Allegany State Park

Allegany State Park is, at 65,000 acres, New York State's largest single property, and the largest NY state park outside of the Adirondacks and Catskills.

Understand
The Park is broken up into two main areas, but has an extensive system of trails (hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter) that break down into a much more extensive system. Red House is generally easier to get to, has more services, and the beautiful Red House Lake with its historic lodge. Quaker is more spread out, but has a larger lake, more backcountry hiking, and more camping. For cross country skiing and mountain biking, head uphill from Red House towards Salamanca and find the Art Roscoe Ski Area. Follow signs for Thunder Rocks for a beautiful and wilder section of boulders akin to Rock City Park in Olean formed by the same geologic process.

Cutting across the park is the North Country Trail's first section of the Finger Lakes Trail, two multi-week backpacking routes that extend to South Dakota in one direction and to Vermont in the other.

As hunting is legal in the park and the park is well within bear country, please take precautions. See Safety, below.

History
Before Western settlement, Allegany State Park was a part of the Seneca Nation of the Iroquois Confederacy. The Seneca Nation still exists in the nearby town of Salamanca and on the banks of the Allegheny River as you enter the Quaker Area. The part of the river adjacent to the Quaker entrance is the upper limit of the Allegheny Reservoir, which sunk the historically significant Cornplanter Tract of the Seneca Nation when the dam was built in 1965.

The park was founded in 1921 with the Quaker Area and has expanded to its current size.

The word "Allegany" has many local spelling variations. Two variations are dominate in the region: Allegheny is used for the River and the National Forest in Pennsylvania while Allegany is used for the state park and New York State Town.

Landscape
Allegany State Park is geologically an unglaciated plateau. This means it is where the glaciers that made most of the Southern Tier flat stopped allowing its highlands to stand. Over time, the highlands were eroded by rivers giving both the State Park and the National Forest in Pennsylvania their topography. This is also why areas such as Thunder Rocks exist.

Most of the park is full of dense second growth forest with rolling topography beneath.

Climate
The park attracts visitors year-round for different reasons. Most visitors head to Allegany State Park in the summer for kayaking, hiking, swimming, and camping, but skiing and hunting make up a significant portion of use in the rest of the year. Additionally, hikers and campers frequently visit in the "off season" when NYS Parks does not collect fees.

Get in
By foot, enter from backcountry trails in Pennsylvania or by the North Country Trail in reverse as it enters Salamanca.

Fees and permits
Like other NYS Parks, no entry fee is charged in the off season of fall, winter, and early spring.

The $7 vehicle fee is collected 9AM–4:30PM daily during the high season between late June and early September, and on weekends and holidays for an additional month on either end (see the website for exact dates).

Get around
Allegany State Park has 3 major roads that connect the entrances and corners of the park. The ASP 1 connects Salamanca to Quaker. The ASP 2 connects Bradford to Red House and intersects the ASP 1 at Red House Lake. The ASP 3 connects Bradford and Quaker. In the winter, the ASP 1 is closed between Red House Lake and the Quaker Stores. During this time of year, the ASP 2 can be taken instead.

Many trailheads, campgrounds, and attractions are on "backroads" which are not serviced in the off season and which close in the winter. It is best to check road closures if visiting in the winter or plan on visiting attractions near the main roads through the park.

Eat
Charcoal grills and pavilions can be found in picnic areas around Red House Lake and, to a lesser extent, Quaker. Pavilions can be rented, but when not, are first-come, first-served.

Bears
Allegany State Park is well within "bear country." Bears within the Northeast are black bears. Most bears can be scared away with noise and a large presence if on the trail. If you feel the need, bring and know how to use bear spray. While hiking, it can also be wise to make frequent noises to notify bears of your presence.

When camping, food, trash, and toiletries should be kept in a vehicle or bear proof container. Such storage should be at least 100 yards away from your shelter.

Hunting
When engaging in outdoor activities in fall, winter, and spring, check New York State's hunting season. If hunting season is active, wear brightly colored clothing and gear to maintain visibility. Frequent noises can also help keep hunters aware of your presence.

Go next

 * Salamanca (New York) - The nearest town
 * Allegheny National Forest - Just south of the State Park in PA