The best camping in McConnells Mill State Park, PA

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Discover the rugged beauty of McConnells Mill State Park.  

The best camping in McConnells Mill State Park, PA

Public campgrounds here are often sold out.
Runnin Crazy Farm

2. Runnin Crazy Farm

96%
(260)
15mi from McConnells Mill State Park · 5 sites · Tents, RVs · New Brighton , PA
Growing up and building on the back of our Family Farm is the best goal I ever set for myself! My Off-Grid 20 acres has raised my 2 kids and all the animals we could rescue! We run a Horse Boarding Facility along with Freezer Meat of all sorts. It's a small Hobby Farm but we love it all the same! Family environment that's down to earth! Learn more about this land: Sites 1 and 2 are for campers/tents. Sites 3 and 4 are tent only spots. No shade. Top tent spots up in field (3 and 4) need a higher vehicle to get to them. A bit Off Road. 3 has privacy with Antique Trailer but 4 is wide open. Fire ring at all of them/with wood. Horse stalls/guided trails available for the campers bringing their own horses. If advanced notice, an hour Lesson or Ride can be scheduled. Our animals are friendly and love attention. Dogs welcome but need a leash. Our Family run Farm is willing to accommodate your needs. Book a stay with us as you pass on thru. (Totally Off Grid livin my dream. Remember to burn burnables and take non burnables with you. Generators welcome) Thanx!
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$25
 / night
Tiny Home on the Hill

3. Tiny Home on the Hill

98%
(86)
18mi from McConnells Mill State Park · 4 sites · Lodging · Harrisville, PA
Learn more about this land: The TINY HOME features: • 240 square feet plus sleeping for five. We have one queen sized and two single beds in the loft area. We have a comfortable single daybed on the first floor. We provide towels, comforters and pillows. We ask that Campers bring their own sheets or sleeping bags. House features a small kitchen and a full bathroom with a shower. We recommend short showers due to small hot water tanks. • Electric fireplace, and a split unit provides air conditioning and heat. • Refrigerator and electric stove. • Large wooden covered front porch.   The SITE also features: • Wooded trails • Three fire pits with plentiful free firewood • 250 square foot pavilion with picnic table.   • Trails thru woods plus large lawn area OTHER: We now accept pets. We charge $15.00 per pet per night. Pets must stay on the first floor. • Recommend good tires, or 4 wheel drive to get up driveway, deflating tires may be necessary in bad weather. • No Smoking Inside
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$84
 / night
Sunnyday's Forest

6. Sunnyday's Forest

97%
(73)
27mi from McConnells Mill State Park · 2 sites · Lodging · Tarentum, PA
Sunnyday's farm and forest was  a Christmas tree farm in the 1950's. I've owned it for the last 30 years and it is now a horse farm with pastures and  woods.Rustic area of 25 acres of pastures and forest bordering a hundred of acres of railroad and municipal forest. Great for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking. 1.5 miles from Deer Lakes park which has fishing, hiking, mountain biking and a great playground. The Allegheny river, judged to be one of the cleanest in the country, is just 6 miles away.  Harrison Hills park offers great hiking along the river and an occasional river otter. The Rachel Carson Trail and Baker trail are just a few miles away. It is a secluded log cabin in the woods on top of a hill overlooking a pasture. It is a very primitive cabin with a fireplace, brick floor, large porch, fabric interior and no chinking in the logs.  We provide a bunk bed and cots and 2 picnic tables.. There is a large grassy area in front of the cabin for tents.  There is no vehicle access, no electricity and no water at the cabin, but LOTS of downed wood for fires. There are horses, goats, chickens, ducks and a pig that roam the pastures. The cabin is about 300 yards from the parking area up a fairly steep hill, but the location is worth the walk!   If you're stopping with an RV or trailer we have ample parking near the road and have overnight accommodations for horses Great place for a stopover. 
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$40
 / night
River Hills Above the Allegheny

7. River Hills Above the Allegheny

100%
(525)
27mi from McConnells Mill State Park · 8 sites · Tents, RVs · Parker, PA
Located just outside of Parker, PA and 25 minutes from I-80, our campsite is very accessible, yet still very remote. With 4 campsites on 75 acres, guests have ample privacy and space, with the freedom to roam this posted property that has no homes on it. Perched high above the Allegheny there are several spots to take in the wonderful views. There is also a waterfall with a 3’ deep pool below it. Great for splashing with kids or dogs, guests love exploring the creek bottom and making new discoveries. The more curious guests sometimes find the ruins of the original homestead, chimney and spring house that sit upstream. The property is teeming with wildlife. Birds and tree frogs will be the soundtrack of your visit, and often deer will be seen nosing along the outskirts of your site in the mornings and evenings. Turkey, bald eagles and even bear are occasionally spotted, so be prepared to secure your food and trash at night. For those coming to disconnect, you have found the right place. But if cell service is needed, you will have enough to get texts out and depending what site you booked, calls and internet as well. For those who seek an electrical outlet AND and EV charger, we have a site for you! We also have a site with a large canvas tent already set up for your convenience. Within a 15 minute drive of your campsite you can find The North Country Trail, Rails to Trails Trailheads and Boat Launches on the Allegheny River, Groceries, dining and beer. Note: Guests wanting The River Ridge site should book their weekends far in advance, or plan a trip during weekdays!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$34
 / night
Rainbow over the barn

