Saxton, Pennsylvania camping offers diverse options across the Allegheny Mountain region at 1,200-1,500 feet elevation. The area's temperate climate provides ideal camping conditions from April through October, with summer temperatures ranging from 70-85°F during the day. Fall brings crisp nights with temperatures dropping into the 40s, requiring warmer sleeping bags for tent and yurt camping near Saxton.
What to do
Hiking balanced rock trail: Trough Creek State Park Campground offers a distinctive geological feature popular with campers. "It has a nice hike up above a creek with a huge rock that appears ready to fall over the cliff with a simple touch. very neat," notes one visitor who enjoyed this landmark trail.
Mountain biking Allegrippis Trails: The trail system near Seven Points (PA) provides excellent biking opportunities. A reviewer mentioned, "The mtb trails begin just above the upper camp loops and provide a full day of fast flowing singletrack," making it ideal for riders of all skill levels.
Fishing without a license: At Friendship Village Campground & RV Park, you can fish without extra paperwork. "There are multiple ponds on the property however only one of them can be fished in. No license is required for fishing here," explains a camper, making it convenient for spontaneous fishing sessions.
Winter camping options: Some area campgrounds operate year-round, unlike the seasonal sites. A visitor to Shawnee State Park Campground reported, "We stayed for two nights at this campground and enjoyed it greatly," noting the park remains open during winter months when many others close.
What campers like
Waterfront access: Susquehannock provides prime lakeside camping with boat-in sites. "Very cool camp. Loops for RVs, higher on the hill, waterfront loops on steeper grounds for tents, and some walk-to sites adjacent to parking right at the point which double as boat-in," notes one experienced camper.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently praise the maintenance of Rocky Gap State Park Campground. "The bathhouses are always clean and well stocked. The camp sites are tucked into the woods with plenty of room for camping," says a repeat visitor who appreciates the attention to cleanliness.
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer generous spacing between sites. "Can't believe how much space is between each site. You're close enough to see other campers but far enough away to feel you have your own sections of woods," reports one camper at Rocky Gap.
Recreational amenities: Beyond natural attractions, campers enjoy planned activities. "The campground does maintain a policy of having to wear a shirt or a cover-up when not in the pool vicinity but that was not really a big issue," notes a visitor to Friendship Village Campground, highlighting the family-friendly atmosphere.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. A camper at Cowans Gap State Park Campground warns about supplies and services: "There's NO CAMP STORE. No place to buy bags of ice, extra batteries, lighters, or any other supplies that people usually need when camping. And this campground is in the middle of nowhere."
Booking waterfront sites early: Prime locations fill quickly, especially during summer. "We wanted a waterfront spot, and although we booked over a month in advance none were available," reported a Susquehannock camper, highlighting the competitive reservation process.
Highway noise at some locations: Consider site location when seeking tranquility. A Friendship Village visitor noted: "The only thing we didn't like was all of the road noise. This campground is located by 2 major highways and truck traffic and Jake brake are constant all night long."
Limited shower facilities: Some campgrounds have sparse amenities. A Trough Creek visitor reported, "The bathroom has no lights or sink," while another mentioned at Cowans Gap, "The closest bathroom didn't have showers. It also only had cold water."
Tips for camping with families
Beach access options: Crooked Run Campground — Prince Gallitzin State Park offers family-friendly swimming areas. "Great place for kids! We love staying at crooked run campground. Has a beach on the lake. Affordable boat rentals. BMX track for kids," says a family who regularly visits with children.
Kid-friendly yurt camping: Yurt accommodations provide comfortable family lodging options. At Seven Points, "We stayed in cabin 170 in Fir loop and the site was incredibly spacious, heavily shaded, close to the bath house, path to the beach, and well distanced from other sites," notes a family who tried yurt camping in Saxton, Pennsylvania.
Recreation programs: Organized activities keep children entertained. "The park has lots of activities for the day, including a beach, fishing, hiking, group picnic areas, and if the season is right they allow some hunting in areas," mentions a Cowans Gap visitor.
Family campground layouts: Consider loop location when booking with kids. At Friendship Village, "The best sites to stay at if you have kids are sites 145–171 as those are right beside the jumping pillow, playground and gaga ball pit," advises a parent who carefully selected their family's site.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain. A Shawnee State visitor warned, "I heeded the advice of other reviewers warning that many sites were not level and did not reserve ahead of time. A Monday in mid-October had many open sites. Most of the non-electric sites were decidedly not level."
Water access considerations: Not all sites provide convenient hookups. At Trough Creek, an RVer reported, "Nice small park with gravel drives/roads and plenty of room for big rigs. All sites level with partial shade. Open, but with plenty of space between sites."
Dumping facilities: Multi-lane stations facilitate end-of-trip cleanup. A reviewer at Seven Points noted, "We filled up the fresh water tank at the ultra-cool 4 lane dump station. The signage was very well marked and the fresh water spigot was more like a little tank, super-solid, clean and modern."
Loop selection for larger rigs: Certain areas accommodate bigger vehicles better. "For big rig campers, you need to stay at the upper portion of the campground at sites 200-500," advised a Friendship Village camper who recognized the importance of selecting appropriate sites for larger RVs.
