Camping in Allegheny Reservoir with wildlife watching

Spanning more than 12,000 acres across New York and Pennsylvania, the reservoir, along with the surrounding Allegany State Park, Allegany Reservation, and the Allegheny National Forest, form one of the largest outdoor recreation complexes in the northeast. It’s a prime destination for water recreation, including swimming, paddling, boating, fishing, and flat water windsurfing, while hundreds of miles of hiking, biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling trails surround the area. Numerous camping options let you camp waterside, in the backcountry, or in the woods, and span primitive tent-only sites, RV sites with hookup, rustic cabins, and cozy cottages.

On the north end of the reservoir, Allegany State Park offers 65,000 acres of rare, old growth forest, two lakes, and rugged terrain with plenty of trails for hiking, biking, and snowmobiling. Two developed areas—Quaker and Red House—offer more than 300 campsites, 350 cabins (142 winterized), and eight cottages. Amenities include swim beaches, playgrounds, playing fields, boat and bike rentals, and boat launches. Just west of the state park, in the Enchanted Mountains of New York, Onoville Marina Park offers nearly 100 seasonal and transient camping sites, some right along the shores of the reservoir.