August 3, 2012

ForestCamping.com Spotlights Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania

Morning at Twin Lake Campground
ForestCamping.com, the comprehensive website for camping in national forests and grasslands, visited and reported on Pennsylvania's Allegheny National Forest.

Located in northwest Pennsylvania, in rugged plateau country, the Allegheny National Forest (NF) has been carved by creeks and streams, shaped by the Allegheny River, and shaded by lush hardwoods. Pennsylvania’s only national forest offers a wide range of recreational activities. Visitors can enjoy everything from camping to fishing in the Allegheny Reservoir, hiking to scenic drives, star-gazing to bird-watching, canoeing to brilliant autumn colors, and more. In other words, the Allegheny National Forest has something for just about everyone.

THERE ARE A WIDE VARIETY OF HIKING TRAILS. From the 86.8-mile North Country National Scenic Trail to the one-mile Buckaloons Seneca Interpretive Trail, the Forest is crisscrossed by numerous trails. Many of the forest’s hiking trails are convenient to a forest campground so campers can explore the woodland along one of the various trails and be back in time for dinner.

Northern Pike, Walleye and more than fifty other species of fish are found in the Allegheny Reservoir. But with ten campgrounds (five accessible only by boat or foot), four beaches, six boat ramps, nine picnic areas, and three scenic overlooks, the Allegheny Reservoir is popular for more than just fishing. Waterskiing in the wide channels, exploring a quiet inlet in a canoe, or wading in its refreshing water, the reservoir offers a wide variety of water sports.

Old growth forests are a rare and wondrous sight to see, and the Allegheny has two magnificent tracts - Tionesta Scenic Area and Hickory Creek Wilderness. The Tionesta Scenic Area contains a 2,000-acre tract of the original forest that once covered the Allegheny Plateau of New York and Pennsylvania. Grand old beech, hemlock, and Sugar maple, some 300 to 400 years old, whisper tales of long ago to hikers using the trails that wind through this area. The 8,863 acre Hickory Creek Wilderness, adjacent to Hearts Content campground, has a good size tract of virgin beech and hemlock awaiting discovery.

Within easy driving distance of major metropolitan areas in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Ontario, Canada, the Allegheny National Forest is an oasis of nature. Misty mountains, deep valleys, beautiful lakes, rushing rivers, and the peace found in nature are enjoyed by visitors to the Allegheny National Forest.

About ForestCamping.com
ForestCamping.com, the U.S. National Forest Campground Guide website, is a complete and comprehensive guide to developed campgrounds in national forests and grasslands. It provides detailed information to campers looking to experience the great outdoors. In addition to managing a website, Fred and Suzi Dow also self-publish Ebook CDs and downloads of eleven U.S. National Forest Campground Guides, which can be purchased online at their website.