Campground Camping

The Allegheny has a wide array of developed camping opportunities, from campsites with only a fire ring and a picnic table to sites with electric and water hookups for RV's.

At a minimum all sites have a cleared area for tents and a campfire ring. At most sites, parking is included for one vehicle with space for a towed trailer (or an additional vehicle for an additional one-half fee).

For hike-in or boat-in sites, parking opportunities are located along roads or in designated parking areas and the sites are reached by hiking along a path or traveling by boat depending, on the location. These types of sites are not suitable for RVs or trailers.

Fee campgrounds (in-season) have potable water available from shared faucets and bear-proof garbage receptacles. They may also have water or electric hookups at individual sites and shared sanitary facilities beyond vault toilets such as showers, flush restrooms, and dump stations. Read the campground and site descriptions on recreation.gov to find the amenities that will make you comfortable during your stay on the Forest.

North Country National Scenic Trail does not have designated campgrounds, however we've indicated what campgrounds and types of camping are available along different sections of the trail so you can plan your hike better. Most camping along the trail is dispersed.

The following campgrounds require a reservation through recreation.gov for some or all available sites. Reservations can be made no more than 6 months in advance of your visit, and no less than 3 days before your visit.

Buckaloons Recreation Area
Dewdrop Campground
Farnsworth Cabin
Kiasutha Recreation Area
Loleta Recreation Area
Red Bridge Recreation Area
Tracy Ridge Campground
Twin Lakes Recreation Area
Willow Bay Recreation Area

Follow the links below for more information on individual campgrounds.

Campground Camping Areas

Allegheny Reservoir
Lush green forest surrounds the 7,647-acre reservoir that spans the border between Pennsylvania and New York. In Pennsylvania, the reservoir is completely surrounded by the Allegheny National Forest; and in New York State by Allegany State Park and the Allegany Indian Reservation of the Seneca Nation.

At normal summer pool level the reservoir is 27 miles long, 14 miles in Pennsylvania and 13 miles in New York, with 91 miles of shoreline, and a maximum depth of 130 feet.

Despite how busy the reservoir can get in the summer, there are still places where you can experience the solitude and quiet of the forest. Facilities range from large campgrounds with everything from electric hook-ups, flush toilets and playgrounds to boat-in campgrounds with simple outhouses and hand-pumps for water.

The reservoir draws people from all over for the quantity and quality of the water activities it has available.

The walleye, trout, bass, pike and muskellunge are there and waiting for a fight. Several record breaking fish have been caught in the reservoir. In the winter you can head out onto the ice for a little ice fishing. If you want to look, but not fish, stop by the dam and peek over the edge. The fish like to gather in the eddies at the edges of the reservoir near the dam. Please do not feed the fish.

There are two major trails in the area, Jakes Rock Extreme Mountain Biking Trail, and the short, but intense, Rimrock Trail. After your ride or hike you can head over to the Kinzua Beach and cool off in the chill waters of the reservoir.

And no trip the the reservoir is complete without driving on Longhouse National Scenic Byway and up to the overlooks at Jakes Rocks and Rimrock to take in the endless view of the reservoir against the backdrop of the forest.

Scroll down to find out more about the activities available on the reservoir.

History of the Reservoir

The reservoir was created in the 1960s when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed the Kinzua Dam on the upper Allegheny River. The reservoir water level and water surface is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Only a few private landowners exist on the New York shoreline. The Allegheny Reservoir is unique because very little private commercial development exists along its shoreline. The majority of the existing developed recreation sites on the PA portion of the Reservoir are operated and maintained by the Allegheny National Forest.
Dewdrop Recreation Area
Handsome Lake Boat Access Campground
Hooks Brook Boat Access Campground
Hopewell Boat Access Campground
Kiasutha Recreation Area
Morrison Boat Access Campground
Pine Grove Boat Access Campground
Red Bridge Recreation Area
Tracy Ridge Recreation Area
Willow Bay Recreation Area
Allegheny Wild and Scenic River
In 1992 (Public Law 102-271) added 87 miles of the Allegheny River to the National Wild & Scenic River System classified as Recreational. The goal is to protect the existing outstanding and remarkable values and preserve a free-flowing condition for present and future generations. This designation applies to the following three sections:
- 7 miles from below Kinzua Dam to Route 6 bridge in Warren
- 48 miles from Buckaloons Campground to Alcorn Island (by Oil City), and
- 32 miles from south of Franklin to Emlenton.
The corridor boundary runs along the plateau ridge on both sides and has extensive areas of privately owned lands with many homes and seasonal recreational residences along the shoreline. Public access is good generally from both sides and few hazards make this an ideal river for novice and family canoeing. Oak forests predominate along steep side slopes and there is wooded-riverine habitat in some of the floodplains. It contains the seven Allegheny Wilderness Islands often used by boaters for dispersed camping and fishing.

