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Allegheny National Forest
Established in 1923, Allegheny National Forest (ANF) is Pennsylvania’s only National Forest. Situated in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains, the ANF is composed of plateau tops with elevations up to approximately 2,300 feet and valleys down to approximately 1,000 feet above sea level. The forest is approximately 517,000 acres and includes land in Elk, Forest, McKean and Warren counties in the northwestern corner of the state. The U.S. Forest Service brought new concepts in forest management to the Allegheny Plateau -- multiple benefits and sustainability. The motto "Land of Many Uses" captures the National Forest goal of a healthy, vigorous forest that provides wood products, watershed protection, a variety of wildlife habitats and recreational opportunities -- not only for us today, but in a sustainable way so future generations can enjoy these benefits, too. No matter the season the Allegheny has your destination! Paddle down the Allegheny or Clarion Rivers, hike the North Country National Scenic Trail or ride on the miles of OHV and motorcycle trail. Looking for less human interaction? Check out Buzzard Swamp or any of our smaller campgrounds.
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Supervisors Office Forest Supervisor 4 Farm Colony Drive Warren, PA 16365
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Permits info
Facilities
Handsome Lake Boat Access Campground Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Handsome Lake is a first-come, first-served campground only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you use a fee envelope and pay tube or you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature.
If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
Facilities
- Vault toilets are available
- There is no potable water **Campers need to bring thier own water.
- It is recommended that campers pack in thier own water.
- There are no boat docks at this campground.
Hooks Brook Boat Access Campground Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Hook's Brook campground is a available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by a using a fee envelopte and pay tube on site or by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature.
If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
Facilities
- Vault toilets available
- There is no potable water available. **Campers must bring in their own water.
- There are no boat docks
Natural Features
This rustic campground is located on the west bank of the Allegheny Reservoir just south of Webbs Ferry Boat Launch. It is accessible by boat via the Allegheny Reservoir.
The closest boat launch is Webbs Ferry approximately 1 mile north (west bank) and Willow Bay also 1 mile north (east bank).
Hopewell Boat Access Campground Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Hopewell Boat Access campground is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) with a fee envelope and pay tube or, by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature.
If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
Facilities
- Vault toilets are available.
- There is no potable water available. **Campers must bring in their own water.
- There are no boat docks
Minister Creek Campground and Trailhead Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature.
If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
Morrison Boat Access Campground Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
This rustic campground is located on the east bank of the Allegheny Reservoir just east of Elijah Run Boat Launch on Morrison Bay a branch off of Kinzua Bay of the Allegheny Reservoir.
It is accessible by boat via the Allegheny Reservoir and/or the Morrison Hiking Trail. The closest boat launch is Elijah Run directly west of the campground (access from the Longhouse National Scenic Byway - Forest Road 262).
Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, there are fee envelopes with a pay tube availabe or you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature.
If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
Facilities
- Vault toilets are available
- There is no potable water available. ** Campers will need to bring in their own water.
Natural Features
This rustic campground is located on the east bank of the Allegheny Reservoir just east of Elijah Run Boat Launch on Morrison Bay a branch off of Kinzua Bay of the Allegheny Reservoir.
Pine Grove Boat Access Campground Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Pine Grove campground is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) with a fee envelope and pay tube, or by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature.
If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
Facilities
- Vault toilets are available
- There is no potable water available. **Campers must bring in their own water.
- No boat docks
BUCKALOONS Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Buckaloons Campground sits at the confluence of the Allegheny River, Brokenstraw Creek and Irvine Run in northwestern Pennsylvania. This 61-site campground offers access to the Allegheny Wild & Scenic River and opportunities for boating, fishing, wildlife watching, and relaxing in a quiet, country atmosphere.
