Camping in the Allegheny National Forest region near Shippenville offers diverse terrain with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 1,900 feet and summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F. The area features a mix of hardwood forests and riverside campsites along the Clarion River and Tionesta Creek. Fall brings vibrant foliage changes typically beginning in late September with peak colors in mid-October.
What to do
Fishing access points: Minister Creek Campground provides prime locations for brook trout fishing. "Home to some of the scrappiest brook trout I have fished for. Such a great place to get away," notes one visitor to Minister Creek Campground.
Disc golf course: Oil Creek Family Campground features a recently expanded 27-hole disc golf course primarily in the woods. According to a reviewer, "We had a blast on the disc golf course, fishing in the pond, and playing ping pong. The kids had an awesome time in the pool for hours and running around with the other kids in the maze."
Water activities: Tionesta Recreation Area offers multiple water activities directly from your campsite. A camper reports, "Quiet site that was family friendly with numerous water activities at your doorstep. Clean level sites."
Historical exploration: Chapman State Park serves as a base for exploring regional historical sites. "This campground is also only 20 minutes from the Kinzua Dam and 1 hour from the Kinzua Skywalk. Our family really enjoyed it," shares one visitor to Chapman State Park Campground.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the wooded separation at Two Mile Run County Park. "When staying at two mile you will find the sites are separated by trees and offer you your own little private area. The prices are good and you truly are in nature," notes a reviewer at Two Mile Run County Park.
Clean facilities: Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest receives consistent praise for maintenance. One camper states, "Great campground and very clean. Probably the cleanest shower house I have ever seen at a campground."
River access: Clear Creek State Park offers direct water proximity. "This is a beautiful campground with site not far from the Clarion river. There is a stream that runs down through the park and bear rocks has some beautiful views of the forest," shares a visitor at Clear Creek State Park Campground.
Level camping pads: Tionesta Recreation Area provides well-maintained sites. A reviewer mentions, "Sites were fairly level no issues with power fluctuations and sewer worked great!"
What you should know
Limited cell service: Several campgrounds have minimal connectivity. At Clear Creek State Park, "None of the major carriers have service here, but I needed to 'get away' for the night so it was perfect."
Water and electric hookup placement: At Kalyumet Campground, hookup locations can be challenging. A camper notes, "Our only complaint would be the site we were in (11) and others next to it were quite far from the water and cable hookups. I ended up having to run 60ft of water hose and 50ft of cable in order to get a connection."
Wildlife encounters: Bears are present in the area. One visitor to Oil Creek Family Campground reports, "I did have two separate run in with bears but over all a great experience! Would definitely go back!"
First-come sites: Some smaller campgrounds don't take reservations. "The smallest of all of the campgrounds in the Allegheny national Forest, this little slice of heaven is just perfect! With only six campsites, it's definitely 'first come, first served.'"
Tips for camping with families
Activities programming: Rvino - Campers Paradise offers structured entertainment. "New for summer 2023 is a newly redone swimming pool. The summer maintenance crew is fantastic and puts a lot of effort into keeping the campground safe," shares a visitor to Rvino - Campers Paradise.
Nature education: Clear Creek State Park provides educational opportunities. A camper notes, "This is also a great place to go year-round for kids interested in learning about nature. There is a nature museum. Seek out Ranger Susanne—she is a really great teacher!"
Swimming options: Multiple campgrounds offer water recreation. "The park has tent sites, RV sites and cabins. Clear Creek runs through the campground and is a perfect spot for a BBQ or Picnic. It also has a designated swimming beach with sand."
Year-round camping: Certain campgrounds accommodate off-season visits. "We have stayed at the park for Christmas Eve the past two years. Had the Adirondack shelters to ourselves each year."
Tips from RVers
Site length considerations: Verify campsite dimensions before booking. At Tionesta Rec. Area Campground, a reviewer advises, "The site was just long enough for our 39' fifth wheel and we had to park our F450 diagonally in front."
Corner sites: Be cautious with specific site selections. "After watching a 40' 5th wheel struggle to back into site 113, we decided this site is not a good choice for rigs over 35 feet or for someone with below-average backing abilities due to the obstacles getting into the site."
Seasonal availability: Check operating dates for campgrounds. "We noted during our 4-day stay towards the end of June that restaurants and other sights such as museums may be closed Monday, Tuesday, and/or Wednesday."
Utility cord length: Pack extension cords and hoses. "Some sites require over 50' of hose and multiple power cords to reach power box due to the great amount of trees providing good shade throughout camp ground."
