Outflow Recreation Area (PA)

Outflow
New Outflow Pull Through Sites
campsites
Rules
OUTFLOW RECREATION AREA (PA)

Featured amenities

Parking
Pet Friendly

About Outflow Recreation Area (PA)

Half of Forest County, where Tionesta Lake is located, is preserved as public lands. The region is known as one of Pennsylvania's best big game regions and is home to a remarkable variety of wildlife. Campers come to the Outflow Recreation Area Campground to enjoy the forested area along Tionesta Creek. The area is ideal for fishing, hunting as well as scenic hiking. Tionesta is a culturally rich region with a long history. The Seneca Indian tribe named this area "where the water separates the land." Nearly a century ago, narrow gauge railways dotted the surrounding countryside, hauling out virgin timber from the hillsides.

Number of accommodations: 25

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - May 22 to Sep 6

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Parking
Pet friendly
Parking and Transport

Parking and Transport

  • Parking
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

25 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 201, Loop: 1
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 202, Loop: 1
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 203, Loop: 1
No Hookups
Price not available
β›Ί 204, Loop: 1
8 guests Β· Campfire Β· Pet Friendly
Price not available
β›Ί 205, Loop: 1
8 guests Β· Campfire Β· Pet Friendly
Price not available
β›Ί 206, Loop: 1
8 guests Β· Campfire Β· Pet Friendly
Price not available
β›Ί 207, Loop: 1
8 guests Β· Campfire Β· Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 208, Loop: 1
Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 209, Loop: 1
Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 210, Loop: 1
Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 211, Loop: 1
Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 212, Loop: 1
Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 213, Loop: 2
No Hookups
Price not available
β›Ί 214, Loop: 2
8 guests Β· Campfire Β· Pet Friendly
Price not available
β›Ί 215, Loop: 2
8 guests Β· Campfire Β· Pet Friendly
Price not available
β›Ί 216, Loop: 2
8 guests Β· Campfire Β· Pet Friendly
Price not available
β›Ί 217, Loop: 2
8 guests Β· Campfire Β· Pet Friendly
Price not available
β›Ί 218, Loop: 2
8 guests Β· Campfire Β· Pet Friendly
Price not available
β›Ί 219, Loop: 2
8 guests Β· Campfire Β· Pet Friendly
Price not available
β›Ί 220, Loop: 2
8 guests Β· Campfire Β· Pet Friendly
Price not available
β›Ί 221, Loop: 2
8 guests Β· Campfire Β· Pet Friendly
Price not available
β›Ί 222, Loop: 2
8 guests Β· Campfire Β· Pet Friendly
Price not available
β›Ί 223, Loop: 2
8 guests Β· Campfire Β· Pet Friendly
Price not available
β›Ί 224, Loop: 2
8 guests Β· Campfire Β· Pet Friendly
Price not available
β›Ί 225, Loop: 2
8 guests Β· Campfire Β· Pet Friendly
Price not available

Reviews (61)

What Guests Are Saying

Outflow Recreation Area offers a peaceful and well-maintained camping experience, with clean campsites and friendly staff. Many visitors appreciate the scenic beauty and availability for same-day bookings, making it a convenient choice. However, some concerns were raised about noise from generators and the condition of the restrooms, along with mixed experiences regarding campground hosts.

Review Summary

4.0
61 reviews
5
54.1%
33
4
14.8%
9
3
16.4%
10
2
11.5%
7
1
3.3%
2

Jess J

Verified

August 12, 2023 β€’ Stayed at: 207, Loop: 1

5

Excellent camping site. Suitable bathrooms and showers.

Stormi B

Verified

July 15, 2023 β€’ Stayed at: 207, Loop: 1

3

Nice quiet campground! Bathrooms were fairly clean but 2 of the 4 showers didn't work. Nice playground and close to a bigger one too!

Morgan H

Verified

June 3, 2023 β€’ Stayed at: 220, Loop: 2

5

Great basic campsite easy to get to on the edge of a forest and small stream

Marilyn M

Verified

October 25, 2022 β€’ Stayed at: 215, Loop: 2

5

There were only 2 tents and myself and dog in the area the night that I was there. It was peaceful and quiet.

