U.S. Forest Service · Allegheny National Forest · Pennsylvania

Buckaloons

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.

Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.

More like this: electric hookups in Pennsylvania · first-come in Pennsylvania · reservable in Pennsylvania · big rigs in Pennsylvania · pets allowed in Pennsylvania · group sites in Pennsylvania

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
BuckaloonsAllegheny RiverSunrise over day-use areaBuckaloons Recreation Area: Boat Launch
Photos courtesy of USFS, anonymous, James Anthony Curtis, USDA Forest Service · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard with electric62
Standard, no hookups26
group shelter electric1
Group sites1
Host/management11
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served. For the first-come sites, arrive early on a weekday and take what is open. The booking page shows which of the reservable sites are open. The first-come playbook

Site guide

Will my RV fit

The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

87 sites in 5 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteLoopTypeEntryFits, ftSurfaceShadePowerPeople / vehiclesFiresAccessibleRating
41BUCKElectricBack-in45GravelPartial30 amp8 / 2YesBasic
42BUCKElectricBack-in45GravelPartial30 amp8 / 2YesBasic
43BUCKStandardBack-in45GravelPartialNo8 / 2YesBasic
44BUCKStandardBack-in45GravelPartialNo8 / 2YesBasic
46BUCKStandardBack-in30GravelPartialNo8 / 2YesBasic
47BUCKStandardBack-in30GravelPartialNo8 / 2YesBasic
48BUCKStandardBack-in30GravelPartialNo8 / 2YesBasic
49BUCKStandardBack-in30GravelPartialNo8 / 2YesBasic
50BUCKStandardBack-in30GravelPartialNo8 / 2YesBasic
51BUCKStandardBack-in30GravelPartialNo16 / 4YesBasic

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Amenities & rules

HookupsElectric
Max vehicle length45 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
FeesCancellations must be made through Recreation.gov
AccessibilitySites 34, PAVIL1 are listed accessible

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.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Season & status

StatusOpen
Season5/1 to 10/28
ForestAllegheny National Forest
BookingCampground is open May 1 to October 26, first-come, first-served. Reservations are accepted at Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.
FeesCampground: Single site daily camping fee - $20.00 to $25.00/site. Double site daily camping fee - $40.00 to $50.00/site. Group site daily camping fee: $80.00. Boat Launch: Daily launching fee - $5.00/per vehicle - $1.00/per person.
RulesAs a visitor to the National Forest, you are asked to follow certain rules designed to protect the Forest, natural resources and to provide for public safety of visitors. These rules are available to you on-line or at any office of the Allegheny National Forest. Please take time to read and understand them. General Topic orders apply across the Forest.

Allegheny National Forest recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Buckaloons20°30°40°50°60°70°January: 3.64 inches of precipitation, 18.2 inches of snowFebruary: 2.77 inches of precipitation, 14.9 inches of snowMarch: 3.26 inches of precipitation, 10.0 inches of snowApril: 4.13 inches of precipitation, 2.4 inches of snowMay: 4.29 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJune: 4.66 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJuly: 4.76 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowAugust: 4.07 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowSeptember: 3.95 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowOctober: 4.02 inches of precipitation, 0.1 inches of snowNovember: 3.62 inches of precipitation, 7.5 inches of snowDecember: 3.81 inches of precipitation, 18.5 inches of snowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 25.2°F averageFebruary: 26.5°F averageMarch: 34.2°F averageApril: 46.4°F averageMay: 57.5°F averageJune: 66.0°F averageJuly: 70.0°F averageAugust: 69.0°F averageSeptember: 62.7°F averageOctober: 50.9°F averageNovember: 39.9°F averageDecember: 30.7°F average0 in5 in10 in15 in20 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Warren, 6 miles from the campground at 1,210 feet, station USC00369298 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 47 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 72 inches a year on the same inches scale. The shaded span is the published season, May 1 to October 28.

Getting there

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.

Coordinates41.8397° N, 79.2564° W · Directions ↗

Supplies & services

Dump stationDump station ↗under 0.1 mi
Outdoor gearSchutt's Saw & Mower Service Inc ↗16.8 mi
RV sales & serviceBoyer RV Center ↗43.9 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

Buckaloons Campground Tour

  • 0.1 mi
    Seneca Interp
    1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 3.5 mi
    Rocky Gap ATV Main Loop ↗
    10.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
  • 3.6 mi
    Rocky Gap ATV Loop A ↗
    8.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
  • 3.7 mi
    Asl #27 Rocky Gap
    0.7 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
  • 3.9 mi
    Rocky Gap ATV Bypass
    1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
  • 4.5 mi
    Asl #3 Elkhorn Run
    1.1 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski

Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.

Public land it sits in

On Wilderness Atlas →

This campground sits inside Allegheny National Forest.

Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Natural features

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.

Recreation

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.

Guidebooks for Pennsylvania

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Buckaloons?

For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at Buckaloons?

Cancellations must be made through Recreation.gov

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Buckaloons?

Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is Buckaloons open right now?

Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season 5/1 to 10/28.

Source: Forest Service status

How many sites does Buckaloons have?

101 sites, including 62 standard sites with power, 26 standard sites without power, 1 group shelter electric, and 1 group site.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Buckaloons?

The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.

Source: Will my RV fit

Does Buckaloons have hookups?

Yes, electric hookups at some sites.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are there showers or a dump station at Buckaloons?

Amenities include both flush and vault toilets, a pressurized water system, hot showers, a dump station and electric hookups.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are pets allowed at Buckaloons?

Yes, pets are allowed at Buckaloons. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Buckaloons?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As a visitor to the National Forest, you are asked to follow certain rules designed to protect the Forest, natural resources and to provide for public safety of visitors.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are there accessible sites at Buckaloons?

Sites 34 and PAVIL1 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is there cell service at Buckaloons?

FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.

Source: FCC Broadband Map