Allegheny National Forest - Loleta Recreation Area Camp Ground Review
Location:
Sigel, PA 15860
Website:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/allegheny/recreation/recarea/?recid=6103&actid=33
Visited:
May 29 2015 - May 30 2015
Loleta Recreational campgrounds is located on the southern part of Allegheny National forest. Our plan was to camp here for 2 nights and 3 days. But thunder storm dampened our plan and we had to cut short our camping for 1 night and 2 days.
Loleta Recreational campground is fairly large and has a good number of campsites. Please make sure you know the difference between National Forest camping and National Park camping. Check here for more information.
The campgrounds in the upper loop are much richer in vegetation and is more densely packed with trees. The campgrounds are lush green in summers and provides utmost privacy between each camp sites. Campsites are a lot bigger in upper loop than the campsites in the lower loop. We camped at site no: 14 It was the biggest (and probably the best) campsite. The lower loop campsites are much smaller and is crowded together. Every campsite has a picnic table and fire ring. Though outside firewood is not allowed we saw some people in campers who had brought their own fire wood. Please avoid this! On the way to the camping grounds there are a number of shops where you can buy firewood. ($10/ bundle) Make sure to buy them as there are no firewood available once you enter the campgrounds. We had gone on a regular weekend which did not require any reservation. You may want to check the availability at the earliest if you are planning to go on a holiday weekend.
The toilets in Loleta Recreational campgrounds are vault toilets with no flush. Take a flash light during night as there is no electricity. There is water sources available too. Between the upper and lower loop is a bath complex and a small dam. The bath complex has flush toilets and has warm water showers free of cost. The bathrooms were quite clean and well maintained.
Fishing is a major activity in the area (Dam). There are a few trails which looked fascinating. But due to thunderstorms we couldn't go hiking. So if you are planning to hike, keep weather in mind.
On a sunny day with clear skies there are definitely a lot to do, especially the trails. The dense forest make you feel adventurous.
The park office is situated on the main road before entering the forest. Look for sign boards to the office. There are lots of maps and information guides available in the visitor's center which are helpful. We learnt it the hard way as we reached the location late evening and could not locate the office as it was quite dark. It was a little difficult to the figure out the way to campsite! Make sure you have a map! (GPS co-ordinates are not enough)
The campgrounds are unlike what you see in a State/ National Park. Not suitable for first time campers. It does not have facilities like that of a State/ National park. It has a more authentic camping experience with less luxury. But if you are game, Loleta campgrounds has a lot to offer.
If you have camped here or planning to camp and have any questions, leave 'em in the comments section.
Happy Camping!
Here are a few glimpses: (Not many pics, as it was raining. Sorry!!)
Sigel, PA 15860
Website:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/allegheny/recreation/recarea/?recid=6103&actid=33
Visited:
May 29 2015 - May 30 2015
Loleta Recreational campgrounds is located on the southern part of Allegheny National forest. Our plan was to camp here for 2 nights and 3 days. But thunder storm dampened our plan and we had to cut short our camping for 1 night and 2 days.
Loleta Recreational campground is fairly large and has a good number of campsites. Please make sure you know the difference between National Forest camping and National Park camping. Check here for more information.
The campgrounds in the upper loop are much richer in vegetation and is more densely packed with trees. The campgrounds are lush green in summers and provides utmost privacy between each camp sites. Campsites are a lot bigger in upper loop than the campsites in the lower loop. We camped at site no: 14 It was the biggest (and probably the best) campsite. The lower loop campsites are much smaller and is crowded together. Every campsite has a picnic table and fire ring. Though outside firewood is not allowed we saw some people in campers who had brought their own fire wood. Please avoid this! On the way to the camping grounds there are a number of shops where you can buy firewood. ($10/ bundle) Make sure to buy them as there are no firewood available once you enter the campgrounds. We had gone on a regular weekend which did not require any reservation. You may want to check the availability at the earliest if you are planning to go on a holiday weekend.
The toilets in Loleta Recreational campgrounds are vault toilets with no flush. Take a flash light during night as there is no electricity. There is water sources available too. Between the upper and lower loop is a bath complex and a small dam. The bath complex has flush toilets and has warm water showers free of cost. The bathrooms were quite clean and well maintained.
Fishing is a major activity in the area (Dam). There are a few trails which looked fascinating. But due to thunderstorms we couldn't go hiking. So if you are planning to hike, keep weather in mind.
On a sunny day with clear skies there are definitely a lot to do, especially the trails. The dense forest make you feel adventurous.
The park office is situated on the main road before entering the forest. Look for sign boards to the office. There are lots of maps and information guides available in the visitor's center which are helpful. We learnt it the hard way as we reached the location late evening and could not locate the office as it was quite dark. It was a little difficult to the figure out the way to campsite! Make sure you have a map! (GPS co-ordinates are not enough)
The campgrounds are unlike what you see in a State/ National Park. Not suitable for first time campers. It does not have facilities like that of a State/ National park. It has a more authentic camping experience with less luxury. But if you are game, Loleta campgrounds has a lot to offer.
If you have camped here or planning to camp and have any questions, leave 'em in the comments section.
Happy Camping!
Here are a few glimpses: (Not many pics, as it was raining. Sorry!!)
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