Dispersed camping options around Smethport, Pennsylvania range from primitive forest sites to rustic state park campgrounds throughout the Allegheny National Forest and Susquehannock State Forest. The region sits at elevations between 1,400-2,300 feet with high annual rainfall averaging 42 inches. Winter camping requires additional preparation as temperatures frequently drop below freezing from November through March.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Visit Hector Falls near Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite for a moderate 2-mile hike. One camper noted, "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."
Star viewing: While not as renowned as Cherry Springs, Patterson State Park Campground offers basic star viewing opportunities. A visitor reported, "You can still observe the stars, but difficult for telescopes since trees cover Polaris in most of the sites."
Trail connections: Access the Susquehannock Trail System directly from several campgrounds. As one camper at Patterson State Park mentioned, "If Hiking is your thing, the STS trail system runs right through it. On one side of the road (they must allow horse back riding on that section of the trail as we saw trailers of horses pull in to trail ride)."
Winter sports: For cold-weather camping, the region offers snowshoeing and cross-country skiing opportunities. A winter camper at Forestry Road shared, "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."
What campers like
Privacy levels: Sites along Loleta Road Dispersed Campsite offer varying levels of seclusion. A camper observed, "We spent the night during a tropical storm and got the pleasure of hearing the rain on the tent out in this peaceful spot!"
Trail access: Many forest roads connect to extensive trail networks. At Forestry Road, a camper discovered: "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.'"
Scenic driving: The region offers picturesque drives between camping areas. One Forestry Road visitor recommended: "Once set up, make sure you hike and drive back to Jakes Rocks. Beautiful views and drive."
Cell service: Unlike many remote camping areas, cellular coverage is surprisingly reliable. A camper at Forestry Road reported, "There is spotty cell service through the forest, usually you can walk around for a couple minutes and find some. I managed to get an average of 3-4 bars of 5g every day."
What you should know
Wildlife awareness: Black bears are active throughout the Smethport region. A camper at Allegheny Wild and Scenic River warned, "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!"
Road conditions: Many access roads to tent camping areas near Smethport are unpaved but generally passable. A Forestry Road visitor reported, "A little hard to find, decided not to stay. On the same road as hector falls."
Seasonal overgrowth: Summer months bring rapid vegetation growth that can impact campsites. One Forestry Road camper noted, "Way too grown in as of August. Didn't end up staying here. May be a good spot in the fall once the grass dies."
Insects: Ticks are prevalent in warmer months. A Forestry Road camper advised, "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. Bring tick/bug spray. Found several on my boys and me."
Tips for camping with families
Consider Patterson State Park: This small campground offers more structure for family camping. A visitor shared, "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."
Pack extra mud gear: The region receives significant rainfall year-round. At Loleta Road Dispersed Campsite, a camper warned, "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. Not bad on the main track in and out but swampy everywhere else."
Seek quieter campsites: Road noise can affect sleep quality at some sites. A Loleta Road camper advised, "This is my first time dispersed camping and the spot is nice for a first go. As some one has mentioned the only real downside is the road near by, but the traffic is at a minimum."
Plan for limited facilities: Most tent camping areas lack modern amenities. At Patterson State Park, a visitor noted, "It has a really nice water well with a manual pump. Restroom is the typical hole with no flush, but is very clean."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most forest roads accommodate smaller rigs only. A camper with a 25-foot travel trailer at Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite shared, "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."
Weather preparation: Rain and moisture management is essential. A Forestry Road RVer advised, "I would give this a 5 star if it didn't rain so much. Howe's ace hardware is about 10 miles away with a dollar general across the street."
Social dynamics: Some sites experience weekend activity. The same Forestry Road RVer noted, "The last site on SF 160 has weekend partiers. They knock off at 11pm and are far enough away from the next site that they aren't a nuisance."
