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Allegheny National Forest is located in northwestern Pennsylvania, about 100 miles from Pittsburg. With plenty of hiking trails and the tranquil Allegheny River, Allegheny National Forest is one of Pennsylvania’s most popular camping areas.

There are plenty of well-appointed campgrounds located right within the forest, from which you can explore the vibrant nature and wildlife the park has to offer. If you are planning a trip there, these are some of the best Allegheny National Forest camping spots.

Allegheny National Forest Camping Spots

Minister Creek

Image from The Dyrt camper Raven A.

With only six sites, this is the smallest campground inside Allegheny National Forest. The camp has basic amenities, including fire rings, picnic tables, vault toilets, and hand-pumped water. Minister Creek Campground is conveniently located near the six-mile loop Minister Creek hiking trail. Some of the campsites are right up against the creek, which offers great trout fishing. Overall, it’s a quiet campground right in the middle of the national forest.

“The smallest of all of the campgrounds in the Allegheny national Forest, this little slice of heaven is just perfect!” – Brannon M.

Campground Details:

• Price: $12
• Number of sites: 6
• RV sites: Yes
• Fires allowed: Yes
• Pets allowed: Yes

Loleta Recreation Area

Image from The Dyrt camper Richard P.

This is a medium-sized campground that offers sites for tents, small RVs, and trailers. The camp has many amenities, including picnic tables, fire rings, available water, vault toilets, and a bathhouse with hot showers and flush toilets.

Loleta Recreation Area is close to Millstone Creek, which offers great trout fishing, and the Clarion River, a good spot for canoeing. The campground is comfortable and close to hiking trails and places for water activities.

“The views were gorgeous. The bathroom was clean.” – Ben C.

Campground Details:

• Price: $15-25
• Number of sites: 38
• RV sites: Yes
• Fires allowed: Yes
• Pets allowed: Yes

Twin Lakes Recreation Area

If you are looking for an Allegheny National Forest camping spot with a water view, this campground is located right by Twin Lake. The quiet campground offers ample amenities, making it the perfect base camp to explore and enjoy all that the area offers.

The Twin Lakes Recreation Area has flush toilets, hot showers, a playground in each camping loop, picnic tables, fishing piers, and pressurized water, among other amenities. This is a great spot for families who want to go hiking in the national forest and enjoy water activities.

“Twin Lakes is a beautiful spot, tucked away in a stream valley in the Allegheny National Forest.” – Brian S.

Campground Details:

• Price: $5-50
• Number of sites: 51
• RV sites: Yes
• Fires allowed: Yes
• Pets allowed: Yes

Hearts Content Recreation Area

Image from The Dyrt camper Gary P.

This semi-primitive family campground in Allegheny National Forest also borders the Hickory Creek Wilderness Area. The campground has a large open field with a playground and a volleyball net.

There are many trails nearby for hiking and cross-country skiing, but no off-road motorized vehicles of any kind are allowed. Each site at Hearts Content Recreation Area has a picnic table and a fire ring, and the camp also has vault toilets, pressurized water, and a dump station near the exit.

“Small and limited, Hearts Content offers serene quiet evenings.” – Bill G.

Campground Details:

• Price: $15-27
• Number of sites: 26
• RV sites: Yes
• Fires allowed: Yes
• Pets allowed: Yes

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Whispering Winds Campground

Image from The Dyrt camper Cassondra P.

Whispering Winds Campground is a large campground located in the heart of Allegheny National Forest. It offers everything, from rustic tent sites to RV sites with full 50 AMP hookups. It’s a family-friendly campground with a heated pool, free Wi-Fi, and a playground for the kids to enjoy. Overall, Whispering Winds Campground is a convenient and quiet camp with plenty of outdoor activities available nearby.

“We loved the location, the registration and owner/ hosts. Clean, quiet and easily accessible.” – Donna M.

Campground Details:

• Price: $27-49
• Number of sites: 250
• RV sites: Yes
• Fires allowed: Yes
• Pets allowed: Yes

Dewdrop Campground

Image from The Dyrt camper Amanda S.

Dewdrop Campground is located along the Longhouse National Scenic Byway. This peaceful campground lies next to Kinzua Creek, a tributary of the Allegheny River, and has a boat ramp for visitors interested in cruising the creek. The sites at Dewdrop Campground are spacious with plenty of tree cover.

Amenities include a dump station, picnic tables, fire rings, and flush toilets. The campground connects to the Jakes Rocks Epic Mountain Bike Trail system with enough high-speed loops and elevation to thrill even the most experienced adventurer or serious mountain bikers.

“Thoroughly enjoyed this as one of my first official camping experiences!” – Katie

Campground Details:

• Price: $19-36
• Number of sites: 74
• RV sites: Yes
• Fires allowed: Yes
• Pets allowed: Yes

Buckaloons

Image from The Dyrt campers Darrel and Mary W.

Nature and river lovers will thoroughly enjoy this Allegheny National Forest camping site. Located right by the Allegheny River, this camp is the perfect access point for canoeing in the Allegheny River Island Wilderness. There are great canoeing, kayaking, and hiking opportunities in the area. Buckaloons Recreation Area has plenty of amenities, including showers, flush toilets, pressurized water, a dump station, a concrete boat launch, and electrical hookups.

“Nice campground on the Allegany River. This is a good river to canoe, kayak or tube on.” – Amanda K.

Campground Details:

• Price: $18-36
• Number of sites: 57
• RV sites: Yes
• Fires allowed: Yes
• Pets allowed: Yes

The Allegheny National Forest is one of the most beautiful areas in Pennsylvania. There are plenty of camping areas within the national forest to suit different kinds of campers ⁠— from small and isolated campgrounds to bigger sites with full hookups and all the amenities you could want. For more information, browse The Dyrt’s full list of Allegheny National Forest camping spots.

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