Best Campgrounds near Tionesta, PA

Several quiet campgrounds surround Tionesta, Pennsylvania for campers looking for a forest getaway. Cook Forest State Park Campground has good hiking trails and lots of trees for shade. Parker Dam State Park Campground works well for families, with plenty of things to do with kids. If you want more privacy, Minister Creek Campground has sites scattered among the trees away from crowds. Remember that Pennsylvania state parks don't allow alcohol. Most campgrounds in the area have basic needs covered with drinking water and bathrooms. You'll typically find picnic tables and fire rings at campsites. During busy times of year, you should book ahead since sites can fill up. Always check on current fire rules before your trip, as they change with conditions. The Tionesta area has lots of wildlife to watch from your campsite. The local campgrounds range from busy and social to quiet and remote, depending on what you prefer.

Best Camping Sites Near Tionesta, Pennsylvania (127)

    1. Cook Forest State Park Campground & Cabins

    51 Reviews
    Cooksburg, PA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 744-8407

    $20 - $67 / night

    "Look at the campground map before you book your site if being close to a bathroom is important; ours was across the campsite behind us but we had to step in a rock set in the stream to get to it without"

    "There is a pet trail through the woods that was really great to take our dog rather than walking around the campground."

    2. Tionesta Rec. Area Campground

    11 Reviews
    Tionesta, PA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (814) 755-3512

    $30 - $46 / night

    "From I-80, take the exit for PA-36 then follow the signs to Tionesta and once you get near you'll see the Tionesta Recreation Area Signs."

    "So I’ll be honest: Sometimes I camp just so I can get close to flyfishing. This particular review has less to do with the specifics of the site (although this campground is great!)"

    3. Kalyumet Campground

    14 Reviews
    Lucinda, PA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 744-9622

    "We enjoyed the pool the walking/hiking trails, a trip into Cooks Forest, and even spent some time at the arcade (costs money)."

    "A short path through the woods leads you to their mini-golf/pizza/ice cream shop."

    4. Minister Creek Campground

    15 Reviews
    Sheffield, PA
    17 miles
    Website

    $12 / night

    "Easy access to hiking trails right from camp. Not a ton of distance between sites but everyone around us was quiet and chill."

    "Whether you're staying at the campground itself or on the trail off the parking lot, you really can't get much better than this."

    5. Oil Creek Family Campground

    7 Reviews
    Titusville, PA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 827-1023

    "They have a large pool; a few llamas that the kids can feed and pet; a 27-hole disc golf course (recently expanded from 18 hole) primarily in the woods near and around the campground property; a small"

    "Its become our goto campground that's only an hour away from Erie."

    6. Clear Creek State Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    Clarington, PA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 752-2368

    $22 - $57 / night

    "A must do when camping in Pennsylvania. The Clarian river is great for kayaking . Multiple trails off of park."

    "There are kayak rentals nearby also. The Clarion River is full of wildlife including bald eagles hunting the river and an occasional black bear nearby."

    7. Outflow Recreation Area (PA)

    2 Reviews
    Tionesta, PA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (814) 755-3512

    $26 - $45 / night

    8. Hearts Content Recreation Area

    9 Reviews
    Tidioute, PA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 368-4158

    $12 - $80 / night

    "Allegheny National Forest is Pennsylvania's only National Forest and a gem of a location for outdoor recreation."

    "Go to nearby town of Warren or Tidouette for supplies. (Stop at the store just outside of Tidouette just across from DG- they have the best deli sandwiches around)"

    9. Rustic Acres

    8 Reviews
    Shippenville, PA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 226-9850

    $39 - $69 / night

    "This campground is easy access to I80, Less than 10 minutes. It is very clean, amazingly helpful staff, mix of seasonal, weekly, and overnight. Nice playground for the kids."

    "Close to I80."

    10. Loleta Road Dispersed Campsite

    9 Reviews
    Marienville, PA
    19 miles

    "Great little roadside campsite to get away. We spent the night during a tropical storm and got the pleasure of hearing the rain on the tent out in this peaceful spot!"

    "Was able to drive in which I why I chose this area. Currently finish up the night and once the fire dies down I’ll head to bed."

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Recent Reviews near Tionesta, PA

474 Reviews of 127 Tionesta Campgrounds


  • Brian B.
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Quaker Area — Allegany State Park State Park

    So many memories…

    We returned to the same campsite for 10 years while our kids were growing up. They loved all of the hikes, they loved all other places, from thunder rocks to bear caves trail.

    You can go to this camp at any point in time, after Labor Day you can even get firewood delivered to your door. The box wood stoves inside to keep things thirsty, warm, even on a snowy day.

  • James S.
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Willow Bay Recreation Area

    Beautiful campground

    Went the week of April 23 2024 and had the place just about to my self. Was peaceful and quiet. Both camp hosts were super nice and friendly folks I'd definitely recommend Willow bay to anyone. No cell service with AT&T or Verizon.

