Pleasantville, Pennsylvania sits at the edge of the Allegheny Plateau region with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 1,600 feet, creating a varied landscape for campers to explore. Winter temperatures in the area can drop into the teens, making year-round camping possible but requiring proper preparation during colder months. Campgrounds near Pleasantville offer diverse accommodations from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV spots across both state and county park systems.
What to do
Paddle the Allegheny River: Launch kayaks from Warren and end at Buckaloons, creating a perfect day trip. "This is a good river to canoe, kayak or tube on. There is a really nice walking path that encircles the campground and follows the river which was pretty neat to do," notes Amanda K.
Explore Minister Creek trails: Hike the 6-mile loop trail with various route options starting directly from Minister Creek Campground. "The hiking is beautiful! Great loop trail ranging from a few miles to 7 miles depending on the loop, starts right behind the campground!" writes Monika L.
Mountain bike Two Mile Run: Ride the maintained trails and participate in seasonal races at Two Mile Run County Park. "Didn't explore much of the campground here, seemed huge with lots of sites... We came here for a mountain bike race and enjoyed riding the trails!" according to Robyn S.
Fish for brook trout: Cast your line in Minister Creek for native brook trout fishing in the spring and early summer months. "Home to some of the scrappiest brook trout I have fished for. Such a great place to get away!" shares Brannon M.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Tionesta Rec Area Campground offers full hookups with well-separated campsites. "Beautiful level sites, spaced nicely apart, full hook ups, with big picnic tables and fire rings with multi-tiered grate. We had sites #46 and 48 right above the creek surrounded by tall trees," reports Lauren R.
Stargazing opportunities: The minimal light pollution at Minister Creek makes for excellent night sky viewing after 10pm. "Perfect spot for star-gazing. So set the alarm for 2am and enjoy," recommends Brannon M.
Seasonal activities: Chapman State Park offers winter cross-country skiing trails directly accessible from many campsites. "Check out Kinzua dam and Jakes Rock nearby. Also zero cell reception!" notes autumn L.
Clean facilities: Two Mile Run County Park maintains well-kept shower houses and bathroom facilities throughout the camping season. "Affordable, lots of things to do like fishing, hiking trails, canoeing kayaking, clean shower house, good signal for Verizon," explains Bobster L.
What you should know
Limited cell coverage: Many campgrounds have spotty reception, with Cook Forest getting better service than others. "Good ATT & Verizon cell service. Nice trails and friendly campground hosts," mentions Gary P. about Cook Forest State Park Campground.
Seasonal closures: Most campgrounds operate from April/May through October/November, with limited winter availability. "We have stayed at the park for Christmas Eve the past two years. Had the Adirondack shelters to ourselves each year," shares Travis S. about winter options.
Strong river currents: Water levels and current speeds can change rapidly after rainfall in Tionesta Creek and Allegheny River. "We had decent access down to the water so the dogs could swim - they are big dogs and swimming breeds but the current is strong," warns Kerrie K.
Varied accessibility: Not all pet friendly camping sites near Pleasantville can accommodate larger RVs, so check site dimensions before booking. "Nice campground with full hook ups. Sites were fairly level no issues with power fluctuations and sewer worked great!" reports Christopher M.
Tips for camping with families
Plan for weather changes: Pack layers and rain gear even in summer, as mountain weather can shift quickly. "It was nice and cool w/ breeze. RR's were clean, lots to do. We were in 28 but liked 7,13,16,19,22,27," advises Larry M. at Chapman State Park.
Book pet friendly campsites early: Reserve family-sized sites 8-9 months in advance for holiday weekends at popular campgrounds. "It's only really Friday evenings and Saturdays where you'll see more than 3-4 other campers in this place," notes Matthew about Hearts Content Recreation Area.
Consider cabin options: Two Mile Run County Park offers cabins for families who want access to camping activities without tent setup. "Shen staying at two mile you will find the sites are separated by trees and offer you your own little private area. The prices are good and you truly are in nature," says John S.
Try disc golf: Oil Creek Family Campground has a 27-hole disc golf course suitable for all ages and skill levels. "My family stayed over Memorial Day weekend. It was so much fun. They have a lot of activities. My favorite was the disc golf. Their course is really nice!" shares Lydia G.
Tips from RVers
Water/electric connection lengths: Some sites at Kalyumet Campground require extended hose and power cord setups. "I ended up having to run 60ft of water hose and 50ft of cable in order to get a connection (which required a trip to Walmart)," warns Ember M.
Dump station access: Use the fresh water hookup at Tionesta's dump station when filling tanks to avoid blocking campground loops. "We realized on the way out there was a fresh water hookup at the dump station with plenty of space to easily park and not taking up space in the loop," advises Tim J.
Site leveling challenges: Many RV sites in the region require leveling blocks due to uneven terrain. "Our site was not level, but we were able to find the right spot. VERY shaded and the host had plenty of firewood," notes Tim J. about Buckaloons Recreation Area.
Seasonal RV considerations: Winter RVing requires properly insulated water lines and adequate propane supplies for extended stays. "There weren't many flat places for a tent. There was no fire ring. It was not a 'durable' surface. But it was raining, it was getting late, and it's all we could find," shares Matthew D. about primitive sites.
