Best Advice for Visiting Allegany State Park This Summer

Allegany State Park is located in the Southern Tier region of New York State, bordering the northern edge of Pennsylvania. At 65,000 acres, Allegany State Park is a land of pine trees and undisturbed forests. Allegany State Park is one of New York's natural wonders. Allegany State Park is located near the town of Salamanca. The Allegany State Park entrances can be reached from Route 17. Exits 19 and 20 will take you to the Red House entrance gates, and Exit 18 leads to the Quaker area.

Generations of families have passed down the love of camping at Allegany State Park to their children. Allegany State Park is a popular destination during the summer months when families pack up their cars and SUVs to return to their favorite Allegany State Park campsites and cabins, often booking as early as 9 months in advance.

Allegany State Park Basics

There are two distinct sections at Allegany State Park: Red House and Quaker. Both areas offer similar camping accomodations, but each area offers a distinct environment for camping. The Red House area offers more space between cabins, and some areas that are a little more spread out or set back in the woods, or up a mountain. The Quaker area has more cabin groupings on the camping trails, and many families prefer one or the other.

Planning a summer vacation to Allegany State Park will be easy once a few basic questions are explored and answered. The top questions to ask before planning a summer vacation to Allegany State Park include:

1. Do you prefer tent camping or a cabin?
2. Do you want a more isolated camp site or one that is part of a group of cabins on the trail?
3. Electric or Non-electric Cabin?

The Quaker area of Allegany State Park offers a variety of camping accomodations. My preference is for one of the many rustic wood cabins with cots and a stove, but there is also the Cain Hollow area for pirching a tent. The maximum occupancy in each cabin is 6 persons and the rentals are weekly only from the last week of June through Labor Day. Non-electric cabins cost $130/week plus a $13 reservation fee. Electric cabins include a full-sized refrigerator, stove,lights and some outlets for electric appliances. The basic 1-room cabin is $230/week, and there are some larger 2 and 3 room cabins available for slightly more. All cabins have a rustic front porch, picnic table and a firepit area lined with a circle of stones. Fancher Cottages are the deluxe accomodations in Allegany State Park, costing $595/week for indoor plumbing and modern living. A group camp area is also available for large group rentals. The Red House area features similar accomodations.

What to Do at Allegany State Park

There are many things to do at Allegany State Park during the summer. Allegany State Park has a variety of recreation and leisure activities for the seasoned adventurer, casual camper and the nature lover. Families at Allegany can enjoy nightly campfires, spotting for animals on the 20 minute drive down ASP Route 1 to the Red House area, and the many educational programs offered by Allegany State Park naturalists.

Naturalists lead regularly scheduled programs for kids and adults at various locations throughout the park. Some of the popular programs include "Snakes, Frogs & Other Critters," "Fossil Hunting, and "Hike to the Bear Caves." Visitors on these adventures might learn how to identify brachiopod markings on rocks and how to find tadpoles in small forest pools of water.

Quaker Lake and Red House Lake provide sandy beaches and swim areas with lifeguards. Docks sit out in the lakes for advanced swimmers who want to take a jump or dive into the cool lake during the summer months. Fishing is popular at Quaker Lake, Science Lake, and in the many Allegany streams. A local fish hatchery stocks the waters with thousands of fish in the Spring.

Creek walking is ideal at Allegany State Park, with its endless streams creekwalk. Picnic areas are located at both Red House and Quaker areas with large playgrounds and charcoal outdoor grills. The Quaker Museum offers interesting informational displays and artifacts based on the history of Allegany State Park. Small general stores are located at both sides of the park that sell basic camping items and a limited amount of food supplies. Salamanca is within a 15 minute drive for larger grocery stores.

Allegany State Park has fantastic hiking trails for both the beginner and the more advanced hiker. Thunder Rocks is a natural wonder located within the park, boasting giant rock formations that date back thousands of years. The majority of the rocks at Thunder Rocks can be climbed on, though some caution should be used with younger children.

Evening concerts are often held in the ampitheater areas. The "Hootenanny", a popular sing-along that involves audience participation has been active at Allegany State Park for over 25 years. Friday night movies are projected on an outdoor screen at the Quaker Ampitheater.

Additional seasonal and special events are planned at Allegany State Park throughout the year, but the summer season offers the most for vacationers. Weekly activity and program schedules are available at the main check in areas at Red House and Quaker.

Local Attractions

The nearby Seneca Casino in Salamanca is located just down Route 17, right of the highway in Salamanca. The Amish town of Randolph is a short ride down Route 17 West at Exit 16. The Chautaqua Institute is within an hour's drive, and Pennsylvania borders Allegany State Park. Salamanca is the closest town to Allegany State Park, and there are many restaurant options in town for visitors who want a break from burgers and hot dogs over the campfire. are great for a quick day trip.

Things to Keep in Mind While Visiting Allegany State Park

Black Bears are common at Allegany State Park. Last year, dumpsters were removed from the camping trails and a dumping station was created that is manned by park staff and surrounded by electrical wire. Bears are still known to frequent camping trails on occasion, however, and park rules prohibit behaviors that encourage bears to visit camp trails.

Allegany is a favorite vacation destination for repeat guests, and making reservations as early as possible will help to beat the crowds for the best cabins and camping trails. Quick reservations can be made online at www.reserveamerica.com or by phoning 1-800-456-2267. Reservations are necessary for the summer months for the prime camping spots, though walk-in reservations are sometimes available for a last minute camping trip.