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The best camping near Allegheny National Forest

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Allegheny adventure.

The best camping near Allegheny National Forest

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Allegheny adventure.

Camping near Allegheny National Forest

99% (36 reviews)

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Allegheny adventure.

Find plenty to do in this half-million-acre national forest in northwestern Pennsylvania.  

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Allegheny National Forest

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Allegheny National Forest

Top-rated campgrounds near Allegheny National Forest

Booked 12 times

Rustic Acres

12 sites ¡ RVs, Tents50 acres ¡ Youngsville, PA
Perfect for the eclipse viewing! Come camp with us at Rustic Acres. There are 15 camping areas located in the middle of 50 acres with a beautiful stream running through the property that is great to cool off in the summer or just to sit by and relax. The property sits in a valley, so it blocks the lights from town at night to create super bright stars. We are 12 minutes to the closest boat launch on the Allegheny River, 20 minutes from Rocky Gap ATV Trail, and 40 minutes from Kinzua Dam and Kinzua Reservoir where you will also find the heart of the Allegheny National Forest. Endless things to do here including miles of biking and hiking trails that have amazing overlooks of the reservoir.
from 
$15
 / night
Booked 2 times

Campers Paradise

91 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents20 acres ¡ PA
Campers Paradise campground Located in the Allegheny National Forest region, Campers Paradise has been voted most beautiful campground in Pennsylvania. Our resort guests enjoy scenic wooded views, modern amenities and exciting activities. You can even get a pizza delivered right to your site from our Cabin Café! If you’re planning a summer vacation or road trip through northern Pennsylvania, make plans to stay at our family-friendly RV park and campground. With 116 sites to choose from, you can stay the way that suits you best. Hook up to a full-service RV pad, savor the simplicity of a rustic tent site, or relax in a cabin with the comforts of home. If you’re into glamping, experience one of our Wild West Territory campsites, which include a rustic tipi, a covered wagon and a bunkhouse. Please note: Campers Paradise is a pet-friendly campground; however, pets are not allowed with most of our cabin rentals and the Wild West sites. We have 2 primitive cabins, 7 luxury & modern cabins, 57 full hookup RV sites, 39 water & electric RV sites, 22 primitive tent sites, and 3 Wild West glamping sites.
from 
$41.50
 / night
96%
(13)

Clear Creek Cook Forest Campsite

2 sites ¡ RVs, Tents5 acres ¡ Vowinckel, PA
This is your spot. Your own private campground on 5 acres of forest canopy that we unofficially call "Fern Gully", this site is literally adjacent to scenic Clear Creek State Park (1211 acres) and pristine "old-growth" Clear Creek State Forest (16229 acres). Accessible by RVs of any size. Tent campers welcome! Don't have an RV?? Check out RVshare.com to discover loads of options! A driveway leads to a large, flat landing where RVs can set up. Electric (50 and 20 amp) + pressurized water hook-up at sites. UPDATE: we recently added a second site for "friends/family"(full hook-ups) at the other end of the parking pad for those wishing to camp with guests. Fire pit on location. Firewood can be found on the property, but always smart to bring some. Do it your way! Come relax and unwind or get out and get active. Enjoy the serenity and solitude that nature provides at this quiet hideaway for peace and tranquility. POINTS of INTEREST: -Clear Creek State Park swimming area is minutes away, right down the road! -Only a few miles to Clarion River (2019 River of the Year) launch access! You can bring your boat and do some fishing, or rent canoes/kayaks/tubes and float away the day. -25+ miles of hiking trails within walking distance from camp. -Beartown Rocks is within hiking distance or a short drive. -The Seneca Point Overlook/Firetower is a must-see -For those looking for a leisure walk or cyclists, Rails-to-Trails paved trail is a unique experience, stop and see our friends at Lost In The Wilds brewery for a cold refreshment. -10 miles to North Country Trailhead. -10 miles to Cook Forest State Park (8500 acres), known as a National Natural Landmark for some of America's finest virgin white pine and hemlock timber stands. Cook Forest State Park was rated one of America's top 50 state parks by National Geographic Traveler magazine and was chosen by the Pennsylvania DCNR and its Bureau of Parks as one of "25 Must-See Pennsylvania State Parks". -10 miles to Allegheny National Forest. State Game Lands nearby. -Farmer's Inn restaurant has that rustic country flair, great food and a "zoo" that all ages can appreciate. -A local meat market, drive-in movie theatre and RV sales/service a short drive on Route 36 toward Brookville. *Check Out the following websites for some great, detailed information on the surrounding area: **AIRBNB - check out my "Guidebook" there and booking fees are LESS $$!!!** DCNR PAWILDS VISITPAGO
from 
$40
 / night
100%
(7)