Recreation
Water activities are a big draw to Buckaloons Recreation Area, including canoing, kayaying, rafting, and boating. The boat ramp provides easy access to the river. Buckaloons is the beginning of the second designated National Wild and Scenic RIver segment of the Allegheny River. The first segment is from Kinzua Dam to the Route 6 Glade Bridge on the east side of Warren, PA. The second segment runs from Buckaloons campground to Alcorn Island just upstream of Oil City, PA, a distance of nearly 50 miles. In this segment are the 6 islands of the Allegheny Islands Wilderness as well as many other publicly and privately owned islands. Several public boat launches are located within this segment to help you decide on the length of trip that's right for you. The Allegheny is a "family-friendly" river, with little to no whitewater - perfect for beginners or a lazy day of floating. Hunting, fishing, and trapping are permitted in the areas around the campground, subject to rules of the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission. Fishing includes walleye, trout, and bass. There is also hiking along the Seneca Interpretive Trail within the campground or at nearby Anders Run Natural Area.Facilities
Buckaloons Recreation Area offers family campsites, double sites and a group tent site. Amenities include both flush and vault toilets, a pressurized water system, hot showers, a dump station and electric hookups.
There is a one-lane concrete boat launch, a picnic area with tables and charcoal grills, pavilion, basketball court and playground. Hardened paths lead to fishing opportunities on the Allegheny River, Brokenstraw Creek and Irvine Run.
Natural Features
Once the site of an Indian trading post, the Buckaloons Recreation Center has numerous apple trees through the area, as well as mixed hardwoods. Water-loving species such as sycamore, willow, alder, silver maple, and butternut are frequent components of the riverine forest. Blue and green herons, bald eagles, egrets, and a variety of smaller birds can be seen along the Allegheny RIver. The Allegheny is classified as a warm-water fishery, but some cold-water species thrive as well. Freshwater mussels are abundant in species and number and indicate the high water quality of this river. Deer, bear, turkey, and squirrels are common, along with a variety of smaller mammals such as raccoon, opossum, and muskrat.LOLETA RECREATION Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Loleta Recreation Campground sits along the east branch of Millstone Creek in the southwestern corner of the Allegheny National Forest, offering a peaceful getaway that is popular with families.Recreation
Camping is available in both the primitive upper loop and the more developed lower loop. The Day Use area with picnic tables and grills centers around a Civilian Conservation Corps dam across Millstone Creek, which creates a small swimming/wading area. Fishing the stream is permitted with a legal PA fishing license, but the swimming area is off-limits between Memorial Day and Labor Day. There is a 3-mile hiking trail that starts and ends at the campground, passing a rock outcrop on the edge of the Millstone Valley at its furthest point from the campground.Facilities
April 2022 *** Water will be turned on May 1st. Electric will be turned on for Lower Loop April 1st***
The lower loop of the campground has spacious campsites that are surrounded by mature trees. The upper loop sites are smaller and tucked into the forest for a more intimate feeling with nature. Each campsite has a parking spur, fire ring, and picnic table. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided in the camping loops while the Day Use area supports the bathhouse with flush toilets, hot showers, and changing rooms.
Natural Features
Loleta is a small opening in the forested hillsides around Millstone Creek. Native tree species in the area include red oak, white pine, black cherry, red and sugar maples, and a variety of others. Millstone Creek is a cold water fishery with a thriving population of native brook trout, and it is also priodically stocked by the Pennsylvania FIsh and Game Commission. Wildlife in the area include whitetail deer, black bear, turkey, raccoon, oppossum, fox, and smaller mammals, birds, and reptiles.Nearby Attractions
The Buzzard Swamp Hiking Trails, a 9.6-mile network of trails that wind through an area of 15 man-made ponds, make for an enjoyable day trip just north of Loleta, while driving down a dirt road extending south of the campground leads to the beautiful Clarion National Wild and Scenic River. The paved road along the river is popular for bike riding, and the river offers access for canoes, kayaks, and tubes as well as fishing opportunities and large boulders for picnicking or just watching the water roll by. Cook Forest State Park is an easy drive for hiking, marveling at the grove of Old Growth Hemlocks, or climbing an old fire tower for a view of the river.DEWDROP Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Dewdrop Campground sits on the Kinzua Arm of the Allegheny Reservoir in northwest Pennsylvania, offering a popular getaway for boaters and families.Recreation
Water activities abound, including lake fishing, boating, and water skiing. A boat launch is available for convenient lake access for campers only. A 2.5 mile trail winds around the campground. Dewdrop is located on the Longhouse Scenic Drive, a winding loop around the Kinzua Arm of the reservoir that includes PA-59, PA-321, and Forest Road 262 (Longhouse Scenic Byway).Facilities
This large campground offers 74 reservable family campsites that include a picnic table, fire ring and tent pad. Flush toilets, drinking water and a dump station are provided.Amenities such as firewood, ice, interpretive services and 24-hour campground attendants are offered at the site.
