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Buckaloons Campground sits at the confluence of the Allegheny River, Brokenstraw Creek and Irvine Run in northwestern Pennsylvania. This 61-site campground offers access to the Allegheny Wild & Scenic River and opportunities for boating, fishing, wildlife watching, and relaxing in a quiet, country atmosphere.
Water activities are a big draw to Buckaloons Recreation Area, including canoing, kayaying, rafting, and boating. The boat ramp provides easy access to the river. Buckaloons is the beginning of the second designated National Wild and Scenic RIver segment of the Allegheny River. The first segment is from Kinzua Dam to the Route 6 Glade Bridge on the east side of Warren, PA. The second segment runs from Buckaloons campground to Alcorn Island just upstream of Oil City, PA, a distance of nearly 50 miles. In this segment are the 6 islands of the Allegheny Islands Wilderness as well as many other publicly and privately owned islands. Several public boat launches are located within this segment to help you decide on the length of trip that's right for you. The Allegheny is a "family-friendly" river, with little to no whitewater - perfect for beginners or a lazy day of floating. Hunting, fishing, and trapping are permitted in the areas around the campground, subject to rules of the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission. Fishing includes walleye, trout, and bass. There is also hiking along the Seneca Interpretive Trail within the campground or at nearby Anders Run Natural Area.
Buckaloons Recreation Area offers family campsites, double sites and a group tent site. Amenities include both flush and vault toilets, a pressurized water system, hot showers, a dump station and electric hookups.
There is a one-lane concrete boat launch, a picnic area with tables and charcoal grills, pavilion, basketball court and playground. Hardened paths lead to fishing opportunities on the Allegheny River, Brokenstraw Creek and Irvine Run.
Once the site of an Indian trading post, the Buckaloons Recreation Center has numerous apple trees through the area, as well as mixed hardwoods. Water-loving species such as sycamore, willow, alder, silver maple, and butternut are frequent components of the riverine forest. Blue and green herons, bald eagles, egrets, and a variety of smaller birds can be seen along the Allegheny RIver. The Allegheny is classified as a warm-water fishery, but some cold-water species thrive as well. Freshwater mussels are abundant in species and number and indicate the high water quality of this river. Deer, bear, turkey, and squirrels are common, along with a variety of smaller mammals such as raccoon, opossum, and muskrat.
Take PA-6 to PA-62 South. Take the first right onto National Forge Road, then the first left into the campground. If coming up PA-62 from the south, cross the Allegheny River north of Tidioute and take the first left onto National Forge Road, then the first left into the campground.
Typical National Forest Campground and recreation area. The larger campground loop has electric. The sites are large and most screened with trees and shrubs. The pads for RVs are a combination of a thin layer of gravel or grass/dirt. The main shower house is modern and clean. The boat lunch and parking lots is good for it's intended purpose. Traffic noise in the non electric loop is very noticeable. Camp host was extremely nice and went out of his way to help people when we were there in Sept. 2018. Only a single dump station. Not an issue in September but may back up on a summer Sunday. Dump station is $10 to use without campsite. Overall I would recommend if you are traveling from the West and don't want to take more of you weekend traveling further east to one of the other Allegheny NF campgrounds.
Bring a kayak or canoe, the water is perfect for that there, also get some firewood before arriving, they seem to run out of it quickly. No store on the grounds, so get your essentials prior to arriving as well. Besides that very nice area, most of the sites are shaded. Picture shown is the boat launch.
This campground is nicely situated near the Allegheny National Forest. I love to bring my kids to this campground when it is not busy. You can bicycle ride, some canoeing on the river and there is a nice walking trail around the campground. The camp sites are somewhat private.
I have been going here for 20 years and it seems to change with each host. In the past large amounts of alcohol consumption, noise and other unwelcome things would ruin a camping trip. Latest host, covid and other changes have made it nicer. Still have these old issues, recently campers running generators which must be permitted since the host allowed it (should not be permitted as it's rude and Buckaloons offers electric).
My kids love coming back here and it's become a tradition as they get older. Despite attempts at camping elsewhere, this is still the favorite. Convenient access, tons of activities, clean showers and nestled in a fantastic area make this campground great.
Awesome camp ground, clean area and bathroom. No water in the camp space. Water only in 5 or so areas along the road.