River Island Cabin & Campsites

8 sites ¡ Lodging, Tents46 acres ¡ PA
Located on Fuellhart Island, Tidioute, Pennsylvania Allegheny River, Allegheny National Forest, PA Wilds Perfect for kayaking, camping, fishing, tubing - all types of river trips! Go Primitive and book secluded campsites (there is a Treehouse and Canvas Bell Tent options!) Rent the cabin and island privately for your group 46 acres of Private Island on the scenic Allegheny River. PA Wilds, Gameland Access, Allegheny National Forest. We provide: HAMMOCK AND TENT CAMPSITES (view listings) CABIN AND ISLAND RENTALS (Call it a glorified cabin in the woods!) - fully equipped! - non-motorized boat rentals (Angler single kayaks and canoe) - Fishing pole and gear rentals - Tent/Hammocks - Cold Weather Sleeping Bags This is a secluded private island on the Allegheny River. It has been a family property for years and many people have created great memories here. It is great for solo campers wanting a peaceful space, kayakers on river trips, family groups (magic for kids and dogs!) *Tent camping, outdoor shower, fishing, kayaking, groomed trail paths from end to end, fully equipped kitchen, outdoor cooking, firepits, outdoor and indoor seating. Dog friendly! Supreme sunsets and starry nights! Everyone always ends up staying another day if they can get away with it! Arrive by car to our parking area where we will boat you and your gear over to the island campsite. There will be 1 round trip in the motorized john boat per group. Guests are permitted to use the aluminum canoe with lifejackets only to ferry items. PADDLE IN! KAYAKERS/CANOES/MULTI-DAY RIVER TRIP PADDLERS! Arrive by kayak or canoe off the river while you are on a paddle trip. Singles, small groups and large groups. Campsites are PERFECT for Scouts trips, team building trips with kayak rental options. Cabin rentals are great for couples, families, friends, reunions, fishing trips, large groups trips and more! Wildlife photographers must see location!
from 
$55
 / night
99%
(136)

