Dispersed camping options near Clarington, Pennsylvania spread throughout the Allegheny National Forest at elevations between 1,300-1,800 feet. The forest's mixed hardwood terrain features maple, cherry and oak trees with camping areas typically situated on forest service roads that vary in quality depending on recent weather. Spring conditions often remain muddy through May, while summer brings dense foliage that provides natural campsite privacy.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: Access Hector Falls via a trail near Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite, where the 3/4-mile trail leads to notable rock formations and a 20-foot drop. A camper noted, "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."
Kayaking opportunities: Explore the Clarion River from riverfront campsites at Clarion River Campground. "We were lucky to snag a spot on the side of the river-with our RV. We had direct River access! Quite road-We were able to walk. There were some people kayaking in the river," reports one visitor.
Winter camping: Experience the forest in cold months when crowds thin significantly. A camper at Forestry Road reported, "Super peaceful. 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."
What campers like
River views: The free camping areas along the Clarion River offer waterfront access. A camper at Millstone Creek Campground shared, "Many disbursed spots along the river over several miles. Size of camping spots ranges from large open fields with fire pits to spots on the shoulder of the road."
Seclusion options: Smaller side roads provide isolation for those seeking quiet. At FR437 dispersed campsite, a visitor described it as a "nice little hideaway," though noted it's "right across from where people have made a make shift shooting rang, which I thought to be a bonus."
Consistency for return visits: Some free camping spots near Clarington maintain reliable quality year after year. A Loleta Road camper wrote, "I've been camping here for 5 years now and it's always a good time."
What you should know
Seasonal road conditions: Roads deteriorate significantly after rainfall. A camper at Red Mill Pond commented, "the road in was bumpy with a lot of pot holes." Another noted Salmon Creek's limitations: "The road is out tho so dont take a big rig."
Limited facilities: Most sites have deteriorating infrastructure. One Red Mill visitor observed, "Fire circles are falling apart, there's effectively no signage, and I had the bad luck to show up after a substantial rainstorm rolled through, and both ground and grass were soaked."
Wildlife awareness: Bear activity occurs in some camping areas. A Forestry Road camper warned, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Shoulder season timing: Visit during late March when crowds are minimal but before bug season. A camper at Loleta Road Dispersed Campsite reported, "I believe there are several dispersed spots along this road. This one was close enough to the road to feel safe but far enough away to have privacy."
Tick prevention: Pack appropriate insect repellent for woodland camping. A visitor to Forestry Road advised, "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. Which is a nice little 2 mile hike. Some good exploring. Bring tick/bug spray. Found several on my boys and me."
Road privacy tradeoffs: Sites close to main roads offer safety but less seclusion. One Loleta Road visitor noted, "We stayed here in March, so there weren't leaves back on the trees yet which meant we could see the road (and the road could see us). Not a huge deal, just not very private."
Tips from RVers
Advance site research: Plan for limited turning space at most dispersed sites. One Millstone Creek visitor mentioned, "Tremendous solitude, but it was a Thursday night in late March and very cold. This was a great spot for my first dispersed camping experience. Hard, fairly flat parking surface right off of paved road."
Campsite layout options: Position larger vehicles strategically at sites with limited flat space. A Forestry Road RVer explained, "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."
Supply planning: Calculate needed provisions based on distance to nearest stores. A helpful note from a Forestry Road camper: "Howe's ace hardware is about 10 miles away with a dollar general across the street. The site seeing is second to none."
