Dispersed camping opportunities near Tidioute, Pennsylvania extend throughout the Allegheny National Forest with terrain ranging from rocky hillsides to flat riverside areas. Most sites sit at elevations between 1,200-1,400 feet above sea level with cold winters where temperatures regularly drop below freezing from November through March. Several primitive camping locations require minimal preparation but offer solitude not found at developed campgrounds in the region.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Access Hector Falls via a 2-mile trail from Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite. "There is a really cool place called Hector Falls. The trailhead is about a mile down the road from this spot. 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 camping: Experience cold-weather camping at the Wolfkiel Run Shelters from November through March. "The road in was snow covered but easily navigated. The track from the carpark to the campground is beautifully graded making it easy to pull a sled in with extra supplies. The walk in is less than a mile(~15min)," reports Britt B.
Island camping: For a unique tent camping experience, paddle to Private Island w/ Paddle Moor Co. where you can have an entire island to yourself. "The option to have lights on or off was also a joy. When it was dark (pitch black) you could see all the fireflies. To be honest that was like a show in itself," shares Jessica Z.
What campers like
Primitive fire sites: Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite features established fire rings but requires you bring all supplies. "Big open spots with established fire rings. Quiet except for the distant rumble of a train passing the town down in the valley," notes Ian H.
Privacy between sites: The shelter arrangement at Wolfkiel Run offers separation between camping parties. "The Adirondack shelters are perfectly positioned to be private from one another, each looks out over the forest. They are a raised timber platform with a slanted roof and stone chimney with fireplace," explains Britt B.
Quick access to nearby towns: Several camping locations sit within short driving distance of supplies. "Loleta Road Dispersed Campsite is great for a first go at dispersed camping. Was able to drive in which is why I chose this area," says Todd H.
What you should know
Wildlife awareness: Bears are active in the Allegheny Forest region. "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," advises Mystic S.
Weather preparedness: The region experiences frequent rain and mud, particularly in spring. "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," reports Anne W.
Trail navigation: Some trails in the area are unmarked or minimally marked. "The entire area is a natural gas reserve, so there are these blue and orange posts signifying gas lines, those are actually the hiking trails. They don't look like normal trail heads," explains Mystic S.
Tips for camping with families
Adirondack shelter camping: The Adirondack shelters at Wolfkiel Run offer an introduction to camping for families not ready for tent setup. "The platform is large enough to sleep 4 people in sleeping bags or set up a two person tent. These shelters are very peaceful in the winter," notes Britt B.
Firefly viewing: Summer camping offers nature shows after dark. "When it was dark (pitch black) you could see all the fireflies. To be honest that was like a show in itself and made it also worth every penny of how beautiful it was," shares Jessica Z.
Tick prevention: When camping with children, bring appropriate repellent. "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," warns Ian B.
Tips from RVers
Forest road accessibility: Big Oak Hill offers drive-in tent sites but requires careful vehicle selection. "The campsite is accessible by drive-in, but you may need a 4-wheel drive vehicle if there has been rain," cautions Thomas B.
RV size limitations: Most forest roads have clearance restrictions. "I have a 25 foot travel trailer. I found numerous spots on SF-160. I would give this a 5 star if it didn't rain so much," shares Mark M.
Cell service: Connectivity varies throughout the forest. "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," reports Mystic S.