Chappel Hill Tree Farm

2 sites ¡ RVs, Tents140 acres ¡ Grand Valley, PA
This 140-acre property is an old farmstead last farmed in the 1950's. It lies in the Allegheny Plateau region of NW Pennsylvania and is mostly hardwood forest today. It is surrounded by thousands of acres of private forestland and is very secluded. Our goal is to provide a private and secluded yet accessible camping experience where you will see more deer than people. AANR friendly. There is excellent Verizon and T-Mobile service. The skies are dark at night and the sounds of nature will surround you. Campsite 1 is near where the farmhouse and barn once stood. The site is shaded by large, old maples that once shaded the farmhouse. Old fields surround the farmstead, but the woods are a short walk away.  It is the most popular campsite with an outhouse, fire ring and picnic table available. Campsite 2 is on the other side of the property. There is a fire ring but no picnic table.  Both sites easily accommodate anything from tents to RV's. Each site has a separate, gated, gravel road access. These are the only 2 campsites on the property and they are far enough apart (1/4 mile) to avoid any contact should both sites be occupied. There is a 2-mile loop hiking trail on the property that traverses a variety of habitats which are home to many animals and birds. The trail is well maintained and mowed. The terrain is flat to gentle slopes. The 1/2-mile Narnia Loop trail weaves through a young spruce forest like a maze. It is so cool, literally, even on the hottest days. The Allegheny River is about 10 miles away, near Tidioute, PA, and has excellent paddling and fishing. Titusville, PA is about 15 miles away and is home to Oil Creek State Park which has great trout fishing, an excellent paved bike/hike trail, and Drake Well Museum site of the first oil well ever drilled. Finally, you will be on the doorstep to the Allegheny National Forest with all the outdoor recreation it has to offer. We hope you enjoy the peace and quiet of nature on our property as much as we have. If you are curious about more details of the history and management of the property, please ask your host, Dave Trimpey, and he will be glad to share his knowledge of the land. Learn more about this land: The property was a family farm from the late 1800's to the mid-1950's. Aerial photos of the 1940s and 1950s show much of the surrounding area was being farmed for crops and dairy cattle. Agricultural farming ended around 1956 and the farmer, Mr. Matkovich, planted acorns in many of the fields. An observant hiker may notice rows of red oak trees today in former fields which are now forests. In the 1970s the property was acquired by Lester Noll. He planted some of the remaining fields with spruce and fir for Christmas trees. The old farmhouse was still standing until it burned down in 1975. Mr. Noll sold the property to Dave and Rhonda Trimpey, your hosts, in 1992. We continued and expanded the Christmas tree business for 20 years and one point having nearly 6,000 Christmas trees growing in the fields around campsite 1. The Christmas tree part of the business ended in 2014 and management of the land now focuses on timber and wildlife. We have always used the property for personal recreation - primarily hunting, hiking and camping - and decided to open it up for others to enjoy by camping through Hipcamp in 2020.
from 
$20
 / night
98%
(95)

Clarion Heights

5 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents53 acres ¡ Johnsonburg, PA
The Property has been previously used for its Large stone, coal, and clay mine. The property has been virtually untouched for 60+ years. Beautiful views of the surrounding hills.Small private spot on the top of the hill.. Lots of wildlife and close to many area attractions like 4 wheeler trails fishing, hunting, boating and more...
from 
$35
 / night
100%
(1)

🌲The Rustic Run Cabin

1 site ¡ Lodging1 acre ¡ Clarendon, PA
Listing description 155+ 5 Star reviews with Airbnb. The Rustic Run Cabin located in Warren County, Pennsylvania, surrounded by Timberlands, State and National Forests. Rustic Run is a perfect cabin getaway for couples, families, and groups of friends searching for a relaxing vacation or ideal lodging close to many outdoor adventures! Neighborhood description Rustic Run is a secluded cabin located on private land surrounded by timber lands and the Allegheny National Forest. Access to hiking, biking, kayaking, canoeing fishing, hunting, geocaching, wildlife viewing, ATV and snowmobile trails are all within a short drive. A handful of golfing options are available within a 30-minute radius or less. The bridge on the property crosses over the creek and provides access to the area timber lands and Allegheny National Forest. There is a cooperative agreement between the timber lands and ANF which allows for non-motorized, public use. Off trail-hiking is plentiful all around the cabin. Chapman State Park is about a 10 minute drive. Kinzua Dam; Jake's Rocks are 20-25 minute drive. Open year-round. Getting around Winter Months Require 4WD vehicles to access cabin. Although, the road is well maintained Pennsylvania winters can create unexpected conditions. Road and driveway are icy during winter and early spring. Property type Cabin Listing type: Entire home/apt Rooms and spaces Bedrooms: 3 Bed: 7 Bathrooms: 2 Additional areas: 6 All areas are just for guests Amenities Essentials Cleaning products Cooking basics Dishes and silverware Hair dryer Heating Kitchen TV Body soap Conditioner Hot water Shampoo Shower gel Bed linens Hangers Books and reading material Game console Board games Children’s books and toys Ceiling fan Indoor fireplace Portable fans Carbon monoxide alarm Fire extinguisher First aid kit Smoke alarm Baking sheet Barbecue utensils Coffee maker Dining table Freezer Microwave Oven Refrigerator Stove Toaster Wine glasses Private entrance Backyard BBQ grill Fire pit Outdoor furniture Patio or balcony Free parking on premises Free street parking Guest safety Security cameras/audio recording devices Carbon monoxide alarm Smoke alarm Must climb stairs Amenity limitations Unsuitable for infants under 2 Nearby lake, river, other body of water Heights without rails or protection Potentially dangerous animal We welcome well behaved, mature and non-destructive dogs. Two dogs is our limit. There is an extra $50 pet fee per stay. Also, there is an additional $350 refundable pet damage deposit.
from 
$185
 / night
92%
(6)

