99 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Kittanning, Pennsylvania range from facilities with full amenities to more primitive options along waterways, covering tent camping, RV hookups, cabin rentals, and glamping. The area includes several mixed-use campgrounds like Crooked Creek Lake, which accommodates both tent and RV camping, and Mountain View Camps, which offers cabin rentals. Silver Canoe Campground, located in Rural Valley about 15 miles east of Kittanning, provides 100 sites for tents, RVs, cabins, and glamping options. Most campgrounds in the region feature fire rings, picnic tables, and access to drinking water, with many offering electric hookups for RVs.
Seasonal considerations affect camping availability throughout the area, with several campgrounds operating only from spring through fall. Crooked Creek Lake is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, while others like Mountain Top Campground and Silver Canoe Campground remain open year-round. Many sites require advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays when waterfront locations fill quickly. The terrain varies from relatively flat developed campgrounds to more rugged areas along the region's waterways, including the Clarion River. Cell service can be limited in some locations, especially in more remote areas. According to one visitor, "The Clarion River is a crystal clear, shallow, rock bottom river perfect for a cool off, fishing or kayaking."
Campers near Kittanning report high satisfaction with campsites that offer direct water access, with several reviewers highlighting the quality of fishing and paddling opportunities. The Kittanning area campgrounds provide varying levels of privacy, from more secluded wooded sites to open areas with community gathering spaces. Bathroom facilities range from modern shower houses to more basic vault toilets, with cleanliness generally rated positively by visitors. Several campgrounds feature playgrounds and recreational areas for families. A visitor noted that "Clear Creek runs through the campground and is a perfect spot for a BBQ or Picnic. It also has a designated swimming beach with sand." Noise levels vary significantly between campgrounds, with some reviewers mentioning that certain locations can become quite loud on holiday weekends, while others maintain a quieter atmosphere even during peak season.
"This is a small campground next to Crooked Creek Lake. The lake is manmade and maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers. There is a small beach and picnic tables."
"Nice small, quiet campground near Crooked Creek. Affordable as well. Love the lake, there is even a little beach for the family. Definitely worth a visit."
from $15 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Great place to stay close to hiking trails and fishing spots. Hit the mountain bike track, explore the ruins on the game lands, and might even see an albino fawn."
from $20 - $70 / night
Check Availability"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!"
from $8 - $51 / night
Check Availability"What amazing views from this location! It actually does really sit at the mountain top and gives you pretty good views of the valleys and surrounding areas from any of the rim campsites."
"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."
from $48 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $30 - $95 / 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 $24 - $109 / night
Check Availability"Pet friendly and close to a boat ramp, making fishing and kayaking easy."
"Camped in the Lakeside Loop. This State Park is so Clean! The campground gives you easy access to anything you want to do. Fish, swim, hike, bike, kayak. It can all be done."
"This is our second time staying here - once in Electric site on Lakeside and this time non electric site on Hillside. Love this side of Hillside - quiet and shaded."
from $22 - $117 / night
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TravelerOnly gave it four stars because it’s not so easy to find a spot, especially if you have an RV. We got pretty lucky with our spot seemed like the only one that was left but besides that amazing place. Site was relatively clean had a lot of eggshells and some toilet paper left over from the last campers in the tree line. Given the chance I would stay again!
ScoutAdvertised as a family camp but very far from it. I’ve watched this camp progressively get worse as the years go on, over priced camp with zero efforts to make anything worthwhile, run down play grounds, broken toilet paper roll holders in the bathrooms of the shower house, roads that make you feel like your off road. Owner plans “events” and then wants campers to pay for overpriced food. The owner complains nobody comes to events anymore but barely comes to them herself. The owner is VERY money hungry! And most importantly it’s home to a sex offender who the owner cherishes dearly.
It’s a shame to see how many people realized how terrible this camp was and are selling their camps because of it. The owner should open her eyes and realize she’s the reason people don’t want to be there anymore !!!
ScoutCant have no fun or drink.kids get yelled at all the time..owner sneaks around looking in campers at night..they watch every thing you do. Then they throw you out because your having to much fun. Or your up after 10pm..what a joke....please dont do nothing wrong.because.youll be on the shitlist...they are very very racist ,dont ever take a black child or try to get a place to stay or even put a tent up ,cause if your Black ,they tell you their is no room for u or a tent..STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE,ITS A BUNCH OF HYPOCRITES AND THEY DONT WANT NO BLACS IN THEIR CAMP GROOUND AT ALL..GO UP THE ROAD..THEY ARE NICER THERE...
ScoutWe love camping here. There are a few things to do, swim in the pool, mine for gem stones, they have an arcade and a playground. It’s in a wooded area near lake Arthur with a boat ramp down the Road.
Scout,
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
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
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.
TravelerVery nice and well kept. great campground for families with kids. has a playground, heated pool. they also had rock painting activities. the store is cute- they also have a little shop in there.
Restrooms/showers are super clean!
Campgrounds near Kittanning, Pennsylvania vary significantly in terrain, with elevations ranging from 800-1,200 feet in the surrounding region. Local campsites experience four distinct seasons with summer temperatures typically reaching 80-85°F, while spring and fall bring moderate 50-70°F conditions. Most campgrounds in this Western Pennsylvania region sit along waterways including the Allegheny River and smaller tributaries that define the local landscape.