Natural Features
The Allegheny National Forest covers nearly half a million acres and is populated primarily with black cherry, maple and other hardwoods. The Kinzua Dam, built in 1965, impounds the Allegheny River to form the 25-mile-long Allegheny Reservoir. Dewdrop clings to the hillside above the water, providing a multi-level tiered campground.Nearby Attractions
The Kinzua Dam is a short drive to the west on PA-59. The Jakes Rocks Epic Mountain Bike Trail system connects to Dewdrop Campground and consists of trail loops built specifically for mountain biking on the mountain behind the campground. Hikers are also welcome on the trail but remember to keep an eye out for and give way to mountain bike riders. Kinzua Point Information Center is staffed by volunteers on most summer weekends and offers great views up the Allegheny Reservoir.KIASUTHA Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Kiasutha Campground sits on the Kinzua Arm of the Allegheny Reservoir in northwest Pennsylvania, offering countless water activities.Recreation
Visitors enjoy the large, grassy beach for swimming and relaxing. A boat ramp and dock allow visitors to enjoy the vast lake for boating, and a paved trail leads to an accessible fishing pier. Campsites offer a variety of views and conditions, from shaded forest to views of the reservoir, primitive walk-in camping or RV camping with electric hook-up. Some sites are back-in and some are pull-through for easier access.Facilities
There are about 90 reservable family campsites, each containing a picnic table, fire ring and tent pad. The loop roads are paved. Amenities include flush toilets, drinking water, hot showers, a dump station and amphitheater.
The beach and picnic area have a capacity of 900 people. The grounds also include parking facilities and a bathhouse. Firewood, ice, interpretive services and 24-hour campground attendants are offered at the site.
Natural Features
The Allegheny National Forest covers nearly half a million acres and is populated primarily with black cherry, maple and other hardwoods. The Kinzua Dam, built in 1965, impounds the Allegheny River to form the 25-mile-long Allegheny Reservoir. Since Kinzua Creek flowed into the Allegheny RIver, a part of it is also impounded, creating the Kinzua Arm. It is a little narrower than the main Allegheny Reservoir, allowing for a little more intimate connection between water and shore, and is not as subject to weather as the more open main reservoir. This campground sits on forested hills off the Longhouse Scenic Byway, a 29-mile loop that circles the Kinzua Creek Arm of the Allegheny Reservoir.Nearby Attractions
The Kinzua Dam and Bridge are within driving distance.contact_info
This location has limited staffing. Please call (814) 363-9090 for general information.RED BRIDGE (PA) Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Red Bridge Campground sits on the eastern shore of the Kinzua Arm of the Allegheny Reservoir in northwest Pennsylvania, offering a peaceful getaway for families and outdoor enthusiasts.Recreation
The campground offers swimming and bank fishing, with a boat launch nearby. For hikers, the North Country National Scenic Trail crosses SR 321 one-eighth of mile south of the campground. Over 4,000 miles long, the North Country National Scenic Trail stretches from New York to North Dakota. The Allegheny National Forest has nearly 100 miles of this trail between the New York state line and PA-66, maintained by volunteers from the Allegheny National Forest Chapter of the North Country Trail Association.Facilities
Red Bridge offers 65 reservable campsites each with a picnic table, fire ring and tent pad. Hot showers, vault and flush toilets, drinking water, and a dump station are provided. Some sites are waterfront while others have views of the water. Sites with electricity, water and sewage hookups are also available.
