Kiasutha Recreation Area
Kane
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, and Swim
The Allegheny National Forest's Bradford Ranger District runs Kiasutha Recreation Area, a swim beach, picnic ground, boat launch and campground in one. It sits on the Kinzua Creek arm of the Allegheny Reservoir in Warren County, Pennsylvania, about 9 miles northwest of Kane by road. The Kinzua arm is the long, narrow branch of the reservoir that formed when Kinzua Dam backed water up Kinzua Creek, so the water here is more sheltered than the open main lake, with wooded hills rising straight off the shoreline.
From Kane, take PA Route 321 north about 10 miles, turn onto Longhouse Scenic Drive (Forest Road 262) and go roughly a mile to Kiasutha Campground Road. From Warren, follow Route 59 east about 13 miles, cross the Cornplanter Bridge, and take Longhouse Scenic Drive south for about 10 miles. The swim beach and picnic grounds are at the east end of the area, past the campground entrance, with paved parking lots above the beach, a bathhouse and restrooms close by.
The swim area is a big mowed lawn that slopes down to the reservoir rather than a wide strip of sand, and the Forest Service rates the beach and picnic grounds for about 900 people. You wade into the flat water of the Kinzua arm, which is reservoir water with no real current, though motorboats use the arm and the boat launch is nearby. The Forest Service lists no lifeguard service, so plan on swimming at your own risk and keep children within reach. The reservoir is cold in late May and June and warms through July and August; the Forest Service points visitors to USGS gauges on the reservoir for current depth and temperature. Pets are not allowed on the beach or in the water.
The swim and picnic area is open from late May through about Labor Day, and the boat launch from May through October. Entry is not free: the Forest Service charges a day-use fee of $5 per vehicle per day, or $65 for a season pass, paid on site by cash or check. Camping runs April 1 to September 4 with 96 family sites at $20 to $39 a night, some reservable on Recreation.gov and some first come, first served.
Water levels on the Allegheny Reservoir are controlled by the Army Corps of Engineers at Kinzua Dam and drop after the summer season, so the shoreline can look very different outside the open dates. Expect boat wakes near the launch on busy weekends. Black bears live in this part of the forest, so food and trash need to stay locked in a vehicle. Under a standing Forest Order, camping is banned on the reservoir shore and within 1,500 feet of the tree line, so overnight stays belong in the campground here.
Beyond the beach there is a two-lane concrete boat launch with a 130-foot courtesy dock, a paved path to an accessible fishing pier, an amphitheater and picnic tables with grills. Anglers fish the arm for smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike and muskellunge. The North Country National Scenic Trail and the Morrison Hiking Trail are nearby, and the 29-mile Longhouse National Scenic Byway loop passes the entrance on its way to the Jakes Rocks and Rimrock overlooks.
More Information
Allegheny National Forest | Alerts | Forest Service
Forest OrdersAs a visitor to the National Forest, you are asked to follow certain rules designed to protect the Forest, natural resou...
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/allegheny/alertsAllegheny National Forest | Allegheny Reservoir | Forest Service
Lush green forest surrounds the 7,647-acre reservoir that spans the border between Pennsylvania and New York. In Pennsylvania, the reservoir is completely surrounded by the Allegheny National Forest, and in New York State by Allegany State Park and the Allegany Indian Reservation of the Seneca Nation.At normal summer pool level, the reservoir is 27 miles long, 14 miles in Pennsylvania and 13 miles in New York, with 91 miles of shoreline, and a maximum depth of 130 feet.Despite how busy the reservoir can get in the summer, there are still places where you can experience the solitude and quiet of the forest. Amenities range from large campgrounds with electric hook-ups, showers, and flush toilets to boat-in campgrounds with simple outhouses.The reservoir draws people from all over for the quantity and quality of the water activities it has available.The walleye, trout, bass, pike and muskellunge are there and waiting for a fight. Several record-breaking fish have been caught in the reservoir. In the winter you can head out onto the ice for a little ice fishing. If you want to look, but not fish, stop by the dam and peek over the edge. The fish like to gather in the eddies at the edges of the reservoir near the dam. Please do not feed the fish.The Kinzua Point Information Center boasts an impressive view of the reservoir. Two popular trails nearby include the Jakes Rock Extreme Mountain Biking Trails, and the shorter Rimrock Hiking Trail. After your ride or hike you can head over to the Kinzua Beach and cool off in the chill waters of the reservoir.And no trip to the reservoir is complete without driving on Longhouse National Scenic Byway and up to the overlooks at Jakes Rocks and Rimrock to take in the endless view of the reservoir against the backdrop of the forest. History of the ReservoirThe reservoir was created in the 1960s when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed the Kinzua Dam on the upper Allegheny River. The reservoir water level and water surface are managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.Only a few private landowners exist on the New York shoreline. The Allegheny Reservoir is unique because very little private commercial development exists along its shoreline. The majority of the existing developed recreation sites on the PA portion of the Reservoir are operated and maintained by the Allegheny National Forest. Information CenterManaged by the Bradford Ranger DistrictContact the District Office
