Willow Bay
Willow Bay is located within the Allegheny National Recreation Area, about 16 miles from Bradford, in northwestern Pennsylvania. It is primarily an accessible family campground that also offers rustic cabins available by reservation year-round. The facility offers modern amenities, including flush toilets and showers, but also provides access to great outdoor recreation opportunities.
Most of campsites and cabins can be accessed by vehicle, some campsites are walk-to. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
The campground offers dozens of campsites available for tent or RV camping. It is comprised of four loops, some of which have walk-to tent campsites and others have back-in RV sites with electric hookups. Each site offers a table and a campfire ring with grill. Accessible flush and vault toilets, as well as showers and drinking water are provided. Some sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Each one-room, 10ft x 12ft cabin contains a double bed and a set of bunks, with mattresses, to sleep up to four or six guests. The cabins have electricity and heat, but there is no running water and no kitchen or bathroom inside. Guests use the campground facilities.
Cabins also have access to an outdoor table, campfire ring, and pedestal grill. Each cabin has a covered front porch with a porch swing.
Guests staying at the cabin will need to bring their own bedding, including blankets, pillows and/or sleeping bags, as well as their own cooking and eating supplies, food, and other camping equipment. Firewood and ice are available for purchase on-site during Peak Season, April - October.
Shower houses and water are on 4/1 to 10/30. To confirm late season call 814-363.9090 or go to www.alleghenysite.com. Updates on Facebook
Need to Know
Reservations for the 2023 season should be made online for stays April 8 - October 31, 2023.
- Campsite fee includes one wheeled camping unit only
- Parking is limited; an additional $5 fee will be collected at the campground for extra vehicles
The cabins do not have running water, but guests can use facilities available throughout the campground
- Pets must be on a leash at all times and cannot be left unattended. Pets are not allowed on the beaches or in the water. Please clean-up after your pets.
- Click here for more information about the Allegheny National Forest.
- Don't move firewood: To limit the spread of invasive tree-killing pests, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Some states have quarantines and may confiscate your firewood. Please help protect our forests from invasive species by obtaining your firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Visit dontmovefirewood.org for more information.
- Interagency passes are accepted at most sites and are valid for the pass holder and any accompanying passengers in a private vehicle. Pass holder must occupy the site.
- Please build fires only in the fire ring or grill provided. Dead material down on the ground can be used for fires but live trees, shrubs, and plants must not be cut or damaged.
- It is illegal to discharge weapons, firearms, or fireworks within the Recreation Area.
- Please place trash in provided receptacles. Do not burn trash or waste food in the fire ring. This invites wild animals into the campground and no one wants to cook their dinner over your rubbish.
Check out time is 12pm. Check in time is 2:00 pm. Camping fees must be paid by within 30 minutes of arrival - Put your site number and license plate number on your fee envelope.
Single night cabin rentals from Nov 1 - March 31 are $75.00; 2 or more nights are $60.00 per night. Please call 814.363.9090 for off season cabin reservations
Tents can not be put up on cabin sites. A seperate site must be purchased. * Cabin 104 does come with a tent site and the cost reflects that.
Natural Features
Built in the 1960s by the U.S. Corps of Engineers, the campground has an open appearance unlike other Forest Service facilities in the area. The campground was recently renovated and cabins were erected at the site between 2003 and 2011, offering a different kind of experience for visitors to the area.
The campground and cabins are situated on the shore of Willow Bay, off the Allegheny Reservoir, which is also called Kinzua Reservoir. The facility is in forested hills, at an elevation of 1,400 feet. Campsites vary from being on grass with no shade, to being nestled in small stands of mature Hemlock trees (location within the campground is mentioned on the site list). Cabins are nestled in the surrounding forest.
Nearby Attractions
The Seneca-Iroquois Indian Museum and the Salamanca Rail Museum are popular historic sites that are located just over the state line, in Salamanca, New York. It is about a half-hour drive from the campground and cabin area. The Zippo/Case Museum, located in nearby Bradford, PA, showcases the history and products of the Zippo, Case, and Ronson Companies. It is open 7 days a week except New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day, and admission is free.
Recreation
Visitors enjoy water sports, including boating, water skiing, swimming, and sailing on the 12,080-acre, man-made Allegheny Reservoir. Anglers can find walleye, bass, and musky.
A courtesy dock is provided at the boat launch for easier loading and unloading during the summer season. Kayak and canoe rentals are also available on site, first come, first serve basis.
The North Country Trail is part of the National Scenic Trail system and can be accessed from the campground and cabin area. It is open to hikers only; no bicycles of any kind, no riding or pack stock, and no motorized travel. The historic trail stretches across seven states and 12 national forests, wandering 4,600 miles through America’s rugged northern heartlands. The area offers excellent wildlife viewing, as well as birding and photography opportunities.