Two sites have rentable cabins.
Amenities such as firewood, ice, interpretive services and 24-hour campground attendants are offered at the site.
Natural Features
The Allegheny National Forest covers nearly half a million acres and is populated primarily with black cherry, maple and other hardwoods. The Kinzua Dam, built in 1965, impounds the Allegheny River to form the 25-mile-long Allegheny Reservoir. The campground is well wooded with mature black cherry, hemlock and birch trees. The grounds are off the Longhouse Scenic Byway, a 29-mile loop that circles the Kinzua Arm of the reservoir.TRACY RIDGE Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Tracy Ridge Campground is located within the Allegheny National Recreation Area, approximately 15 miles from Bradford, Pennsylvania. Allegheny Reservoir is just minutes away. Hikers enjoy exploring the 33-mile Tracy Ridge Trail System, which inclused 10 miles of the North Country National Scenic Trail. Tracy Ridge campground is operated by Allegheny Site Management under a concession permit.
Hand-pumped water is only available in Loop E.
Recreation
Hiking and backpacking possibilities abound in the Tracy Ridge Recreation Area. The trail system of interconnecting loops begins at the campground, and offers offers excellent day hikes. The main trail in the system is the Tracy Ridge trail, which circles the campground and drops down to the North Country National Scenic trail before climbing up the ridge back to the campground, making an approximate 16-mile loop. On the ridge above Tracy Run, there are two shorter loops for the less intrepid, and a connector to Johnnycake Trail, which goes from the loop around the campground down Johnnycake Run to the North Country Trail along the Reservoir. Connector trails off the North Country and Tracy Ridge trails lead to two primitive campgrounds on the Reservoir's shores: Handsome Lake and Hopewell. These two campgrounds are only accessed by foot or boat, and - with 3 other boat access campgrounds - are the only legal way to camp along the shore of the reservoir. The Bullis Hollow Trail leads east of the Tracy Ridge Recreation Area, heading for the city of Bradford and the Marilla Trail System on the Bradford Water Authority property approximately 8 miles away.
Boat access to the Allegheny Reservoir is nearby at Willow Bay Recreation Area, for developed access, or Sugar Bay for primitive access.
Facilities
Over 70 spacious, shaded campsites are available, each containing a picnic table, campfire ring, and tent pad. Vault toilets and a dump station are also available. Hand-pumped water is only available in loop E. Group sites are available by reserving entire camping loops.
Natural Features
The campground is situated in a mature oak stand on top of a hill, surrounded by streams and rock formations, at an elevation of 2,245 feet. The Allegheny Reservoir is approximately 5 miles from Tracy Ridge.
The Allegheny National Forest covers nearly half a million acres and is populated primarily with black cherry, maple, and other hardwoods. The Kinzua Dam, built in 1965, impounds the Allegheny River to form 25-mile-long Allegheny Reservoir.
WILLOW BAY Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Willow Bay is located within the Allegheny National Recreation Area, about 16 miles from Bradford, in northwestern Pennsylvania. It is primarily an accessible family campground that also offers rustic cabins available by reservation year-round. The facility offers modern amenities, including flush toilets and showers, but also provides access to great outdoor recreation opportunities.
Most of campsites and cabins can be accessed by vehicle, some campsites are walk-to. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
Recreation
Visitors enjoy water sports, including boating, water skiing, swimming, and sailing on the 12,080-acre, man-made Allegheny Reservoir. Anglers can find walleye, bass, and musky.
A courtesy dock is provided at the boat launch for easier loading and unloading during the summer season. Pontoon, fishing, and pleasure boat rentals are also available by calling the Allegheny Site Management .
The North Country Trail is part of the National Scenic Trail system and can be accessed from the campground and cabin area. It is open to hikers only; no bicycles of any kind, no riding or pack stock, and no motorized travel. The historic trail stretches across seven states and 12 national forests, wandering 4,600 miles through America’s rugged northern heartlands. The area offers excellent wildlife viewing, as well as birding and photography opportunities.
