Campers visiting Mill Run, Pennsylvania can find multiple campground options within a 30-mile radius. The Allegheny National Forest region features elevations between 1,300 and 2,300 feet with mixed hardwood forests and creek valleys. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing with summer highs averaging in the upper 70s, making late spring through early fall the primary camping season.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: High Pines RV Park offers convenient access to the Allegheny Reservoir. "The park is close to the Allegheny Reservoir and the Kinzua Bridge," notes one camper. The surrounding waterways support trout, bass, and walleye fishing.
Wildlife viewing: Elk watching is a popular activity near Hicks Run campground. "Saw 2 elk 100 ft from campground. It was nice," reports one camper. The Benezette area, just a short drive away, features multiple elk viewing areas with best sighting times during dawn and dusk hours.
Water recreation: Multiple campgrounds offer swimming options during summer months. "There is a swimming hole in the small creek that's great! Kids loved it! Also the river is just down on 555 with a kayak launch," shares a Hicks Run visitor. Some campgrounds maintain seasonal pools while others provide access to natural swimming areas.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers Paradise receives consistent praise for maintenance. "The summer maintenance crew is fantastic and puts a lot of effort into keeping the campground safe. On one trip I alerted them to a light that was out by the bath house, and it was fixed before nightfall," explains one reviewer. Several campgrounds feature recently upgraded shower facilities.
Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the site sizes at Rustic Acres. "We were escorted to our site by the owners who were very nice and met us after hours with a smile. The RV sites are large and the spacing is not crowded," mentions one visitor. Numerous campgrounds offer pull-through options with distance between neighboring sites.
Activities for children: Family-oriented programming exists at multiple rv parks in Mill Run, Pennsylvania and surrounding areas. "Our children enjoyed the Saturday kids program, crafts, snacks and games with other children," shares a Rustic Acres camper. Several campgrounds offer weekend activities including scavenger hunts, arts and crafts sessions, and organized games.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds in the region have connectivity challenges. At Twin Lakes Recreation Area, one visitor noted they were "Quiet are far from the highway," which contributes to limited cell reception. Most campgrounds have stronger service near main buildings but spotty coverage throughout camping areas.
Road and access considerations: Some campgrounds require navigation through residential areas or forest roads. "This KOA is way back in the woods. Love it. Rock sites mostly level," reports a DuBois Treasure Lake KOA camper. Many access roads have speed limits and some gated communities have security checkpoints.
Seasonal infrastructure: Water availability varies by location and time of year. "Unfortunately, I don't think we'll camp here again until they have the dump station up and running. It was just too inconvenient to dump elsewhere," shares a Twin Lakes visitor. Several campgrounds operate with reduced amenities during shoulder seasons.
Tips for camping with families
Recreation options: Kalyumet Campground offers diverse children's activities. "We enjoyed the pool, the walking/hiking trails, a trip into Cooks Forest, and even spent some time at the arcade," shares one family. Most family-friendly campgrounds maintain playground equipment and open fields for games.
Swimming access: Multiple campgrounds feature swimming opportunities. "The kids loved the arcade and the candy scavenger hunt. Gorgeous night skies. The pool is probably one of the cleanest," notes a Kalyumet visitor. Swimming areas typically operate between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends with varying hours.
Advance planning: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "We went for the first time last August. We thought the staff was friendly," mentions a Kalyumet camper. Holiday weekends and elk rutting season (September-October) represent the busiest periods requiring reservations weeks or months ahead.
Tips from RVers
Hookup positioning: Site layouts vary significantly between rv parks near Mill Run, Pennsylvania. "Our only complaint would be the site we were in (11) and others next to it were quite far from the water and cable hookups. I ended up having to run 60ft of water hose and 50ft of cable," advises a Kalyumet visitor. Many campers recommend carrying extra-length hoses and electrical cords.
Site surface considerations: Surface materials differ between campgrounds. At Riverview Campsites, a camper reports, "Campsites were very large. Pulled our 23 ft and 32 ft campers sideways across the sites." Some campgrounds feature crushed stone pads while others have grass or dirt surfaces that may become muddy during rain.
Power limitations: Electrical capacity varies by location. At High Pines RV Park, a camper notes, "Our site only had 30a power. Most seem to be that way. We will go back again but making sure it's not peak summer due to not having 50A." Air conditioning usage during hot weather may require power management at some facilities with limited amperage.