The Highlander

1 site ¡ Lodging1 acre ¡ Pittsfield, PA
Rustic cabin with some creature comforts. Electric cooking range, microwave, coffee pot, small refrigerator TV and blu-ray player. Outdoor propane grill, charcoal grill and fire ring. There is no running water in the camp. There is an outhouse for toilet facilities. We provide filtered water for drinking and cooking. We also provide fire wood.
from 
$50
 / night
100%
(5)

Lake lucy campground

8 sites ¡ RVs, Tents15 acres ¡ Tionesta, PA
founded in 1955 as a campground, amusement park and pay to fish lake, lake lucy has a rich history of having families spending time together.  After the death of lake lucys founder Raymond Mealy in 2007 the amusements and train were all removed as well as the zoo.  The Steinman family purchased the property in 2017 and began remodeling the pavilion and putting in water and sewer lines to be able to use the campground and pavilion again.  It has been a place for the Steinman and Mealy families and friends to enjoy for the last few years and we fealt it was time to once again welcome the public to enjoy our property!Learn more about this land:Campers can fish, bike, swim at lake lucy. They will have access to both ponds. Top pond has bass and have caught bass over 20 inches with the largest being 23 inches and over 8 pounds. Both ponds have bass, crappie, perch, bluegill, and carp. We are within a few miles of a dollar store if any supplies are needed, a gas station is at the end of the road and we are only a few minutes from cook forest as well as the tionesta reservoir. Water is available on site for campers and campers can use the bath house. In the bath house there is 1 full bathroom with a shower and the other bathroom is just a half bath. Quiet and peaceful, come relax and enjoy time with your family at lake lucy!  GPS coordinates are N 41.39433. W-79.38976
from 
$55
 / night
100%
(1)

The Nason Trust

5 sites ¡ RVs, Tents62 acres ¡ Marienville, PA
The Nason Trust is a 4th generation owned outdoor enthusiasts haven tucked away on private land in the outskirts of the Allegheny National Forest. We offer primitive camping along with equestrian primitive camping. We have a dedication to preserving natural habitat, as well as the cooperative efforts of people with diverse interests in the outdoors to provide a positive recreational experience for all of our visitors. The Nason Trust is located by a significant amount of trail systems that traverses gorgeous, rocky, stream-filled trails that pass by remnants of Kellettville's boomtown. While guests get to enjoy the geology, elevation changes, with dramatic views while enjoying their favorite outdoor activities. Campers will have access to the North Country National Scenic Trail that is the longest in the national trail system it spans across 8 states from North Dakota to Vermont covering 4,800 miles. Minister Creek Trail is a short drive away. It's a moderately challenging hike that passes several outstanding rock outcroppings. After your hike you can drop by frog rock the local's favorite swimming hole that's along the same short drive back from Minister Creek trail back to the Nason Trust. Tionesta Creek and Salmon Creek are well stocked to lure in any avid fishermen. Along with another local gem; Ross Run's Habitat Improvement area it's a half mile set aside for Children 15 and under and people with Special needs giving them their very own special stocked fishing area.
from 
$30
 / night
91%
(17)

