4 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Dispersed camping options dominate the tent camping landscape near Mill Run, Pennsylvania, with Loleta Road and Forestry Road offering primitive tent sites in the Allegheny National Forest region. Patterson State Park Campground provides a more established alternative with designated tent sites approximately 60 miles north of Mill Run. These rustic camping areas accommodate tent campers seeking a more natural experience away from developed facilities, with most sites accessible via forest service roads.
Most tent sites in the area feature basic, ungraded terrain with minimal improvements beyond established fire rings. Loleta Road Dispersed Campsite permits both drive-in and walk-in tent camping but lacks amenities like drinking water, toilets, or trash service. Campers must pack in all necessary supplies and follow leave-no-trace principles. Patterson State Park offers slightly more infrastructure with drinking water from a manual pump, vault toilets, and picnic tables, though sites remain primitive. As one visitor noted, "The restroom is the typical hole with no flush, but is very clean."
The tent camping experience in these areas provides genuine forest immersion with varying levels of privacy. Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite features multiple spots along the main forest road, some allowing vehicles while others require short walks from parking areas. Several logging roads branch from the main route, offering more secluded tent sites for those willing to hike in with gear. Patterson State Park's tent sites arrange in a small loop with limited privacy between campsites, though the overall setting remains peaceful. The area provides access to hiking trails, including connections to the Susquehannock Trail System. A camper described it as "a mostly overlooked gem" with "plenty of room to play" and the possibility of having "the whole park to yourself" during less busy periods.
"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!"
"Some you can drive your car in and tuck it back. Other spots you cant take your car at all. There are tons of logging roads that split off the main forest road."
"Big open spots with established fire rings. Quiet except for the distant rumble of a train passing the town down in the valley."
"Not much privacy from site to site but that’s fine. You can still observe the stars, but difficult for telescopes since trees cover Polaris in most of the sites."
"Many consider Patterson State Park an over flow Park for when the famous “Dark Skies” Cherry Springs State Park or the large Lyman Run State Park with its lake for swimming, boating and fishing gets full"
"It took me roughly an hour to get camp fully set up."
from $10 / night
from $10 / night
from $10 / night
from $10 / night
from $10 / 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.
Scoutbeautiful site and campground ground. peaceful. quite. and the showers were excellent!
GuideVery large CG. I car camped at site 066 (with electric) in mid-October and CG was 3/4 empty. Nice location on Glendale Lake with a beach and boat activities (for warmer months). Showers had no hot water but facilities were nice. Very little separation between sites. Nearby hunters discharging guns into evening hours.
TravelerWe had difficulty finding our original site so stopped here. Decent road access from the pavement, wide open campsite with a picnic table and fire pit. Good views of the night sky.
TravelerWe wasted a couple of hours looking for the site. The directions sent us in circles. Finally just grabbed a random spot for the night.
ScoutChose this campground as a quick overnight before boondocking up into NY. Wish we’d planned for a longer stay. Very nice campground. It is huge, but we were passing through off season so we had it more or less to ourselves.
The bathhouse was very clean. Laundry facilities as well.
Will definitely try to stay here again!
GuideHere is a polished version of your campground review that improves grammar, clarity, and flow while keeping your observations and friendly tone: We stayed at Site #2 over Labor Day weekend for three nights and had a wonderful experience. The campsite is spacious and features a large open area with picnic tables and plenty of room for kids to run and play. Each campsite is surrounded by trees, which provides a nice sense of privacy. Even though there are approximately 25 campsites in the campground, it was very quiet and peaceful. There are several pit toilets located throughout the campground, all of which were very clean and well maintained. The campground also has four water spigots; however, during our stay they were not functioning due to storm-related issues. The camp hosts were very friendly and helpful, and firewood was available for purchase on-site. Surprisingly, there were not many bugs, especially considering the heavy rains before our arrival and during our first night. Several beautiful hiking trails can be accessed directly from the campground. Some sections were wet and muddy, with a few fallen trees from recent storms, but the trails were still enjoyable. For hiking enthusiasts, the Ministry Creek Trail, located about 16 minutes away, is a must-see and absolutely worth the visit. Overall, this is a quiet, scenic campground with excellent privacy, friendly hosts, and great access to hiking. We would definitely stay here again.
