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Raccoon Creek State Park is one of Pennsylvania’s largest and most visited state parks. It began as a Recreational Demonstration Area operated by the National Park Service in the 1930s during the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) era.
The park encompasses 7,572 acres and features the beautiful 101-acre Raccoon Lake. Facilities are a mix of modern and rustic with group camps from the CCC era.
The 172 modern tent and trailer campsites have access to flush facilities, warm showers, and the option of electricity. Each site also has a picnic table and fire ring. Pets are permitted in C and F campsite loops.
The wooded campground offers:
Selection of secluded or adjoining sites Playground Five central washhouses Sanitary dump station Camping seasons:
E and F loops open early April and close in mid-October. A, B, C, and D loops open late May and close mid-September
$25 - $40 / night
The 1,200-acre Keystone State Park is great for day-trips and family vacations year round. Camping, modern cabins, many trails, and a lake are all within walking distance, providing an ideal setting for wildlife watching or outdoor adventures.
The park is within easy driving distance from the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, the Laurel Highlands, and their many attractions.
About 100 tent and trailer sites are available from the first Friday in April to the third Sunday of October.
Lakeside Campground is adjacent to the lake. Hillside Campground is in a more remote area of the park and accommodates those camping with pets.
Both campgrounds have a modern bathhouse. A sanitary dump station is available. Shower facilities may not be available after October 1.
The 11 modern cabins are available year round. They are located near the breast of the dam between the two campgrounds.
Three cottages, located in Lakeside Campground, sleep five people in bunk beds.
Two yurts are located in Lakeside Campground.
These round, canvas, and wood-walled tents have a wooden deck and sleep five people in bunk beds.
$15 - $166 / night
Known as the “Gateway to the Laurel Highlands,” Pennsylvania’s Ohiopyle State Park consists of approximately 20,500 acres of the state’s finest and most rugged natural beauty. A quick drive from Pittsburgh and Morgantown, WV, this park can get you back to nature conveniently. The million annual visitors the park gets act as proof of just how convenient this state park is. Camping at Ohiopyle State Park offers campers 200 campsites at the Kentuck campground, with flush toilets, warm showers, picnic tables, fire rings, and some electric hook-ups. Yurts and cottages are available as well for those looking for a more comfortable stay in the great Allegheny passage. When visiting this state park, campers and adventurers will both notice the mighty Youghiogheny [yawki-gay-nee] River flowing through the center of the park. Capitalizing on this, the park offers whitewater boating opportunities for all experience levels. For those looking to stay on dry land, however, hiking, biking, horseback riding, hunting and rock climbing are all available in the summer months. In the colder months, cross-country skiing and snowmobile riding are available across the park.
If you want to go to a campground with a swimming pool, a bingo game, and an ice cream social, then we probably are not your ideal campground. There are wonderful campgrounds in the area that offer that type of experience. However, if you are looking for a campground that offers quiet moments around a fire, beautiful sunsets, and a peaceful walk through the woods, then you should probably make a reservation today.
$48 / night
At Breakneck, we offer camp sites that will please any type of camper, from remote primitive sites to fully enclosed cabins with electricity. Refer to the Camp Site Overview below for our current rates and amenities for each type of site. For more information and photographs, or if you have any additional questions, please fill free to contact us anytime.
$10 - $20 / night
Bear Run Campground is a full-service family vacation destination operated by the Wehr Family since 1975. This top-rated Good Sam and Trailer Life Park offers a wide range of accommodations; select from RV and pull-thru sites, rustic to deluxe cabins, or tent and backpacking and walk-in sites. Of course, Bear Run Campground has all the amenities to make your stay convenient and easy going. In addition, Bear Run Campground offers an array of activities for adults and children to enjoy.
Nestled into the beautiful Western Pennsylvania countryside and bordering Moraine State Park and a wealth of natural treasures in the surrounding area, Bear Run Campground is truly a gem that offers an unparalleled family camping experience near Pittsburgh. Learn all about what's waiting for you in Butler County!
Authorized by the Flood Control Acts of 1936 and 1938, Crooked Creek Lake is one of 16 flood control projects in the Pittsburgh District. An important link in a system of flood control projects, Crooked Creek provides flood protection for the lower Allegheny and Ohio rivers. The construction cost of over $4 million appears small when compared to the giant saving which have resulted. Since its completion in 1940, the project has prevented flood damages estimated to be in excess of $548 million. Crooked creek also stores water and releases it downstream during dry periods to improve water quality and quantity for domestic and industrial use, navigation, recreation, aesthetics and aquatic life.