Kayaking the Clarion River: Cook Forest State Park Campground offers direct access to the Clarion River with gentle waters suitable for beginners. "The river is slow and serene, perfect for families," notes a camper who enjoyed floating these waters.
Fishing at local lakes: Crooked Creek Lake provides multiple fishing spots with both lake and creek access. As one visitor explains, "We fish and kayak the creek opposite the lake," which offers a different experience than the main waterway.
Hiking forest trails: Mountain View Camps sits near multiple hiking trails with unique wildlife viewing opportunities. A reviewer highlights you can "explore the ruins on the game lands, and might even see an albino fawn" during your explorations.
Visit local Amish communities: Silver Canoe Campground provides easy access to nearby Amish areas. "Short drive to Smicksburg to shop. You may hear the horse drawn buggies of the Amish who keep their boats here," according to one camper who enjoyed the cultural experience.
Well-maintained facilities: Mountain Top Campground receives consistent praise for cleanliness. "This place is very clean and well maintained. The family is always out making improvements, talking with the campers, and putting on events," reports one long-term camper.
Private wooded sites: Several campgrounds offer secluded camping spots with natural buffers. At Keystone State Park, "There are some very secluded sites" in the hillside section that provide more privacy than lakeside options.
Pet-friendly policies: Many appreciate that certain campgrounds welcome dogs without breed restrictions. As one Silver Canoe visitor notes, "The main reason we started going there is because they are dog friendly and they don't hold breed restrictions against bully breeds."
Affordable options: Smith Grove stands out for budget-conscious campers. "It is very affordable and bathrooms are clean," reports one regular visitor who stays when visiting family in nearby Butler.
Seasonal operations: Availability varies significantly throughout the year. While Crooked Creek Lake operates from Memorial Day through Labor Day, Milton Loop has a longer season from "April 1 to October 15."
Water supply limitations: During peak periods, some campgrounds experience infrastructure challenges. "Every holiday by Saturday afternoon you have no water.and electricity always goes out," cautions one visitor about certain facilities during busy weekends.
Site variations within campgrounds: Keystone State Park has two distinctly different camping areas. "There are 2 campgrounds in the park, the hillside one and the one on the lake. The lakeside one is a glorified trailer park and is packed during the summer with no privacy."
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds require careful navigation. At Mountain Top Campground, "The roads get narrow so if in an RV call them for the easiest route in. If you are Overlanding like us just follow the map."
Swimming beaches for children: Cook Forest State Park Campground & Cabins offers designated swimming areas. "There was hiking trails and actually went tubing my first time here," reports one visitor who enjoyed water activities.
Site selection for tent camping: At Silver Canoe Campground, "The sites were all level and were well-shaded," according to a parent who camped with their 9-year-old, making setup easier for families with children.
Campground amenities: Crooked Creek Lake provides recreational facilities beyond water activities. "Nice beach, boat ramps, disc golf, corn hole at campground with kid playground," shares one visitor who appreciated the diverse options for different age groups.
Hard water warning: Milton Loop requires simple preparation for extended stays. "I recommend a RV water filter because the hard water will stain your bathroom if the stay is extended," advises a camper who regularly visits with children.
Dump station locations: Wheel-in Campground provides dump stations for waste management, but some sites like Crooked Creek Lake require specific navigation. "Pull out and make a left and it's about 500' down road on left by pavilion. Pull into the second drive to be on the correct side."
Electric hookups: Mountain Top Campground offers both standard and premium sites with utilities. "There are some lots with power and water, some with just water and some without either," allowing for selection based on your specific RV needs.
Grey water disposal options: Some campgrounds offer solutions for extended stays without full hookups. At Mountain Top, "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."
Site levelness considerations: Finding level sites can be challenging at some locations. "Our site was flat," notes a visitor to Mountain Top, while others recommend calling ahead to request specific spots suitable for larger rigs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds near Kittanning, PA?
Within driving distance of Kittanning, Clear Creek State Park Campground stands out with its scenic location on the Clarion River. The park offers tent camping (including paddle-in sites), RV spots, rustic cabins, and yurts in a well-maintained setting. For another excellent option, consider Cook Forest State Park Campground & Cabins with its rolling green mountains and good-sized sites featuring picnic tables and fire rings with grills. Both parks provide excellent access to outdoor activities including hiking trails, kayaking, and fishing opportunities in the Pennsylvania Wilds region.
Are there RV rental options available in Kittanning, Pennsylvania?
While Kittanning itself has limited dedicated RV rental businesses, several options exist in the broader region. Crooked Creek Lake near Ford City accommodates RVs with drive-in access. Bear Ridge Campground & RV Resort near Templeton may offer rental units or have connections with local rental services. For those bringing their own RVs, many campgrounds in the area are RV-friendly, but it's advisable to check size restrictions as some parks have limited big-rig accessibility. Consider contacting local outdoor recreation stores or checking online rental marketplaces that connect RV owners with renters for the most current options.
What camping amenities are available at Kittanning camping sites?
Campgrounds near Kittanning offer various amenities to enhance your outdoor experience. Bush Recreation Area provides electric hookups (30A), fresh water access, picnic tables, and a playground that's great for families with children. Breakneck Campground offers secluded sites with fire rings in a more rustic setting. Most area campgrounds maintain clean restroom and shower facilities, though amenities vary by location. Many sites include standard features like fire rings, picnic tables, and access to water. For RV campers, electrical hookups are available at select campgrounds, but full hookup sites with sewer connections are less common in the immediate Kittanning area.
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