Allegany State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Allegany State Park covers nearly 65,000 acres in Western New York. The park started as a couple of hundred acres in 1921 when the State of New York bought the land from the heirs of Amasa Stone. Some senators took on Allegany State Park as their pet project, and Senator Albert T. Fancher was the leader of that group. For that reason, seven of the more than 300 cabins in Allegany State Park bear his name. Before the cabins were built in 1925, visitors to the park were able to rough it in 256-square-foot surplus tents from the U.S. Army. Even today, the park is still growing, little by little.
The Bear Ridge Trail restrooms are undergoing renovation and have been closed since September 2023. They are slated to open sometime during the spring of 2024.
Spring 39-64 F
Summer 71-75 F
Fall 55-73 F
Winter 10-32 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Allegany State Park
The park's camping area is split into two major sections: the Quaker Area and the Red House Area. All told, there are 315 RV campsites with electrical hookups in the park. There are hiking trails, beaches, bridle trails, a manure pit for your horses, restrooms, showers, communal potable water, a ramp for the mounting of horses, a convenience store, a boat launch, fire rings, picnic tables, picnic areas, vault toilets, a restaurant, snowmobile trails, a stable, a laundromat, two dance halls, boat rentals, athletic fields, basketball courts, and a dump station in Allegany State Park. The maximum RV length is 55 feet.
What to Do at
Allegany State Park
You can put on your dancing shoes and attend an event at one of the two dance halls. Or, put on your hiking boots to take a jaunt through the Western New York woods. Saddle up for a ride through the crisp fall air to enjoy the changing foliage.
Hiking
The section of the North Country Trail that passes through Allegany State Park is 20 tough miles long and even crosses the border into Pennsylvania. Most of the other 23 trails in the park are moderately tough or easy hikes. Some of the trails were built for birding and other wildlife viewing. They cross through meadows and forests within Allegany State Park.
Stargazing
The stargazing is Class 3 on the Bortle Scale. That means that you'll get plenty of pure-black sky at the zenith for photography. There will be some slight light pollution on the horizon, but it won't completely hide the Milky Way. With the right filters, you'll even be able to see zodiacal light on moonless nights.
Fishing
The two lakes and one pond are stocked with trout every year as soon as the ice melts. Because the trout die off each year at the beginning of summer, the state also stocks the lakes and ponds in the early fall. Throughout the summer, you can catch both common kinds of bass, sunfish, pumpkinseed, and other panfish. When the ice is safe during the winter, then you can ice fish for northern pike.
Swimming
There are lifeguards at both beaches in Allegany State Park from Memorial Day until National Indigenous Peoples Day every year. Stay within the designated swimming areas, and always swim within your ability. At the beginning of summer, the water temperature is 66 degrees Fahrenheit. At its warmest, which is in August, it rises to 73 degrees. Even in September, it's still 68 degrees. After that, you'll need an insulated suit to swim safely.
Boating
Motorboats aren't allowed at Allegany State Park, but you can set forth in wind or human-powered craft. You can rent boats at either section of the park, and these even include paddle boats.
Climbing
There are a few small and easy bouldering opportunities in Allegany State Park. Do not, however, attempt to climb inside the Thunder Rocks area, which has been closed to climbing since 2020. The available boulders are rated either V2 or V3.
Geocaching
There are no permanent geocaches in Allegany State Park, but there are occasional geocaching events where enthusiasts gather to enjoy the hobby. Some of these are classified as "megaevents" or even "gigaevents." Contact the park staff to find out if any of these events are happening during the time you plan to visit.
How to Get to
Allegany State Park
Proceed to Buffalo. From there, drive south on Route 219 until you reach Salamanca. Once there, look for signs for Allegany State Park.
Entering Allegany State Park
The park is huge, so it's best to enter in your vehicle. There are parking lots for day use, and most of Allegany State Park is accessible.
Allegany State Park Entry Fee (per vehicle) : $7.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Allegany State Park
The best time of year is the period from Memorial Day until National Indigenous Peoples Day. That's when the campgrounds are open, and the swimming is comfortable. Of course, there are areas of the park dedicated to events in all seasons, such as the snowmobile-specific trails.
As big as it is, Allegany State Park is home to many species of wildlife, and these include mammals like black bears, deer, bobcats, porcupines, and beavers. Raptors like the bald eagle and osprey patrol the skies, and waterfowl like herons and grebes hold court in the lakes and the pond. Songbirds like warblers and bluebirds populate the trees, and multicolored butterflies, dragonflies, and damselflies flutter through the meadows.
Yes, there are hundreds of RV-specific campsites in Allegany State Park
Yes, reservations are required, and the campsites cost between $18 and $30 per night. Out-of-state visitors pay an additional $5 per night.
Pets are welcome at Allegany State Park. However, you may not take them into buildings, onto guarded beaches, or onto golf courses or other similar areas in the park. You may, however, take them along the hiking trails. When they're outside your vehicle, they must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet, in their own tent, or crated, and you must clean up after them.