The lake and its miles of scenic shoreline provide unlimited opportunities for water-based recreation. A boat launch with ample trailer parking is available for boating and waterskiing enthusiasts. Swimmers and sunbathers will especially appreciate the lake's sandy, peninsula beach.The great variety and abundance of fish found in the lake have lured many fishermen to its waters. Crooked Creek Lake has yielded many fine catches of bass, muskie, sunfish and crappie.Picnicking is well liked at Crooked Creek. There are several picnic areas maintained by the Corps that are provided with tables and charcoal grills. There are six picnic shelters with picnic tables and grills, along with a 46 site family campground Crooked Creek Lake also offers a 9 hole disc golf course located at the Justice Pavilion.
Nestled among the rolling hills of western Pennsylvania, Crooked Creek Lake is an ideal setting for year round outdoor activities. Located only 30 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites you to discover the scenic beauty of the lake and surrounding countryside at the Crooked Creek project.
The long distance hiker will enjoy the 141-mile Baker Trail which crosses Crooked Creek Lake on its course through western Pennsylvania. The Crooked Creek Outdoor Discovery Center is operated by the Armstrong Center for Community Learning. It is used by groups and agencies interested in environmental stewardship and offers a variety of educational programs. To learn more, please visit: www.armstrongcenter.org/environmental-learning-center/ . Approximately two miles away from the park, Crooked Creek Horse Park, operated by the Fort Armstrong Horsemen's Association, offers horse staging facilities, stalls, and miles of horseback riding trails.
$15 / night
$25 / night
From the website:
Primitive tenting not allowed, only group camping as described below. Backpacking site (shelter) with permit.
Update 9/14/2020: All state park day-use and overnight lodging facilities are open according to standard seasons and hours. Group cabin camps remain closed for 2020.
Modern Cabins
Eleven modern cabins are available for rent year round. These cabins sleep six people and have:
Two bedrooms
Bathroom with shower
Kitchen
Dining/living area
Electric heat
Dock on Lake Arthur during the summer seasonRenters must provide:
Linens
Towels
Cookware
TablewarePlay equipment for children is in a central area.
This activity or structure is ADA accessible.
Dogs are permitted in Cabins #7 and #11 for a fee.
Moraine State Park Cabin Map (PDF)
GPS DD: Lat. 40.96586 Long. -80.11389 No Camping
Camping is prohibited in the park. Private campgrounds nearby offer camping. Information is available at the park office. Backpacking
The Link Road Overnight Shelter on the North Country National Scenic Trail is available to backpackers by reservation only. Organized Group Tenting
There are two tent camping areas available for organized groups:
Muskrat Cove
Five PointsThese rustic camps have:
Restrooms
Picnic tables
Cooking grills
Water, but no showersAdvance reservations are required. To reserve a group tent campsite, call 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757), Monday to Saturday, 7:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. except on the Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day holidays.
Scout
I came up for an event at the farm show grounds(yes the event you’re thinking of). I made a reservation and paid in full the day after it was announced 6 days beforehand. I got a call the day before Friday stating that I wasn’t able to check in until 1PM and the latest was 8PM. I asked if I could park there before the event and deal with it later. The owner reluctantly agreed, however said that my vehicle would be towed if I came after 8. He also stated that I couldn’t check in early or wait a little. Gates closed at 1; and was over at 8 and couldn’t leave the parking lot until 10. Needless to say I just drove home 3 hours instead. Mind you the“campground” is a quarter mile from the farm show grounds. I honestly just wanted somewhere to rest my eyes for a couple of hours in my car before I left early on the morning. I understand that places like this have policies, however this was probably the largest congregation of people Butler and the Farm Show has ever hosted. There was 10s of thousands of people in town and as a bonus the rounds were closed to due construction. If you lean even a little right, caveat emptor. The guy knew exactly what was doing. This will be the most expensive$35 this guy ever stole.
Traveler
This park has many trails but mostly there more rapids to enjoy. The trails however are of a higher class of terrain though they aren’t necessarily difficult. There is much to see. The most unique part about this place is the small town in the middle of it. The shops are all mom and pop made from scratch food and hand made jewelry and clothing. There is a small pub right up the street and the entire town has an amazing view of the river just across the parking lot, which you can swim in up to a point. Ohiopyle is an amazing place, I have visited it many times and I plan to visit many times in the future.
Guide
When you pull into Beaver Creek Family Campground you pretty much have two choices: either you go left into multiple Pine tree sites or right into two cabins and more RV friendly open sites. A few of the RV sites have electric, but no water for their tanks. I suggest the pine sites for any tent or hammock campers. I stayed in one of the first set of 3 pine sites numbered 43, 44, and 45. There is some brush and cover between these sites, but each has a pull in parking pad. If 45 was occupied with a RV, 44 would not be as nice as it was. Backing into 44 and 45 would be tricky as well. To be fair any larger RV that came in better know how to get through tight quarters.
