RV camping near Saxonburg, Pennsylvania offers travelers access to the Allegheny Plateau region with elevations ranging from 1,000 to 1,400 feet above sea level. The area experiences four distinct seasons with camping options available year-round at select campgrounds, though most operate April through October. Winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that can drop below freezing.
What to do
Horseback riding: 3 minutes from campground. At Bear Run Campground, Sunday horse rides are popular with families. "My son loves the horse rides on Sundays," notes Jeani B., who frequently visits with her family.
Creek exploration: Ideal for hot days. Breakneck Campground offers primitive creek-side sites perfect for water play. "There are designated fireplaces. It is quite a walk up the hill to the campground amenities, but worth it to feel secluded down by the creek," explains Britt B. who enjoyed the private setting.
State park access: 100 yards away. The proximity to McConnells Mill State Park makes for convenient day trips. "From our campsite we walked along the creek into McConnells Mill State Park and joined the covered bridge trail. Approx. 30min walk along the creek," mentions a Breakneck camper.
Floating activities: Kid-approved fun. Mirror Lake offers creek floating opportunities for families. "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," shares Austin B. after staying in one of the cabins.
What campers like
Panoramic views: Sites 41-48 recommended. Mountain Top Campground delivers on its name with valley views. "Fall was in full effect and it was AMAZINGLY beautiful!! I will also say, the host Gary and his family, who live in a cabin house right on property, are PHENOMENAL hosts!" writes Dave, who visited with young children.
Privacy between sites: Uncrowded feeling. The spacious layout at many campgrounds means you won't feel crowded. At Mountain Top, "the sites are pretty spread out and spacious, so you have pretty decent privacy," explains a reviewer who appreciated the room between neighbors.
Weekend activities: Organized events for families. Mirror Lake RV Camping & Fishing offers community-centered camping. "After office hours they can be commonly found hanging out with their campers. Pick up cornhole games, bonfires, are the norm at the community building," notes Mathew H. about the owner involvement.
Strong cell coverage: Work remotely possible. Technology connections remain strong at many campgrounds. Mountain Top Campground reports "full verizon coverage lte" according to James B., making it suitable for digital nomads needing connectivity.
What you should know
GPS directions: Use campground-provided routes. Mountain Top Campground has specific arrival instructions that should be followed. "The hardest part is finding it. The roads get narrow so if in an RV call them for the easiest way in," advises Corey L., who stayed for about a month.
Grey water systems: Unique mountain setup. Some campgrounds offer creative solutions for waste management. 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," explains a camper who appreciated this feature.
Weekend noise levels: Varies by campground. Noise policies and enforcement differ between locations. "[At Breakneck] I got about 2 hours of sleep Saturday night total, and the last time I was woken up my watch said 3:48 am. Clearly there is absolutely no enforcement of the quiet hours whatsoever," reports Sara K., suggesting weekdays might be quieter.
Shower facilities: Pay options at some locations. Prepare quarters for showers at certain campgrounds. "Only disappointment was that the showers were coin operated, so you not only needed cash on hand but then had to turn those into special coins for the shower," notes Jennifer N. from her Mountain Top experience.
Tips for camping with families
Children's programs: Saturday morning activities. Rustic Acres offers structured programs for kids. "Our children enjoyed the Saturday kids program, crafts, snacks and games with other children," shares Misty L., who spent a week at the campground.
Swimming options: Pool access for cooling off. Family-friendly amenities make summer camping more comfortable. "The pool and playground are awesome for the kiddos," notes Zachariah W. about RV Village Camping Resort, making it ideal for families needing to beat the heat.
Playground facilities: Varies by campground. Not all locations offer play equipment. At Mountain Top, one reviewer noted "no kids park" as a potential downside, while others like Mirror Lake highlight playground access as a family benefit.
Budget considerations: Watch for extra fees. Some campgrounds charge additional costs beyond the site fee. At Mirror Lake, Sherry C. mentions "My only negative would be extra costs" after an otherwise positive family weekend, suggesting families budget accordingly.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Ask about leveling. Uneven terrain can make RV setup challenging at some campgrounds. "Site 26 is our favorite. It has a huge back yard and easy access to the creek," recommends Mathew H. about Mirror Lake, highlighting the importance of selecting the right site.
Pump-out services: Wednesday schedule. For extended stays without sewer hookups, plan for waste management. At Mountain Top, a mobile service is available: "they give you the option of having a mobile pump-out come to your rig to pump you out for and additional $30 only on Wednesdays."
Big rig access: Turn radius considerations. Pine Cove Beach Club RV Resort accommodates larger vehicles with "large sites, close to the highway but no road noise," according to Michael and Betty L., who appreciated the spacious design despite highway proximity.
Seasonal operations: Verify opening dates. Many campgrounds in the region operate seasonally. RV Village Camping Resort runs from April through October, while others like Mountain Top and Pine Cove remain open year-round for winter camping options.
