Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013 - 31

Boaters enjoy a sunny day on Kinzua Dam, Warren County,
not far from one of the campgrounds run by Allegheny
National Forest.

But, other weekends and weekdays could stand a lot more
people, both on the water and in the campgrounds.
“Normally, Monday through Thursday, 75 percent of
our campsites are available. And, it’s the same with boating.
There may be only a dozen boats on the whole lake Monday
through Thursday,” said Paul Toman, resource manager at
Loyalhanna Lake.
Boat campers can often build their experience around
where they want to camp and how “rough” they want their
outing to be.
Most of the drive-up sites at the six Corps-run
campgrounds feature a gravel spur that can accommodate
tents and recreational vehicles. Some sites have electric and
water hooks-ups, others electric only. Some are primitive. All
have a picnic table and fire ring.
Campers will usually have access to water and a comfort
station with flush toilets and sometimes showers.
Some sites sit in the woods, others on the lakefront.
Campers often have the choice of taking their boat out
of the water each day before going back to camp or, as at
Loyalhanna Lake, leaving it in the water, moored just off
shore, so it’s ready to go at first light.
If you really want to get away from the crowds and are
willing and able to camp as a self-contained unit, Tionesta
Lake and Kinzua Dam feature campsites accessible only by
boat. They’re very primitive, often with no facilities, but are
often wonderful, especially after a fast-paced day on the water.
So, options abound. Powerboaters looking to extend their
time at the lake just need to realize what’s available and take
advantage of it.
“We definitely have an established clientele of boaters
who enjoy using Shenango River Lake’s campground,” said
Kolodziejski. “But, that doesn’t mean we don’t receive new
people each year and that we can’t handle more.”
PFBC website: www.fishandboat.com

When it comes to the United States Army Corps
of Engineers lakes, all exist primarily to serve as flood
control projects. Recreation is a secondary mission. So,
there are times—when water levels must be raised or
lowered based on rain or the lack of it—that their boat
launches may be unavailable or difficult to access.
When in doubt, call ahead to make sure you can get
on the water.
For more information about the seven lakes with
unlimited horsepower boating and camping, use the
following contact information.
•	 Crooked Creek Lake
Phone: 724-763-3161
www.lrp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/
Lakes/CrookedCreekLake.aspx
•	 East Branch Clarion River Lake
Phone: 814-965-2065
www.lrp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/
Lakes/EastBranchClarionRiverLake.aspx
•	 Kinzua Dam and Allegheny Reservoir
Phone: 814-726-0661
www.lrp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/
Lakes/KinzuaDamAlleghenyReservoir.aspx
or Allegheny National Forest
Phone: 814-927-6628
www.fs.usda.gov/allegheny
•	 Loyalhanna Lake
Phone: 724-639-9013
www.lrp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/
Lakes/LoyalhannaLake.aspx
•	 Shenango River Lake
Phone: 724-962-7746
www.lrp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/
Lakes/ShenangoRiverLake.aspx
•	 Tionesta Lake
Phone: 814-755-3512
www.lrp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/
Lakes/TionestaLake.aspx
•	 Youghiogheny River Lake
Phone: 814-395-3242
www.lrp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/
Lakes/YoughioghenyRiverLake.aspx

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • July/August 2013

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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2013

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