Facilities
The campground offers dozens of campsites available for tent or RV camping. It is comprised of four loops, some of which have walk-to tent campsites and others have back-in RV sites with electric hookups. Each site offers a table and a campfire ring with grill. Accessible flush and vault toilets, as well as showers and drinking water are provided. Some sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each one-room, 10-by-12 cabin contains a double bed and a set of bunks, with mattresses, to sleep up to four or six guests. The cabins have electricity and heat, but there is no running water and no kitchen or bathroom inside. Guests can use the campground facilities. Cabins also have access to an outdoor table, campfire ring, and pedestal grill. Each cabin has a covered front porch with a porch swing. Guests staying at the cabin will need to bring their own bedding, including blankets, pillows and/or sleeping bags, as well as their own cooking and eating supplies, food, and other camping equipment. Firewood and ice are available for purchase on-site. Shower houses and water are on 4/1 to 10/30. To confirm late season call 814-368-4158 or go to www.alleghenysite.com. Updates on FacebookNatural Features
Built in the 1960s by the U.S. Corps of Engineers, the campground has an open appearance unlike other Forest Service facilities in the area. The campground was recently renovated and cabins were erected at the site between 2003 and 2011, offering a different kind of experience for visitors to the area.The campground and cabins are situated on the shore of Willow Bay, off the Allegheny Reservoir, which is also called Kinzua Reservoir. The facility is in forested hills, at an elevation of 1,400 feet. Campsites vary from being on grass with no shade, to being nestled in small stands of mature Hemlock trees (location within the campground is mentioned on the site list). Cabins are nestled in the surrounding forest.
Nearby Attractions
The Seneca-Iroquois Indian Museum and the Salamanca Rail Museum are popular historic sites that are located just over the state line, in Salamanca, New York. It is about a half-hour drive from the campground and cabin area. The Zippo/Case Museum, located in nearby Bradford, PA, showcases the history and products of the Zippo, Case, and Ronson Companies. It is open 7 days a week except New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day, and admission is free.TWIN LAKES (PA) Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Rec.gov campsite availability grid is not reflective of availability. For more information on reservations, please visit http://fotlanf.org/
Twin Lakes Campground is located near a small, spring-fed, trout-stocked lake, popular with families. Visitors enjoy fishing, swimming and exploring local trails, including the Twin Lakes Trail. The campground was once the site of a chemical factory, and the lake was built as a "splash dam" to raise water levels in a plant downstream.
Recreation
Campers love Twin Lakes for its swimming beaches and lakeside fishing piers. Mill Creek offers native trout fishing, and can be accessed along the Mill Creek Trail.Hiking and backpacking are available along area trails. The Black Cherry National Recreation Interpretative Trail features nearly 40 interpretive displays along its path, and forms the eastern end of the Twin Lakes Trail, the second longest in the forest.
Facilities
Twin Lakes Campground offers a variety of sites, from group picnic and overnight sites to family sites with and without electric hookups. Amenities include vault toilets and a dump station. Ice and firewood are available for purchase.
Natural Features
The Twin Lakes area is forested with a mixture of hardwoods. Many natural streams and creeks meander through the landscape within the Allegheny National Forest in northwestern Pennsylvania.The Allegheny is the state's only national forest. It covers nearly half a million acres and is populated primarily with black cherry, maple and other hardwoods.
