Go Camping America

Bear Run Campground

Portersville, Pennsylvania


34 RV Sites, 15 Cabins, 77 Tent Sites, 6 Lodges

Bear Run Campground occupies 184 Badger Hill Road in Portersville, Pennsylvania—a Butler County family campground that directly borders Moraine State Park and provides trail-connected access to Lake Arthur, the 3,225-acre reservoir at the center of one of western Pennsylvania's most complete outdoor recreation parks. The campground's border position with Moraine State Park is its defining geographic advantage: hiking trails from the campground extend into the state park, and the lakefront of Lake Arthur is accessible for water recreation without leaving the campground's immediate vicinity. Full hookup RV sites, tenting areas, and cabin rentals accommodate the full range of camping preferences, with a gated entrance providing perimeter security for the family-oriented property. The campground's on-site amenity set is genuinely comprehensive: a swimming pool, playground, basketball and volleyball courts, fishing, ballfields, a recreation center with TV room and fireplace, an arcade, a camp store with concessions, a dog park, and a covered pavilion for group gatherings. Laundry facilities and modern restrooms with showers handle the practical daily needs, and the lodge provides indoor gathering space for weather-driven programming through the camping season. Lake Arthur is the recreational centerpiece of the Moraine State Park complex—a large, non-motorized and electric-motor-only reservoir where the absence of gas-powered boats creates a quieter on-water environment suitable for kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, and sailing. Bear Run Campground's access to Lake Arthur for these human-powered and electric watercraft gives it a genuine lakefront character that many campgrounds marketed as "lake adjacent" cannot actually deliver. The seven miles of hiking trails through Moraine State Park that connect from the campground property cover the glacially formed ridges and wetlands of the park's interior, passing the reconstructed covered bridge over the North Shore and the moraine geology that gives the park its name. McConnells Mill State Park, about 10 miles west in Lawrence County, provides a complementary natural experience in a hemlock gorge environment where Slippery Rock Creek has cut a dramatic canyon through the Appalachian Plateau bedrock—the historic grist mill within the gorge, operational trails through the hemlock forest, and the challenging rock climbing on the Kildoo and Alpha Pass routes give it a completely different character from the open-water Moraine landscape and make it a natural half-day addition to a Bear Run base camp stay. Pittsburgh is about an hour south on I-79 and provides the full urban amenity set of Carnegie Museums, PNC Park, and the downtown cultural district. Bear Run Campground operates through the western Pennsylvania camping season, with summer peak from Memorial Day through Labor Day when the pool, water recreation, and the planned activities calendar run at full capacity. The western Pennsylvania fall foliage season in October delivers the hardwood color of the Appalachian ridges surrounding Moraine State Park in the landscape that Butler County delivers reliably each autumn, and the shoulder season from May through June and September through October provides the Moraine State Park hiking and water recreation experience at reduced campground density. Reserve ahead for summer holiday weekends when the park's Pittsburgh proximity fills it quickly.