  • Chelsea B.
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Cain hollow campground

    Come in Autumn!

    Absolutely beautiful camping loop. There are many others but Cain Hollow is completely open and on the side of a hill so beautiful views of the changing colors. Also good for Starlink users. Clean bathrooms. Beautiful paved greenway. Easy and hard trails available. Restaurant, general stores, laundry, bike rentals… this park is awesome. Absolutely zero Verizon service though. Heads up!

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Redbank Valley Municipal Park

    Mid September No one around

    We came here after finding this campsite on the dirt app. When we arrived, there was no one around. There are no rules or payment stations. There are a lot of RVs that seem to be set up in a permanent location. We camped on a field and haven’t seen anyone. There are bathrooms and showers and they are open. It looks like this is the site of the fairgrounds and maybe it is a hopping place in the summer? I will update this review if anyone comes by.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Red Bridge Recreation Area - Allegheny National Forest

    Not bad for 20 bucks

    Not bad at all for 20 bucks , spots with electricity cost more. Came on a week night without a reservation and was almost unable to get a spot , host was nice though! Quiet area

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite

    Don’t recommend

    Apple Maps brings you way far away, follow the pin and it will bring you. Way too grown in as of August . Didn’t end up staying here. May be a good spot in the fall once the grass dies. Secluded spot though

  • Dani T.
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Clarion River Campground

    Possibly 5 Stars IF...

    This camp area could be 5 Stars if you get lucky. We got here very late, and almost all the sites were full... the one nice one that was available had food everywhere. Don't do this! There were chicken carcasses and popcorn, eggs, and a bag of food in a fire ring. Having seen racoons & other wildlife on the road in, obviously we couldn't tent there. We car c(r)amped at another site. M7(?). There was no place for a tent & no fire ring at that spot. The river view in the morning was nice though. Had we arrived earlier or gotten lucky, this area is probably an awesome camp spot! There's an information station along River Rd with a pit toilet house. On the billboard you'll find a map of the designated camp spots along both River Rd and Millstone. Take a picture of it. There's no reception here but that's how you know it's a nice area!

  • Sienna L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2025

    Cook Forest State Park Campground & Cabins

    Great Getway

    This campground was great! Throughout the week in the summer it is pretty quiet. Very close to the fire tower and other things to see around it. The Knotty Pine bar and restaurant was right down the road and had great food and drink.

  • Erik W.
    Jul. 21, 2025

    Wolfs Camping Resort

    Absolutely beautiful

    Super friendly staff, great location. stocked lake with catch and release fishing. Loved it.

    Stayed in May 2017


Guide to Tionesta

Campsites near Tionesta, Pennsylvania lie within the Allegheny National Forest region at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 1,600 feet. The area features abundant waterways including the Clarion River, Tionesta Creek, and the Allegheny River that create diverse camping opportunities. Summer temperatures typically range from 55°F to 85°F, while spring and fall can bring significant temperature fluctuations requiring campers to prepare for both warm days and chilly nights.

What to do

Creek exploration and fishing: Minister Creek Campground provides direct access to excellent fishing opportunities. "Minister Creek is home to some of the scrappiest brook trout I have fished for. Such a great place to get away," according to one visitor. The creek offers multiple accessible areas for wading and casting.

Stargazing sessions: The reduced light pollution makes this area ideal for night sky viewing. "Perfect spot for star-gazing. So set the alarm for 2am and enjoy," notes a Minister Creek Campground reviewer. Campers report best viewing on clear nights away from the glow of nearby Warren.

Hiking forest trails: Multiple trail systems connect throughout the region. "We took a 30 minute drive to Cook Forest State Park to do a hike and it was great. It was the Longfellow-Kilmer trail and it couldn't have been more perfect," shares a visitor at Tionesta Rec. Area Campground. Most trails are moderate difficulty with well-marked paths.

Disc golf courses: Several campgrounds maintain on-site courses. "My favorite was the disc golf. Their course is really nice!" reports a camper at Oil Creek Family Campground. Courses range from beginner-friendly to challenging wooded layouts.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the space between camping spots. At Clear Creek State Park Campground, "Most of the campsites are right on the water, beautiful bridges, a great disc golf course, and moderate-to-light hiking trails." The campground layout preserves natural buffers between sites.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forest setting supports diverse animal sightings. "During weekdays the area deer will often approach from the woods behind the campsites to feast on low hanging leaves. We've seen dozens of them who will get within 10-20 yards of you for a snack later into the night," reports a visitor at Hearts Content Recreation Area.

Clean facilities: Campground maintenance receives consistent praise. A camper at Clear Creek State Park Campground noted, "The facilities are always clean, with large shower areas and always fully stocked with tissue. All sites have fire rings with adjustable grills."

