East Branch Campground
Closed — Closed for the season. Typically operates from May through September for overnight camping.
Cold Weather Advisory issued January 19 at 1:12AM EST until January 20 at 12:00PM EST by NWS State College PA
* WHAT...Very cold wind chills as low as 20 below zero expected. * WHERE...Cameron, Elk, McKean, Northern Clinton, Potter, and Warren Counties. * WHEN...From 9 PM this evening to noon EST Tuesday. * IMPACTS...The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 20 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.
About
East Branch Campground is located on the shores of East Branch Lake in northeastern Elk County, Pennsylvania, managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District. The campground features 26 campsites in a single loop, with most sites offering electric hookups. Four rental cabins with electricity and mattresses are also available, though guests must bring their own linens. The facility includes modern restrooms with showers, fire rings and picnic tables at each site, and a dump station available to registered campers. East Branch Lake is a 1,160-acre flood control reservoir surrounded by Elk State Park and Elk State Forest. The lake is known for its exceptional water clarity, with visibility up to 12 feet, and offers a premier fishery for smallmouth and largemouth bass, lake trout, musky, walleye, and panfish. The outflow area below the dam maintains year-round cool to cold waters and is managed as a delayed harvest trout fishing area, regularly stocked by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. This outflow section is particularly popular with kayakers and canoers. The lake allows unlimited horsepower boating and features a boat ramp, picnic shelter, playground, interpretive hiking trail, and scenic overlook. The campground is conveniently located near the cities of St. Marys and Kane, which offer restaurants, microbreweries, wineries, and shopping. Nearby attractions include Elk State Park, Bendigo State Park, and the Allegheny National Forest. Note that overhead powerline clearance on the campground access road is 13 feet 4 inches, which may affect taller RVs with roof-mounted equipment. All reservations must be made through Recreation.gov.
Directions
From I-80 Southeast: Take exit 111, travel PA 153 North to Penfield for 8 miles. Take PA 255 North to St. Marys for 19 miles, make a sharp left onto South Michael Street, right onto N St. Marys Street for 2.5 miles, left onto Windfall Road for 1 mile, slight left onto Flower Valley Road/Glenn Hazel Road for 8 miles, right onto East Branch Dam Road for 1 mile. From I-80 Southwest: Take exit 97, travel US 219 North for 44 miles to Johnsonburg, continue on East Center Street for 0.5 miles, right onto Cobb Street/Bendigo Road for 5 miles, left onto Flower Valley/Glen Hazel Road for 1.7 miles, right onto East Branch Dam Road for 0.8 miles. From north: Take US 219 South to Wilcox, left onto Flower Valley Road/Glen Hazel Road at flashing signal light for 6 miles, left onto East Branch Dam Road for 0.8 miles.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | Yes |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | Yes |
| Electric Hookups | Yes |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $15 - $55 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 40ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 40ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| eastbranch@usace.army.mil | |
| Phone | +1 (814) 965-2065 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| View on Recreation.gov |
Availability
Photos
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