Campers' Paradise
The poor economy means big business for the campgrounds in Butler County, with more families seemingly vacationing close to home and with a close eye on the budget.
“The worse the economy is, the better we do,” said Ed Tanski, owner of Buttercup Woodlands Campground in Connoquenessing Township.
“We call it a ‘one-tank trip.' One tank of gas gets you out here and back home.”
Whether they own a rustic tent or a luxury RV, people want to make the best use of equipment they already own, said Dennis Quigley, owner of Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest in Mercer Township.
“People have made an investment in their RV so they're not hoping to let them sit at home,” he said. “They're going to stay closer to home and be more efficient about the trips.”
In Butler County, options abound for all campers, whether they want to get close to nature or go out and still enjoy the comforts of home.A more rustic option exists at Breakneck Campground in Muddy Creek Township, which offers tent sites and rental cabins.Becky and Daniel Cheeseman opened the campground about 11 years ago and it remains much the same.Becky Cheeseman describes the area as “laid back,” without areas for RVs or a camp store.“It's a very primitive campground where you can just come in and relax,” Cheeseman said. “It's pretty much people who are here to see the parks and go bike riding or hiking without being around a lot of people.”Breakneck tends to attract kayakers and others interested in outdoor sports because of its location near McConnells Mill and Moraine State Park.Nearby, Moraine offers 11 modern rental cabins year-round. The two-bedroom cabins include a bathroom with shower, kitchen and dining and living area with a dock near Lake Arthur.Several other campgrounds are geared toward families, with scheduled activities and themed events.Since the onset of the economic downturn, more families with young children have been booking camping excursions in lieu of a more expensive summertime options, said Quigley, whose Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest features daily visits from a costumed Yogi character.Indian Brave Campground in Jackson Township has a fishing lake and horse-drawn hayrides, while Bear Run Campground in Muddy Creek Township and Buttercup Woodlands in Connoquenessing Township offer themed weekend events and activities like bingo and ceramics.“People do want to get out with their families while their children are still young,” said Todd Wehr, co-owner of Bear Run.
No matter what their accommodations, campers can use their site as a headquarters while they take in Butler County's attractions.“With all the different attractions that are coming in, we're seeing heavier reservations,” said Tanski. “Definitely, the local activities are bringing people in.”Summertime events like the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival and the Saxonburg Festival of the Arts bring in visitors from across the country, Tanski said.“They do spend days out there and use us as their home base,” he said. “I do believe a lot of that is spurred by the Butler County Tourism website, a lot of people are carrying the visitors guide with them and asking about that.”Visitors may not realize all that Butler County has to offer, Quigley agreed.“They stay here to go shopping at the (Grove City) outlets or go to Moraine. We're a stopping point to go into Pittsburgh, whether it be for a concert or ballgame,” he said. “We get history buffs coming through who will come here and do the courthouses or cemeteries when they're researching their ancestry.”
Just as many visitors like to hang around the fire circle and take it easy, Quigley said.“When people get here, they've been working all week, but then they sit down around that campfire and you just see them relax,” said Quigley.The camp atmosphere is a change of pace for busy families, Tanski said.“You don't have to worry about getting up in the morning with the alarm clock,” said Tanski. “You can sit around the fire in the evening and tell stories, then sleep til 10 or 11 if you want.”
A sense of community emerges among campers, and they seem to drop all pretensions when they come together, Tanski said.“What's really funny is that once they get into a campground, they forget who they are, what they are, and just mingle,” Tanski said.Campgrounds can accommodate groups of all types, such as fishing groups, family reunions or bachelorette parties, Wehr said.This way, guests have the flexibility to choose lodgings that fit their budget and personal preferences, he said.Another positive is the fact that many Butler County campgrounds are near peoples' homes, Wehr said.Obligations like children's' soccer games might otherwise discourage a weekend getaway, but are within commuting distance of several campgrounds here, he added.“We find that a lot of folks are enjoying the ability to stay with us and be able to make that game,” Wehr said. “It's also terrific because they have the benefit of perhaps one of the parents commuting to work from here and still being able to enjoy having a campsite or cabin.”Campgrounds are also an option for group activities like family reunions, no matter what type of accommodations the guests prefer.“What's nice is that when we have a family reunion or group coming to us, we can accommodate guests in the group in different styles of outdoor hospitality,” Wehr said.“It's a lot better for social engagements: It's easier to make social connections in an atmosphere like this instead of a hotel, where everything is segregated.”
