3 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Dispersed tent campgrounds near Penfield, Pennsylvania provide backcountry camping opportunities in the Allegheny National Forest region. Loleta Road Dispersed Campsite and Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite offer primitive tent camping options where visitors can experience Pennsylvania's northern woodlands. Patterson State Park Campground, located near Cherry Springs State Park, provides established tent sites with basic amenities for those seeking a more structured camping experience.
Most primitive tent campsites in the area have minimal amenities, requiring campers to pack in all necessary supplies including water. Loleta Road sites feature established fire rings but no toilets, potable water, or trash service. Tent campers should follow leave-no-trace principles and pack out all waste. Access varies seasonally, with some reviewers noting muddy conditions in early spring that can make tent placement challenging. A visitor commented, "We stayed here in March, so there weren't leaves back on the trees yet which meant we could see the road. It was also extremely muddy." Road access to most dispersed sites is via maintained gravel roads, though high clearance vehicles may be preferred during wet periods.
Tent camping experiences in this region offer genuine woodland immersion with opportunities for solitude. Sites along Forestry Road provide access to hiking trails including a path to Hector Falls, approximately a mile from the tent camping areas. One camper shared, "There are multiple spots along the main forest road. Some you can drive your car in and tuck it back. Other spots you can't take your car at all." For those seeking a more established tent campground, Patterson State Park features approximately eight tent sites arranged around a small gravel loop, with access to vault toilets and hand-pumped water. While these sites offer fewer amenities than full-service campgrounds, they provide strategic access to the nearby STS (Susquehannock Trail System) hiking network, making them popular tent campsites for backpackers and hikers exploring the Pennsylvania wilderness.
"This one was close enough to the road to feel safe but far enough away to have privacy."
"Great little roadside campsite to get away. We spent the night during a tropical storm and got the pleasure of hearing the rain on the tent out in this peaceful spot!"
"Some you can drive your car in and tuck it back. Other spots you cant take your car at all. There are tons of logging roads that split off the main forest road."
"Big open spots with established fire rings. Quiet except for the distant rumble of a train passing the town down in the valley."
"Not much privacy from site to site but that’s fine. You can still observe the stars, but difficult for telescopes since trees cover Polaris in most of the sites."
"Many consider Patterson State Park an over flow Park for when the famous “Dark Skies” Cherry Springs State Park or the large Lyman Run State Park with its lake for swimming, boating and fishing gets full"
"It took me roughly an hour to get camp fully set up."
from $10 / night
"Great place to stay close to hiking trails and fishing spots. Hit the mountain bike track, explore the ruins on the game lands, and might even see an albino fawn."
from $20 - $70 / night
from $10 / night
from $10 / night
from $10 / night
ScoutThis is our second time staying here. Each time in October. We love it. Unlike most RV resorts this place is small and wooded. Has free Wi-Fi, clean bathrooms and an awesome community hub room for work from home or playing games. The weekends are busy but during the week it’s so quiet and peaceful. Close to so many attractions and parks that are part of the PA Wilds. Would definitely recommend.
Scoutbeautiful site and campground ground. peaceful. quite. and the showers were excellent!
GuideVery large CG. I car camped at site 066 (with electric) in mid-October and CG was 3/4 empty. Nice location on Glendale Lake with a beach and boat activities (for warmer months). Showers had no hot water but facilities were nice. Very little separation between sites. Nearby hunters discharging guns into evening hours.
TravelerWe had difficulty finding our original site so stopped here. Decent road access from the pavement, wide open campsite with a picnic table and fire pit. Good views of the night sky.
TravelerWe wasted a couple of hours looking for the site. The directions sent us in circles. Finally just grabbed a random spot for the night.
ScoutChose this campground as a quick overnight before boondocking up into NY. Wish we’d planned for a longer stay. Very nice campground. It is huge, but we were passing through off season so we had it more or less to ourselves.
The bathhouse was very clean. Laundry facilities as well.
Will definitely try to stay here again!
