EXPLORE · FREE CAMPING

Free Camping in Pennsylvania

26 No-Fee Sites 8 with Restroom 3 with Water

Pennsylvania's Allegheny National Forest in the northwest corner of the state permits dispersed camping throughout its 513,000 acres. The Kinzua area and the Tionesta Scenic Area have accessible dispersed sites on forest roads. The Hickory Creek Wilderness allows backcountry dispersed camping. Pennsylvania's state forests also allow dispersed camping — the Pennsylvania Wilds region has extensive options.

No reservations needed for dispersed camping. Check fire restrictions at fs.usda.gov before your trip — restrictions change frequently in summer. Stay limit is typically 14 days at any one location. Find free camping on the Trek4Free map →

Before You Go

Gear up for dispersed camping — no hookups, no camp store, no running water

Free Camping Sites in Pennsylvania

TWIN LAKES CAMPGROUND
Restroom Water 490 sites

Twin Lakes was once the site of factory buildings, stores and row houses owned by the McKean Chemical Company which made wood alcohol. A company splash dam, use…

📍 41.6142, 78.7556°W
DEWDROP
Restroom Water

Overview Dewdrop Campground sits on the Kinzua Arm of the Allegheny Reservoir in northwest Pennsylvania, offering a popular getaway for boaters and families. Re…

📍 41.8319, 78.9594°W
KIASUTHA
Restroom Water

Overview Kiasutha Campground sits on the Kinzua Arm of the Allegheny Reservoir in northwest Pennsylvania, offering countless water activities. Recreation Visito…

📍 41.7850, 78.9025°W
Handsome Lake Boat Access Campground
Restroom

Overview Handsome Lake is a first-come, first-served campground only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site.…

📍 41.9225, 78.9308°W
Hooks Brook Boat Access Campground
Restroom

Overview Hook's Brook campground is a available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purcha…

📍 41.9622, 78.9431°W
Hopewell Boat Access Campground
Restroom

Overview Hopewell Boat Access campground is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to …

📍 41.9125, 78.9328°W
Pine Grove Boat Access Campground
Restroom

Overview Pine Grove campground is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase a…

📍 41.8742, 78.9467°W
WILLOW BAY
Restroom

Overview Willow Bay is located within the Allegheny National Recreation Area, about 16 miles from Bradford, in northwestern Pennsylvania. It is primarily an acc…

📍 41.9878, 78.9106°W
NCT-BIG BOULDER SHELTER
5 sites

NCT-BIG BOULDER SHELTER (Campground)

📍 41.5334, 79.2168°W
NCT-CHAPPEL FORK SHELTER
5 sites

NCT-CHAPPEL FORK SHELTER (Campground)

📍 41.8000, 78.8668°W
NCT-GIBBS SPRING SHELTER
5 sites

NCT-GIBBS SPRING SHELTER (Campground)

📍 41.7167, 78.8825°W
NCT-HAMMOND RUN SHELTER
5 sites

NCT- HAMMOND RUN SHELTER (Campground)

📍 41.8668, 78.8502°W
NCT-HUNTER STATION SHELTER
5 sites

NCT-HUNTER STATION SHELTER (Campground)

📍 41.6336, 79.1000°W
NCT-QUEEN CREEK SHELTER
5 sites

NCT-QUEEN CREEK SHELTER (Campground)

📍 41.6501, 79.2334°W
NCT-TRACY RUN NORTH SHELTER
5 sites

NCT-TRACY RUN NORTH SHELTER (Campground)

📍 41.9620, 78.9182°W
BUCKALOONS

Overview Buckaloons Campground sits at the confluence of the Allegheny River, Brokenstraw Creek and Irvine Run in northwestern Pennsylvania. This 61-site campgr…

📍 41.8397, 79.2564°W
HEARTS CONTENT RECREATION AREA

Overview Hearts Content Campground is a semi-primitive family campground bordering the Hickory Creek Wilderness Area and surrounded by native hardwoods and a pa…

📍 41.6956, 79.2578°W
Historic Bushman House (Gettysburg)

Overview The historic Bushman House is an exceptional year-round place to stay and is located within the Gettysburg National Military Park, where it witnessed t…

📍 39.7897, 77.2514°W
KELLY PINES CAMPGROUND

Overview Kelly Pines Campground is an equestrian campground located in the hub of the Spring Creek Horse Trail system. Recreation The recreation area is the hub…

📍 41.4854, 79.0091°W
LOLETA RECREATION

Overview Loleta Recreation Campground sits along the east branch of Millstone Creek in the southwestern corner of the Allegheny National Forest, offering a peac…

📍 41.4017, 79.0833°W
Minister Creek Campground and Trailhead

Overview This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim…

📍 41.6214, 79.1544°W
Morrison Boat Access Campground

Overview This rustic campground is located on the east bank of the Allegheny Reservoir just east of Elijah Run Boat Launch on Morrison Bay a branch off of Kinzu…

📍 41.8219, 78.9278°W
RED BRIDGE (PA)

Overview Red Bridge Campground sits on the eastern shore of the Kinzua Arm of the Allegheny Reservoir in northwest Pennsylvania, offering a peaceful getaway for…

📍 41.7769, 78.8861°W
Slyder Farmhouse

Overview The Slyder Farmhouse is an exceptional year-round place to stay and is located within the Gettysburg National Military Park, where it witnessed the Bat…

📍 39.7888, 77.2468°W
TRACY RIDGE

Overview Tracy Ridge Campground is located within the Allegheny National Recreation Area, approximately 15 miles from Bradford, Pennsylvania. Allegheny Reservoi…

📍 41.9442, 78.8761°W
TWIN LAKES (PA)

Overview Rec.gov campsite availability grid is not reflective of availability. For more information on reservations, please visit http://fotlanf.org/ Twin Lakes…

📍 41.6122, 78.7608°W