Campground options near Kittanning, Pennsylvania range from family-owned resorts to mountain ridgetop accommodations across western PA. The region features varied terrain with elevation gains from 800 to 1,500 feet, creating distinct microclimates that affect camping conditions. Most campgrounds in this region sit within 30 miles of Kittanning with several open year-round despite Pennsylvania's seasonal weather patterns.
What to do
Creek exploration: At Silver Canoe Campground, visitors can fish in the small lake or rent paddle boats and canoes. "You can rent paddle boats or canoes to paddle around the lake," notes one camper who appreciated the water recreation options.
Amish community visits: Silver Canoe offers proximity to Smicksburg's Amish shopping district. "Short drive to Smicksburg to shop. You may hear the horse drawn buggies of the Amish who keep their boats here," according to a visitor who enjoyed the cultural experience.
Mountain biking: Outdoor enthusiasts can access nearby trails from Mountain View Camps. "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," notes one reviewer about the natural attractions.
Weekend activities: Many campgrounds offer scheduled events, particularly during peak season. "The campground has lots of planned activities on the weekends," reports one family who stayed at RV Village Camping Resort.
What campers like
Family programming: Rustic Acres RV Resort offers structured activities for children. "We were thrilled to find they had a 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!" one family reported about their experience.
Peaceful settings: Many campers appreciate the quiet environments. "Beautiful and peaceful campsite. Booked a 2 night stay and then decided to extend it another night," noted a visitor to Mountain View Camps.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the region maintain well-kept amenities. "The pool is probably one of the cleanest," commented a visitor about Campers Paradise, highlighting the maintained swimming areas found at several locations.
Community feel: Several campgrounds foster neighborly atmospheres. "I can't remember when we were at a campground where everyone said hi and waved to each other," shared one Rustic Acres visitor who enjoyed the social environment.
What you should know
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds require careful navigation on narrow mountain roads. "The hardest part is finding it. The roads get narrow so if in an RV call them for the easiest way in," advises a Mountain Top Campground visitor.
Grey water disposal systems: Mountain Top uses a unique grey water management approach. "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 a camper.
Shower facilities: Some campgrounds have coin-operated showers. "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," notes one Mountain Top visitor.
Seasonal population: Many parks have permanent residents. "Mix of seasonal, weekly, and overnight," observed one traveler about Rustic Acres, highlighting the mixed-use nature of camping facilities in the region.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Mirror Lake RV Camping & Fishing provides swimming options for families. "The campgrounds are very nice they have a pool as well as a community building and camp store. We had 8 kids and 8 adults who all had a blast playing on the playground, floating down the creek, swimming in the pool, riding bicycles etc."
Creek play areas: Several campgrounds feature water play zones. "Alot of their sites are along a small creek which the kids play in and can float down," notes a Mirror Lake visitor about the natural water features.
Cabin options: For families without camping equipment, cabin rentals offer comfort. "The cabin was great, very clean and cozy. The campgrounds are very nice they have a pool as well as a community building and camp store."
Playground facilities: Look for campgrounds with play structures. "They have a really nice pool and playground for the kids," noted a visitor to Kalyumet Campground about their recreation amenities.
Tips from RVers
Site layouts: RV sites near Kittanning, Pennsylvania vary in size and layout. "The pull through sites are very ample," noted one traveler comparing regional sites, while another at Kalyumet mentioned that "some sites require over 50' of hose and multiple power cords to reach power box due to the great amount of trees."
Seasonal availability: When seeking RV camping near Kittanning, check operating dates. "This campground is open year round," reports a visitor about Mountain Top, which offers continuous access unlike seasonal operations that close between October and April.
Hookup configurations: Many campgrounds offer electric and water but limited sewer connections. "Full hookup site. Spacing between spots was not cramped at all," notes a Mountain Top visitor describing their RV site configuration.
Self-service amenities: Some campgrounds offer unattended supply access. "They had both ice and firewood available that was self service," mentions a Mountain Top reviewer about convenience features for RVers.
