Viewing Wildlife

If you move silently and remain alert, wildlife viewing opportunities abound in the forest. A host of species leave clues to their presence including, 50 mammals, 200 birds, 25 amphibians, 20 reptiles, 80 fishes, and 25 freshwater mussels. A white-tailed deer, black bear, grey fox, wild turkey, squirrel, chipmunk, red-backed salamander, wood frog, beaver, raccoon, ruffed grouse, rattlesnake, snowshoe hare, or river otter could all cross your path.

For many people, seeing our bald eagles, ospreys, hawks, or owls is a thrilling sighting, but don’t discount their smaller cousins. With a pair of binoculars, a close-up look at songbirds reveals stunning colors and intriguing behaviors. In the correct season, you may find warblers, finches, oriels, swallows, thrushes, sparrows, chickadees, or hummingbirds, to name a few.

Check out these sites for more information:

Keep forest creatures wild

Do not approach or follow wildlife—observe from a distance.
Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
Leash your dog to keep it and wildlife safe.
Do not feed wildlife—let them feed themselves. Store your rations and trash safely, securely, and out of reach.
No picture is worth endangering the animals, other subjects, or the photographer. People are killed every year when they get too close to large animals, such as bear. Smaller animals become stressed when we get too close.

If you think you've found a sick or injured animal please call the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

Viewing Wildlife 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. Amenities range from large campgrounds with electric hook-ups, showers, and flush toilets to boat-in campgrounds with simple outhouses.

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.

The Kinzua Point Information Center boasts an impressive view of the reservoir. Two popular trails nearby include the Jakes Rock Extreme Mountain Biking Trails, and the shorter Rimrock Hiking 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 Campground
Elijah Run Boat Launch and Shoreline Trail
Handsome Lake Boat Access Campground
Hooks Brook Boat Access Campground
Hopewell Boat Access Campground
Jakes Rocks Overlook and Mountain Bike Trail
Kiasutha Recreation Area
Pine Grove Boat Access Campground
Rimrock Hiking Trail and Overlook
Tracy Ridge Hiking Trail
Wander beneath the oak trees on the 33.69 mile long Tracy Ridge Hiking Trail. Explore small groves of hemlock along the streams. Slopes along the reservoir and the eight small streams in the area are steep. Rock ledges and large boulders can be found on the steeper hillsides.

The trail begins at 2,245 feet on the flat ridge-top at Tracy Ridge Recreation Area, takes visitors through the Allegheny National Recreation Area before passing by the Allegheny Reservoir at multiple locations.

View/Print Trail Brochure - pdf
Tracy Ridge 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.
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.
Hall Barn Wildlife Viewing Area
Hearts Content Recreation Area
Walk among the 300 to 400-year-old white pines which tower Hearts Content, a 122-acre area containing old-growth forest. In 1977, Hearts Content was designated as a registered National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service. This designation indicates that the site possesses exceptional value as an illustration of the nation's natural heritage and contributes to a better understanding of the environment.

In an area which was mostly clear-cut in the 1800s, 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. Shortly after, Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) workers constructed the campground, picnic area, and a pavilion in 1936.

The 12-mile Hickory Creek trail begins just north of the campground, exploring a designated Wilderness area. Nearby trails for day hikes and cross-country skiing can be found across the road from the Hearts Content campground including Tom's Run Loop, Wheeler Loop, Ironwood Loop, and the Hearts Content Interpretation Trail.

View/Download Brochures:
Hickory Creek Wilderness
Rocky Gap ATV Trail
Timberdoodle Flats Interpretive Trail
Tionesta Scenic Area and Hiking Trail
Westline Cross-Country Ski/Hiking Trail
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.
Beaver Meadows Hiking Trail & Day Use Area
Buzzard Swamp Wildlife Viewing and Hiking Area
Buzzard Swamp is a special management area that emphasizes wildlife management and recreation. The site contains 11.2 miles of inter-connected trails, offering some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities on the forest, as well as recreational opportunities including cross-country skiing, mountain biking, hiking, hunting, and fishing.

Explore the site’s 15 man-made ponds, constructed in the early 1960s in partnership with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, which provides great viewing of waterfowl. This area is an important link in the Atlantic flyway, a bird migration pattern that goes along the East Coast of North America.

Two trailheads provide access to the area: Buzzard Swamp 376 and Buzzard Swamp 157 trailheads. The Songbird Sojourn Interpretive Trail is a 1.5-mile self-guided nature trail that starts at the Buzzard Swamp 157 trailhead. Pamphlets are available at the trailhead and the Marienville Ranger Station.

View/Print Trail Brochure - pdf
Buzzard Swamp 157 Trailhead
Buzzard Swamp 376 Trailhead
Little Drummer Historical Pathway
Loleta Recreation Area
Timberline Trail: Buehler Trailhead
Timberline Trail: Main ATV Trailhead