Tent and yurt camping options near Kittanning, Pennsylvania range from rustic to full-service. The area sits along the Allegheny River at approximately 800 feet elevation with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter lows around 20-30°F. Campsites throughout the region typically experience morning fog in valley locations during spring and fall months, creating challenging conditions for early risers.
What to do
Hiking trails at McConnells Mill: Access various difficulty levels directly from Breakneck Campground, located just 30 miles from Kittanning. "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 appreciates the trail connectivity.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple stocked waters within 15 miles of Kittanning. At Keystone State Park Campground, anglers find year-round options. "Small lake where you can fish, paddle boat, and swim. Quiet hours and parking are strictly enforced," explains a camper who found the fishing accessible for family outings.
Seasonal activities: Winter camping and ice fishing remain available at select sites when temperatures permit. "We've stayed here multiple times throughout several summers. The lake is great for fishing with plenty of hiking trails. There's plenty to do in surrounding areas from Ft Ligonier to the shops in the town," shares a regular visitor.
What campers like
Private camping areas: Some campgrounds offer secluded options away from crowds. "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," explains a guest at Yellow Creek Campground.
Clean facilities: Bathroom maintenance varies by location but several parks earn high marks. "Probably the cleanest shower house I have ever seen at a campground," reports a visitor to Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest, which offers yurt camping near Kittanning, Pennsylvania, about 35 miles away.
Multiple water recreation options: Beyond swimming pools, natural water features provide alternatives. "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," explains a visitor who enjoyed the water access at Clear Creek State Park Campground.
What you should know
Site selection considerations: Not all sites offer equal accessibility or privacy. "The visitors center at Keystone was beautiful and informative of the local history which was very interesting how the park first came about," notes a visitor who appreciated the orientation information before selecting a site.
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds close during winter months. "The park has tent sites, RV sites and cabins. 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," explains a camper detailing the warm-weather amenities.
Quiet hour enforcement: Rules vary by location with some strictly maintaining peaceful evenings. "Quiet hours are from 9pm-8am our tent site was more like an RV site as we had a hill side but each site has a 30ft concrete pad to park on so I just put our tent on the concrete pad," explains a camper who appreciated the structure.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Multiple swimming facilities available within 30 miles of Kittanning. "The pool area and bath house were clean and maintained. The camp store was a great asset for small items left behind, plus prices were great for ice and firewood," explains a visitor to Silver Canoe Campground who found the amenities suitable for children.
Structured activities: Several parks offer organized programming for children. "We had a wonderful weekend with our dogs. Nice facility, easy check in despite the Covid-19 restrictions. Laid back atmosphere," notes a visitor who found the environment welcoming for the entire family, including pets.
Playground access: Most family-oriented campgrounds include play areas. "This is a large campground with play grounds, well maintained pool and grounds, fishing, party pavilions, and store. The staff is nice and helpful," reports a visitor to Fox Den Acres Campground who found multiple options to keep children occupied.
Tips from RVers
Hookup logistics: RV site layouts vary significantly between parks. "Sites are super big and is a great family owned campground! Super close to a local ice cream shop and has a great dog park and is fully paved," notes an RVer who appreciated the spaciousness at Rose Point Park.
Leveling requirements: Many sites require adjustment equipment. "The sites were all level and were well-shaded. The pool area and bath house were clean and maintained," explains a camper who found the terrain manageable with proper preparation.
Full-hookup availability: Not all sites offer complete services. "Our family loved Kalyumet and there was plenty to do for everyone including some great activities for children. We ended up having to run 60ft of water hose and 50ft of cable in order to get a connection," warns an RVer who needed extra equipment due to site layout challenges.