Changes & Cancellations
Cancellations or changes must be made on line at Recreation.gov
Contact Information
Mailing
PO Box 2395 3451 Rt. 59 Bradford PA 16701
Physical
4001 West Washington St. Bradford PA 16701
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 814-368-4158
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From Bradford, travel west on PA-346 for 16 miles. Willow Bay is located just south of the Pennsylvania-New York border. Follow signs to the Allegheny Reservoir and the campground. From the south, take PA-321 North to PA-346 and turn left. Continue to the campground on the left.
Available Campsites
- Site 013, Loop ASPE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 032, Loop OAK, Type Cabin Electric
- Site 023, Loop ASPE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 090, Loop DEER, Type Walk To
- Site 104, Loop DEER, Type Cabin Electric
- Site 034, Loop OAK, Type Walk To
- Site 082, Loop DEER, Type Walk To
- Site 086, Loop DEER, Type Walk To
- Site 031, Loop OAK, Type Cabin Electric
- Site 071, Loop HEML, Type Standard Electric
- Site 097, Loop DEER, Type Walk To
- Site 099, Loop DEER, Type Walk To
- Site 025, Loop ASPE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 054, Loop HEML, Type Standard Electric
- Site 073, Loop DEER, Type Walk To
- Site 070, Loop HEML, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 075, Loop DEER, Type Walk To
- Site 088, Loop DEER, Type Walk To
- Site 020, Loop ASPE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 047, Loop OAK, Type Standard Electric
- Site 022, Loop ASPE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 062, Loop HEML, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 059, Loop HEML, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 046, Loop OAK, Type Standard Electric
- Site 098, Loop DEER, Type Cabin Electric
- Site 085, Loop DEER, Type Walk To
- Site 018, Loop ASPE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 053, Loop HEML, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 044, Loop OAK, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 093, Loop DEER, Type Walk To
- Site 074, Loop DEER, Type Walk To
- Site 058, Loop HEML, Type Standard Electric
- Site 055, Loop HEML, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 095, Loop DEER, Type Walk To
- Site 089, Loop DEER, Type Walk To
- Site 103, Loop DEER, Type Cabin Electric
- Site 049, Loop OAK, Type Standard Electric
- Site 038, Loop OAK, Type Walk To
- Site 008, Loop ASPE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 066, Loop HEML, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 101, Loop DEER, Type Walk To
- Site 028, Loop ASPE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 030, Loop ASPE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 057, Loop HEML, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 068, Loop HEML, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 064, Loop HEML, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 010, Loop ASPE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 063, Loop HEML, Type Standard Electric
- Site 077, Loop DEER, Type Walk To
- Site 015, Loop ASPE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 040, Loop OAK, Type Cabin Electric
- Site P01, Loop WILLOW BAY , Type Group Picnic Area
- Site 087, Loop DEER, Type Walk To
- Site 001, Loop ASPE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 043, Loop OAK, Type Walk To
- Site 042, Loop OAK, Type Cabin Electric
- Site 037, Loop OAK, Type Walk To
- Site 076, Loop DEER, Type Walk To
- Site 011, Loop ASPE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 079, Loop DEER, Type Walk To
- Site 094, Loop DEER, Type Cabin Electric
- Site 045, Loop OAK, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 006, Loop ASPE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 016, Loop ASPE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 026, Loop ASPE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 091, Loop DEER, Type Walk To
- Site 041, Loop OAK, Type Cabin Electric
- Site 003, Loop ASPE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 033, Loop OAK, Type Cabin Electric
- Site 080, Loop DEER, Type Walk To
- Site 102, Loop DEER, Type Walk To
- Site 027, Loop ASPE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 021, Loop ASPE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 083, Loop DEER, Type Walk To
- Site 056, Loop HEML, Type Standard Electric
- Site 019, Loop ASPE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 014, Loop ASPE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 007, Loop ASPE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 029, Loop ASPE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 081, Loop DEER, Type Walk To
- Site 009, Loop ASPE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 050, Loop OAK, Type Standard Electric
- Site 061, Loop HEML, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 072, Loop DEER, Type Walk To
- Site 100, Loop DEER, Type Cabin Electric
- Site 005, Loop ASPE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 096, Loop DEER, Type Cabin Electric
- Site 035, Loop OAK, Type Cabin Electric
- Site 017, Loop ASPE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 092, Loop DEER, Type Walk To
- Site 012, Loop ASPE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 052, Loop HEML, Type Standard Electric
- Site 084, Loop DEER, Type Walk To
- Site 048, Loop OAK, Type Standard Electric
- Site 069, Loop HEML, Type Standard Electric
- Site 036, Loop OAK, Type Walk To
- Site 067, Loop HEML, Type Standard Electric
- Site 078, Loop DEER, Type Walk To
- Site 024, Loop ASPE, Type Standard Electric