The back area of each of those 3 sites looked best to get even ground for a tent. My buddy hung his hammock between the tree to the left of the picnic bench and to a tree back and left in the picture of site 44. Site was fairly clean, but be sure to move the pine tree duff away from the fire pits to be safe.
Probably the nicest pit toilets I have experienced and while we didn't use, it the sun shower building would give anyone privacy if they had packed a portable shower. Lots of trails to choose from and the pioneer village in the state park gives you many options to spend the day. Had some luck fishing at the Canoe/Kayak area in the South East area of the park close to the Group Camp Sites.
Ranger
Nice little park& campground. Very Clean, cozy and quiet, except for the road noise. Right off Route 31, minutes from I-76 makes it a very convenient place to stop along your travels. Bathrooms are clean, grounds very well kept. The park area is lovely, but the lake is currently very low. Trout stocked but I wouldn’t count on fishing here right now. Short walking trail along a creek. Very lovely cabins and cabin areas and tent sites. RV sites are small but adequate and most are pull though. Honestly some of the best attention and details we’ve seen at a state park. We would stay again. We stayed at site 12E and site 1E. Be aware that site 1E is not very level on pull through gravel surface.
Legend
Tried this KOA on the spur of the moment. We won't be back.
It's easy on/easy off from the interstate. The hills were terrible getting there, then another hill to get to the KOA. The ANOTHER hill to get to our site.
Asked for a site by the bathroom. It was closer than all the other sites on the hill. Yes, all the sites are cut into the hill. There's stairs to get down to the bathroom/shower(!?!?). Some people living in a trailer by the stairs have a big dog that will lunge & bark.
It seems like cosmetic things have been done. Planters spaced on posts leading up to the KOA main building. The bathroom had some newer looking siding & some flowers, but the floor in the women's bathroom had holes in it. It smelled funny in there too. This place needs a major remodel!
There were cigarette butts EVERYWHERE!
We were thinking about using the pool, but decided against it. Sites were full sun.
Can't believe this is a KOA...
Ranger
Very nice campground with multiple pools,playsets,cabins and river sites. So quiet cept for the occasional train pass by across the river. Food ice cream and biking access and sites.
Scout
Great staff great place.
Guide
I have stayed at this campground MANY times and it has been TERRIBLE every time with kids screaming and music blasting at 1 in the morning the staff don't care they just care about the bottom line by selling 13 dollar milkshakes and serving you 20 dollar salads! This Campground Is Poorly Maintained And It is evident that they just want to take your money this campground is frequently at capacity and is oversold frequently! The Pools Are Dirty And Were Closed On 2 Of The 3 Days staff would not tell us what happened and would not give us our money back. While you were swimming you were touching hair every other time you moved and their were many leaves in the pools that staff did not care and were super rude
Guide
Wolf's Camping Resort Is The Perfect Campground For Family's To Stay At With Its large Swimming Pool And It's Large Game room It is prefect for kids young and old! It has a large store with helpful employees and it sits on a large plot of land that includes a small mini golf corse and a full sized 18 hole golf course with many activities and themed weekends that you can find on their Facebook it is the perfect place to come!
Scout
This is our second time staying here - once in Electric site on Lakeside and this time non electric site on Hillside. Love this side of Hillside - quiet and shaded. Very clean park and shower house does not have the timed showers of Lakeside. Both times very much appreciated the presense of DCNR - on foot this time. Very nice park to hike, swim, walk, bike, and kayak. The little store has drinks and snacks. Because the beach was closed we had considered going to Deery Community Pool 7 miles away - another option in the area.
ScoutA dozen or so of the sites are not level, not only that but they are narrow and where you sit is a slope making it very uncomfortable. This is overpriced for that simple issue, I guess ok for an overnight stay but I wouldn’t plan a long stay
Traveler
I took my 7yo son last year for his first time camping. He absolutely loved it!!! Everyone was very nice & the heated pool & campstore are great. He especially enjoyed the “rock mining”. He keeps wanting to go back to get the motherload bag to mine!
Scout
We stayed here for a week in June 2024 in our 42-foot fifth wheel. Overall the campground is clean and well-maintained. The owner is friendly and helpful. Amenities include a heated, in-ground pool, a recreation center, a pavilion, and swing sets.
The current owners have had the campground since ~2014 and have made many repairs and improvements. Water, electric, and sewage lines have been replaced or upgraded in the past few years. We had stable electric and good water.
Unfortunately no WiFi is available, but there was a good AT&T cell phone signal.
ScoutThis is a former KOA campground, but still has the same management. The good: pretty campground, clean and nice amenities. Bad: the management is rude and unfriendly. Also, the seasonal campers are also salty. We were driving a golf cart, going less than the speed limit and the seasonal guests shook their fingers at us to slow down… Unfortunately we won’t come back bc of the people. The site itself is great.