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
TravelerBeautiful gravel and wood chip site right along a small slow moving creek. At night when the sun sets and the fire burns it creates a wonderful camping experience. And they are very dog freindly.
Dispersed camping opportunities in the Allegheny National Forest region provide the primary tent campsites near Mill Run, Pennsylvania, with most sites located along forest service roads. Several camping options exist across elevations ranging from 1,300 to 2,100 feet throughout the region. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing, while summer brings humid conditions with frequent afternoon thunderstorms.
Waterfall exploration: Hector Falls trail connects to Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite about one mile from most camping areas. "There is a really cool place called Hector Falls. The trailhead is about a mile down the road from this spot. It's about 3/4 a mile hike into the woods. The falls are really cool to look at, and has some cool rock formations," notes camper Bob J.
Trail system access: The Susquehannock Trail connects to several camping areas in the region, including Patterson State Park Campground. "If Hiking is your thing, the STS trail system runs right through it. On one side of the road (they must allow horse back riding on that section of the trail as we saw trailers of horses pull in to trail ride)," reports Paula L.
Star observation: Though not as renowned as nearby Cherry Springs, many campsites still offer night sky viewing. "You can still observe the stars, but difficult for telescopes since trees cover Polaris in most of the sites," explains Fernando V. about Patterson State Park Campground.
Privacy levels: Many dispersed sites allow campers to choose their desired seclusion. "I found numerous spots on SF-160. The site seeing is second to none. The forest is enchanting," writes Mark M. about Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite.
Road accessibility: Most forest roads remain passable for standard vehicles. "This spot is a boondocker's delight! Big open spots with established fire rings. Quiet except for the distant rumble of a train passing the town down in the valley," says Ian H. about Forestry Road.
Low usage periods: Weekday camping often means having entire camping areas to yourself. "One of the best features and why we will definitely be back is that at any given time you may have the whole park to yourself," reports Paula L. about Patterson State Park Campground.
Weather considerations: Rain and mud frequently affect camping conditions. "When we went, the grass was growing tall, we only stayed for a night. And it was a lil muddy," explains Excelsior X. about Loleta Road Dispersed Campsite.
Wildlife awareness: Bears inhabit the forest and frequently visit camping areas. "There's black bears that live in the several caves in the area. I was meditating in my car one evening and a bear stood up and pushed against my window. Definitely be sure to pack up all food and trash at night," warns Mystic S.
Seasonal variations: Winter camping requires additional preparation. "It was freezing, quite literally, with nights in the low teens. The melting and refreezing had made the roads and surrounding trails a little slippery so I would be cautious if traveling alone," advises Ian B.
Open space benefits: Some camping areas provide ample room for children's activities. "If you are camping with children this can be a plus! They will have plenty of room to play, and it is a poke-stop," notes Paula L. about Patterson State Park Campground.
Tick prevention: Insect protection remains essential during warmer months. "Sites are first come first serve and there is a bit of day traffic to get to Hector Falls. Which is a nice little 2 mile hike. Some good exploring. Bring tick/bug spray. Found several on my boys and me," advises Ian B.
Road noise considerations: Some campsites experience vehicle noise due to proximity to roadways. "It is just next to the road, so its noisy at night when cars pass," cautions Fernando V. about Patterson State Park.
RV site locations: Several forest roads accommodate larger vehicles with established pull-offs. "I have a 25 foot travel trailer. I found numerous spots on SF-160. It rains a lot so keep your slip-ons near the door. Great hiking/biking," shares Mark M. about Loleta Road Dispersed Campsite.
Navigation challenges: Finding suitable dispersed camping can require persistence. "Apple Maps brings you way far away, follow the pin and it will bring you. Way too grown in as of August. Didn't end up staying here. May be a good spot in the fall once the grass dies," warns David B.
Service availability: Limited cell service exists throughout the camping areas. "The spot next to the hiking trail has WiFi 70% of the time. I would give this a 5 star if it didn't rain so much," notes Mark M.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Mill Run, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Mill Run, PA is Loleta Road Dispersed Campsite with a 4.4-star rating from 9 reviews.
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