8. Bending Oak Permaculture Farm

100%
(21)
27mi from McConnells Mill State Park · 20 sites · Tents, Lodging · Youngstown, OH
Bending Oak Farm is an educational farm on 25 formerly clear cut acres. We are committed to our mission creating a more sustainable world by showing people what is possible. Through classes, workshops, school tours, community programs and hands-on experiences, we look to demonstrate attainable practices to better the lives of all people. We invite you to come and experience how you can create a more sustainable life for you, your family, friends and your community. To ensure an environment that is family friendly and mitigate the risk of injury Bending Oak does not permit alcoholic beverages or recreational drugs at the farm. Guests who stay in one of our permaculture cabins are participating in a permaculture design process where the goal is to create a system of abundance. During your stay, you will be challenged to think differently about how you go about meeting your daily needs. By design, you will encounter limits to the typical expectations of your living space, which grants you the opportunity to think deeply about what really is important to you and join us in exploring effective possibilities in meeting these expectations. After all, necessity is the mother of invention. This is our first study of building a sustainable living environment. We started with a blank slate, a new system designed with the permaculture principles in mind and the intention of ultimately creating a living space with the creature comforts we have all grown accustomed to. Eventually we will be building the next round of accommodations (principal: Small & Slow Solutions). When staying in one of our cabins, you are participating in this process by sharing with us your experience (principal: Observe & Interact), letting us know what you have discovered you can and can not live without, and possible solutions to efficiently address those needs and wants (principal: Apply Self Regulation & Accept Feedback).  We look forward to your stay with us and your participation in creating abundance in this living space!
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$30
 / night
River Hill Retreat

9. River Hill Retreat

99%
(34)
28mi from McConnells Mill State Park · 3 sites · Tents · Kennerdell, PA
16 acres of woods right along the bend of the Allegheny River at Kennerdell, PA are yours to enjoy! We have the best of both worlds- a secluded spot for campfires, hammocks, and hiking, or head down to the river to hang out by the water or kayak! Walk across the bridge to check out great trails in Clear Creek State Forest or drive a few miles Emlenton, Foxburg or Franklin for breweries, wineries, and bike trails. Our favorites: Emlenton- 12 miles: Emlenton Brewhaus, Blue Collar Tavern, Little IT Deli, Allegheny River Bike Trail access Foxburg-16 miles: Foxburg Pizza, Foxburg Wine Cellars, Allegheny Grille, Allegheny River Bike Trail access Franklin- 19 miles: Trails to Ales Brewery,Vino and Vibes, Allegheny River Bike Trail access Pick up the Allegheny River Bike Trail at the end of South Tunnel Rd, about 2 miles down from our location. Sites down at the river are on the flood plain. Setups here are not permanent due to uncertain river heights. Forest sites are uphill. River is accessible with a half mile walk/drive down our drive or via hill stairs. Cell phone service is weak to nonexistent in much of the property, so be prepared to go offline and relax!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$40
 / night
Hog Wild Farm

10. Hog Wild Farm

98%
(22)
28mi from McConnells Mill State Park · 7 sites · Tents, RVs · Polk, PA
YOU MUST CALL BEFORE BOOKING WILL BE APPROVED. 814-673-8460 not text or message -call please. Thank You. We are Marty and Deborah. Welcome to our 40 hidden acres of paradise where we are surrounded by wildlife and raise much of our food including beef, pork, chickens and a productive garden. We have multiple campsites here from wooded to open field or by the pond so come and pick one that suits you best. We are adjacent to the Kennerdell Tract Of Clear Creek State Forest which has miles of hiking and biking trails as well as the Allegheny River which provides fishing, boating, kayak/ canoeing opportunities. There is also The Allegheny River Trail which provides miles of paved bike trails. What we offer: We are not a campground and do not offer multi-night stays We are vandwellers when we are traveling. As such we understand the problems associated with finding a spot to overnight. We offer just that, a safe, quiet stop over for the night. That being said, if you need an extra day feel free to ask, we often say yes. We enjoy our quiet country life and request limited use of generators, Thank You
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$10
 / night
Sycamore Island

