Willow Bay

Star4.43
622 reviews
4001 West Washington St.
Summer Destination

Quick Facts

1,400 ft

Price

$20 - $100/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

130 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Opens Allegheny Site Management site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Willow Bay
$20.00 - $100.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Fees range depending on site type. Standard electric sites cost $25-$29 per night, standard nonelectric $20-$24, walk-to tent sites $20-$24, group...
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Standard Site Fee$20.00
Hookup Site Fee$25.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$24.00
Group Site Fee$50.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider
814-363-9090
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What Campers Say

4.43

Recommended

Based on 622 reviews

213 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanstafffriendly

Some mention

noisecell service

"User reviews for Willow Bay are overwhelmingly positive, with frequent praise for the clean facilities, scenic views, and range of activities. Common concerns include the presence of wildlife (especially bears), noise from other campers, and occasional staff unavailability."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

4001 West Washington St.

Willow Bay

4001 West Washington St.

Driving directionsFrom 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.
Accessible from PA-346 and PA-321. Roads to the campground are paved and suitable for most vehicles. Seasonal closures may affect some facilities, particularly from late fall through early spring.
Nearby places
Bradford (16 miles, approximately 25-minute drive)
Salamanca, NY (30 miles, approximately 35-minute drive)
Warren, PA (Approximately 50 miles, roughly 1-hour drive).
Nearby supplies
Closest grocery store and gas station are in Bradford, PA (16 miles away). Firewood and ice are available for purchase on-site during peak season (April - October).

Best Time to Camp at Willow Bay

Summer days at Willow Bay are perfectly pleasant, with temperatures reaching a comfortable 79°F that's ideal for swimming and boating, while evenings cool to the 50s—perfect for campfire storytelling. As autumn arrives, the surrounding forests explode into a masterpiece of gold, crimson, and orange, with crisp temperatures that make hiking pure joy. Winter transforms the landscape into a serene wonderland, and while most facilities close, hardy adventurers can still enjoy self-service camping amid the peaceful, snow-dusted forest.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.5 / 5
Top 15% in PA

Highly praised in summer for swimming, boating and pleasant temps (~79°F); strong review trends.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Reviews specifically praise fall foliage and scenic views during peak season.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.5 / 5

Season opens Mar 31; good for hiking and the start of boating/fishing season but fewer reviews than summer/fall.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
2.0 / 5

Campground has limited facilities in winter; cabins available but fewer services and activities.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: March 31 - October 31.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Peak season: March 31 - October 31 annually. Facility offers year-round reservations for cabins.
  • Current Alerts: No current alerts reported.

About Willow Bay

Nestled along the sparkling waters of the Allegheny Reservoir, Willow Bay Campground welcomes families and adventurers to experience the perfect blend of natural beauty and modern comfort. Whether you're pitching a tent under towering hemlocks, settling into your RV with convenient electric hookups, or gathering friends in one of our cozy rustic cabins, you'll find your ideal basecamp here. From April through October, enjoy the convenience of flush toilets, hot showers, and fresh drinking water as you explore endless recreational opportunities. Cast a line into the reservoir's abundant waters, launch your boat for a day of exploration, traverse scenic hiking trails, or simply relax as you spot deer, wild turkey, and other wildlife that call these forests home.
Willow Bay caters to a variety of campers, offering tent sites, RV sites, and rustic cabins. Walk-to tent sites provide a more primitive experience, while RV sites include electric hookups.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
2:00 PM
Check-out
12:00 PM
Stay Limit
Maximum stay duration is 14 nights during a visit.

Amenities available

Showers
Potable water
Electricity hookups
Flush toilets
Dump station
Fire rings

Activities you can enjoy

Willow Bay offers a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, water sports, wildlife viewing, and fishing. The campground provides access to the Allegheny Reservoir for boating and kayaking and connects to the North Country Trail, a 4,600-mile National Scenic Trail.
HikingThe campground connects directly to the North Country Trail, which is for hikers only and offers scenic views. Reviewers described the trail as 'beautiful and easy to access,' with opportunities for bird watching.
FishingAnglers can fish in the Allegheny Reservoir, which is home to walleye, bass, and musky. Some reviewers noted the convenience of fishing directly from campsites near the water.
SwimmingSwimming is permitted in the reservoir, with some campsites featuring direct water access. One reviewer noted, 'I enjoyed an afternoon swim in the reservoir.'
BoatingThe campground features a courtesy dock for easy boat loading and unloading. Kayaks and canoes are available for rental on a first-come, first-serve basis. Many campers praised the accessibility of the reservoir for boating.
Wildlife viewingThe area supports excellent wildlife viewing, including deer, raccoons, black bears, and various bird species like ospreys and bald eagles. Several reviewers emphasized the presence of bears and the need for proper food storage.
Winter Activities
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsVisitors must be prepared for wildlife encounters, including bears and raccoons. Uneven terrain may pose challenges for mobility.
Active AlertsNo current alerts reported.
No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Weather at Willow Bay

Reviews

4.4
622 reviews
Recommended
Recommended
Willow Bay is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews for Willow Bay are overwhelmingly positive, with frequent praise for the clean facilities, scenic views, and range of activities. Common concerns include the presence of wildlife (especially bears), noise from other campers, and occasional staff unavailability.
Review Summaries
Based on 622 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive reviewers highlight the campground's cleanliness, beautiful setting, and friendly staff. One user said, 'The bathrooms are exceptional even on the busiest weekends.' Another noted, 'The...
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Based on 622 reviews

Common Concerns

Frequent complaints include the lack of cell service, noise from other campers, and issues with bears. Some mentioned inexperienced staff and difficulties with reservations.
Based on 622 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Users recommend bringing bear-proof food storage, extra stakes for rocky tent sites, and planning for no cell service. Some suggest booking waterfront sites for the best experience.
Based on 622 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is highly praised in summer for water activities and in fall for foliage. Winter stays are noted for their quietness but come with limited facilities.
Based on 622 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Our favorite campground for decades! The reservoir is beautiful, and stargazing is amazing.' - Derrick Thornbury 2. 'Bathrooms very clean with hot showers.' - Linda Devlin 3. 'Absolutely...
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Based on 622 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

1. Site 29 (Aspen Loop): 'Nice, level site close to the river with electric hookups.' - Ronnie M. 2. Cabin 35: 'Just feet from a babbling brook, very relaxing.' - Bruce Clark 3. Site 56 (Hemlock...
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Based on 622 reviews

Accessibility Features

Several reviews mention clean and accessible facilities, though specific accessibility features are not detailed. 'The bathrooms were spotless and accessible.' - Jamie R.
Based on 622 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed but must be leashed. Some complaints about unattended dogs bothering other campers. 'We brought our dogs, and they loved it here.' - Aleasha B.
Based on 622 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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