Traveler
Lots to do. Very convenient. Huge pool (indoor/outdoor).
Scout
It was my first time camping at a State Park Campground and it wasn’t as bad as anticipated! Very clean shower houses they were a bit dated as expected but overall in working clean condition.They have paddle boats, kayak and canoe rentals. We rented canoes and spent few hours out on the water. Our site 135 was fairly easy to access with our 36ft fifth wheel but could be an issue with anything larger or without an experienced driver. All in all a great stay I would recommend to everyone!
RangerVery nice and newer campground. Some river sites were small and very un level but was doable.
GuideExcellent clean park and easy to get to from Pittsburgh. The campsite and bathrooms were clean when we arrived and when we left. The site numbering is a bit wonky on the door loop so make sure you look at your map before you start driving the loops.
The electrical hookups are not played out well like an expensive RV park with the shared power post on the entrance side of the camper. You may want to have an extension for your power cable.
The park ranger drove through multiple times a day. Overall the dog loop was quite and at night we could hear the coyotes in the distance.
The lake provides a great place to fish and the walking trail has some less used fishing spots if you are willing to walk. We enjoyed the easy walking lake trail with the kids because it was wide and flat.
Kayak rental of $15 for an hour was the cheapest we have seen and allowed us to explore more of the lake.
GuideIf you are looking for lots of amenities - swimming pool, organized activities, mini golf etc. and don’t mind being stacked together with other campers, this is the place for you. Camp sites have no privacy, lots of golf carts going by regularly. There is a large quantity (100s) of permanent sites. Bath houses certainly not designed for lots of people in terms of size, but the showers were free, hot, clean and had good water pressure. Here for a gathering of 50 or so campers. Nice pavilion area. Would probably only return for a similar event.
Guide
We live in Oregon and our son and family live in Zelienople. We have stayed here in 2019, 2021, 2023 and now 2024. The owners and staff are wonderful, right on top of things. We enjoy spending time with our son and his family in Zeli and Harmony as well as the other Villages around. Highly recommend IBCG to everyone (until we can't get a spot!)
ScoutThis campground was perfect for what we needed to accomplish! As first time travel trailer owners, they helped us accomplish our first trip away! Upon calling to book a site, we mentioned this was our first trip, they made the utmost effort to accommodate us with all of our needs. They escorted us to our campsite (which was larger than most) and made sure we had plenty of help getting backed in and set up! The front office and store was tiny but had a few essentials in case you forgot or didn’t have things. The site was quiet and even though you were close to your neighbors it didn’t feel like it to us! The atmosphere seemed friendly among the other campers and they were all willing to lend a helping hand where needed. They definitely made our first trip a huge success!
GuideI want here for a low cost trip for me and my family. We were not gunna get a golf cart because it was $80 dollars a day ,but getting around this campground is a train-wreck without a golf cart between all of the hills and all the kids cutting you off on bikes while driving. I even had a kid flip me off after cutting me off while I was driving my Subaru and he clearly saw me but continued to go anyway! Designed To Get You To Spend Money!
Scout
Was a relaxing 4 days at a tent site. Would absolutely recommend this campground!
ScoutWe love staying here when we visit family in Butler it’s a quiet family run park . It is very affordable and bathrooms are clean
Guide
Everything Was Perfect
The Day before they Called us to make sure that we were still coming and to confirm the reservation and offered us a FREE site upgrade! it is the little thing that count and we said yes! It was one of their deluxe patio sites ,super nice patio with concrete pad and Nice Picnic Table! Site was Super Large And Was Perfect For A larger rig! Our Rig is only about 34 feet long but still perfect.
Halloween Events
ScoutThis place was awesome! We were there for one of the first weekends of the season, and we enjoyed every bit of our trip. Not only were the staff super friendly and helpful, but we were lucky enough to get a full-hookup site right on the lake. Quiet, peaceful, everything you want on a spring trip. We really got to witness the owners' kindness when we left for a hiking trip and a sudden windstorm caught our awning and broke one side of it, sending most of the awning itself up on the roof. The owner and his son got right to work fixing it: One got up on the roof and the other worked from the bottom to set it right and wire the broken arm to the side of the trailer so we could drive home. They also folded up our chairs and put everything we had outside in a neat little pile. I've been camping for nearly 40 years and have never witnessed that kind of pro-activeness. It's exactly what you SHOULD(but don't often) get. We will absolutely be back.
Guide
Mountain Top was off the beaten path and very quiet. The check in process was easy and our site was flat. We had the most amazing views from our site. Water and electricity were easy to access and hook up. Bathhouse was clean. 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. They had both ice and firewood available that was self service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near New Kensington, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near New Kensington, PA is Raccoon Creek State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 48 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near New Kensington, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 69 dog-friendly camping locations near New Kensington, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.