For those new to camping, it pays to do research before taking off on a weekend trip.“I would say walk before you run,” Wehr said. “Rather than jumping into a lot of equipment you don't really understand, it's probably best to start simple.”Wehr also suggests consulting Woodall's, a well-known directory of camping locations available in print and online.“If you've never tried it before, either rent a unit or get a cabin in the campground, just to try it and see if it's your cup of tea,” Tanski said. “Most people will say, yes, they do like it, they like that little carefree getaway.”<BR></BR><BR></BR>
<B>Bear Run Campground</B>184 Badger Hill Road, Muddy Creek Township, 724-368-3564.60 acre park borders Moraine State Park and Lake Arthur and offers 316 sites for tenting and RV camping in addition to rental units. Includes family friendly programming, swimming pool, Sunday worship services and outdoor activities like fishing, horseshoes, and volleyball.<B>Breakneck Campground at Cheeseman Farms</B>1757 Cheeseman Road, Muddy Creek Township, 724-368-3405.75 to 100 primitive camp sites that attract hikers, kayakers, climbers and nature enthusiasts. Rental units also available.<B>Buttercup Woodlands Campground</B>854 Evans City Road, Connoquenessing Township, 724-789-9340.55 acres with 330 sites attracts about 1,400 visitors on an average weekend. Includes tent and RV areas. Open April to Oct. 15, there is a swimming pool, game room, recreation hall, bingo, horseshoes, trolley rides and store.<B>Cooper's Lake</B>205 Currie Road, Worth Township, 724-368-8710.200-acre campground has sites ranging from remote and primitive to areas with full hookups. The 10-acre lake has bass, bluegill, catfish and perch (no swimming in the lake). Campground is closed from the end of July to end of August to accommodate the Pennsic Wars hosted by the Society for Creative Anachronism.<B>Gaslight Campgrounds</B>6297 Emlenton Clintonville Road, about two miles west of Emlenton in Venango County, 724-867-6981.29-acre park with 120 pull-in sites, primitive tent sites and cabin rentals. Includes miniature golf, catch and release fishing pond and lake fishing, playground, basketball, volleyball, swimming pool, game room and recreation hall.<B>Indian Brave Campground</B>59 Perry Highway, Jackson Township, 724-452-9204.250-site campground open from April to Oct. 15. Located in gated, wooded area with swimming pool, game room, seasonal entertainment and children's activities.<B>Lake Arthur Family Campground</B>243 W. Liberty Road, Brady Township, 724-794-9901.Near Moraine State Park, the site includes areas for tents or RVs in addition to cabin rentals.<B>Moraine State Park cabins</B>225 Pleasant Valley Road, Muddy Creek Township, 724-368-8811.Eleven modern cabins available for rent year-round. Play equipment for children is in a central area. The North Country National Scenic Trail shelter is available for backpackers on a first-come, first-served basis. Two primitive camping areas are available for groups.<B>Peaceful Valley Campground</B>236 Peaceful Valley Road, Washington Township, 724-894-2421.Family-oriented campground with activities, swimming, playground, game room, swimming pool and fishing lake.<B>Smith Grove Campground </B>1085 Herman Road, Butler Township, 724-285-3600.56-acre park with RV and tent sites, scheduled activities, catch and release fishing lake stocked with bluegill, bass and catfish, swimming pool, coffee shop and recreation hall.<B>Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest</B>449 Campground Road, Mercer Township, 724-735-2417.170 campsites, six rental units, four cabins and two yurts; open April 15 to Oct. 31. Family-focused park with themed children's activities each weekend.From www.visitbutlercounty.com/lodging/campgrounds and other sources.
