Best Tent Camping near Frewsburg, NY

Tent camping options near Frewsburg, New York include both established campgrounds and dispersed sites in surrounding natural areas. Hidden Valley Camping Area offers tent camping from April 15 to October 15, while Warner Road Dispersed Camping in North Harmony State Forest provides primitive tent sites without services. For those willing to travel slightly farther, Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite in Pennsylvania offers free tent camping with fire rings.

Most tent sites near Frewsburg are primitive with minimal amenities. Warner Road Dispersed Camping has fire pits but lacks toilets, showers, and drinking water. Campers should pack in all necessities including water and waste disposal bags. Recent reviews note concerns about litter at some dispersed sites. One camper reported, "The site was fine, fire pit, primitive spot so no services. Kind of a gross site, the previous people who stayed at our site were messy and left litter." Sites at Forestry Road Dispersed typically include established fire rings, but campers must bring their own water and supplies.

The dispersed tent camping areas provide quiet experiences away from crowds. Forestry Road Dispersed sites offer more privacy, with multiple spots along the main forest road and logging roads. A camper noted, "There are multiple spots along the main forest road. Some you can drive your car in and tuck it back. Other spots you can't take your car at all." Warner Road locations provide dark, quiet nights but may have day-use restrictions. Tent campers should be prepared for variable conditions, including rain at Forestry Road sites where one reviewer mentioned, "It rains a lot so keep your slip-ons near the door." Wildlife awareness is important in these areas, as black bears have been reported in the Pennsylvania locations.

Best Tent Sites Near Frewsburg, New York (19)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Frewsburg, NY

397 Reviews of 19 Frewsburg Campgrounds


  • Britt B.
    Oct. 27, 2020

    Wolfkiel Run Shelters — Oil Creek State Park

    Best Hike-In Camp in PA

    Wolfkiel is one of two hike-in areas along the Gerard Hiking Trail, in the Oil Creek State Park. Wolfkiel is made up of six(6) Ariondack Shelters and a tent camping area. The Adirondack shelters are perfectly positioned to be private from one another, each looks out over the forest. They are a raised timber platform with a slanted roof and stone chimney with fireplace. There are two shelves and several hooks on the wall. Each shelter has a picnic table. The platform is large enough to sleep 4 people in sleeping bags or set up a two person tent. 

    The tent section is cleared and grassy with communal firepit and picnic table. Lots of trees to enable hammock set up. There is a supply of firewood in a covered shed for a small donation and two(2) drop toilets. Water is available in the summer months. The shelters are approx. 15min walk to the creek& Miller Farm Bridge, which joins the Oil Creek State Park trail. It’s a stunning walk with lots of small swimming spots along the way. 

    The shelters are approx. 10min drive from Titusville, PA. The walk-in from the carpark is approx. 15min– slight downhill on the way in.

  • Britt B.
    Mar. 1, 2021

    Wolfkiel Run Shelters — Oil Creek State Park

    Winter Camping at Wolfkiel Shelters

    This was our second time to the Wolfkiel Shelters in Oil Creek State Park. Wolfkiel is one of two hike-in camping areas which consists of six(6) Ariondack Shelters and a tent camping area. The road in was snow covered but easily navigated. The Shelter carpark is small and was almost full the day we arrived. The track from the carpark to the campground is beautifully graded making it easy to pull a sled in with extra supplies. The walk in is less than a mile(~15min). The drop toilets were open, but probably wise to BYO toilet tissue. The shelters have hooks that allow you to hang a tarpaulin to help keep the heat in your shelter, although not necessary, especially if the nights are still. Snow did blow into our Shelter in the morning but was minimal. There is a self-serve timber stack which was fully stocked. A donation is requested. It’s wise to bring your own kindling, or an axe to cut some from the larger pieces. The shelter fireplaces have hooks for hanging pots and pans over the flames. Even in Winter, the shelters positioned so you do not look at other shelters. They are a raised timber platform with a slanted roof and stone chimney with fireplace. There are two shelves and several hooks on the wall. Each shelter has a picnic table. The platform is large enough to sleep 4 people in sleeping bags or set up a two person tent. These shelters are very peaceful in the winter and would highly recommend them if you are keen for some“winter camping” but not keen to sleep in a tent or be completely exposed. The shelters are approx.15min walk to the creek& Miller Farm Bridge, which joins the Oil Creek State Park trail. The shelters are approx. 10min drive from Titusville, PA

  • Jennifer K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 14, 2022

    Hearts Content Recreation Area

    Great quiet little campground

    Very nice quiet small wooded campground. No hookups, about 3-4 fresh water spigots, 1 dump station and dumpster. Water pressure was very low and took a while to fill tank. 26 various sized sites, some large with plenty of space for our 22 foot tow behind and truck + some for extra vehicles. Other smaller sites for tents or vans. Self serve ice $2 wood $10. Vault toilets. Fire rings and picnic table at each site. AT&T spotty 0-1 bars. Host camper. Quiet time 10pm-6am. 1 Xlarge site for groups.