18. Sycamore Island

100%
(14)
36mi from McConnells Mill State Park · 1 site · Tent · Blawnox, PA
Camp on an island only accessible by boat/kayak/canoe or however you want to get across the river! Please read the full description. The island is open to visitors from dawn to dusk to enjoy the trails and wild scenery. Camp reservations secure your overnight visit to stay at the designated campsite area, which has a fire ring for cooking, a picnic table, and room for a tent or hammock. Sycamore Island can only be reached by your own canoe, kayak, or rowboat; watercraft is not provided. You are required to have a permit for an overnight stay: Please sign this form before submitting your stay request. https://alleghenylandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Camping-at-Sycamore-Island-Rules-and-Regulations-4.5.16-Fillable.pdf Please plan your visit in advance- requests to camp the same day or day before may not receive a timely approval. Sycamore Island and its campsite are managed by Allegheny Land Trust, a 501c3 land conservation nonprofit helping local people save local land in the Pittsburgh region. We are able to review and respond to camping requests Monday - Friday between 9 am - 5 pm. Acquired and protected by Allegheny Land Trust in 2008, Sycamore Island is a floodplain forest with a ranking of “high significance” within the Allegheny River Biological Diversity Area (BDA) Natural Heritage Area. Before the island was protected by ALT, the island had periodic interludes of recognition and appreciation by humans as a natural refuge. In 1936, both Sycamore Island and Nine Mile Island were leased from the Pennsylvania Railroad by the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania, making these islands the first bird sanctuaries in the Pittsburgh region. The Harbor Isle Boat Club was in existence on the island during the late 1960s but was later abandoned leaving behind several significant features; including a barge that remains embedded in the sand at the island’s southern tip, a partially installed swimming pool, docking platform, and a series of offshore pilings in the back channel.
Pets
Campfires
from 
$10
 / night
DLR Mustang Ranch

20. DLR Mustang Ranch

100%
(18)
40mi from McConnells Mill State Park · 2 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Salineville, OH
Located roughly 20 miles from Beaver Creek State Park, DLR Mustang Ranch is a 17-acre peaceful sanctuary for many wild and previously wild mustangs. The Ranch offers veteran and first responder mustang programs year-round. Please let us know if you are a veteran or first responder for a special rate. Accommodations include a small one-room cabin nestled on a little pond a stone's throw from the main house and veteran program area. The cabin has electricity, a microwave, small refrigerator, tv, futon, heating and cooling; however, it does not have plumbing. Nearby is an outhouse with electricity and a water pump fed from well water. There is a firepit for cooking and picnic tables available. There is also a flat space for tent camping right beside the cabin area. The outhouse and firepit are shared between the cabin and tent campers. If you prefer a more secluded experience, please book both sites. There is space for an RV in the driveway next to the woods with electric hookup and access to the outhouse, water pump, and firepit. While this is a working ranch with farm animals, our aim is to create a peaceful relaxing environment in order to unwind and enjoy the creation around us. Going in the pastures with horses while unaccompanied by the owners is prohibited; however, it can be arranged for you to meet and interact with the mustangs if interested. There are other farm animals including a sheep, a goat, pigs, donkeys, peacocks, turkeys, chickens, ducks and barn cats on the premises. If you want a quaint country escape complete with farm sounds, this is the spot for you!
Toilets
Campfires
Cooking equipment
from 
$30
 / night

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The best camping in McConnells Mill State Park, PA guide

Overview

About

Embark on an adventure through the scenic landscapes of McConnells Mill State Park. With its steep gorge, cascading waterfalls, and historic gristmill, this park offers a plethora of activities for nature enthusiasts. From challenging hikes and rock climbing to peaceful picnics and wildlife watching, there's something for every explorer. While camping isn't available, the park's daily attractions from sunrise to sunset provide ample opportunity for day-trippers to immerse themselves in the park's natural splendor.

When to go

The best time to visit McConnells Mill State Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the natural scenery is at its most vibrant. Summer offers lush greenery, but be prepared for more visitors and hotter temperatures. Winter can be beautiful but challenging with snow and ice.

Know before you go

  • Check for any alerts or closures before your visit, especially regarding the availability of drinking water in certain areas.
  • Exercise extreme caution around Slippery Rock Creek due to swift currents and slippery surfaces.
  • Remember, swimming is not permitted in the park, but nearby Moraine State Park offers swimming beaches.
  • The park is ADA accessible, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the natural beauty.
  • For a historical experience, plan your visit to include a tour of the 19th-century gristmill, open seasonally.
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