Bear Run Campground
Nice family campground
We love camping here. There are a few things to do, swim in the pool, mine for gem stones, they have an arcade and a playground. It’s in a wooded area near lake Arthur with a boat ramp down the Road.
111 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The western Pennsylvania region surrounding Wampum features several campgrounds with diverse accommodation options, including Valley View Campground in Wampum and Bear Run Campground in nearby Portersville. Within a 15-mile radius, campers find both privately operated and state-managed facilities offering tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Breakneck Campground provides access to McConnells Mills State Park trails, while Rose Point Park Cabins & Camping offers full hookup sites and glamping accommodations. Most campgrounds in this area maintain electrical hookups and basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to potable water.
Camping availability throughout the region varies significantly by season, with most facilities operating from April through October. Many campgrounds near Wampum require advance reservations, particularly for weekend stays and holiday periods. According to one visitor, "Most spots are level from side to side, but where we were, several had a slope from front to back. Away from the waterfront, most sites looked pretty level." Road access to most developed campgrounds is suitable for standard vehicles, though some primitive sites may require high-clearance vehicles, especially after rain. Cell phone coverage can be spotty at certain campgrounds, particularly those nestled in valleys or heavily wooded areas. Visitors should anticipate seasonal changes in amenities, as some shower facilities and water hookups may be winterized during colder months.
Waterfront sites at campgrounds like Moraine State Park and Raccoon Creek State Park receive consistently high ratings from campers seeking lake access and scenic views. Several facilities in the area feature swimming areas, boat launches, and fishing opportunities that complement the camping experience. A recent review noted that "Breakneck Campground is a small, quiet campground situated next to McConnells Mills State Park with primitive sites next to a small creek." Campers particularly value the wooded sites that provide natural shade and privacy, though the level of seclusion varies considerably between campgrounds. While some locations offer well-spaced sites with natural barriers, others position campsites in closer proximity. Most developed campgrounds in the region provide access to clean restrooms and shower facilities, though their condition and maintenance can vary by location and time of year.
"We wanted a secluded site and close to Pittsburgh. We arrived around 7pm and there was no check in, we drove around for a while trying to find a spot with a fire ring per some helpful campers."
"My husband and I camped here on a whim, after our original location got rained out. We picked a nice big lot by the dirt road."
from $10 - $20 / night
Check Availability"The nightly RV sites are close to the park entrance and are relatively flat. The campground hosts themed events, game nights and arts& crafts."
"I always camp near the horses as i like a bit more privacy. The front of the campground is a bit too packed for my liking. They also have a primative area that is quite nice."
from $30 - $300 / night
Check Availability"They have a nice heated large pool, hiking trails close to some great places like McConnells mill, Morane state park, Fishing the shenango river."
"It is close to Moraine State Park."
from $32 - $60 / night
Check Availability"Site was fairly clean, but be sure to move the pine tree duff away from the fire pits to be safe. "
"direct access to the North Country National Scenic Trail and trails through main park"
from $23 - $50 / night
Check Availability"One tip: each loop does not have its own entrance from a main road. To get to C you drive through or past A and B. Same with E and F. Each loop has its own set of flush toilets and showers."
"All and All great place to camp, good things; 1) lots of deer, turkeys, racoons, owls etc. 2) close to a farmer's market Jankowski's great place to get fresh food, 3) once you have level camp, all good"
from $22 - $128 / night
Check Availability"Pad was level and utilities were well located. Check-in & check-out were seamless.
The site amenities are dated, but it is a pretty cool campground!
We would definitely return for longer!"
"They have an Olympic sized swimming pool, nature trails, playground, basketball court, recreation hall and walking distance to harmony and all the live music and nightlife that Harmony and Zelienople have"
"Reason for mark down is due to the trains that came through in the night and it must’ve been trash day in Harmony as we heard dumpster being banged around in the early hours of the morning."
from $30 - $55 / night
Check Availability"It is right next to the bike trail and has access to the lake. I have enjoyed my time at Moraine and will enjoy it every time I visit."
"In fact my family used to own property near by. This park has an awesome trail system for walking or biking"
from $40 - $105 / night
Check Availability"Had a great time here, grounds were very nicely maintained and there was access to everything you needed."
"Camping down by the lake near the flushing toilets and showers is my favorite spot. Shady and great views of the birds of prey catching fish in the lake."
from $25 / night
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We love camping here. There are a few things to do, swim in the pool, mine for gem stones, they have an arcade and a playground. It’s in a wooded area near lake Arthur with a boat ramp down the Road.
