Allegheny National Recreation Area in Pennsylvania, USA - map and visitor information

Highlights of Allegheny National Recreation Area

• Tracy Ridge: Choose a day hike or backpacking route through wooded slopes above the reservoir.
• Reservoir shore camps: Handsome Lake and Hopewell are reached on foot or by boat.
• Three distinct areas: Tracy Ridge, Cornplanter, and Allegheny Front occupy different parts of the landscape.

Prepare for a forest and reservoir trip

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Confirm seasonal services with the campground or Forest Service before traveling, especially outside the main camping season.

Stream crossings and steep slopes

The North Country Trail crosses Johnnycake Run and Tracy Run without bridges. Water levels can make these crossings dangerous after storms, during spring runoff, and in winter. Do not treat a marked trail as a guarantee of a safe crossing. Review the trail partner's current alerts and choose a route that your group can reverse if needed.

Expect muddy sections, steep slopes, and rock ledges. Carry a map and plan your return before starting a descent toward the reservoir.

Protect the forest and shoreline

Mountain bikes and saddle, pack, or draft animals are prohibited in the Tracy Ridge Recreation Area. At Tracy Ridge Campground, keep pets leashed and attended. Use provided fire rings and do not cut live vegetation. Obtain firewood locally, dispose of trash properly, and keep waste food out of the fire ring.

Booking a campsite

Use Tracy Ridge's booking page for reservable sites and current notices. Some sites operate on a first-come basis. Use designated campgrounds for reservoir stays. A Forest Service order restricts camping on the shore and within 1,500 feet inland from the tree line, as well as along the reservoir scenic-drive corridor. Confirm the permitted site before backpacking; an empty bank is not an overnight campsite.

Choose the right area and access road

The recreation area is part of Allegheny National Forest. Tracy Ridge lies east of the reservoir, Cornplanter lies to the west, and Allegheny Front lies farther south along the river. They are separate areas rather than one continuous visitor complex.

Reach Tracy Ridge Campground from Pennsylvania Route 321, north of Route 59 or south of Route 346. The state's Tracy Ridge trail listing provides trail information and a map link. Select your trailhead before starting navigation. Check the Forest Service road and area notices before fixing the approach.

Nearby state parks

Allegany State Park is across the New York border, with a southern entrance from the Bradford side. Kinzua Bridge State Park is another regional road trip, reached north of U.S. Route 6 near Mount Jewett. These are separate destinations with their own entrances.

Hiking and reservoir outings

Use the Tracy Ridge loop network for a walk that matches your group's time and fitness. A reservoir view can involve a steep descent and a climb back, so choose the route before following a shoreline connection.

For an overnight trip, distinguish the drive-in Tracy Ridge campground from Handsome Lake and Hopewell, which require hiking or boat access. Check the requirements for the exact launch and campsite you intend to use.

Campground services and their limits

Tracy Ridge campsites have picnic tables, fire rings, and tent pads, with vault toilets in the campground. Its dump station is closed. Bring drinking water and confirm the hand-pump supply before depending on it. Ask the Forest Service about route surfaces and specific accessibility needs before selecting a site.

About the recreation area

Protection and a changed river landscape

The Pennsylvania Wilderness Act of 1984 established the recreation area. The surrounding landscape also reflects timber harvesting and the construction of Kinzua Dam. Creation of the reservoir flooded land occupied by the Seneca community at the Cornplanter Grant; its history is part of understanding this recreation setting.

Woodland and stream habitat

Oak, beech, black cherry, hickory, and streamside hemlock occur in the Tracy Ridge landscape. Wildlife observation is part of a forest walk, but sightings are not assured. Stay on your planned route and observe animals without approaching them.

Contact the Forest Service

For Tracy Ridge facility information, the official booking page lists 814-362-4613. Describe your exact campground or trail area when asking about access; an answer for one area may not apply to the whole recreation area.