RV camping near Sproul, Pennsylvania offers access to the Appalachian Mountain region at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 feet above sea level. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter dropping to 20-30°F. Most campgrounds in the region open from April through October, though several maintain year-round operations with reduced winter services.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Mirror Lake RV Camping & Fishing provides access to stocked fishing ponds where licenses aren't required for on-site fishing. "Pick up cornhole games, bonfires, are the norm at the community building. Alot of their sites are along a small creek which the kids play in and can float down," notes a regular visitor.
Steelers training camp: Campers staying at Mirror Lake RV Camping & Fishing can visit nearby St. Vincent College during summer months. "Close by is Ligonier, Idlewild, and St. Vincent (where the Pittsburgh Steelers training camp takes place)," mentions one reviewer who recommends the experience.
Weekend events: Timber Run Campground organizes themed weekends during summer months. As one camper explains, "We stayed during Bigfoot weekend. It was super fun as our family likes bigfoot fun. We started out Friday night getting the offered $12 bbq plate that included pork burnt ends, beans and potato salad."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Raystown Lake/Saxton KOA earns consistent praise for maintenance. One camper noted, "Bathrooms are Soo nice" while another mentioned, "The staff were super friendly and the whole campground was tidy and clean."
Dog-friendly amenities: Friendship Village Campground & RV Park provides dedicated pet areas. "Dog park is big and has a place for small or large dogs," reports one visitor who appreciated the separation of pet areas by size.
Swimming options: Multiple pools are available at some locations. "There are two pools at each end of the campground and they are very well-maintained and have lifeguard supervision," according to one camper at Friendship Village, though they note "neither pool has provided seating so you will need to bring your own camp chairs."
What you should know
Road noise levels: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds. At Friendship Village, one camper warned, "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."
Site leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at Nature's Getaway RV Park. "We got the pull through at the end of one loop so we could face the woods. The site wasn't so level, but we made it work," reports one RVer who still rated their stay positively.
Maintenance issues: Some facilities show wear and need attention. One Pioneer Lakes visitor noted, "The roads around the camp ground could use some maintenance, especially on the hill side by the pool!" Another mentioned bathroom problems: "They had older residential toilets that plugged constantly."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Pioneer Lakes RV Park caters heavily to families with children. "If your main objective is activities for children, you have come to the right place. This place is loud and full of kids," notes one camper, suggesting families will find plenty of scheduled events.
Creek play: Multiple sites feature water access for kids. At Mirror Lake, "kids play in and can float down" the creek according to reviewers. One family recommends "Site 26 is our favorite. It has a huge back yard and easy access to the creek."
Recreation options: Friendship Village offers multiple recreation areas for different ages. "There is 3 play grounds all different and all well kept," reports one visitor, while another mentioned, "The kids played mini golf, jumped on the pillow, played on multiple playgrounds, enjoyed ice cream and went fishing."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Raystown Lake / Saxton KOA at Four Seasons offers specialty sites for RVs with pets. "Site 22 is a deluxe patio back in site with a patio, 4 nice Adirondack chairs, a double glider, a weber propane grill and built in fire pit AND a dog fence just for that site that was maybe 6 ft x 6ft," explains one RVer.
Mountain road navigation: Travel routes may present challenges for larger rigs. "If traveling from the Altoona area, go out through Martinsburg over Cove Mountain Rd - it saves you 30 minutes to an hour," advises one RVer, providing a specific alternative to steeper routes.
Leveling preparation: Bring adequate leveling equipment when visiting the area. "The site wasn't hard to level our RV but overall the sites are hilly and in fact the whole park is on a hill," notes one camper about Timber Run, highlighting the need for proper stabilization gear.
