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Horse use is not permitted in developed campgrounds. The good news is,
camping is allowed in most other places on the Allegheny National Forest.
This is called dispersed camping. You do not need a permit or to pay a fee
to dispersed camp. The following forest roads (FR) or areas have a number
of dispersed campsites that can accommodate larger vehicles and trailers.
Elk County Forest County McKean County Warren County Bear Creek
& FR 135 Kelly Pines FR 133 FR 116 Red Mill & FR 143 FR 145 FR 321 FR 119
FR 195 FR 159 FR 160 FR 237 FR 212, 210, 561 FR 259 FR 339 FR 227-403 FR
449 State Route 666 Please practice campsite etiquette. Following these
suggestions will protect the environment and will ensure that your
campsite will appeal to campers who follow.
- Choose an area that has a graveled parking spur that is large enough
to support all your vehicles and trailer. Pulling off the road into
unprotected soils can get you stuck and damage the environment.
- Clean up your campsite when you leave. Pack home all garbage and
scatter your manure away from campsites and water bodies.
- Protect streams and lakes by hitching horses at least 100 feet from
the water's edge, and by watering your horses with a bucket rather than
taking them to the water.
- Protect trails. Horses can damage areas during wet weather.
- Horse hooves are especially damaging on steep slopes and wet soils.
Instead of riding straight up a slope, follow the contour gently, or
switchback up a slope.
- Avoid riding during very wet periods or in areas that are always wet
to protect soils that are most susceptible to damage, and for a safer
ride. -When riding off roads, follow single-file to keep trails from
widening.
- Protect trees by using a highline to hitch stock. Attach tree saver
straps to two trees and secure a rope between them. Tie the horse to the
rope at a point midway between the trees.
- In areas crowded with other campers, use a highline rather than a
temporary corral so that others have space for their camping equipment.
Camping is NOT permitted in the following areas on the Allegheny
National Forest:
- On the shores and within 1500 feet inland of the timberline around
the Allegheny Reservoir and the Tionesta Reservoir.
- Within Jakes Rocks, Rimrock, and Old State Road Recreation Areas.
- Within 1500 feet either side of the Allegheny Reservoir Scenic Drive
(includes Longhouse Scenic Drive and portions of State Routes 59, 346
and 351)
- Main access roads into Jakes Rocks, Rimrock, and Old State Road.
- Within 1500 feet either side of the main channel of Kinzua Creek
from Red Bridge upstream to Mead Run.
- Within Hearts Content and Tionesta Scenic Areas.
- Within 1500 feet of the Tionesta Reservoir except in designated
sites.
Allegheny National Forest permits open riding...that is, you are
allowed to ride anywhere with a few exceptions. Hiking and cross-country
ski trails are off-limits to horses and pack-stock. They are marked with
yellow paint, and gray, white and blue diamonds. These trails were not
built to withstand horse use and would quickly become unsuitable with a
small amount of horse use.
There are hundreds of miles of primitive roads, pipelines and motorized
trails (orange and yellow diamonds) on the Allegheny National Forest that
are available for horse use, and you are welcome to ride cross-country. Do
not mark your favorite trail. We recommend purchasing a topographic map
for the area you plan to ride, and carry a compass. If trailblazing is not
your style, there are three outfitter-guides that operate on the Allegheny
National Forest that will be happy to show you around for a small fee.
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