  • Bill  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 18, 2020

    Hearts Content Recreation Area

    Simple and serene

    Hearts Content is best described as a way station. The sites are nestled within a grove of immense pines. Some are large enough for large RV’s . There are no showers. Bathrooms are vault toilets. Two of the sites include Adirondack type shelters. A picnic table and fire ring are within each site. I used this site as a staging area to explore Allegheny National Forest for a week. Used a camp shower. The closest town is Warren, PA. Firewood is available at the camp host site. Across the road is an hiking area with picnic tables and the like.

  • Bill  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2020

    Willow Bay Recreation Area

    Quiet nights, Easy days

    Willow bay campground is run by the National Forest Service. The reservable lots are wide and numerous for a out of the way sight. The campground services tent sites, RV sites as well as small cabins with electricity. There is a central bathhouse near the oak loop. Closer to the boat ramp sites- most of which are tent ready, there are vault toilets. These sites are less than a mile from the North Country Trail. Other, smaller trails are here as well. The New York State lone is less than five miles away- providing access to Allegheny State Park. The closest town of note is Bradford, which is about 18 miles away. It has all you need to get your necessities. The cabins were small- one twin bed and a set of single bunks. You need to bring your own sheets. There is a small heater imbedded in the wall. It keeps things from getting too cold, as it was when I was there. Fire ring and picnic table provided. Charcoal grill as well. The only problem I had was with the wildlife. A mouse or something kep crawling in the space between the roof and ceiling. There is no cel service here, and you shouldn’t need it either. Places to visit are too numerous to mention, but I will give a shout out to the zippo case museum, absolutely a must.

  • Mary S.
    Sep. 24, 2018

    Quaker Area — Allegany State Park State Park

    This is a great vacation area.....spend a week!

    Did you know this is NY's largest state campground? We stopped here on a rainy night, but what we saw convinced me we need to return. I know this campground is a vacation destination for families in western NY.

    Cain Hollow is in the Quaker Run area which includes Quaker Lake. There is another campground in the Red House Area, and there are also lots of cabins. This is definitely a 4 seasons park - hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, snowmobiling, cross country skiing....

    I was able to take photos of a few sites the next morning. You can see that sites are private and you're definitely in the woods. There are food storage boxes at all campsites because you're in bear country.

  • Danielle S.
    Apr. 16, 2019

    Minister Creek Campground

    Small, rustic, gorgeous

    We stayed here July 2018 and found a quiet campsite by the creek. It had been quite rainy and some of the sites were wet and muddy, but for $12, I couldn't complain. While there is an outhouse, it is simply a couple of toilets (bring a lantern or wear a headlamp). Arrive early to get a prime spot, and take advantage of the hiking trails (a bug net for your head will help in the summer as the gnats and deer flies are distracting). Looking forward to staying again.

  • Bill  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2018

    Hearts Content Recreation Area

    Minimal offering for maximum relaxing

    This campground is within Allegheny National Forest near the town of Warren and Tidouette. The sites are few but spacious. Good for car camping, though I’m sure a smaller RVcould get by. Each site has a fire ring. Two sites have Adirondack type shelters. The night sky is promising but light pollution from Warren inhibits a truly awesome night sky. There is a vault toilet. No showers. No water either. Bring what you need! The closest town is about 30 minutes away. Lots of critter life. My dogs loved it here. We spent all days exploring the nearby trails and creeks. Price was cheap. No frills but a quiet respite for sure.

  • D
    Oct. 21, 2021

    Kelly Pines Campground

    Off the grid, lots to explore!

    This equestrian campground also has 2 non-equestrian sites, one which is reservable. There is no potable water but there is a river and a non-potable pump. There is a permanent toilet usually stocked with TP. Carry out all garbage. No electrical hookups.