GuideHere is a polished version of your campground review that improves grammar, clarity, and flow while keeping your observations and friendly tone: We stayed at Site #2 over Labor Day weekend for three nights and had a wonderful experience. The campsite is spacious and features a large open area with picnic tables and plenty of room for kids to run and play. Each campsite is surrounded by trees, which provides a nice sense of privacy. Even though there are approximately 25 campsites in the campground, it was very quiet and peaceful. There are several pit toilets located throughout the campground, all of which were very clean and well maintained. The campground also has four water spigots; however, during our stay they were not functioning due to storm-related issues. The camp hosts were very friendly and helpful, and firewood was available for purchase on-site. Surprisingly, there were not many bugs, especially considering the heavy rains before our arrival and during our first night. Several beautiful hiking trails can be accessed directly from the campground. Some sections were wet and muddy, with a few fallen trees from recent storms, but the trails were still enjoyable. For hiking enthusiasts, the Ministry Creek Trail, located about 16 minutes away, is a must-see and absolutely worth the visit. Overall, this is a quiet, scenic campground with excellent privacy, friendly hosts, and great access to hiking. We would definitely stay here again.
Scout,
ScoutStayed on a Thursday, found a spot late at night. Some spots you park and walk down to camp others you park and they have a fire ring and grass area above the river
The western Pennsylvania area surrounding Penfield offers a variety of primitive camping experiences in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Located at approximately 1,700 feet elevation, this region experiences significant seasonal variations with cold, snowy winters and mild summers. Tent campsites near Penfield, Pennsylvania typically feature dense forest cover with mixed hardwoods and pine, creating natural barriers between most established sites.
Waterfall exploring: The Hector Falls trail, accessible from Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite, offers a moderate 2-mile round-trip hike. "There's 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 camping opportunities exist for experienced campers. "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," reports Ian B. about winter camping at Forestry Road.
Wildlife viewing: The forests around Penfield contain diverse wildlife. "Hit the mountain bike track, explore the ruins on the game lands, and might even see an albino fawn," shares Richard C. about his experience at Mountain View Camps.
Natural seclusion: Many tent campsites near Penfield provide genuine woodland privacy. "I pulled off about a half mile past the noted google maps pinpoint. Great time for the dogs and I," notes Derek O. about his stay at Loleta Road Dispersed Campsite.
Night sky viewing: The region offers opportunities for stargazing despite tree coverage. "You can still observe the stars, but difficult for telescopes since trees cover Polaris in most of the sites," explains Fernando V. about Patterson State Park Campground.
Storm camping: Some campers specifically enjoy the experience of camping during weather events. "We spent the night during a tropical storm and got the pleasure of hearing the rain on the tent out in this peaceful spot!" says Brittney W. about Loleta Road.
Wildlife awareness: Bears inhabit the forest areas around Penfield. "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 you camp," warns Mystic S. about Forestry Road.
Navigation challenges: Finding specific tent camping areas can be difficult. "A little hard to find, decided not to stay. On the same road as hector falls," reports Evan about Forestry Road. Gas line markers sometimes double as trail markers: "There are these blue and orange posts signifying gas lines, those are actually the hiking trails. They don't look like normal trail heads."
Seasonal conditions: Spring camping often involves dealing with standing water. "When we went, the grass was growing tall, we only stayed for a night. And it was a lil muddy," notes Excelsior X. about primitive sites at Loleta Road.
Beginner-friendly locations: For families new to primitive camping, certain sites offer easier experiences. "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," advises Ian B.
Amenities for kids: Trout Run Rd Site in Susquehannock State Forest provides basic infrastructure while maintaining a rustic experience. Located near multiple hiking trails, these sites include fire rings and picnic tables.
Private sites: Families often prefer camping areas with fewer neighbors. "Many consider Patterson State Park an over flow Park for when the famous 'Dark Skies' Cherry Springs State Park or the large Lyman Run State Park with its lake for swimming, boating and fishing gets full... 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," explains Paula L.
Road conditions: RV owners should note access limitations to certain dispersed sites. "I 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!" reports Scott K. about Montour Rd Campground.
RV length considerations: Some tent camping areas accommodate smaller RVs despite limited amenities. "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," shares Mark M.
Internet access: Limited connectivity exists in certain camping areas. "The spot next to the hiking trail has WiFi 70% of the time," notes Mark M. about Forestry Road, which may help families needing occasional connection for work or emergencies while camping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Penfield, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Penfield, PA is Loleta Road Dispersed Campsite with a 4.4-star rating from 9 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 10 tent camping locations near Penfield, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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