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Location


Things to know

Check-in: 4:00 PM

Check-out: 4:00 PM

Rules

Check-In Procedure - Campsite check-in is 4:00 P.M. - Campsite check-out is 4:00 P.M. - Cabins and Rental Units check-in: 4:00 P.M. - Cabins and Rental Units check-out: before 2:00 P.M. - Campsites may be available prior to official check-in time. - Late check is not available on our rental units. - Check with office upon check-in. - While each park attempts to accommodate your exact spot request, the on-site manager has the ultimate decision for spot placement. Damage Responsibility Policy - Damage to any trees, fences, buildings, or equipment must be settled at office before moving your camper from the premises. Trees - Do not cut trees. Firewood Options - You may bring your own firewood or purchase it at our store. Quiet Hours - Quiet hours are 10:30 PM - 8:30 AM. - All children should be at their campsite. - Excessive disturbance will not be tolerated at any hour. - Report any disturbances immediately to the office. Visitor - All visitors to any campsite must register at the office upon entering the campground. - Fee entitles visitor the use of camp facilities, including pool. - All registered campers should make advance arrangements to receive their guests. - This is for safety issues and knowing that all residents belong in the park. Trash Put all trash in dumpsters below restroom or beside restrooms on the hilltop. Prohibited - No guns allowed in camp from April 15th through October 31st. Gate Card - A $50 replacement fee will be assessed for non-returned or damaged gate cards. Vehicle - Park one vehicle per campsite. - Drive no stakes longer than 7" in improved area (underground electric). - Park one vehicle per campsite. - Additional vehicles can park near boat storage area or in visitor parking next to the pool. - No bike riding after dark. - Please observe Pennsylvania State Laws regarding helmets. - No dirt bikes or off road vehicles. - No unlicensed vehicles are permitted in the campground, i.e., golf carts, Quads, ATVs, etc. - Non-licensed persons are prohibited from operation of motor vehicles within the campground. Base Rate - Includes up to 2 adults and 2 children; extra person fees apply. Site Use Policy - Your site rental allows one camping unit per site. Please check with office before pitching additional tents on your site. - Do not use any site other than site assigned without office permission. Alcohol - Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at any campground events. - Alcoholic beverages must remain within your campsite. - Strolling with alcohol is prohibited. - Please conduct yourself in an orderly fashion. - No kegs or drinking parties. Clothesline Policy - Clothes lines at Cabins, Pull-thru's and Full hookups campsites are prohibited. - They prove to be a safety issue for kids running through the campground. Picnic Table - One picnic table per campsite, please. Cleanliness - Please leave your site clean when departing. Reservation Policy - Rain checks only. - Any specific site requested requires the following minimum reservations: Weekends: 2 nights, Holidays: 3 nights. Speed Limit - Drive slow, 5 mph, within the campground. - Observe all posted speed limit signs. Open Fire Policies - Please observe the Emerald Ash Borer notification. - Do not move fire rings or build fires near or under trees. - Do not start campfires outside fire rings. - Do not burn cans, glass, or trash. - Burn no wood longer than 2 feet in length. - Keep flammable materials away from fire area. - Do not set hot grills or other hot objects on tables. - Put out fire upon departure of campsite. Pets - Pets are only permitted in "pet-friendly" cabins. - Some breed restrictions. - Check with the front office. - Pets are welcome at any of our RV and tenting sites, subject to our pet policies. - Designated campsites and cabins are pet friendly. - Please ask which ones qualify. - Keep pets on leash and clean up after them. - Never leave pets unattended. - No pets are allowed in the Store, Arcade, Cabins, Restrooms, Swimming areas or playgrounds. - A Pet Run is located in the center of the campground. - If you would like to bring a pet to Bear Run Campground, please ask the front desk to send you a pet policy, complete the form, and bring with you upon registering. - Visitors of guests are not permitted to bring pets into the campground. - No more than 2 pets per site are permitted. - We require current proof of rabies vaccinations for all pets to be on file in the office. - Children under 10 will not be allowed to walk pets unsupervised in the campground. Restroom & Shower Facilities - Hot showers are available on-site for your convenience. - No dish washing in restrooms. - Dish washing stations are located outside the lower bath house and the Silver Ridge Pavilion. Security Deposit - A $50 deposit will be held subject to an approved inspection of cabin or rental unit upon check-out. - Pet-friendly cabins require a $100 deposit. - Management approval. Memorial Day Weekend To Labor Day Policy - Saturday before-noon check-ins to campsites will be charged the full weekend rate.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Policy - No cash refunds for early departure. Site/Cabin Cancellation Policy - Our cancellation policy depends on how far in advance you notify us of your cancellation. - 30+ days prior to reservation date: Refund to original payment method minus $50 cancellation fee per campsite/cabin. - 14-29 days prior to reservation date: 50% of reservation refund to original payment method and 50% of the reservation is forfeited. - 7-13 days prior to reservation date: 25% of reservation refund to original payment method and 75% of the reservation is forfeited. - 0-6 days prior to reservation date: Full reservation forfeited. No refunds are given on or after arrival. Group Cabins Cancellation Policy - 50% of the total bill will be assessed when cancelling prior to 30 days. - If less than 30 days, the entire deposit amount is subject to loss. - All Spot2Nite reservations require payment in full at the time of booking. - Please contact Spot2Nite to cancel a reservation via email to [email protected] or call (877)778-2683, Option 1. - Spot2Nite convenience fees and credit card processing fees are non-refundable.