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Best Tent Camping near Salamanca, NY

383 Reviews

Tent camping near Salamanca, New York provides access to both established campgrounds and primitive backcountry sites within the Allegheny region. Allegany State Park offers tent campsites with amenities including drinking water, picnic tables, and fire rings. Firefly Acres provides a more intimate tent camping experience with just three sites and both drive-in and walk-in access options. For those seeking primitive tent camping, Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite in nearby Pennsylvania and Warner Road Dispersed Camping in North Harmony State Forest offer free, undeveloped sites where tent campers can experience more solitude.

Most tent campgrounds in the Salamanca area are seasonal, typically operating from April through October, though specific opening dates vary by location. Allegany State Park's tent sites include access to showers and drinking water, while the dispersed camping areas require visitors to bring their own water supplies. Fire regulations permit campfires at most locations, with established fire rings at developed sites. According to reviews, the region experiences frequent rainfall, so waterproof gear is essential for backcountry tent camping. Black bears are present in the area, particularly around the dispersed sites, necessitating proper food storage.

The tent-only camping experience near Salamanca offers varied terrain and natural features worth exploring. Walk-in tent sites at Forestry Road provide access to Hector Falls, approximately a 3/4-mile hike from the main road. One camper noted, "If you don't mind roughing it a bit, it's really quite nice. Sites are first come first serve and there is a bit of day traffic to get to Hector Falls." Tent campers should be prepared for wildlife encounters and changing weather conditions. The primitive tent camping areas offer greater solitude but require self-sufficiency, while the established campgrounds provide more amenities for those wanting a less rustic experience. Visitors to Warner Road Dispersed Camping should note that some areas may be designated for day use only.

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Best Tent Sites Near Salamanca, New York (14)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Salamanca, NY

383 Reviews of 14 Salamanca Campgrounds

  • 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.

  • Travis S.
    Jun. 30, 2020

    Dewdrop

    Spacious

    Campsite layouts are non traditional with large driveways and often times the tables and fire rings are below the driveway.  With this layout you get more privacy with very few sites having and overlapping with other sites. Pitching a tent was easy on the driveway and fairly level. Some sites had large high sided fire rings which take away from the fireside relaxation of a shorter camp chair. 

    Bathrooms and shower house was below the standards of many of PA State Parks which we regard as the benchmark for campgrounds at reasonable prices. 

    Boating and biking all accessible from the grounds. No need to drive to the trails at Jakes Rocks.

  • D
    Aug. 21, 2023

    Minister Creek Campground

    Beautiful, peaceful

    Established campground on north side has six sites with picnic tables and fire rings and costs $12/night. You can park and camp for free across the street but I’m not sure you’d want to sleep in your car/camper in the parking lot. There are a number of sites on the side of the road within 2-3 miles in either direction if you want to sleep in your van etc. I parked on the free side and set up a tent about 100 yards in. Lots of beautiful sites on the creek. I walked to the paid side for water and vault toilet. Arrived on a Friday in August and had no trouble grabbing a prime site.

    Absolutely no cell signal. Drive about 7-10 miles in either direction to pick up a signal. Or hike to the Outlook for a very faint signal. Warren, PA is a really nice little town about 30 minutes drive and I went there for a meal and a brewery visit

Guide to Salamanca

Cabin camping near Salamanca, New York offers options ranging from rustic to modern accommodations in the Allegheny region. The area sits at approximately 1,400 feet elevation in the northern reaches of the Allegheny Plateau, with terrain characterized by rolling hills and mixed hardwood forests. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing, while summer days typically reach the 70s and 80s with frequent rainfall.

What to do

Hiking at Hector Falls: The trail to Hector Falls starts about a mile from the Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite camping area. "There is a really cool place called Hector Falls. The trailhead is about a mile down the road from this spot. 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 Bob J.

Winter activities: Cold weather doesn't mean cabin camping season ends. "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. Open all year. Allegany State Park is nearby for hiking, snowshoeing, XC skiing, leaf peeping, etc.," shares Harry H. about Bova Cottages.

Trail exploration: Many forest roads offer hiking opportunities beyond established trails. Mystic S. explains, "Apparently the entire area is a natural gas reserve, so there are these blue and orange posts signifying gas lines, those are actually the hiking trails. They don't look like normal trail heads."

What campers like

Secluded spots: Campers appreciate the privacy available at dispersed camping areas. Ian H. describes Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite as "a boondocker's delight! Big open spots with established fire rings. Quiet except for the distant rumble of a train passing the town down in the valley."

Cabin conveniences: For those not wanting to rough it, cabins offer home-like amenities. "Our family of 6 fit comfortably in one cabin when we were all small. There's beaches, guided nature trails, biking, hiking. Basically, Allegany has it all. Do not miss the thunder rocks, they're really, really enjoyable," recommends Emily S.

River access: Some campgrounds offer water activities. Jesse K. says of Riverside Park Campground: "Cathy was great. Totally laid back, super helpful. The grounds were well kept. We had a full hookup site. Exceeded expectations."

What you should know

Weather considerations: The area receives substantial rainfall and has cold winters. Ian B. shares his winter experience: "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."

Wildlife awareness: Bears are active in the region and require proper precautions. "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. The bears are skittish, but they will find you if there's food in your camp," warns Mystic S.

Navigation challenges: Some dispersed camping areas can be difficult to locate. "A little hard to find, decided not to stay. On the same road as hector falls," notes Evan about Forestry Road. Similarly, David B. advises: "Apple Maps brings you way far away, follow the pin and it will bring you."

Tips for camping with families

Cabin camping for large groups: Families appreciate the spaciousness of cabin accommodations. "I haven't been back to Allegany in some time, but my family frequented the park when I was younger. It's really an amazing place for a family trip since there are cabins! Our family of 6 fit comfortably in one cabin when we were all small," shares Emily S.

Activities for children: Dream Lake Campground offers dedicated family programming. "I love this campground very family friendly lots of activities been going here 6 years now and never have had a bad time," says Robyn M. Nick O. adds, "Nice friendly environment, clean facilities. Lots to do for kids and adults. Weekend activities."

Bug protection: Ticks and insects are common in warmer months. Ian B. recommends: "Bring tick/bug spray. Found several on my boys and me."

Tips for RVers

Site accessibility: Mark M. offers specific directions for RVers at Warner Road Dispersed Camping: "I have a 25 foot travel trailer. I found numerous spots on SF-160. It rains a lot so keep your slip-ons near the door. Great hiking/biking. The spot next to the hiking trail has WiFi 70% of the time."

Overnight regulations: Check posted signs at dispersed camping areas, as some may have restrictions. "Like the other review, this site has a lot of litter. Clearly people are camping here at times but there are posted signs that say Day Use Only. It was quiet and dark," cautions Denise D. about Warner Road Dispersed Camping.

Facilities availability: While dispersed sites lack amenities, established campgrounds offer varying levels of services. "The snack house food is great, if you don't feel like cooking they offer a nice menu almost anyone would love," notes Nick O. about Dream Lake Campground's conveniences for RVers who want some comforts.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Salamanca, NY is Bova Cottages — Allegany State Park with a 5-star rating from 4 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 14 tent camping locations near Salamanca, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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