Allegany State Park borders RV parks near Allegany, New York, offering camping options within the Northern Allegany Plateau region. The terrain features elevation changes between 1,400-2,300 feet with hardwood forests throughout the camping areas. Most campgrounds in this region experience cold winters with heavy snowfall, making late spring through early fall the primary camping season for the area.
What to do
Kayaking access points: Riverhurst Park Campground provides direct access to the Allegheny River. "We stayed at Riverhurst one night during our travels. It was a lovely site situated right on the bank of the Allegheny River," reports one camper at Riverhurst Park Campground.
Hiking trails: The Quaker Area at Allegany State Park offers numerous hiking paths ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. "We camped here with one of our children, and hiked a couple of trails, that were beautiful!" notes a visitor to Quaker Area — Allegany State Park.
Tree identification: Some campgrounds feature educational components for nature enthusiasts. One visitor to Riverhurst mentioned, "QR codes labeling different trees on the property. Coming from Arizona this was a nice feature and something I'd never seen at another park."
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: The region offers opportunities to observe native birds and animals. "We left with a peaceful, wonderful time and memories. Including seeing an eagle fly over the river!" shared a Riverhurst Park visitor.
Natural water features: Many campsites are positioned near streams or water access. At Willow Bay Recreation Area, one camper noted, "We stayed at a site located next to a little creek. The kids enjoyed playing in it."
Spacious camping areas: Several campgrounds provide well-separated sites. "We have sites 76,77,78. Some sites were better than others. Some pros were water access, fire pits having grates, privacy," mentioned a Willow Bay visitor.
Off-grid experience: The lack of connectivity appeals to many visitors seeking to disconnect. A visitor to High Pines RV Park shared, "Just pulled in here last minute feeling tired and I was able to get a perfect spot in a lovely field all to myself."
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Most RV parks near Allegany operate between April and November due to weather conditions. "This park is a fun place to hike and explore. The cabins are nice and seem to be well kept and quiet everytime I've stayed in them," notes a visitor to Red House Area — Allegany State Park.
Bathroom facilities: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. At Willow Bay, one camper warned, "Some cons were the bathrooms were stinky porta potty things that never had toilet paper or lights at night and the hike to your car from your site."
Firewood purchasing: Plan your firewood budget carefully. A Red House visitor cautioned, "My only complaint the park service asks you not to transport fire wood. We understand why, my problem is when you get to the park the small bundles way over priced 35$ lasted for a night."
Cell service variability: Connectivity varies significantly. "There is no cel service here, and you shouldn't need it either," noted one Willow Bay camper, while another mentioned, "the Hemlock loop has literally zero Verizon coverage. If you walk up to the entrance of the loop, you'll get 2 bars."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and recreation: Larger campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. At Riverhurst, one visitor appreciated the "lots of amenities like volleyball, basketball, playground, swings, all in a safe area away from roads."
Educational opportunities: Some Allegany area campgrounds provide organized learning activities. "The park runs daily activities you can go to and learn about different things in nature," noted a Red House visitor.
Kid-friendly sites: Select campgrounds with social opportunities for children. A Quaker Area camper shared, "This area, all of the camp sites are right on top of each other. It was great for the kids because they were able to find instant friends and ride their bikes around."
Water play options: Many kids enjoy exploring streams and shorelines. One Campground Adventures visitor mentioned, "It sets along the Ischua creek which has good fishing and kayaking."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling needs: Many RV parks in the Allegany region have uneven terrain. A Willow Bay visitor advised, "The site was surrounded by 20-25' of woods, so a lot of privacy. We ran low on fresh water, so a 75' hose was long enough to reach the fresh water spigot."
Full hookup options: Several campgrounds provide complete utilities. One High Pines RV camper reported, "We had a site in the full hookup back in section, they are very nice spacious sites. The park is close to the Allegheny Reservoir and the Kinzua Bridge."
Electric service types: Electric services vary by location and site. A High Pines visitor noted, "Our site only had 30A power. Most seem to be that way. Looks like some updates are on the way. We will go back again but making sure it's not peak summer due to not having 50A."
Reservation timing: Peak seasons require advance planning at most RV parks near Allegany. "Very nice owners were able to get us in even though we didn't have a reservation," shared a High Pines visitor, though this experience isn't typical during busy periods.
