Tent camping options in the Allegheny National Forest near Kersey, Pennsylvania range from completely undeveloped sites to small primitive campgrounds. The region sits at elevations between 1,300 and 2,300 feet with mixed hardwood forests covering rolling hills. Summer nighttime temperatures often drop into the 50s even when daytime temperatures reach the 80s, making proper bedding essential for primitive campers.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: Hector Falls is accessible via a moderate 2-mile hike from Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite. One camper noted, "There is a really cool place called Hector Falls. The trailhead is about a mile down the road from this spot. 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."
Star gazing: Patterson State Park serves as an overflow alternative when Cherry Springs is full. A visitor mentions, "You can still observe the stars, but difficult for telescopes since trees cover Polaris in most of the sites." The park's location makes it easy to visit nearby Cherry Springs for prime night sky viewing.
Seasonal camping: Spring or fall visits can provide more comfortable conditions. "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," warns a winter visitor to Forestry Road sites.
What campers like
Secluded wilderness camping: Loleta Road Dispersed Campsite offers varying levels of isolation. "I pulled off about a half mile past the noted google maps pinpoint. Great time for the dogs and I," reports one camper. Another mentioned they "stayed a lot deeper in the woods than this road but all the roads in the forest are drivable gravel with many pull of spots for camping!"
Less crowded alternatives: Some campers find the lesser-known sites preferable. One visitor to Patterson State Park Campground appreciates that "at any given time you may have the whole park to yourself. If you are camping with children this can be a plus! They will have plenty of room to play, and it is a poke-stop."
Forestry roads for exploration: The network of logging and forest roads provides numerous camping options. "There are tons of logging roads that split off the main forest road. They mostly have gates that say 'Logging road, no public motor vehicles allowed' but they also say 'Foot travel is welcome'," notes a camper who stayed at Forestry Road.
What you should know
Wildlife awareness: Bears inhabit the forest areas. A camper at Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite reported, "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."
Weather considerations: Rain and mud can impact camping comfort substantially. A visitor to Loleta Road reported, "When we went, the grass was growing tall, we only stayed for a night. And it was a lil muddy." Another mentioned, "It was also extremely muddy. Not bad on the main track in and out but swampy everywhere else."
Navigational challenges: Finding some sites requires persistence. One camper noted about Forestry Road, "A little hard to find, decided not to stay. On the same road as hector falls." Another observed, "Apple Maps brings you way far away, follow the pin and it will bring you."
Tips for camping with families
Accessible water options: Private Island w/ Paddle Moor Co. offers a unique family camping experience with water access. "The option to have lights on or off was also a joy. When it was dark (pitch black) you could see all the fireflies. To be honest that was like a show in itself," reports one visitor.
Road noise considerations: When choosing a site for children, consider proximity to roads. A camper at Patterson State Park mentioned it "is just next to the road, so its noisy at night when cars pass." Another Loleta Road visitor noted their site was "close enough to the road to feel safe but far enough away to have privacy."
Activities for kids: Look for sites with natural play opportunities. At Patterson State Park, one family found that children "will have plenty of room to play, and it is a poke-stop. It has a take it with you waste management plan that really helped us all think differently about packaging."
Tips from RVers
Access limitations: Allegheny Wild and Scenic River areas offer "large sites well shaded" according to one visitor, but most primitive sites near Kersey have limited RV access. Forestry Road offers some big rig friendly options though conditions vary seasonally.
Vehicle camping options: For those with smaller rigs, vans or truck campers, Forestry Road offers more flexibility. "Living in a van looking for spots to stay this wasn't a bad one at all, good bit off the road, couple trails," noted a van camper at Loleta Road.
Amenity planning: RVers should plan for fully self-contained camping. One RVer at Forestry Road explained, "I have a 25 foot travel trailer. I found numerous spots on SF-160... Howe's ace hardware is about 10 miles away with a dollar general across the street."