Wooded Escape in Cook Forest

1 site ¡ Tent8 acres ¡ Clarington, PA
We are so proud to own a small piece of land in beautiful Cook Forest State Park in scenic northwestern Pennsylvania. Known for its stands of old growth forest, the park’s Forest Cathedral of towering white pines and hemlocks is a National Natural Landmark. A scenic 13-mile stretch of the Clarion River flows through Cook Forest State Park and is popular for canoeing, kayaking, and tubing. Nestled within Cook Forest State Park is a secluded eight acres adorn with whimsy ferns and towering 100+ year-old Hemlock trees. It’s the perfect site for campers to unwind and enjoy nature. There are plenty of clearings to pitch a tent. One of the most magical parts of this property is a quick 1/2 mile trail through State Game Lands that leads to the Clarion River and an exquisite natural swimming area with massive flat oversized rocks perfect for fishing or sunbathing. Amenities within a short drive include canoeing/tubing rentals, horseback riding, restaurants, Lost in the Wilds Brewing, and plenty of hiking and biking trails. The perfect escape to take advantage of everything nature has to offer.
from 
$40
 / night
100%
(18)

Camp Oasis

8 sites ¡ RVs, Tents200 acres ¡ Kennedy, NY
Learn more about this land:Beautiful Pond view. Catch and release pond. Hiking trails  .Stars at night! Relaxation, fire pit.  Beautiful farm country . Quiet safe area. Deer and other wildlife viewing
from 
$40
 / night

The best camping near Allegheny National Forest guide

Overview

About

Rest and relax in an old-growth forest. This national treasure has lakes, streams, scenic byways, hiking trails, and lots of camping. Begin your getaway at Allegheny Reservoir, a 27-mile-long lake.

Fish along 91 miles of mostly undeveloped shoreline thick with trees. The reservoir is very popular, but there is plenty of space for you to find a cozy inlet. Launch your own boat or rent one from a guide in a nearby town.

Paddle along two wild and scenic rivers, the Allegheny and Clarion. Both rivers combine for 130 miles of heavy vegetation on their banks and gently rolling waters. Camp on some of the islands in either river for a rustic experience.

Hike to Farnsworth Cabin, a historic structure built in the 1930s. Use the cabin as your base for hiking through the Hickory Creek Wilderness. Watch for bears, deer, turkeys, barred owls, and pileated woodpeckers. Fish for brook trout in secluded Farnsworth Stream.

Several campgrounds and cabins allow for all types of camping.

Notable campgrounds

  • Best for hikers: Morrison Campground has 38 rustic campsites at the trailhead of the 10.5-mile Morrison Trail. 
  • Best for getting on the water: Pine Grove Campground has 13 boat-in tent sites on the east shore of the Allegheny Reservoir.  
  • Best for family campers: Red Bridge Recreation Area has popular tent-only and RV sites, some with electric or full hookups. 

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. You can reserve campsites and cabins at 11 of the Allegheny National Forest campgrounds via the Recreation.gov website. Other sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
  2. Campsite reservations open six months in advance and should be made a minimum of seven days before arrival.  
  3. Campsites can book up as fast, especially on summer and holiday weekends. Book a minimum of three months in advance to avoid disappointment.

When to go

Peak season at Allegheny National Forest is April through October, but outdoor activities can be enjoyed year-round. Come in spring to admire wildflowers, in fall to hike among fall foliage, or in winter to enjoy snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing. Campgrounds have varying opening seasons, with many open from May through October only. 

Know before you go

  • Allegheny National Forest is 90 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, or about a 1-hour and 45-minute drive away.
  • There is no admission fee to visit the park, but camping reservation fees apply, and ATV/OHV permits are required.
  • Facilities include restrooms, picnic and day-use areas, and boat launches. Cell phone service is patchy throughout the forest. 
  • There are accessible campsites, restrooms, and picnic areas at Allegheny National Forest.

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