Kinzua East KOA

The Great Outdoors

Camping at Kinzua East KOA puts you in the heart of the Allegheny National Forest, which sprawls across more than 500,000 acres in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Aside from being the center of Pennsylvania’s oil and gas industry, it’s also a recreation hub, with everything from fishing and boating to hiking and cycling on offer. If you’re coming through Bradford, stop in at the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau to pick up hiking maps and chat with the staff about what to do, or you can grab a map once you arrive at the RV campground. Just to the east of the Allegheny National Forest is the Kinzua Bridge State Park, which boasts a spectacular, glass-bottomed skywalk spanning the Kinzua Gorge.Camp in an RV near Bradford and you’re also on the doorstep of Elk State Forest, named after the elk that were reintroduced here from the Rocky Mountains in the early 20th century. Various hiking trails crisscross the almost 200,000 acres of forest, ranging from the short Fred Woods Trail to the 30-mile-long Bucktail Path.Adjacent to the Elk State Forest is the Susquehannock State Forest, which is named after the Native American Susquehannock tribe who once inhabited the region. It’s a popular destination for trout fishing and hunting, as well as a range of snow sports during the winter months. If you’re a trekker, you can follow part of the 85-mile Susquehannock Trail System that accesses the magnificent landscapes of the Hammersley Wild Area.A short hop across the border into New York State will take you to Allegany State Park, which forms part of the Allegheny Highlands ecoregion. It’s divided into two main sections - the Red House Area in the northeast and the Quaker area in the southwest - with plenty of recreational pursuits on offer. Gain insight into the park’s natural and human history at the Old Quaker Store Museum, then stretch your legs on the hiking trail that leads to Bridal Falls or take advantage of the snow pursuits at the Art Roscoe Ski Area.

Exploring the City

Motorhome campers are within easy access of numerous supermarkets and services in nearby Bradford where you can pick up grocery supplies or dine out. There are also plenty of gas stations in Bradford if you need to fill up your RV rental, along with one slightly closer to Kinzua East KOA in Custer City.If you’re interested in the oil history of the city, you can stop by the Penn-Brad Oil Museum that preserves the unique heritage of the Bradford Oil Field. This late-19th-century oil field once provided more than 80% of the United States’ total oil output and was the country’s first billion-dollar oil field. Discover the story behind “Music Mountain,” which was named for “the unexpected sound of oil, rushing from the earth” as you wander through the buildings and industrial equipment that remain.You can spend a day exploring the Bradford Downtown Historic District, which includes more than 130 contributing buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Highlights include the Victorian Romanesque Revival-style Bradford Old City Hall that dates to 1897 and the Bradford Armory that was built in 1912 for the 16th Infantry of the Pennsylvania National Guard. Also in Bradford is the Marilyn Horne Museum and Exhibit Center, which showcases the life and legacy of the opera singer Marilyn Horne in a beautiful 1930's Art-Deco building.Whether you want to spend your days getting active in the Allegheny National Forest or discovering the oil history of Bradford, book an RV in McKean County and start planning your next vacation.