ANF Region: A Cool Place for Summer Fun

As the summer continues to sizzle, there’s one place you can go to cool off. That place is the Allegheny National Forest region, located in northwestern Pennsylvania, just 1.5 hours south of Buffalo, N.Y.

The Allegheny National Forest region not only has unbelievable scenery, it also has many opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast to recreate.

The Allegheny Reservoir offers the visitor a chance to cool down. There are six boat launches along the Allegheny Reservoir. Each of these areas is a launching pad for fun. The gentle currents of the reservoir and the cool breezes will whisk away the summer heat. The canopy of the forest trees offer shade from the blistering sun.

But the Allegheny National Forest region not only provides the scenery, but also the means to enjoy it.

For swimming, Kinzua Beach is just the right place to set down your beach blanket and soak in the sun. Located just off of Route 59, 17 miles east of Bradford, there is no admittance cost and the parking is convenient for cars, trailers and campers. Family picnic areas are also available, along with a bathhouse and restrooms.

The Kinzua-Wolf Run Marina, located nearby, provides a boat launch as well as rentals for kayaks, canoes, pontoon and fishing boats. An on-site restaurant, The Docksiders Café, offers a view of the reservoir as well as a great meal. Live entertainment is featured on weekends, and it is “the” place to be to watch stunning sunset vistas over the reservoir.

Allegheny Recreational Rentals, located at 217 West Washington Street, Bradford, is the one-stop shop for adventure in the forest. They have ATVs, motorized scooters, and bicycles for those who want to stay on land, plus canoes and kayaks for those who want to hit the watery trails.

If you’d like to sleep under the stars, but have no camping equipment, they have you covered on that level, too. There are campers, camping supplies and recreational games available for rent. There’s also fishing equipment and GPS units for rent for those who like to fish or do a little exploring or geocaching. Call 814-464-7044 for more information on renting from the Allegheny Recreational Rentals, or visit www.rentrecreation.com.

Located at 4001 West Washington Street, Bradford, Allegheny Site Management offers boat rentals, boat packages and shuttles, interpretive programs, geocaching and guide services. Willow Bay, conveniently located just south of New York I-86 via exit 18, features a beautiful area for boating, kayaking, canoeing and has a large easy access dock and a convenient large parking area.

Allegheny Site Management, which is the concessionaire for all the camping on the Allegheny National Forest, also offers a place to rest your head. To make reservations on one of the many campgrounds of the Allegheny National Forest, call 1-877-444-6777 or reserve on-line at www.recreation.gov. For more information on renting items from Allegheny Site Management, log onto alleghenysite.com or call 814-368-4158.

Shaded picnic areas within the forest allow you to dine “al fresco.” Picnic areas near the reservoir are Rimrock Overlook, Willow Bay, Kiasutha, Kinzua Beach and Jake’s Rocks Overlook.

For those that want to hike along the water to enjoy the cool breezes, Marilla Bridges Trail is a one-mile loop circling the Marilla Reservoir. Kayaking, canoeing and fishing can be enjoyed at this shaded forest site along PA Route 346, five miles west of Bradford.

Across the border into New York State, Allegany State Park also offers beaches and lakes. The park has two main areas, Red House and Quaker. Both offer boating and swimming opportunities to make the hot temperatures seem not so sizzling.

For more information on Allegany State Park, call 800-456-2267 or go to nysparks.com.

More information on these recreation spots are available at www.visitANF.com, and in the free Travel Guide and Map, which can be requested by calling the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau at 800-473-9370 or e-mailing info@visitANF.com.


Pictured, enjoying an afternoon kayaking on the Marilla Reservoir, located on Route 346, five miles west of Bradford, Pa. The Marilla Reservoir is just one of the places in the Allegheny National Forest region to cool off during these hot summer days. Boating is one of the many recreational opportunities on the Allegheny Reservoir. Shown here are boats docked at the Kinzua-Wolf Run Marina on Route 59, 17 miles east of Bradford, Pa.
Photos and story by Sandra Rhodes
Visitor & Member Services
Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau