Camping near Kittanning, Pennsylvania offers access to the Allegheny River and surrounding foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Located at approximately 800 feet elevation, the area experiences mild summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F, with cooler evenings around 60-65°F. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from April through October, with a few offering year-round accommodations.
What to do
Kayaking at Crooked Creek Lake: The lake has a small beach area and is excellent for paddling small watercraft. "The lake is great for kayaking or small boats. We fish and kayak the creek opposite the lake," notes Jennifer P. about Crooked Creek Lake.
Disc golf and cornhole: Several campgrounds offer recreational activities without leaving the premises. "Nice beach, boat ramps, disc golf, corn hole at campground with kid playground," reports Keith about their experience at Crooked Creek Lake.
Horseback riding on weekends: Take advantage of guided rides available at select campgrounds. "My son loves the horse rides on Sundays," shares Jeani B. about her family's time at Bear Run Campground.
Fishing in stocked lakes: Many campgrounds maintain fishing ponds for campers. "There's a little fishing lake. You can rent paddle boats or canoes to paddle around the lake," mentions Indy A. about the amenities at Silver Canoe Campground.
What campers like
Self-service amenities: Campers appreciate convenient on-site options. "They had both ice and firewood available that was self service," Jennifer N. shared about her stay at Mountain Top Campground.
Themed weekend events: Scheduled activities enhance the camping experience. "Every weekend there are activities, there is a heated pool and Friday night Bingo," Amy S. reports about Bear Run Campground.
Amish culture proximity: Some campgrounds offer unique cultural experiences. "You may hear the horse drawn buggies of the Amish who keep their boats here," notes Dee A. about Silver Canoe Campground.
Level sites with utilities: Campers value practical site layouts. "Level gravel lots with wood boarders. Lots of grass on each site as well," James B. observed about Mountain Top Campground.
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: Some campgrounds offer more privacy than others. "The spaces are pretty small and completely out in the open but it was grassy, quiet, and cheap," reports Lily B. about Crooked Creek Lake.
Terrain challenges: Be prepared for variable landscapes. "This campground is steep in parts and too large to walk efficiently," warns Britt B. about Bear Run Campground.
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Quality ranges from basic to exceptional. "Tough to get our 36' fifth wheel in. Govt obviously not putting money into the restrooms," Keith mentions about Cook Forest State Park.
Mountain access routes: Some campgrounds require careful navigation. "The roads get narrow so if in an RV call them for the easiest route in," suggests Corey L. regarding Mountain Top Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Look for playgrounds and pools: Certain campgrounds have better children's amenities. "The pool area and bath house were clean and maintained. The camp store was a great asset for small items left behind," shares Rae H. about her experience at Silver Canoe Campground.
Consider terrain for bike riding: Some campgrounds are better suited for children's activities. "Nice campground but too hilly for kids to ride bikes," warns Pam O. about Bear Run Campground.
Check for seasonal activities: Many campgrounds offer special programming. "Throughout the week in the summer it is pretty quiet. Very close to the fire tower and other things to see around it," reports Sienna L. about her stay at Cook Forest State Park.
Pet-friendly options without breed restrictions: For pet-friendly camping near Kittanning, Pennsylvania, select campgrounds welcome all dogs. "The main reason we started going there is because they are dog friendly and they don't hold breed restrictions against bully breeds," explains Indy A. about Smith Grove.
Tips from RVers
Grey water systems: Some campgrounds offer creative solutions for waste management. "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," explains Dave about Mountain Top Campground.
Dump station locations: Know where services are located. "Dump station is out the exit by ranger building. Pull out and make a left and it's about 500' down road on left by pavilion," advises Keith about Crooked Creek Lake.
Site selection for large rigs: Be selective with campsite choice. "Not heavy use area though. Tough to get our 36' fifth wheel in. Don't pass the drive coming in," Keith cautions about navigating larger RVs at Crooked Creek Lake.
Off-season camping benefits: Consider timing your visit. "Went there off-season which I recommend everyone do. In the Fall. Beautiful colored folage," suggests john N. about Cook Forest State Park.
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