Mosquito Lake gets a bad rap because of its name. We had such a great time launching our kayak from our campsite! I’ve attached a highlighted map marked with the sights on or very close to the water to launch a kayak. Additional kayak launch sites available around the park if you can’t get one of these. It’s great campground if you have kids or a dog. Plenty of great playgrounds and a dog park/dog beach. The camp host was very nice and welcoming. The wash house has laundry and showers. Everything was clean.
A little too close together for my comfort. But very nice and relaxing area. And definitely more spread a part than commercial campgrounds.
Came tent camping here. Stayed on new duck loop, which from the looks of all the other sites, this one seemed more open, less R. V. Campers. Plenty of open spots even for the weekend. Place is clean, well kept, bathrooms are clean which is a plus. All the sites around have decent space between them. Close access to a lake. You can bring your boat
Nice campground! They hold lots of random activities for kids like tie dying, tractor ride, etc. We stayed in spot 24, which is very spacious, but I did not like the fact that it’s right next to the road where cars are speeding by. I do not think this spot in particular would be good if you have small children
The campground is well kept. Sites are well spaced. There’s a large clean swim lake, also a fishing lake. Lots of deer and wildlife. Monthly rates are $550 for full 50amp hookup.
Many sites on the lake. Old facilities. It eas humid and had rained (thunder storm). Quiet. Typical eastern usa camping with thick canopy of trees, mosquitoes. Site 80 was more open, and on a cul de sac. Gravel pad with a 2-3 degree slant. Lots of critters about.
I've heard there are campgrounds that discriminate against car camping, first time experiencing it. There are many sites where people have a LARGE camper, a car, and multiple tents spread out over a large area. We have 2 SUV's with tents that attach to the backs. We followed all the rules and are taking up about HALF of our site. We were told that is not allowed. When asked for reasoning and comparing to what we've seen around the park, we get no clear answer that makes sense. We are here with a group that rented about 20 sites. After spending 4 hours setting everything up, she says one may have to leave; she's waiting to hear from her boss. I will definitely never return here!
Stayed one night while visiting friends. The campground was nice but could use some updating. It was definitely geared more towards families with small children. The showers were interesting. In the men’s they had a pull cord and a button in the women’s. Hot water was more of a mild suggestion rather than an actual thing you got. Luke warm was a generous way of describing it. Not a bad campground if you have a reason to be in the area for a night, but I would recommend it for long stayed unless your camper is very self contained.
Camping spots near Wampum, Pennsylvania lie within the rolling terrain of western Pennsylvania's Appalachian Plateau region, which features elevations ranging from 900 to 1,200 feet. The area experiences four distinct seasons with particularly vibrant fall foliage from late September through mid-October. Most camping facilities near Wampum sit along creek valleys and woodland areas with predominantly deciduous forest cover.
Creek exploration: Visit the creek-side primitive sites at Breakneck Campground. One camper noted, "We chose one of two primitive sites next to a small creek. Apart from the campers above us on top of the hill, we were a few hundred feet from the other primitive sites. Despite being just a minutes walk from our truck, we felt incredibly secluded."
Trail access: Hike directly from camp into McConnells Mill State Park. According to a visitor at Breakneck Campground, "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 down into McConnells Mill State Park."
Water recreation: Enjoy Beaver Creek State Park for fishing and kayaking. A visitor mentioned, "Had some luck fishing at the Canoe/Kayak area in the South East area of the park close to the Group Camp Sites." Another camper added, "The creek that runs through the area is beautiful and there were many people fishing along the way. Kayaking is also very popular among the creek."
Winter activities: Take advantage of snowy trails for winter hiking. As one camper at Raccoon Creek State Park shared, "Got out for a couple hours hiking in the snow. It was great. Just what we needed to stretch the legs and enjoy some family time. We did the Palomino Loop. It also was quite interesting getting to the trail. Some nice snow covered back roads."
Secluded creek spots: The privacy of stream-side sites. At Rose Point Park Cabins & Camping, campers appreciate quiet locations: "This place is great. Friendly office staff. Every spot has a fire pit. Love the option to have rent electric."
Scenic camping platforms: Elevated deck sites overlooking gorges. At Breakneck Campground, one visitor praised their experience: "What a special stat we had! So close to the McConnells Mill trails, gorgeous deck spot above the gorge and low key vibe to the campground overall. I cannot believe it took us this long to stay here!"
Pine tree camping areas: Sites under mature pine trees. At Beaver Creek State Park, a camper recommended specific areas: "When you pull into Beaver Creek Family Campground you pretty much have two choices: either you go left into multiple Pine tree sites or right into two cabins and more RV friendly open sites. I suggest the pine sites for any tent or hammock campers."
Moonlight hikes: Night exploration on clear evenings. At Raccoon Creek State Park, one camper shared their experience: "I had the most wonderful time on my first tent camping at Racoon Creek. We made a fire, hiked by the moonlight and swam at the warm lake at night. There were other campers around but we rarely noticed them and only when walking to restrooms at the daylight."
