Camping opportunities near Sarver, Pennsylvania provide access to Western Pennsylvania's foothills and river valleys, with elevations ranging from 800-1,200 feet throughout the region. Most campgrounds remain open from mid-April through October, with only limited options available during winter months. Weather conditions can change rapidly, particularly during summer thunderstorm season from June through August.
What to do
Horseback riding on Sundays: At Bear Run Campground, families can enjoy guided horse rides as a weekend activity. According to one camper, "My son loves the horse rides on Sundays," making this a popular weekend attraction for families with children.
Creek floating: Mirror Lake RV Camping offers creek activities for kids during warmer months. A camper notes, "The campgrounds are very nice... We had 8 kids and 8 adults who all had a blast playing on the playground, floating down the creek, swimming in the pool, riding bicycles etc."
Biking the GAP trail: For cycling enthusiasts, The Blue Canoe RV Resort provides direct access to the Great Allegheny Passage trail. "The GAP trail rolls right through the middle of this traditional KOA campground," explains one reviewer, making it convenient for through-riders or day trips.
What campers like
Spacious sites with privacy: Mountain Top Campground features well-spaced sites around its perimeter. A visitor mentions, "The sites are pretty spread out and spacious, so you have pretty decent privacy." Another notes the "wide open grass land with sites around the perimeter" with premium spots offering valley views.
Pool facilities: Pine Cove Beach Club RV Resort maintains a large swimming pool that campers frequently praise. One review specifically mentions "the pool & concession stand, beautifully maintained lawns and gravel campsites" as highlights of their stay.
Family-oriented activities: Rustic Acres RV Resort offers organized children's activities on weekends. A camper shares, "Our children enjoyed the Saturday kids program, crafts, snacks and games with other children," providing structured entertainment options for families.
What you should know
Cell service reliability: Most campgrounds within 30 miles of Sarver maintain adequate service for major carriers, though mountain locations may have limited coverage in valleys. Rustic Acres receives positive comments about connectivity, with one camper mentioning it's "easy access to I80, Less than 10 minutes."
Grey water systems: Some sites use alternative disposal methods. At Mountain Top, "the grey water hookup is a long hose that has an adapter which hooks up to your black and grey tank outlet and it runs down the hillside of the mountain into the grassy area."
Weather vulnerability: Flood risk affects some lower elevation campgrounds near creeks. At Fombell Landing, a camper warns, "The campground is entirely in a flood zone. It gets so deep the locals cars have floated away."
Tips for camping with families
Children's programming: Look for campgrounds with structured activities. At Rustic Acres, "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."
Pool access: RV Village Camping Resort maintains family-friendly water facilities. A reviewer states, "The pool and playground are awesome for the kiddos. There are a ton of permanent sites which the folks are all very friendly."
Site selection for kids: At Mirror Lake RV Camping & Fishing, certain sites offer better play areas. One camper recommends, "Site 26 is our favorite. It has a huge back yard and easy access to the creek," providing ideal spaces for children to play safely.
Tips from RVers
Arrival guidance: When traveling with larger RVs to Mountain Top, follow specific directions rather than GPS. One RVer advises, "The hardest part is finding it. The roads get narrow so if in an RV call them for the easiest way in."
Hookup arrangements: For RV sites near Sarver, Pennsylvania, understand the hookup limitations. At Mountain Top, a reviewer explains, "There are no full-hookup sites…yet! They are currently working on having full-hookup sites throughout the campsite."
Levelness considerations: At RV Village Camping Resort, sites accommodate larger rigs but require some setup work. A camper reports that "the resort is golf cart friendly and that's how most get around," indicating the spaciousness of the property for RV navigation.
