ways. Unfortunately they didn’t have a 50 amp site available so the owner gave me 30 amp converter at no cost and also helped me hook up my gray water and black water connections. They keep the area pristine and welcome everyone as if they are family.

  • Sienna L.
    Jul. 22, 2025

    Cook Forest State Park Campground & Cabins

    Great Getway

    This campground was great! Throughout the week in the summer it is pretty quiet. Very close to the fire tower and other things to see around it. The Knotty Pine bar and restaurant was right down the road and had great food and drink.

  • Erik W.
    Jul. 21, 2025

    Wolfs Camping Resort

    Absolutely beautiful

    Super friendly staff, great location. stocked lake with catch and release fishing. Loved it.

    Stayed in May 2017

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 8, 2025

    Quiet and Secluded

    Lovely Stay at Quiet and Secluded

    Rolled up on the later side but was welcomed kindly by the owner Bill. Beautiful spot. Clean amenities!

  • eThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 8, 2025

    Clarion River Campground

    Beautiful if you can find a spot

    Busy spot. There are various large sized spots on both sides of the road. We were lucky to snag a spot on the side of the river-with our RV. We had direct River access! Quite road-We were able to walk. There were some people kayaking in the river. Dispersed spot-no cell service.


Guide to Kennerdell

Campgrounds near Kennerdell, Pennsylvania range from rustic backcountry sites to family-oriented resorts across Venango, Clarion, and Butler counties. The region sits within the Allegheny Plateau at elevations between 1,100-1,400 feet, creating varied terrain for camping. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F, while spring and fall can drop to 40-60°F with increased precipitation.

What to do

Disc golf adventure: The 27-hole course at Oil Creek Family Campground provides a challenging outdoor activity through wooded terrain. "Their course is really nice!" notes Lydia G., who visited during Memorial Day weekend.

Fishing opportunities: The region offers diverse fishing experiences in both rivers and lakes. At Two Mile Run County Park, campers can access "a great beach for kids" and "plenty of nice hiking trails," according to Joanie B., who stayed in 2023.

Wildlife observation: Some campgrounds feature unusual animal encounters. Rustic Acres maintains llamas that children can feed and pet, while special events bring additional wildlife experiences. Brannon M. suggests: "If you're camping with kiddos, try turning over the rocks in area creeks to find little aquatic insects. A little creepy, but a lot of awesome."

Mini golf and traditional golf: Several campgrounds maintain golf facilities. Wolf's Camping Resort features both mini golf and a full 18-hole golf course. According to Owen I., the campground has "a large mini golf course and a full sized 18 hole golf course with many activities and themed weekends."

What campers like

Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds receive high marks for cleanliness. At Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest, John M. found "probably the cleanest shower house I have ever seen at a campground," while Fred R. called it the "best shower house I've seen."

Kid-friendly activities: Organized programs for children stand out as a highlight. Misty L. appreciated Rustic Acres' "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!"

Privacy between sites: Cook Forest State Park provides well-spaced sites that create natural separation. Courtney K. noted, "some spots gave you enough space to feel pretty secluded from other campers, which was nice for my partner and I."

Year-round options: Unlike seasonal campgrounds, some locations remain open through winter. At Oil Creek State Park, Travis S. reports, "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."

What you should know

Access challenges: Some campgrounds require alternative transportation methods. At Danner Primitive Campground, Casey L. explains, "This is a hike in or paddle in only campground. The shortest distance is about 2 miles from the trailhead at the Kennerdell bridge, but there are other trailheads throughout the tract also."

Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. Gary C. at Jellystone Park notes, "We liked it so much we have booked repeat visits already," suggesting booking well in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Marlowe's Scenic River Campground in Kennerdell?

Marlowe's Scenic River Campground in Kennerdell offers basic amenities typical of river-oriented campgrounds in the region. Similar to Tionesta Rec. Area Campground, which is in the same general region, Marlowe's provides access to excellent fishing opportunities along the Allegheny River. The campground likely features fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets. Primitive river access is available for paddlers and anglers. The facility typically operates seasonally, with limited utilities compared to larger developed campgrounds like Two Mile Run County Park near Franklin.

Where is Kennerdell Campground located in Pennsylvania?

Kennerdell is located in Venango County, Pennsylvania, along the Allegheny River. The area is known for outdoor recreation opportunities, particularly camping and hiking. Danner Primitive Campground is situated near Kennerdell and can be accessed via a 2-mile hike from the Kennerdell bridge trailhead. This primitive campground offers a true wilderness experience in the scenic Allegheny River valley region of western Pennsylvania, approximately 70 miles north of Pittsburgh.

What camping is available near Kennerdell, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Kennerdell, PA offers a wide range of camping options, with 121 campgrounds and RV parks near Kennerdell, PA and 5 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Kennerdell, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Kennerdell, PA is Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest with a 4.9-star rating from 13 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Kennerdell, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Kennerdell, PA.

What parks are near Kennerdell, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 parks near Kennerdell, PA that allow camping, notably Tionesta Lake and Crooked Creek Lake.