Dispersed camping near Kane, Pennsylvania offers primitive backcountry sites throughout the Allegheny National Forest. The forest sits at elevations between 1,300 and 2,300 feet and receives approximately 42 inches of precipitation annually, creating muddy conditions during spring thaw. Many sites feature distinctive old-growth areas where trees reach 150-200 years of age.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: Access Hector Falls via a 2-mile hike from Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite. "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," notes Bob J.
Wildlife observation: The Allegheny forest contains numerous caves housing black bears. At Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite, one camper experienced: "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!"
Shooting practice: For target shooting enthusiasts, FR437 dispersed campsite provides access to an informal range. "Nice little hideaway, it is however right across from where people have made a make shift shooting rang, which I thought to be a bonus," reports SomadNomad M.
What campers like
Solitude and seclusion: Most dispersed sites receive minimal visitors, especially on weekdays. At Millstone Creek Campground, one camper reported: "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."
River access: Many sites offer direct water access. "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," explains a visitor to Clarion River Campground.
Winter opportunities: Unlike many camping areas, these sites remain accessible year-round for cold-weather adventures. "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," notes Ian B. about winter camping at Forestry Road.
What you should know
Map the sites beforehand: Finding designated camping areas can be challenging without cell service. "There's an information station along River Rd with a pit toilet house. On the billboard you'll find a map of the designated camp spots along both River Rd and Millstone. Take a picture of it. There's no reception here but that's how you know it's a nice area!"
Seasonal conditions: Spring brings extremely muddy terrain at many sites. At Loleta Road Dispersed Campsite, campers found: "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. It was also extremely muddy."
Site cleanliness varies: Previous campers sometimes leave trash behind. "This camp area could be 5 Stars if you get lucky. We got here very late, and almost all the sites were full... the one nice one that was available had food everywhere. Don't do this! There were chicken carcasses and popcorn, eggs, and a bag of food in a fire ring."
Tips for camping with families
Insect preparation: Ticks are prevalent in the Allegheny forest, especially with children exploring. "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."
Arrival timing: Many sites fill quickly on weekends, particularly those with river access. "We came in on a Saturday and found one of the road side sites open. Not much traffic and very friendly people in the area," reports a visitor to Millstone Creek Campground.
Alternative facilities: For families needing basic amenities, Camp Seneca offers pit toilets and picnic tables. "We picked the biggest site next to the creek. The tree canopy over our site was dense enough that we did not get very wet when it rains. This campground had several designated sites and most have a fire ring and picnic table."
Tips from RVers
Access roads: Most forest roads are passable for smaller rigs but challenging for larger units. "The road is definitely hidden behind the town of Ludlow but we were able to find it at 2am after a long drive from cape cod," notes an RVer at Forestry Road.
Site selection: Look for pull-offs with established clearings. "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."
Seasonal considerations: Spring thaws create difficult conditions for RVs. "Pro: There was a pond, campfire rings, and a big spot to maneuver a van. Neutral: No amenities. Con: the road in was bumpy with a lot of pot holes," reports a visitor to Red Mill Pond.
