The St. Marys area sits within the Allegheny Plateau region at elevations ranging from 1,600 to 2,200 feet, creating distinct seasonal camping conditions. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing from December through March, while summer months average 75-85°F with higher humidity. Cellular coverage varies significantly throughout the forest areas surrounding St. Marys, with reception strongest at campgrounds on ridge tops.
What to do
Fishing at Twin Lakes Recreation Area: Located about 30 minutes north of St. Marys, this recreation area offers fishing opportunities in its small lake. "A great place to visit! There are 50 campsites, which 23 have 20 and 30 amp electrical service," notes one Twin Lakes Recreation Area visitor. The water level can fluctuate seasonally, with one camper mentioning "The water was extremely low when we visited (labor day weekend 2022) so the pond there was pretty mucky."
Elk viewing excursions: Hicks Run Campground provides convenient access to prime elk habitat. One camper at Hicks Run reported, "Saw 2 elk 100 ft from campground. It was nice." The campground is strategically located near Benezette, with "an elk viewing plot just across from the kayak launch site/parking lot."
Hiking forest trails: Cook Forest offers extensive trail networks connecting to larger regional systems. "There are nice loop of well maintained trails that connects to even more expansive trails (I think going all the way out to Cooks Forest...too ambitious for me) that we enjoyed walking," explains a camper who stayed at Twin Lakes Recreation Area, highlighting the interconnected nature of the region's trail systems.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: The region offers numerous campgrounds with generously sized sites. At Rvino - Campers Paradise, visitors appreciate the layout: "The sites are clean, the staff is friendly and the extras (pool, pizza, etc.) are on point." Similarly, at Riverview Campsites, guests note "Campsites were very large. Pulled our 23 ft and 32 ft campers sideways across the sites."
Seasonal activities: Many campgrounds organize special events during peak seasons. At Rustic Acres, families enjoy structured activities: "Our children had a ball making crafts, playing games, finding items on a scavenger hunt and of course snacks!" The campground maintains these programs throughout the summer, with one visitor noting they "absolutely loved the Saturday kids program, crafts, snacks and games with other children."
Access to water recreation: The Clarion River provides water-based activities near several campgrounds. At Riverview Campsites, the location offers "a kayak launch. An elk viewing plot is just across from the kayak launch site/parking lot." This dual access to both water recreation and wildlife viewing areas creates a popular combination for visitors.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds in the area have spotty or non-existent cellular coverage. At Riverview Campsites, one reviewer plainly states "No cell reception." At Hicks Run, campers should prepare for connectivity challenges as "You're down in a hollow, so not the best reception."
Variable water availability: Several campgrounds have experienced water system issues. At Hicks Run, there's "No water. We filled up at Parker dam state park." Similarly, Twin Lakes Recreation Area has faced challenges: "At the moment there is NO water here, however the dump station is operative."
Reservation timing: Peak seasons require advance planning. For Cook Forest State Park Campground, one experienced camper advises "you'd do best to book 8-9, yes, 8-9 months out for this particular weekend" when referring to Memorial Day reservations. Shoulder seasons offer more availability but reduced services at many parks.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated children's activities. At Kalyumet Campground, "The kids loved the arcade and the candy scavenger hunt." Another family noted "It has a really nice pool and playground for the kids."
Swimming options: Pools provide controlled swimming environments for families. A visitor to Campers Paradise mentioned, "The swimming pool is always cold but feels great on a nice hot day." At Kalyumet Campground, families appreciate that "The pool is probably one of the cleanest."
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play equipment for children. Lumber City RV Park offers "a fishing pond on site for the kids to fish," while another camper noted that High Pines RV Park provides "a game room that offers free games for the kids along with a playground and basketball court."
Tips from RVers
Hookup distances: At several campgrounds, RVers should prepare for extended hookup runs. At High Pines RV Park, some sites have limitations: "Our site only had 30a power. Most seem to be that way." Similarly, at Kalyumet Campground, one RVer warned "Some sites require over 50' of hose and multiple power cords to reach power box due to the great amount of trees providing good shade throughout camp ground."
Site selection considerations: When making reservations for RV sites near St. Marys, Pennsylvania, level terrain can vary significantly. At Rustic Acres, "The RV sites are large and the spacing is not crowded." A visitor to High Pines RV Park recommended "We had a site in the full hookup back in section, they are very nice spacious sites."
Amperage options: Many campgrounds offer limited electrical service. At Twin Lakes Recreation Area, "There are 50 campsites, which 23 have 20 and 30 amp electrical service." Some RVers at High Pines RV Park recommend seasonal planning around power needs: "We will go back again but making sure it's not peak summer due to not having 50A."
