Pleasantville, Pennsylvania sits in the western part of the state's wooded hills, with many campgrounds positioned along waterways including the Clarion River and Tionesta Creek. Summer temperatures typically range 70-85°F during peak camping season, with cooler nights dropping to 50-60°F. The soil throughout the region tends to be clay-based, which can become muddy after rainfall.
What to do
Explore woodland trails: Cook Forest State Park offers multiple hiking routes through old-growth forests. "The campsites are pretty close together, but the surrounding old-growth forest is amazing. We took the Longfellow-Kilmer trail and it couldn't have been more perfect," notes a visitor to Tionesta Rec. Area Campground.
Water recreation: The Clarion River provides canoeing and fishing opportunities throughout the region. A camper at Campers Paradise mentioned, "We've camped here many times throughout the last few years. The swimming pool is always cold but feels great on a nice hot day."
Fall foliage viewing: Visit during September-October for vibrant autumn colors. "We found they had a beautiful setting with tall trees. The fall colors were stunning when we visited in October," stated a guest at High Pines RV Park.
What campers like
Family activities: Many campgrounds provide scheduled weekend events. A camper at Rustic Acres shared, "We were thrilled to find they had a children's program on Saturday mornings. Our children had a ball making crafts, playing games, finding items on a scavenger hunt and of course snacks!"
Riverside sites: Campsites along waterways offer direct water access. "We had sites #46 and 48 right above the creek surrounded by tall trees. Incredibly quiet. Great for those traveling with dogs," reported a visitor to Tionesta Rec. Area.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses rank high in camper satisfaction. At Kalyumet Campground, a guest noted, "We enjoyed the pool the walking/hiking trails, a trip into Cooks Forest, and even spent some time at the arcade. The pool is probably one of the cleanest."
What you should know
Cell coverage varies: Mobile service differs significantly between carriers. At High Pines RV Park, one camper mentioned, "We got 2 bars on Verizon but almost no AT&T signal during our stay."
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds close during winter. "RV Village Camping Resort operates from April 1 to October 31, with limited sites available during shoulder seasons," a camper reported.
Site spacing: Privacy levels vary greatly between campgrounds. A camper at West Haven RV Park observed, "The site was nice, kinda secluded but could still see RVs and people driving around. Was pretty quiet though."
Reservation windows: Book 6-9 months ahead for summer weekends. "We called weeks in advance and reserved 2 tent spots for us and my parents. We called a few days beforehand to make sure everything was set and the lady somehow lost our paperwork and information."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Choose sites near play areas for convenience. At RV Village Camping Resort, a parent shared, "The pool and playground are awesome for the kiddos. The resort has lots of planned activities on the weekends."
Campground programs: Seek out scheduled children's activities. "The staff is beyond excellent! We were thrilled to find they had a children's program on Saturday mornings," noted a family at Rustic Acres.
Swimming options: Many parks offer pools during summer months. "The swimming pool is always cold but feels great on a nice hot day," mentioned a camper at Campers Paradise.
Site selection: Request sites away from main roads for safety. "The sites in the 90s-100s area has the best site spacing with site 100 being one of the most spacious sites," advised a camper.
Tips from RVers
Hook-up locations: Be prepared for varied utility placement. At Cook Forest State Park Campground, an RVer noted, "235 sites, many with electric. Most seem pretty level and big rig friendly."
Site length verification: Confirm actual site dimensions before booking. "The site was just long enough for our 39' fifth wheel and we had to park our F450 diagonally in front," shared an RVer at Tionesta Recreation Area.
Arrival timing: Some campgrounds have limited check-in hours. "We arrived after closing but host drove behind us. Seamless check in, easy hook up showers were very hot good pressure," commented a visitor at Rustic Acres.
Access roads: Large rigs may struggle with certain approaches. "We noticed during our 4-day stay that the access roads have tight turns and inclines at several campgrounds. After watching a 40' 5th wheel struggle to back into site 113, we decided this site is not a good choice for rigs over 35 feet."