The Allegheny Islands Wilderness contains seven islands stretched between Buckaloons and Tionesta along the Allegheny Wild and Scenic River. The islands are popular for dispersed camping, exploration, and viewing scenery and wildlife. They are mostly vegetated with fine riverine forests of sycamore, silver maple, shagbark hickory, and green ash. Dense grasses and other thick vegetation make access limited. There are no developed trails or other facilities on the islands.

The Allegheny River is one of the primary tributaries to the Ohio River. It joins with the Monongahela River to form the Ohio River at the "Point" in Pittsburgh, PA. The Allegheny starts in Pennsylvania, near Cobb Hill, meanders into New York into Cattaraugus County, near Salamanca, before heading back into Pennsylvania northeast of Warren.

The course of the river forms much of the northwestern boundary of the Allegheny National Forest before reaching Franklin where the river turns southeast. Within the borders of the Allegheny National Forest the river is fed by Kinzua Creek, Conewango Creek, Brokenstraw Creek, Tionesta Creek, Oil Creek and French Creek. The Clarion River joins the Allegheny near Kittanning.
Buckaloons Recreation Area
Bradford Ranger District
The Bradford Ranger District covers the northern half of the Allegheny National Forest. Highlights of this area include the Allegheny Reservoir, Wild and Scenic Allegheny River and Hearts Content.

Hidden gems found on the district are the Old Powerhouse, Timberdoodle Flats Interpretive Trail and Hall Barn Wildlife Viewing Area.
Hearts Content Recreation Area
Sleep amongst the 300 - 400 year old white pine that tower 140 feet above in the small campground within the 122-acre Hearts Content Recreation Area.

In an area that was mostly clear-cut in the 1800's, 20 acres of what is now Hearts Content was owned by Wheeler and Dusenbury Lumber Company from 1897 to 1922. Wheeler and Dusenbury deeded the land to the U.S. Forest Service in 1923.

Hearts Content is designated as a National Natural Landmark.

Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) workers constructed the campground, picnic area, and pavilion in 1936. An exhibit of a hand-hewed log is adjacent to the picnic area.

The Hickory Creek Trailhead and the beginning of the hiking trail is just north of the campground. Nearby loop trails for hiking and cross-country ski trails, as well as the interpretive trail through the Old-Growth forest are centered within the Hearts Content Day Use Area located across the road (east) of the campground.

View/Print Site Brochure - View/Print Site Brochure

The recreation area provides access to several trails through the Hearts Content Area.
Minister Creek Campground
Clarion Wild and Scenic River
The Clarion River is a designated Wild and Scenic River for 51.7 miles, from the border of the ANF/State Game Lands Number 44 boundary to an unnamed tributary at the backwaters of Piney Dam.

The steeply forested hillsides of almost continuous mature deciduous and coniferous vegetation contribute to a feeling of remoteness in many places along the river.

Paddlers on the river will find that the water changes from smooth to riffling as the river flows over and around large boulders. In the section of river between Arroyo Bridge and Irwin Run paddlers will find several of the riffles.

The Clarion is a tributary to the Allegheny Wild and Scenic River, joining it in Clarion County, just south of the town of Emlenton. In the early 1800's the Clarion was used to transport timber to the Allegheny River.
Clarion River Campsites
Marienville Ranger District
The Marienville Ranger District covers the southern half of the Allegheny National Forest. Highlights of this area include the Penoke, Marienville and Timberline OHV trails, Wild and Scenic Clarion River and Buzzard Swamp.

Hidden gems on this district include the Little Drummer Trail, Laurel Mill Trail and Beaver Meadows.
Loleta Recreation Area
Spring Creek Horse Trail
The Spring Creek Horse Trail is a 40-mile equestrian trail near Marienville, off of Route 66. The trail begins at Kelly Pines and has loops of varying lengths to provide long or short horseback rides for visitors.

Portions of the trail will take riders near Wolf Run, Spring Creek, Little Hunter Creek and Bank Run on National Forest System lands and Hill Run in PA State Gamelands #28.

View/Print Trail Brochure - Spring Creek Horse Trail map
Kelly Pines Campground
Twin Lakes Recreation Area and Black Cherry Trail
North Country National Scenic Trail