Kelly Pines Campground sits at approximately 1,600 feet elevation in the Allegheny National Forest, with terrain characterized by rolling hills and mixed hardwood forests. The area receives about 45 inches of precipitation annually, creating damp conditions year-round. Nearby Parker, Pennsylvania serves as a gateway to multiple camping options within a 40-mile radius, with several locations offering dedicated horse camping facilities.
What to do
Horseback riding trails: Kelly Pines Campground provides dedicated equestrian sites and trail access. "Trails galore! Mushrooms everywhere! Quiet and no cellular to distract," notes camper Debra D., highlighting the extensive network for riders.
Hiking network: Explore the 36-mile Gerard hiking trail at Oil Creek State Park, which connects to multiple camping areas. "The hiking trails were in great condition! Runoff was happening, so oil creek was pretty flooded," reports Brannon M., who stayed at the Wolfkiel Run Shelters.
Disc golf course: Try the 27-hole course at Oil Creek Family Campground. As Jim C. mentions, "Oil F.C. is a hidden gem nestled in the woods not far from Oil Creek State Park. They have a great playground, a maze, a catch and release pond."
Water activities: Visit Two Mile Run County Park for waterfront recreation. "Great beach for kids. Plenty of nice hiking trails," writes Joanie B., who stayed at site C6 and noted the "beautiful walk in tent sites right on the water."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Two Mile Run County Park offers secluded camping spots. "When staying at two mile you will find the sites are separated by trees and offer you your own little private area," explains John S., who appreciated the natural spacing between campsites.
Remote experience: Danner Primitive Campground provides a true wilderness setting. Casey L. describes it as "a hike in or paddle in only campground. The shortest distance is about 2 miles from the trailhead at the Kennerdell bridge," with "8 sites spread out along the edge of the river."
Clean facilities: Several campgrounds maintain well-kept amenities despite their remote locations. At Hearts Content, Jennifer K. noted, "Very nice quiet small wooded campground. No hookups, about 3-4 fresh water spigots, 1 dump station and dumpster. Vault toilets. Fire rings and picnic table at each site."
Family-friendly activities: Many campgrounds offer additional recreation options. At Oil Creek Family Campground, Rachel S. commented, "Hubby and I rented an RV and stayed one night at oil creek campground. We really liked it and wish we could've stayed longer."
What you should know
Water access varies: Plan accordingly for different water situations. At Hearts Content Recreation Area, "Water pressure was very low and took a while to fill tank," according to Jennifer K., while Kelly Pines has "no potable water but there is a river and a non-potable pump."
Cell service limitations: Most campgrounds have minimal connectivity. Matthew at Hearts Content reported, "One bar of usable Verizon 4G LTE and T-Mobile 4G LTE suitable for slow web browsing and e-mail, but little else."
Firewood considerations: The damp conditions affect firewood availability. At Kelly Pines, Debra D. advises, "The area is usually damp so don't count on being able to find much dry wood - we stop before driving in for wood."
Reservation systems: Some campgrounds operate on first-come, first-served basis. Casey L. notes that at Danner Primitive Campground, permits "are first come first serve. There are 8 sites spread out along the edge of the river, some being closer together than others."
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife education opportunities: Look for aquatic creatures in local streams. Brannon M. suggests, "If you're camping with kiddos, try turning over the rocks in area creeks to find little aquatic insects. A little creepy, but a lot of awesome."
Playground access: Moraine State Park offers family-friendly facilities. Alice M. shared, "I loved this place! We stayed at a group tent camping site. It was very quiet and secluded feeling, yet not far from the restrooms, bike trail, water/fishing area."
Beach areas for children: Several parks feature swimming spots. Joanie B. at Two Mile Run noted the "great beach for kids" along with "plenty of nice hiking trails."
Activity options beyond hiking: Many campgrounds offer diverse recreation. Mitchel R. listed Moraine's offerings: "Group Tenting, Cabins, Kayaking/Canoeing, Motor boating 15hp or less, Sailboats, Bike Trail, Great Fishing Spots, Swimming Area, Snowmobile Trail."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for privacy: At Starr Farm, campers appreciate the seclusion. Daniel describes it as "a huge campsite that is remote and peaceful," making it ideal for those seeking privacy in their RV.
Pull-through accessibility: Two Mile Run County Park offers convenient site designs. Joanie B. mentions, "most if not all of the full hookups are pull throughs," making it easier for larger rigs to navigate.
Limited hookup options: Many campgrounds have minimal or no hookups. Bill G. described Hearts Content as "Simple and serene" with sites "nestled within a grove of immense pines. Some are large enough for large RV's. There are no showers. Bathrooms are vault toilets."