Pit toilets: Limited bathroom facilities at some locations. A camper at Beaver Creek State Park reported, "Probably the nicest pit toilets I have experienced and while we didn't use, it the sun shower building would give anyone privacy if they had packed a portable shower."
Water restrictions: Some campgrounds limit water availability. At Beaver Creek State Park, a visitor cautioned, "They are on a well so there is limited water and they don't allow you to fill up your on board tank. Make sure you fill up before you go!"
Noisy weekends: Some campgrounds get louder on weekends. A visitor at Bear Run Campground shared their observation: "My daughter and I came through here on our way from Michigan to Virginia. I think it was a Thursday night. It was quiet and beautiful. The host did seem to be expecting a crazy weekend, but we didn't stay to find out."
Event-based access: Some sites only open for special events. Cooper's Lake Campground operates differently, as one visitor explained: "This campground is only accessible during large events, and they do a really good job of organizing everything to work within the confines of the event."
Activity schedules: Check weekend event calendars. At Bear Run Campground, a family noted, "I am unsure if I just happen to have gotten lucky and decided to go camping during a special weekend, but it's Labor Day weekend and I am loving that there is a calendar of events for campers to participate in if they choose to. Activities include wagon rides to the lake, talent show, karaoke…etc, as well as church!"
Kid-friendly attractions: Look for playgrounds and recreation areas. A visitor at Valley View Campground shared, "Was a relaxing 4 days at a tent site. Would absolutely recommend this campground!" Other campers mention the playground accessibility at several campgrounds.
First-timer support: Some campgrounds offer extra help for beginners. One camper at Indian Brave Campground explained, "As first time travel trailer owners, they helped us accomplish our first trip away! Upon calling to book a site, we mentioned this was our first trip, they made the utmost effort to accommodate us with all of our needs. They escorted us to our campsite (which was larger than most) and made sure we had plenty of help getting backed in and set up!"
Pet policies: Check campground rules for pets. Many campgrounds near Wampum welcome pets, but have specific areas. A camper at Raccoon Creek noted, "Long holiday weekend trip. Love this park. Designated pet areas, flush toilets and shower house available. Plenty of trails."
Site slope: Check for leveling needs. Most spots in the Wampum area need some adjustment. A camper at Harts Content noted, "Flat spot, hook-ups work as they should. Randy quickly responded to our phone calls and was very accommodating upon arrival."
Road restrictions: Avoid certain routes with larger vehicles. A visitor at Beaver Creek State Park warned, "There is a road in the park (Echo Dell Road) that RV's/Trailers can't go on so make sure you approach this campground from Leslie Road!"
Site selection for longer rigs: Look for designated areas. At Bear Run Campground, a visitor shared, "Bear Run offers pull through sites for larger RV's. The pool is smaller but still enjoyable. Tons of activities always planned on the weekend."
Off-season preparations: Be ready for limited facilities. During colder months, many campgrounds in the Wampum area reduce services, so RVers should plan accordingly for water availability and dump station access.
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are available near Wampum, PA?
The Wampum area offers several camping options within a reasonable driving distance. Raccoon Creek State Park Campground is a popular choice with its large, wooded campground featuring spacious sites spread across five different loops. Closer to Wampum, Rose Point Park Cabins & Camping near New Castle provides drive-in access with water and toilet facilities. Other nearby options include Valley View Campground in Wampum itself, Harts Content Campground near Beaver Falls, and Indian Brave Campground near Harmony, all offering various amenities for different camping preferences.
What amenities and facilities do Wampum area campgrounds offer?
Breakneck Campground offers secluded sites with fire rings and is conveniently located near Pittsburgh, making it ideal for weekend getaways. For those seeking water activities, Shenango Campground features over 300 sites on a lake, with easy access about 12 miles north of I-80. The recreation area is perfect for boating, fishing, and lakeside relaxation with some sites directly on the water. Many campgrounds in the region provide basic amenities like restrooms and water access, while others offer additional facilities such as swimming areas, hiking trails, boat rentals, and children's playgrounds.
When is the best season for camping in Wampum, Pennsylvania?
The prime camping season around Wampum runs from late spring through early fall (May to October). Summer is particularly popular at Pymatuning State Park Campground, where campers enjoy beautiful lake views and water activities. For those seeking fewer crowds, Mosquito Lake State Park Campground offers spacious waterfront sites that are especially pleasant in early fall when the temperatures are mild and the foliage begins to change. Spring brings wildflowers and milder temperatures, while fall offers spectacular colors throughout the region's wooded campgrounds. Most campgrounds in the area are seasonal and close during winter months due to Pennsylvania's cold weather conditions.
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