Suzanne B

Verified

September 23, 2022 β€’ Stayed at: 207, Loop: 1

3

As a tent camper I heard highway noise. The WARM shower/toilet facilities were wonderful (if not the cleanest). Park Rangers were attentive. Nice little campground.

elisa s

September 11, 2022

4

The lot was not grassy and very hard to put up tent. The plus was it was very quiet. For a holiday weekend there was only a few campers. Bathrooms were not perfect but had hot water 0problem was ventilation and one bathroom door would not close. The town nearby was adorable and had amenities. No one checked us in or was there to oversee. Anyone could have come in and stayed for free.

Jen G.

Jen G.

August 17, 2022

3

The camp hosts were very nice, facilities adequate, and campsites clean. Previous reviews led me to fear that we would find the grass unmown and things in disrepair, but that wasn't the case. The sites backing up to the creek were the best.
Pros:
--Liked the sound of the water and view of the creek.
--Other campers were pleasant and the atmosphere was relaxed.
--Very dog friendly.
--Access to a nature trail from campground.

Cons:
--Majority of campsites were very close to each other, with little to no screening between.
--Those away from the creek had a nice campsite, but not as good a view. Some were just open field.
--Some water hookups for campers like ours needed to be replaced. We had to hook via a Y to our neighbor's.
--Didn't find I was wowed. The lake was not as easily accessible as I'd hoped. It was very boat-oriented, and the shores were not friendly for swimming or picnicking.

For a family meet-up or time away from hustle and bustle, I can see us returning. But, it won't be for the privacy (none) or adjacent attractions.

Google Maps

Joseph S

Verified

July 22, 2022 β€’ Stayed at: 222, Loop: 2

4

The camp site overall was great, but the restrooms where not as well taken care of as they were in past years of me camping there. Also the road leading into the camp is very rough. They need to fix all the potholes. One is so big you could fit a Volkswagen bug in it.

Julianna Brinskelle

Julianna Brinskelle

July 10, 2022

5

We absolutely loved it here. It’s a really nice quiet area. We had a decent size site, the bathrooms were fairly well kept, and there were plenty of things to do. We definitely look forward to come back here again to explore the area more!

Google Maps

Megan W

July 2, 2022

5

Very nice campsite, close to the river and to town. We were able to see the synchronous fireflies at the far end of the campgrounds. They put on a spectacular show!

Location Outflow Recreation Area (PA)

Address:
Tionesta Lake Po Box 539
Tionesta, PA, 16353
United States

Highway access

Outflow Recreation Area is accessible via I-79 and I-80, with connections to PA-8 and US-62 providing routes into Tionesta.

Latitude & Longitude: 41.4801 / -79.4431

Elevation: 324 feet

Policies & Rules

Arrival & departure

Check in time

2PM

Check out time

12PM

General

  • If you are arriving without a campground reservation, you must pay for camping before you park.
  • Visit the Tionesta Recreation Area booth, Recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777 to determine if campsites are open and to pay for open sites. Preferred method of payments at the Tionesta Recreation Area booth will be credit/debit card or check.
  • If you have reserved a campsite and wish to change campsites upon arrival, you must call Recreation.gov at 1-877-444-6777.
  • For the Tionesta Lake office call: (814) 755-3512
  • For the Tionesta Recreation Area: (814) 755-3592
  • Parking on the grass is prohibited.
  • Two vehicles maximum per campsite.
  • No alcoholic beverages.
  • There is a limit of 1 wheeled camper and 1 tent per campsite, or 2 tents per campsite.
  • Don't Move Firewood: Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.
  • Pennsylvania state law requires children under 13 to wear a personal flotation device; all people on boats less than 16 feet in length and all canoes and kayaks must also wear a PFD Alcoholic beverages are prohibited If you have any questions about the rules and regulations for the Tionesta Recreation Area please call the Ranger Station, 814-755-3512
  • Camping at one or more campsites at any one water resource project for a period longer than 14 days during any 30-consecutive-day period is prohibited without the written permission of the District Commander. 

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: July 11, 2026

US Army Corps of Engineers Logo
Managed by US Army Corps of Engineers