contact_info
For facility specific information, please call (814) 389-3019.FARNSWORTH CABIN Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Farnsworth Cabin is tucked away in the Cherry Grove Township, in the northwest portion of Pennsylvania's Allegheny National Forest. Built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the stone cabin is conveniently located 8.5 miles northwest of Sheffield. It was renovated in 2010 and now provides a variety of modern amenities, including electricity and heating, as well as telephone service, Direct TV, and internet. Visitors to the area enjoy fishing, hunting and viewing wildlife. The cabin can be accessed by vehicle, except during winter months when snowfall inhibits road travel. During the winter, guests should have four-wheel drive vehicles and be prepared to deal with possible snow conditions. They should be aware of current weather conditions and the weather during their stay. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring some of their own supplies.Recreation
A dam was also built at the hatchery in the 1930s, to slow and divert water flowing in the stream to the concrete raceways and ponds to provide cold water habitat to raise young trout fingerlings. Although fishing is not permitted in the hatchery ponds or raceways, nearby Farnsworth Stream is stocked and fishing is permitted. Guests are expected to respect the trout hatchery. Absolutely no fishing in the ponds or raceways. The trout can be viewed, but nothing should be disturbed. The Hickory Creek Wilderness Area is just a few miles from the cabin. Chapman Lake in Chapman State Park, which is adjacent to the forest, Allegheny River and Tionesta Creek are also within a short distance of the cabin. Hunting on the area's ample public lands is also enjoyed by visitors to the area.Facilities
The two-bedroom cabin is fully accessible and includes a kitchen, living room and bathroom. Two queen-size beds, two sets of bunks and a sofa sleeper are provided with mattresses, to accommodate up to eight people. The kitchen has a refrigerator with freezer, a microwave, basic pots and pans, cooking and eating utensils, dishes, a small crock pot and a coffee maker. A table, chairs and other seating throughout the house is also provided.
The cabin is equipped with electricity and electric forced air heating. There is a television and dvd player, along with Direct TV. Wireless internet is also available. An electric fireplace is also provided. The cabin has running water and indoor plumbing, including hot and cold running water, a flush toilet and shower.
Outside is a yard with a fire ring, picnic table, outdoor furniture and a charcoal grill. Guests are required to clean the cabin, including dishes and floors, and carry out all trash prior to leaving. Basic cleaning supplies and equipment are available at the cabin.
Guests will need to bring their own bedding, pillows, bath and kitchen towels, dish soap, food and beverages, including coffee supplies, garbage bags and other necessities. While the cabin can accommodate up to eight people, it more comfortably suits four to six people.
Natural Features
The cabin is set in a partially shaded area that has black cherry and beech trees, scattered hemlock and clumps of oak, maple and birch. In the nearby Hickory Creek area, there is an understory of abundant wildflowers, ferns, shrubs and mosses. Large white pine can be found scattered in open areas.Bears, deer, turkeys, barred owls, and pileated woodpecker are common in the area. Small native brook trout can be found in the Farnsworth Stream, as well as other area creeks and streams, of which there are plenty.
Penoke Trail: Penoke Trailhead Facility
This trailhead is located on Forest Road 521. There are no facilities at this trailhead.
View/Print Trail Brochure - pdf
Bradford Snowmobile Trailhead Facility
Snowmobile trails are generally open from around December 20 until late winter. Please check the snowmobile conditions report or call any of the offices to find out conditions on the ground.
Marienville Snowmobile Trailhead Facility
Snowmobile trails are generally open from around December 20 until late winter. Please check the snowmobile conditions report or call any of the offices to find out conditions on the ground.
HEARTS CONTENT RECREATION AREA Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Hearts Content Campground is a semi-primitive family campground bordering the Hickory Creek Wilderness Area and surrounded by native hardwoods and a patch of planted pine forest. There is a large open field containing a playground, volleyball net, and amphitheater that is suitable for other games near the campground entry, and another large field at the back of the campground that serves as both group camping sites and a helispot. Hearts COntent Campground is operated under a concession permit by Allegheny Site Management.
