Allegany State Park spans 65,000 acres of forests, streams, and valleys in western New York state, 25 miles south of Jamestown. The park's terrain varies from gentle creek-side trails to moderate ridge hikes with elevations between 1,200 and 2,300 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-75°F, with higher humidity levels near waterways.
What to do
Trail riding opportunities: Kelly Pines Campground offers extensive equestrian trails for those seeking horseback riding near Jamestown, New York. "This equestrian campground also has 2 non-equestrian sites, one which is reservable," notes camper Debra D., adding that "Trails galore! Mushrooms everywhere! Quiet and no cellular to distract." The surrounding Allegheny National Forest provides multiple connecting trail systems.
Disc golf course: For camping families who enjoy outdoor sports, Oil Creek Family Campground features a "27-hole disc golf course (recently expanded from 18 hole) primarily in the woods near and around the campground property," according to Danielle V. The course winds through wooded terrain and offers varying levels of difficulty.
Winter camping experiences: Several shelters remain open year-round for cold-weather adventurers. "We have stayed at the park for Christmas Eve the past two years. Had the Adirondack shelters to ourselves each year," reports Travis S. about Oil Creek State Park, noting "Very quiet and no light pollution from a town or city, providing great moonlit nights."
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Many campgrounds offer good separation between sites. At Hearts Content Recreation Area, Jennifer K. found "26 various sized sites, some large with plenty of space for our 22 foot tow behind and truck + some for extra vehicles." Similarly, Heather M. appreciated that "Nice size sites that are not on top of each other. We could barely see our 'neighbors' through the trees."
Wildlife viewing: The forests around Jamestown support diverse wildlife. At Hearts Content Recreation Area, one camper observed that "during weekdays the area deer will often approach from the woods behind the campsites to feast on low hanging leaves. We've seen dozens of them who will get within 10-20 yards of you for a snack later into the night."
Limited connectivity: For those seeking to unplug, several campgrounds offer minimal technology access. At Kelly Pines Campground, campers enjoy being "Off the grid" with "no cellular to distract." Hearts Content provides only "One bar of usable Verizon 4G LTE and T-Mobile 4G LTE suitable for slow web browsing and e-mail, but little else."
What you should know
Limited facilities at dispersed sites: Warner Road Dispersed Camping features minimal amenities. Rose S. reports, "The site was fine, fire pit, primitive spot so no services." Another camper, Denise D., adds caution about overnight stays: "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."
Water considerations: Water availability varies across campgrounds. At Hearts Content Recreation Area, "Water pressure was very low and took a while to fill tank," according to Jennifer K. At Kelly Pines, "There is no potable water but there is a river and a non-potable pump," requiring campers to bring drinking water.
Varying shower options: While some sites offer full facilities, others have limited or no shower access. Hearts Content has "No showers or other running-water facilities," while Cherry Creek Campground features showers that "are in need of updates but are definitely in working order," according to Bret J.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-focused activities: Oil Creek Family Campground offers numerous family-friendly features. "They have a great playground, a maze, a catch and release pond. Lots of things to do to keep the kids, or in our case the grandkids occupied," says Jim C. The campground also provides "weekly entertainment for the kids, e.g. rock painting or special guests."
Educational opportunities: Several areas offer learning experiences for children. At Allegheny State Park, Kelly B. notes they "run daily activities you can go to and learn about different things in nature." Another camper suggests: "If you're camping with kiddos, try turning over the rocks in area creeks to find little aquatic insects. A little creepy, but a lot of awesome."
Multi-generational camping spots: Certain campgrounds accommodate various age groups and needs. Oil Creek has become one family's "goto campground that's only an hour away from Erie" for grandchildren visits, while Allegany State Park offers cabins that are "pretty large and have some great surrounding areas, like creeks right next to the cabins."
Tips from RVers
RV site selection: When bringing larger vehicles, carefully research site specifications. At West Haven RV Park, Pete D. notes they arrived without reservations but "Jodi placed us in a very nice spot right next to huge freshly mowed field in the rear of the park. It was perfect!" The campground offers sites with "30a with water no septic."
Hookup availability: Electric access varies significantly between campgrounds. Hearts Content is "covered by dense old-growth forest on all three sides" which means "not-so-great if you're powering your rig with solar." Consider Cherry Creek Campground where fifty-amp hookups are available for larger power needs.
Limited winter access: Many campgrounds close seasonally. For year-round RV options near Jamestown, research specific road conditions and winter policies. One camper notes that at Hearts Content, "weekdays are very quiet at this location, perhaps the quietest of any campground of this size and caliber we've experienced anywhere."