Creek and river sounds: The natural water features create soothing ambient noise. "No electricity and the sites are most tent sites, but the sounds of the creek, birds, and frogs really immerse you in nature!" says a camper at Outflow Recreation Area. These waterside sites remain popular and book quickly.

What you should know

Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly throughout the region. At Hearts Content Recreation Area, expect "One bar of usable Verizon 4G LTE and T-Mobile 4G LTE suitable for slow web browsing and e-mail, but little else." Cell service improves in towns like Warren and Tionesta.

Fire restrictions: Regulations change seasonally based on conditions. Proper containment is required at all sites, and Rustic Acres provides firewood on-site, making compliance easier.

Limited shower facilities: Not all campgrounds offer showers. "No showers or other running-water facilities and limited internet service prevent this place from being a perfect 5," reports a camper at Hearts Content Recreation Area. Plan accordingly or use campgrounds with full facilities when needed.

Reservation timing: Popular sites fill quickly during peak seasons. "We were there 3 times this year. It's become our goto campground that's only an hour away from Erie," notes a visitor to Oil Creek Family Campground. Weekends in summer often require booking 3-6 months in advance.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Several campgrounds feature kid-friendly play areas. "Our family has stayed here so many times throughout my lifetime. We always prefer tent camping, but there are spots for RVs, plus there are cabins and yurts available. It has always been clean, quiet and family-friendly. There's also a really nice playground and a great little beach at the entrance of the campground," shares a visitor at Clear Creek State Park.

Educational programs: Look for ranger-led activities. "This is also a great place to go year-round for kids interested in learning about nature. There is a nature museum. Seek out Ranger Susanne—she is a really great teacher!" reports another Clear Creek visitor.

Kid-focused activities: Scheduled events keep children engaged. A visitor at Cook Forest State Park Campground & Cabins shared, "Each Memorial Saturday, a meet and greet is recreated with an American historical figure. Good fun for all." Many campgrounds offer weekend programming specifically for children.

Creek exploration zones: Shallow water areas provide safe play spaces. "Clear Creek runs through the campground and is a perfect spot for a BBQ or Picnic. It also has a designated swimming beach with sand," notes a Clear Creek State Park camper.

Tips from RVers

Hook-up locations: Be aware of utility placement when selecting sites. "We ended up having to run 60ft of water hose and 50ft of cable in order to get a connection. The electric was right on the site, but I can't understand why the water was so far away," advises a Kalyumet Campground visitor.

Leveling needs: Many campgrounds require equipment for uneven sites. A camper at Clear Creek State Park noted, "Its a nice place, great creek and woods. Most of the spots will require leveling blocks." Bring adequate blocks or levelers, especially for larger units.

Road navigation: Access roads vary in quality and width. "We came in from the west on US-6 to PA-66, and up PA-36. From I-80, take the exit for PA-36 then follow the signs to Tionesta and once you get near you'll see the Tionesta Recreation Area Signs," advises a Tionesta Recreation Area camper, detailing the clearest approach.

Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds provide this service. One Hearts Content camper reports, "Clean, good-tasting drinking water at several community water spigots are available... One dump station" for servicing RVs. Plan stops accordingly if traveling between parks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Tionesta Recreation Area Campground?

Tionesta Rec. Area Campground offers full hookups including electric, water, and sewer connections. The campground features large, spacious sites with fire pits that have built-in adjustable cooking grates. There are two basic bathrooms and one facility with flush toilets and showers. The campground provides good access to Tionesta Creek, making it ideal for fishing enthusiasts. Many sites back directly to the Tionesta River, offering scenic views and easy water access. The campground is dog-friendly with policies requiring pets to be leashed. While amenities are basic, the natural setting and access to outdoor recreation opportunities are the main attractions.

How do I find and navigate Tionesta Campground?

To find Tionesta Rec. Area Campground, use 'Tionesta Recreation Area' in Google Maps or Waze since there isn't a specific address for RV GPS systems. From US-6, take PA-66 to PA-36, then follow signs to Tionesta. From I-80, take the exit for PA-36 and follow signs to Tionesta. Once nearby, you'll see signs for the recreation area. The campground is situated along Tionesta Creek and near the spillway, making it relatively easy to locate once you're in the general vicinity. The campground offers ample parking for vehicles of various sizes, and the internal roads are navigable for most camping setups.

Are there different camping options around Tionesta Lake?

Yes, the Tionesta area offers diverse camping options. Besides the main recreation area, Outflow Recreation Area provides multiple access options including drive-in, boat-in, hike-in, and walk-in camping with basic amenities like water and toilets. For those seeking alternative experiences, Clear Creek State Park Campground offers tent camping (including some paddle-in only sites), RV sites, rustic cabins of varying sizes, and even yurts. The park sits on the scenic Clarion River with well-maintained facilities including clean restrooms and shower houses. The upper loop tent sites provide more seclusion for those seeking privacy.