Seven miles from Marienville in Allegheny National Forest, Loleta Recreation campground operates on two distinct levels connected by forest roads that some reviewers describe as rough. The upper and lower campground sections offer different experiences, with the lower area drawing more RV campers while the upper section accommodates a mix of tents and trailers.
Most sites include electric hookups, though a few non-electric options remain available for tent campers. Community water faucets serve the campground, and vault toilets are distributed throughout both sections. Dan G. notes the campground provides "everything you look for in a campground, showers, firewood and ice available for purchase and fire pits located at each site." The forest setting provides natural privacy between sites, though weekend crowds can fill the facility.
The upper campground entrance includes day-use parking and trail access leading to swimming spots in the river above a small dam. Cell service remains limited at most campsites, requiring a short drive toward town for connectivity. Quiet hours run from 10 PM to 6 AM, which campers report are generally respected. For those exploring the broader region, camping near Allegheny National Forest offers additional options for extended forest stays.
Description
Overview
Loleta Recreation Campground sits along the east branch of Millstone Creek in the southwestern corner of the Allegheny National Forest, offering a peaceful getaway that is popular with families.
Recreation
Camping is available in both the primitive upper loop and the more developed lower loop. The Day Use area with picnic tables and grills centers around a Civilian Conservation Corps dam across Millstone Creek, which creates a small swimming/wading area. Fishing the stream is permitted with a legal PA fishing license, but the swimming area is off-limits between Memorial Day and Labor Day. There is a 3-mile hiking trail that starts and ends at the campground, passing a rock outcrop on the edge of the Millstone Valley at its furthest point from the campground.
Facilities
The lower loop of the campground has spacious campsites that are surrounded by mature trees. The upper loop sites are smaller and tucked into the forest for a more intimate feeling with nature. Each campsite has a parking spur, fire ring, and picnic table. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided in the camping loops while the Day Use area supports the bathhouse with flush toilets, hot showers, and changing rooms.
Natural Features
Loleta is a small opening in the forested hillsides around Millstone Creek. Native tree species in the area include red oak, white pine, black cherry, red and sugar maples, and a variety of others. Millstone Creek is a cold water fishery with a thriving population of native brook trout, and it is also priodically stocked by the Pennsylvania FIsh and Game Commission. Wildlife in the area include whitetail deer, black bear, turkey, raccoon, oppossum, fox, and smaller mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (814) 363-9090.
Nearby Attractions
The Buzzard Swamp Hiking Trails, a 9.6-mile network of trails that wind through an area of 15 man-made ponds, make for an enjoyable day trip just north of Loleta, while driving down a dirt road extending south of the campground leads to the beautiful Clarion National Wild and Scenic River. The paved road along the river is popular for bike riding, and the river offers access for canoes, kayaks, and tubes as well as fishing opportunities and large boulders for picnicking or just watching the water roll by. Cook Forest State Park is an easy drive for hiking, marveling at the grove of Old Growth Hemlocks, or climbing an old fire tower for a view of the river.
Charges & Cancellations
Cancellations and changes must be made through Recreation.gov
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsLoleta Recreation is located in Pennsylvania near Marienville
Directions
From the west, take I-80 east to Clarion, Pennsylvania. Turn left onto State Route 66 and continue northeast to Marienville. Turn right on South Forest Street and go south 6 miles to the Loleta Campground entrance sign. From the north, take State Route 66 to Marienville, turn left on South Forest Street and go 6 miles south to the Loleta Campground entrance sign. From the east, take I-80 west to the PA-36 exit towards Sigel/Brookville. Turn right onto PA-36 and take it to PA-949. Turn right on PA-949 to Bridge Road and cross the Clarion National Wild & Scenic River. Turn left onto River Road then right onto Gregg Hill Road. At the end of Gregg Hill Road, take a slight left onto Loleta Road/SR3002 and follow it to the campground entrance sign.
Address
131 SMOKEY LANE
Marienville, PA 16239
Coordinates
41.4016667 N
79.0833333 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 5/8/26- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 5/8/26
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 5/8/26
- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 5/8/26
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
- 30 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 1 hr 48 min from State College, PA
- 1 hr 58 min from Altoona, PA
- 1 hr 59 min from Johnstown, PA
- 2 hrs 1 min from Erie, PA
