The Allegheny National Forest surrounds Warren, Pennsylvania, with over 517,000 acres of woodland at elevations ranging from 1,300 to 2,300 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F with frequent afternoon thunderstorms, while winter brings heavy snowfall making some campgrounds inaccessible from mid-December through April. Most dispersed camping sites require visitors to camp at least 200 feet from water sources and trails.
What to do
Hiking at Chapman State Park: This park features multiple accessible hiking trails connecting to state game lands, perfect for dogs and their owners. "First time here but found the campground to be quite nice. Sites were decently sized and some backed up to very beautiful evergreen forest. There are several hiking trails that depart right from the campground. One of them takes you right to the state game lands (29 I think?). I'll have to remember that for future hunting seasons," notes Kevin E. from Chapman State Park Campground.
Waterfall exploration: The Bent Run Waterfalls trail near Kinzua Dam rewards hikers with a series of cascading falls. "Had a great weekend near kinzu. The hosts were beyond friendly. We did not have a boat but having a boat launch on the beautiful lake could be handy. Real close to the dam, not too far from the outfitters for a canoe trip (which was always amazing with friendly staff), and about 45min from the kinzu bridge, which was worth the drive," shares Jenn G. from Dewdrop Recreation Area.
Fishing for native brook trout: Minister Creek offers fishing opportunities directly from campsites. "Several of the sites back up to Minister Creek. Home to some of the scrappiest brook trout I have fished for. Such a great place to get away! Quick Tip: Perfect spot for star-gazing. So set the alarm for 2am and enjoy," recommends Brannon M. from Minister Creek Campground.
What campers like
Secluded campsites: Many campgrounds offer sites with natural barriers between neighbors. "This is a beautiful campground. You have to go through the national park website to make reservations, so I feel like that's what keeps it quiet maybe. The sites are very spacious and mostly divided with brush. The campground is rather hilly overall," explains Kevin C. from Red Bridge Recreation Area.
Dark skies for stargazing: The limited light pollution creates excellent stargazing conditions. "First place I was ever able to actually see the milky way. Night sky's are so clear. Campground is absolutely beautiful. Clean and peaceful," raves Chuck H. about Kiasutha Recreation Area.
Free dispersed camping options: For those seeking primitive experiences, the forest offers no-fee sites. "This spot is a boondocker's delight! Big open spots with established fire rings. Quiet except for the distant rumble of a train passing the town down in the valley. The road is definitely hidden behind the town of Ludlow but we were able to find it at 2am after a long drive from cape cod," reports Ian H. about Forestry Road Dispersed camping.
What you should know
Bear activity is common: Proper food storage is essential for safety. "AND I now will not do that, luckily no bears came for a nighttime snack, but a mom and two cubs ran directly through our camp while having breakfast one morning. Only 10 foot away when the mom stopped to size up our threat level. They proceeded on without problem as we were no threat to her frolicking cubs, but bears are very much a real phenomenon in this campground!" warns Katie about Dewdrop Recreation Area.
Limited cell service: Coverage varies widely across the region. "No cell service so you really get to be away from all the hustle for a weekend," notes Sarah K. about Dewdrop Recreation Area.
First-come-first-served sites fill quickly: 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,'" advises Brannon M. about Minister Creek Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with playgrounds: Some locations offer kid-friendly amenities. "This campground is well maintained, with excellent restroom/shower facilities. Miles of hiking trails accessible right from the campground. The lake was off limits due to the dam reconstruction, but is a big draw when open. This campground is also only 20 minutes from the Kinzua Dam and 1 hour from the Kinzua Skywalk. Our family really enjoyed it," shares Ethan G. about Chapman State Park Campground.
Choose sites near water features: Kids enjoy exploring streams and shorelines. "The sites are private, flat, surrounded by trees, and have plenty of space. The ground is quite rocky though, so bring plenty of heavy duty tent steaks. Highlights include: the reservoir (beautiful and clean! You can swim with your dog from the access points at the campground), quiet, friendly staff," recommends Sheila P. about Red Bridge Recreation Area.
Plan for tick protection: Insects are prevalent during warm months. "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. Which is a nice little 2 mile hike. Some good exploring. Bring tick/bug spray. Found several on my boys and me," cautions Ian B. about Forestry Road Dispersed.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup sites: Reserve early for sites with utilities. "Electric sites for surprisingly large rvs and trailers, mostly wired, shaded, and private," mentions Kelly C. about Buckaloons Recreation Area.
Be prepared for uneven terrain: Many sites require leveling equipment. "I have a 25 foot travel trailer. 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," advises Mark M. about Forestry Road Dispersed camping.
Check road conditions: Forest roads can be challenging for larger rigs. "Campsite layouts are non traditional with large driveways and often times the tables and fire rings are below the driveway. With this layout you get more privacy with very few sites having and overlapping with other sites. Pitching a tent was easy on the driveway and fairly level," explains Travis S. about Dewdrop Recreation Area.
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