Established Camping
Loleta Recreation
Loleta Recreation, near Marienville, Pennsylvania, is a cozy campground tucked away in the Allegheny National Forest. It’s a solid spot for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle, with spacious sites that offer a good amount of privacy, especially if you venture off the beaten path.
The campground features electric hookups and clean vault toilets, making it a comfortable choice for both tent campers and RVers. Visitors have enjoyed the serene atmosphere, often finding themselves with the place nearly to themselves. One camper noted, “The site was large with plenty of space for 6 people and 4 tents,” highlighting the roomy feel of the area.
If you’re up for some adventure, there’s a hiking trail nearby, though some have mentioned needing to drive a bit to find more extensive trails. The views are stunning, and the clear night skies are perfect for stargazing. Just be prepared for a bit of a trek to the bathrooms if you’re in the lower loop, but hey, a little walk never hurt anyone!
While the campground can get busy on weekends, the overall vibe is friendly and laid-back. Whether you’re roasting marshmallows by the campfire or exploring the surrounding woods, Loleta Recreation is a great spot to unwind and enjoy nature.
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
April 2022 *** Water will be turned on May 1st. Electric will be turned on for Lower Loop April 1st*** 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
Location
Loleta Recreation is located in Pennsylvania
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-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Detours Nearby
Forest Ridge Campground
15 min away
Kelly Pines Campground
27 min away
Drive Time
- 1 hr 48 min from State College
- 1 hr 58 min from Altoona
- 1 hr 59 min from Johnstown
- 2 hrs 1 min from Erie
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- 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
