Dispersed camping near Tidioute, Pennsylvania offers remote access to the forest's network of wildlife habitats spanning over 517,000 acres. The Allegheny National Forest encompasses four counties with over 600 miles of fishable streams running through mixed hardwood terrain. Winter weather often renders many forest roads impassable from November through April, with spring mud season extending access limitations.
What to do
Hiking at Hector Falls: Access the trailhead about a mile from Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite for a moderate 2-mile round trip hike. "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 one visitor.
Wildlife spotting: Black bears are active throughout the forest, particularly in cave areas. "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," reports a camper from Forestry Road.
Target shooting: Some dispersed areas near FR437 dispersed campsite have unofficial shooting ranges. "Nice little hideaway, it is however right across from where people have made a make shift shooting rang, which I thought to be a bonus," mentions one visitor.
Kayaking and river access: During summer months, the Clarion River offers water recreation options. "We were lucky to snag a spot on the side of the river with our RV. We had direct River access! Quite road-We were able to walk. There were some people kayaking in the river," reports a camper.
What campers like
Solitude during off-seasons: Winter camping provides exceptional isolation. "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," notes an experienced Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite visitor.
Riverside camping: Riverfront spots along the Clarion River are highly sought after. "There are various large sized spots on both sides of the road. We were lucky to snag a spot on the side of the river with our RV. We had direct River access," shares one satisfied camper.
Natural setting: The state forest's landscape offers a true wilderness setting. "Tremendous solitude, but it was a Thursday night in late March and very cold. This was a great spot for my first dispersed camping experience. Hard, fairly flat parking surface right off of paved road. Rock fire ring," explains a visitor to Millstone Creek Campground.
Accessible primitive camping: Many sites offer drive-up primitive camping without fees. "This is my first time dispersed camping and the spot is nice for a first go. Was able to drive in which I why I chose this area," reports a camper at Loleta Road.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Most areas have minimal to no reception. "Dispersed spot-no cell service," confirms a Clarion River camper. Another notes: "There is spotty cell service through the forest, usually you can walk around for a couple minutes and find some."
Road conditions vary significantly: Many forest roads deteriorate seasonally. "The road in was bumpy with a lot of pot holes," reports a visitor to Red Mill Pond. At Salmon Creek, a camper warns: "The road is out tho so dont take a big rig."
Weather impacts: Rain is common throughout the year. "It rains a lot so keep your slip-ons near the door," advises a frequent visitor.
Seasonal overcrowding: Prime summer weekends see high competition for sites. "We came in on a Saturday and found one of the road side sites open. Not much traffic and very friendly people in the area," reports a Millstone Creek camper.
Environmental concerns: Some waterways show signs of pollution. "The river was basically brown like pudding the only signs of life were insects. While a very beautiful area, the river was kind of yucky looking," notes a Millstone Creek camper.
Tips for camping with families
Bring insect protection: Ticks are prevalent in warmer months. "Some good exploring. Bring tick/bug spray. Found several on my boys and me," warns a visitor to Forestry Road.
Consider accessibility needs: Some sites require short walks from parking areas. "Some you can drive your car in and tuck it back. Other spots you cant take your car at all," explains a camper at Loleta Road Dispersed Campsite.
Site arrival timing: Arriving early increases chances of securing preferred spots. "We arrived late at night so couldn't see so well but stopped in a clearing on the road toward the coordinates," reports a camper who found their visibility limited.
Previous user impact: Campsite conditions vary based on previous users. "Kind of a gross site, the previous people who stayed at our site were messy and left litter, but it served its purpose as a free place to sleep along a longer trip," notes a visitor to Warner Road.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller RVs only. "I have a 25 foot travel trailer. I found numerous spots on SF-160," shares a visitor to Forestry Road.
Site selection for large vehicles: Choose spots with adequate clearance and turning radius. "Came in on a Sunday afternoon and nobody was there. Several hunters drove past but no other campers. Overall a nice secluded camping spot," notes an Red Mill Pond visitor who found space for their vehicle.
Resource management: Plan for complete self-sufficiency. "There is no vaulted toilet at this site any more. Repeated vandalism resulted in its closure," warns a Red Mill Pond camper.
Advance scouting: Check site conditions before committing to remote locations. "I believe there are several dispersed spots along this road. This one was close enough to the road to feel safe but far enough away to have privacy," suggests a Loleta Road camper.
