Dispersed camping options surround Kittanning, Pennsylvania, with several tent-focused campgrounds available in the surrounding forests and along riverways. Loleta Road Dispersed Campsite offers primitive tent camping in Allegheny National Forest, while Danner Primitive Campground provides more established tent sites that require a hike of approximately 2 miles from the Kennerdell bridge trailhead. Mountain View Camps, located near game lands, offers additional tent camping opportunities with access to hiking trails and fishing spots.
Most walk-in tent sites in the area feature basic accommodations with varying amenities. Danner Primitive Campground provides level tent sites with picnic tables, fire rings with adjustable grates, and vault toilets, but requires visitors to bring their own water or use the spring water that should be boiled before drinking. Loleta Road Dispersed Campsite provides a more primitive experience with no facilities but allows for vehicle access. According to one visitor, "Living in a van looking for spots to stay this wasn't a bad one at all, good bit off the road, couple trails." Campers should note that forest service roads are typically gravel, and muddy conditions may occur in spring months.
Tent campgrounds near Kittanning offer varied experiences based on location and season. Sites at Loleta Road provide drive-in access while maintaining a sense of remoteness. A visitor noted that "all the roads in the forest are drivable gravel with many pull of spots for camping." Mountain View Camps provides proximity to recreational activities, with one camper mentioning opportunities to "explore the ruins on the game lands" and possibly spot wildlife including an "albino fawn." Many tent sites in the area are situated near water features, including the Clarion Wild and Scenic River and the Youghiogheny River, providing opportunities for fishing and paddling. Terrain varies from grassy clearings to wooded settings, with some sites experiencing seasonal challenges such as tall grass or muddy conditions during wetter months.
"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
"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."
"This one was close enough to the road to feel safe but far enough away to have privacy."
"Great little roadside campsite to get away. We spent the night during a tropical storm and got the pleasure of hearing the rain on the tent out in this peaceful spot!"
"We camped out overnight with a group of 14 people, and there was plenty of room for everyone to pitch their tents and spend a relaxing night under the stars."
"This campsite is a nice reward for west-bound riders on the GAP trail (it's the last one before Pittsburgh!)"
"We're so happy to welcome this new property to our platform. Bill and Nancy offer a safe place to set up camp. Check them out and come back here to leave them some love! 💕"
Available this weekend
from $22 - $75 / night
"The spacious and lush lawn has lots of space for tents, but the winner is the covered seating, dining, and cooking area. Everything is clean as a whistle…pun intended. "
from $25 / night
ScoutThis is our second time staying here. Each time in October. We love it. Unlike most RV resorts this place is small and wooded. Has free Wi-Fi, clean bathrooms and an awesome community hub room for work from home or playing games. The weekends are busy but during the week it’s so quiet and peaceful. Close to so many attractions and parks that are part of the PA Wilds. Would definitely recommend.
ScoutPLEASE DONT GO HERE ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE KIDS AND IF YOUR NOT WHITE..THE OWNER IS A RACIST HYPOCRITE AND SO ARE ALL OF HER CREW AT THIS LOWLIFE CAMPGROUND. JUST BECAUSE SHE DONT DRINK AND LIKE TO HAVE FUN, SHE RUINS IT FOR ALL THE OTHER CAMPERS..YOU HAVE TO BE IN BED AT 10PM..WHAT A FRIGGING JOKE..SHE SNEAKES AROUND IN HER GOLF CART AT NIGHT AND CREEPS IN YOUR WINDOWS TO SEE WHAT YOUR DOING. THATS WHY YOUR NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE CURTAINS CLOSED .SO HER AND HER SO CALLED HYPOCRITE FRIENDS CAN SEE WHAT YOUR DOING..WE USED TO BE UP THERE UNTIL WE SAW HOW SHE TREATED AND TALKED ABOUT THE POOR LITTLE BLACK KIDS..ESPECIALLY ON CHRISTMAS IN JULY, SHE BOUGHT TOYS FOR EVERY WHITE KID UP THERE WHILE SHE WATCHED THE LITTLE BLACK KIDS CRY THEIR EYES OUT BECAUSE THEY WERE 10 MINUTES LATE TO GET THEIR GIFTS..SHE IS A WHICH IN DISQUISE..EVERY KID GOT TO RIDE THE WAGON WITH SANTA AND WHEN SHE SAW YHE BLACK KIDS ,THEY JUST PASSED THEM UP LIKE THEY DIDNT EVEN SEE THEM...HOW CRUEL CAN SOMEONE BE🤬🤬BUT THEN AGAIN, ITS HER ,SHE HATES PEOPLE HAVING FUN UP THERE.DONT DRINK AFTER HER HRS .DONT PLAY MUSIC AFTER HER HRS..DONT DO SHIT UP THERE UNLESS YOU WANT KICKED OUT THE NEXT DAY...I NEVER SEEN ANYONE SO CRUEL AND HEARTLESS
....THERES A FEW OTHER CAMPGROUNDS AROUND THE BEND .PLEASE GO THERE IF YOU DONT WANT TO CAMP IN A PRISON CAMPGROUND....SHE'LL NEVER CHANGE..MAYBE UF YOYR WHITE, SHELL BE NICE 🤣🤣🤣AND YOU WOLNT GET KICKED OUT..
