Dewdrop Campground sits on the Kinzua Arm of the Allegheny Reservoir in northwest Pennsylvania, offering a popular getaway for boaters and families.
Recreation
Water activities abound, including lake fishing, boating, and water skiing. A boat launch is available for convenient lake access for campers only. A 2.5 mile trail winds around the campground. Dewdrop is located on the Longhouse Scenic Drive, a winding loop around the Kinzua Arm of the reservoir that includes PA-59, PA-321, and Forest Road 262 (Longhouse Scenic Byway).
Facilities
This large campground offers 74 reservable family campsites that include a picnic table, fire ring and tent pad. Flush toilets, drinking water and a dump station are provided.
Amenities such as firewood, ice, interpretive services and 24-hour campground attendants are offered at the site.
Natural Features
The Allegheny National Forest covers nearly half a million acres and is populated primarily with black cherry, maple and other hardwoods. The Kinzua Dam, built in 1965, impounds the Allegheny River to form the 25-mile-long Allegheny Reservoir. Dewdrop clings to the hillside above the water, providing a multi-level tiered campground.
Nearby Attractions
The Kinzua Dam is a short drive to the west on PA-59. The Jakes Rocks Epic Mountain Bike Trail system connects to Dewdrop Campground and consists of trail loops built specifically for mountain biking on the mountain behind the campground. Hikers are also welcome on the trail but remember to keep an eye out for and give way to mountain bike riders. Kinzua Point Information Center is staffed by volunteers on most summer weekends and offers great views up the Allegheny Reservoir.
ADA Access: N
Thoroughly enjoyed this as one of my first official camping experiences! The site was spacious and was not close to other campers giving a feeling of secludedness and alone time in nature! Could easily walk to a nearby trail and down to the lake front! Some sites even had access to trails that went to the water!
Coming from out of state, even though I am an avid nature explorer, I had never thought twice about encountering bears, I even naively left granola bars in my hiking pack in my tent at night. 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!
The only negative part about the experience is there was no site to wash dishes and we were yelled at, actually yelled at when letting "dish" water run onto the ground (not at the water spout), we were not using soap, just rinsing some stickiness off before packing away, but this is not even allowed at the campground, I may just be new to camping, but I found it odd to get such a scolding when there were seemingly no other options unless you carry your used rinse water out with you.
Overall, definitely plan on visiting again!
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. Some sites had large high sided fire rings which take away from the fireside relaxation of a shorter camp chair.
Bathrooms and shower house was below the standards of many of PA State Parks which we regard as the benchmark for campgrounds at reasonable prices.
Boating and biking all accessible from the grounds. No need to drive to the trails at Jakes Rocks.
Stayed a night and wished it was longer. We did a stop over and slept in our hammocks so it was perfect for us as there were lots of trees. Small little campground but sites were nice and cozy. Lots of very nice people here!
the hosts were beyond friendly. We did not have a boat but having a boat launch on the beautiful lake could be handy. the spaces were generous. our site had neighbors but there was enough woods between that you weren't bothered. We also had a tiny steam where the kids explores salamanders and toads.
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.
Cute little campground on the lake. We had a walk in site which was kind of hard to find in the dark but when we did it was good. These sites were more secluded. Lots of trees for hammocks. This site what slightly on a hill so some tents were slanted. Would stay here again.
mak sure which site you book as some of them are walk-ins. A night sky that you can see the Milky Way and more stars then I remember. Wildlife is all around and the area offers a variety of activities within a short drive. The host of the campground at the time of our stay was more than helpful delivering the firewood and ice both of which you can buy there.
Ok so it's a HAUL for me to get there but worth it. Camped 2x now in cove near water- many trees (almost too many!), launched yak 100' from camp right into cove. So so bath house, hosts are great but short staffed. Beautiful large reservoir with good swimming & boating. Ice & wood are delivered (purchase) every nite which is super. Facilities showing some signs of wear but certainly passable.
Only 3 electric sites so be prepared to be self contained.
Good hiking & views.