    Traditional camp sites have space for multiple tents and 2 cars. Each has a picnic table and a fire pit with moveable cooking surface. We’ve never had an issue with bears or other wildlife where food and trash are concerned but we store in the cars at night to be safe. The area is usually damp so don’t count in being able to find much dry wood - we stop before driving in for wood.

    Trails galore! Mushrooms everywhere! Quiet and no cellular to distract.


Guide to Frewsburg

Tent camping near Frewsburg, New York provides access to both the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains and the southern shores of Chautauqua Lake. The region experiences cold winters with significant snowfall and humid summers with temperatures typically ranging from 65-80°F. Most dispersed sites sit at elevations between 1,300-1,800 feet, creating cool evenings even during summer months.

What to do

Hiking to waterfalls: Near Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite, visitors can explore Hector Falls via a short trail. "It's about 3/4 a mile hike into the woods. The falls are really cool to look at, and has some cool rock formations. Be careful the cliffs are about a 20 ft straight drop," notes one camper.

Winter exploration: Winter camping options exist for adventurous campers. "It was freezing, quite literally, with nights in the low teens. The melting and refreezing had made the roads and surrounding trails a little slippery so I would be cautious if traveling alone," reports a winter visitor at Forestry Road.

Island camping adventure: For a unique experience, consider Private Island w/ Paddle Moor Co. where you can paddle to your own campsite. "The island has cleared trails to get to the campsite which seem to be maintained very well and on a regular basis... When it was dark (pitch black) you could see all the fireflies."

What campers like

Solitude and quiet spaces: Campers appreciate the peaceful settings at Streamside Eriegrove, where one visitor simply noted it "Will become your go to campsite!" The private spots provide quiet nights without the crowds found at larger established campgrounds.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: The camping areas around Frewsburg contain diverse wildlife. "There's black bears that live in the several caves in the area. I was meditating in my car one evening and a bear stood up and pushed against my window. Definitely be sure to pack up all food and trash at night," warns a camper at Forestry Road.

Dark night skies: Many dispersed sites offer excellent stargazing with minimal light pollution. Multiple campers mention the dark, quiet conditions at sites within North Harmony State Forest as a major attraction for tent camping near Frewsburg.

What you should know

Variable road conditions: Access to some campsites requires preparation. At Big Oak Hill, "The campsite is accessible by drive-in, but you may need a 4-wheel drive vehicle if there has been rain." Similar conditions exist throughout the area after precipitation.

Cleanliness concerns: Some dispersed sites suffer from previous camper neglect. At North Harmony State Forest, a visitor noted, "We arrived late at night so couldn't see so well but stopped in a clearing on the road toward the coordinates. Kind of a gross site, the previous people who stayed at our site were messy and left litter."

Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely across the region. One camper reports: "There is spotty cell service through the forest, usually you can walk around for a couple minutes and find some. I managed to get an average of 3-4 bars of 5g every day."

Tips for camping with families

State park cabin alternatives: For families uncomfortable with tent camping, Bova Cottages — Allegany State Park offers comfortable accommodations. "Cabins feel rustic but are new (2014?) and modern. Had everything we needed for a weekend with extended family, almost like a hotel in what they supply."

Bear safety preparation: When tent camping with children, proper food storage is essential. "The bears are skittish, but they will find you if there's food in your camp!" warns a visitor. Store food in vehicles or bear-resistant containers at all campgrounds.

Weather readiness: The region receives significant rainfall. As one camper advised, "It rains a lot so keep your slip-ons near the door." Pack extra tarps, rain gear, and waterproof footwear, particularly for spring and fall tent camping around Frewsburg.

Tips from RVers

Site selection for larger vehicles: RVers should scout locations before committing. At Allegheny Wild and Scenic River camping area, one visitor noted "Large sites well shaded" that accommodate bigger rigs, though amenities remain primitive.

Limited hookup options: Most dispersed areas near Frewsburg lack hookups entirely. RVers staying longer than a night should plan for boondocking. "There are multiple spots along the main forest road. Some you can drive your car in and tuck it back. Other spots you can't take your car at all."

Seasonal accessibility: Spring conditions often create muddy access roads at dispersed sites. Some campers report difficulty reaching sites during wet periods, making late summer through fall the optimal window for RV camping in the more remote areas around Frewsburg.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Frewsburg, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Frewsburg, NY is Hidden Valley Camping Area with a 3-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Frewsburg, NY?

TheDyrt.com has all 19 tent camping locations near Frewsburg, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.