Scoutbeautiful site and campground ground. peaceful. quite. and the showers were excellent!
TravelerStayed the weekend for the first time and it wasn’t bad! There were kids playing at sites nearby but that was all the noise, highway noise at all! I like how they have a spot for your tent with a picnic table and fire ring. I was in my rooftop tent on my truck so I wish the parking spot went back a little deeper for a little more privacy. But it was nice that there was bathrooms and showers within a 1 minute walk from the site! Also it says on here there is no AT&T signal, that’s not true…it’s not great but there is a bar or 2 at times!
GuideThis is more a campground for RVs then tents or even roof top tents. Place is clean and the sites 90% of them are in the open. Very little shade. Travis runs the place and very nice and accommodating. Fire wood is 20 dollars for a massive amount.
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,
Dispersed camping options near Kittanning, Pennsylvania range across Allegheny National Forest and surrounding public lands. The area sits at approximately 800-1,300 feet elevation with a humid continental climate that produces distinct seasons. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing with occasional snowfall, while summer months average 70-85°F with higher humidity levels. The region features mixed hardwood forests interspersed with river valleys.
Paddling access points: At Dravo's Landing Campground, campers can launch directly onto the Youghiogheny River. "Free bike-in camp site with water access along the Youghiogheny River. Access from the Allegheny Gap trail. There were a few shelters, nice campsite," notes one visitor.
Historical exploration: Several sites near tent camping in Kittanning provide opportunities to explore local history. "It's close to an old cemetery which is useful in telling ghosts stories around the campfire," shares a Dravo's Landing camper. Other nearby areas feature remnants of the region's industrial past.
Spring water collection: Campers at Danner Primitive Campground can access natural spring water, though preparation is necessary. A visitor notes the campground has "a spring for water which says to boil before drinking" and "vault toilets that were clean and well maintained, with hand sanitizer."
Wheelchair-accessible options: Some sites at Danner Primitive Campground feature wheelchair-friendly tables. A visitor observed, "The first 2 sites had wheelchair friendly picnic tables" though they noted uncertainty about vehicle access arrangements.
Weather resilience: The GAP Trail Campground offers superior protection from inclement weather. "The spacious and lush lawn has lots of space for tents, but the winner is the covered seating, dining, and cooking area," reports one camper who appreciated the amenities.
Spacious group camping: Multiple sites accommodate larger groups without feeling crowded. At Dravo's Landing, one visitor reports, "We camped out overnight with a group of 14 people, and there was plenty of room for everyone to pitch their tents and spend a relaxing night under the stars."
Train noise considerations: Campgrounds along rail corridors experience periodic noise disruption. A visitor to The GAP Trail Campground advises, "With all this luxury comes an active train too...that's the nature of this trail. Bring those earplugs for a good night's sleep!"
Seasonal mud conditions: Spring camping requires preparation for wet conditions. A Loleta Road Dispersed Campsite visitor shared, "We stayed here in March, so there weren't leaves back on the trees yet which meant we could see the road. It was also extremely muddy. Not bad on the main track in but swampy everywhere else."
Privacy variations: Site visibility changes with seasons. "When we went, the grass was growing tall, we only stayed for a night. And it was a lil muddy," notes a Loleta Road camper, indicating that summer growth provides additional screening.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Mountain View Camps offers potential wildlife sightings for children. A visitor recommends to "explore the ruins on the game lands, and might even see an albino fawn," making for memorable family experiences.
Food storage requirements: Protect supplies from wildlife at night. At Dravo's Landing, a camper warns, "Just be sure to secure your food overnight - if you don't, the raccoons will make quick work of it!"
Consider paddle-in accessibility: Some sites offer water approaches ideal for family adventures. Danner Primitive Campground features "stairs to the water for paddler access" according to a visitor who noted the campground can be accessed by either hiking or paddling in.
Vehicle access limitations: Quiet and Secluded provides drive-in tent sites with limited RV hookups. "Rolled up on the later side but was welcomed kindly by the owner Bill. Beautiful spot. Clean amenities!" reports one visitor, noting the accessibility even for later arrivals.
Gravel road navigation: Forest service roads require appropriate vehicles and planning. A Loleta Road camper noted, "This is my first time dispersed camping and the spot is nice for a first go. Was able to drive in which I why I chose this area."
Pull-off camping spots: Numerous unmarked sites exist along forest roads. "I stayed a lot deeper in the woods than this road but all the roads in the forest are drivable gravel with many pull of spots for camping!" shares a visitor familiar with the forest road system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Kittanning, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Kittanning, PA is Mountain View Camps with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Kittanning, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 tent camping locations near Kittanning, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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