Dispersed camping near Sheffield, Pennsylvania offers outdoor recreation opportunities within the Allegheny National Forest. The forest covers over 517,000 acres and sits at elevations between 1,300 and 2,300 feet. Nights in the Allegheny region can be quite cool even in summer, with temperatures often dropping into the 50s, while winter camping requires serious cold-weather preparation.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: At Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite, campers can access the Hector Falls trail about a mile from the campsites. "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," writes Bob J.
Kayaking on the reservoir: The Allegheny Reservoir provides excellent paddling opportunities. At Red Bridge Recreation Area, "if you bring you kayaks you can launch right from the campground," according to Kevin C. The campground sits directly on the reservoir shoreline.
Star-gazing: The dark skies of the Allegheny National Forest create prime conditions for astronomy. Denise D. notes at Dewdrop Recreation Area, "A night sky that you can see the Milky Way and more stars then I remember." Several campgrounds in the area have minimal light pollution.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the natural separation between campsites. At Chapman State Park Campground, Spencer S. notes, "We did a walk to campsite as we wanted a little more privacy, which was nice, we were fairly spread out while only being 150 feet from the showers."
Clean facilities: Despite the rustic setting, most established campgrounds maintain good bathroom facilities. Kevin E. found Ridge Campground at Cook Forest State Park to be "well maintained, with excellent restroom/shower facilities. Miles of hiking trails accessible right from the campground."
Creek sounds: Several campgrounds feature waterfront sites with natural ambient noise. One camper at Buckaloons Recreation Area appreciates that "the campsites are large and not crowded on top of each other. There are woods between the sites which increases privacy and keeps it really quiet."
What you should know
Bear safety: Black bears are active throughout the Allegheny National Forest. When staying at Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite, Mystic S. cautions, "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."
Winter temperatures: Winter camping requires serious preparation. Ian B. reports from Forestry Road Dispersed, "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."
Limited amenities: Most dispersed sites have no facilities. At Minister Creek Campground, Danielle S. warns, "While there is an outhouse, it is simply a couple of toilets (bring a lantern or wear a headlamp)."
Guide