Recreation
Cross-country Ski Trail: This 6.4 mile (10.5 km) trail utilizes old railroad grades, roads and existing trails to form several loops for your skiing pleasure. The Wheeler Loop Trail goes through the campground and connects to the Tom's Run and Ironwood trails in the Hearts Content Scenic Area. These trails are marked with blue plastic diamonds on the trees. Hickory Creek Wilderness: The trailhead is located approximately 1/4 mile north of the campground entrance. This 8,663-acre area provides opportunities for solitude and a primitive and unconfined type of recreation as a refuge from our highly modified and technological world. No motorized equipment of any kind and no mechanical transports are permitted. A 13-mile loop hiking trail weaves its way through the rolling terrain, climbing in and out of the valleys. It is sparsely marked and maintained to promote a feeling of wildness and the unknown. It may not be suitable for novice hikers - please know your limitatons and do not add markings to help with way-finding. Orienteering Course: Enjoy this self-guided course that allows you or your group to follow, at your leisure. It is a permanently marked route as an introduction to the sport of orienteering. It starts in the Hearts Content Scenic Area.Facilities
Each of the 26 family campsites contains a picnic table, fire ring and tent pad/RV spur. Two sites also have lean-to shelters. Vault toilets and pressurized water are available. A dump station is located at the exit. The kids will enjoy the small playground with its log cabin, sandbox and other attractions. There’s lots of open area, too. Campsites can be reserved or available on a first-come, first-served basis only.Natural Features
North of the campground, Hearts Content National Scenic Area is located next to the picnic area across the road. Here stands the remnants of a 300 to 400 year old stand of white pine, hemlock, and beech. Time, insects, and disease are changing the look and nature of this stand. The Interpretive Old Growth Trail starts at the north end of the east side parking lot and winds about one mile through the timber stand before returning to the picnic area. All facilities in the day use area are universally accessible to people with disabilities. Facilities include a picnic area, pavilions, toilet and interpretive materials.
South of the campground is Hickory Creek Wilderness, an 8,633 acre second-growth forest of dense trees and ferny undergrowth. This area is managed to let natural processes determine what it will be in the future. Wind, insects, disease, and drought are all shaping the species composition of the trees and understory, which will in turn determine what species of wildlife will inhabit this area. A roughly 13-mile trail traverses the plateau of the area, with the trailhead located approximately 1/4 of a mile north of the campground entrance. The trail is only occasionally marked and may not be suitable for novice hikers.
Allegheny Wild and Scenic River Facility
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.
Allegheny Reservoir Facility
A major outdoor recreational attraction on the Forest is the 7,647 acre Allegheny Reservoir. 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.
The undeveloped Allegheny Reservoir shoreline and National Forest System land surrounding the Reservoir provide the largest outdoor recreation opportunities in northwestern Pennsylvania. Highly developed infrastructure (e.g. paved roads, pressurized water systems, sewage treatment plants and electrical service) are in place to serve campgrounds with utilities, flush toilets and hot water showers. Other facilities include picnic areas, swimming beaches, and shoreline fishing opportunities and fishing piers.
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. The adjacent shoreline is primarily owned and managed in Pennsylvania by the U.S. Forest Service and in New York by the Seneca Nation of Indians, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, and Cattaraugus County, NY.
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.
Longhouse National Scenic Byway Facility
Longhouse Scenic Byway is a 36-mile loop byway that runs through the Allegheny National Forest. Visitors will often feel as if they are driving through a tunnel as they drive through the northern hardwoods of the Allegheny, surrounded by oak and black cherry.
The byway circles the Kinzua Creek arm of the Allegheny Reservoir and there are several campgrounds and picnic areas along the byway, including Jakes Rocks Overlook.
The byway begins at the intersection of Route 321 and Longhouse Drive. As you begin your drive you will pass Red Bridge Recreation Area, a campground and bankfishing area.
As you continue your drive you will continue your drive through hardwoods and hemlock until you near the top of the plateau and come upon the Old Powerhouse.
The route then passes by the Bradford Ranger Station before you continue on Route 59 toward the Allegheny Reservoir.
On this stretch you will come across Morrison Run Trail and access to the Rimrock Overlook and Trail. After the entrance for Rimrock you will reach the reservoir, with Kinzua Beach to the left and Wolf Run Marina to the right.
After driving over Cornplanter Bridge you'll need to turn left onto Longhouse Drive. Visitors who veer right will take a loop up to Jakes Rocks Overlook, while those who continue straight on will travel pass Dewdrop Recreation Area, Elijah Run Boat launch and Kiasutha Recreation Area before they reach Route 321 again.