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/allegheny/recreation/groups/allegheny-reservoirAllegheny National Forest | Camping and Cabins | Forest Service
An official website of the United States government
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/allegheny/recreation/camping-cabinsAllegheny National Forest | Kiasutha Recreation Area | Forest Service
The campground sits on a large creek off the Allegheny Reservoir, offering countless water activities. This area provides a large, grassy lawn with beach access, great for picnicking and swimming. A two-lane, concrete boat launch with a 130-foot courtesy dock is available for reservoir access to fishing, boating, water-skiing and more. Popular hiking trails nearby include the North Country National Scenic Trail and Morrison Hiking Trail. Kiasutha Recreation Area Georeferenced Map
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/allegheny/recreation/kiasutha-recreation-areaAllegheny National Forest | Longhouse National Scenic Byway | Forest Service
Longhouse Scenic Byway is a 36-mile loop byway that runs through the Allegheny National Forest. Visitors will often feel as if they are driving through a tunnel as they drive through the northern hardwoods of the Allegheny, surrounded by oak and black cherry.The byway circles the Kinzua Creek arm of the Allegheny Reservoir and there are several campgrounds and picnic areas along the byway, including Jakes Rocks Overlook.The byway begins at the intersection of Route 321 and Longhouse Drive. As you begin your drive you will pass Red Bridge Recreation Area, a campground and bank fishing area.As you continue your drive you will continue your drive through hardwoods and hemlock until you near the top of the plateau and come upon the Old Powerhouse.The route then passes by the Bradford Ranger Station before you continue on Route 59 toward the Allegheny Reservoir.On this stretch you will come across Morrison Run Trail and access to the Rimrock Overlook and Trail. After the entrance for Rimrock you will reach the reservoir, with Kinzua Beach to the left and Wolf Run Marina to the right.After driving over Cornplanter Bridge you'll need to turn left onto Longhouse Drive. Visitors who veer right will take a loop up to Jakes Rocks Overlook, while those who continue straight on will travel pass Dewdrop Recreation Area, Elijah Run Boat launch and Kiasutha Recreation Area before they reach Route 321 again.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/allegheny/recreation/longhouse-national-scenic-bywayAllegheny National Forest | Passes | Forest Service
Many recreation activities in the Allegheny National Forest are available at no cost to the recreational user. However, developed recreation areas require a day use fee, used towards site maintenance and operation. Whether you're a frequent forest visitor or you're traveling to spend a week long vacation in a forest, we offer a variety of recreational passes to meet your needs.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/allegheny/passesKiasutha, Allegheny National Forest - Recreation.gov
Explore Kiasutha in Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania with Recreation.gov. Kiasutha Campground sits on the Kinzua Arm of the Allegheny Reservoir in northwest Pennsylvania, offering countless water activities.
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232065Kiasutha, Allegheny National Forest - Recreation.gov
Explore Kiasutha in Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania with Recreation.gov. Kiasutha Campground sits on the Kinzua Arm of the Allegheny Reservoir in northwest Pennsylvania, offering countless water activities. Visitors enjoy the large
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/poi/232065Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
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- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Kane
- Head southRestricted usage road(121 ft)
- Turn right toward McDonald RdRestricted usage road(230 ft)
- Turn right onto McDonald Rd (0.2 mi)
- Turn right onto Corron Rd (1.7 mi)
- Turn right onto Bowes Rd (0.5 mi)
- Turn left onto Nesler Rd (2.6 mi)
- Turn right onto US-20 E (12.5 mi)
- Take the Elgin O'Hare Expy E rampToll road(0.6 mi)
- Continue onto IL 390Toll road(5.0 mi)
- Take the exit toward I-290 EToll road(0.8 mi)
- Slight right to merge onto I-290 E toward Chicago/
I-355 S (1.2 mi) - Slight right to stay on I-290 E (signs for Chicago) (9.1 mi)
- Take the exit toward I-294 S (0.4 mi)
- Continue onto I-294 SToll road(0.3 mi)
- Take the exit on the left toward I-294 N (0.4 mi)
- Continue onto I-294 NToll road(31.8 mi)
- Continue onto I-80 EEntering Indiana(17.4 mi)
- Take exit 16 to merge onto I-80 E/
I-90 E Toll roadEntering Ohio(278 mi) - Continue straight onto I-80 EToll road(76.2 mi)
- Take exit 218 to stay on I-80 E toward Youngstown (5.6 mi)
- Keep left to stay on I-80 E, follow signs for OH-11 N/
New York City Entering Pennsylvania(73.5 mi) - Take exit 60 for PA-66 N toward Shippenville (0.5 mi)
- Continue onto PA-66 N (50.6 mi)
- Turn right onto Hemlock Ave (0.6 mi)
- Turn left onto PA-321 N/
Brickyard Rd (0.2 mi) - Turn left onto Biddle St (259 ft)
- Turn right onto Hacker St (0.6 mi)
- Merge onto PA-321 N/
Kinzua Ave Continue to follow PA-321 N(8.1 mi) - Turn left onto Longhouse Scenic Dr (1.7 mi)
- Turn right toward Kiasutha Campgrounds Rd (85 ft)
- Turn right onto Kiasutha Campgrounds Rd (0.3 mi)
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