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The state of Pennsylvania is home to the Allegheny National Forest Destination, specifically located towards the northern portion of the state, along the border with New York. The namesake of the destination, Allegheny National Forest, comprises 513,175 acres of the region.[1] The first settlers who inhabited the area left the land relatively depleted and barren; however, the land was eventually established as the Allegheny National Forest, which allowed for the land to regrow. It is reported that the regrowth of the land made the area a “different forest than the previous one.”[2] The forest has various wildlife within its ecosystem, namely black bears, snowshoe hares, white-tailed deer, and wild turkeys, to name a few species.[4] Flora common for the forest includes various types of trees, such as red maple, American Beech, black birch, black cherry, and white ash.[2] Attractions within the destination involve viewing the different types of wildlife as well as camping, fishing, hiking, and snowmobiling.[1] "The best time to visit" the Allegheny National Forest is between late June to early September, according to those who have previously visited St. Marys, which is a city within the region. Weather in the area varies depending on the time of year, ranging anywhere from 17 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit on average.[3]
The Allegheny National Forest Destination is located in Pennsylvania in the United States of America. Specifically, the region lies in the northernmost part of the state along part of the Pennsylvania-New York state border. The namesake of the destination, Allegheny National Forest, is situated near the western part of the region, near the city of St. Marys, one of the relatively larger cities in the destination in terms of population.[1] As of the 2020 census, the city was reported to have a population of 12,738 people, with an average “population density of 128 people per square mile.”[5] St. Marys is also the second largest city in Pennsylvania, behind Philadelphia, by land mass.[6] Allegheny National Forest comprises a relatively large amount of land, covering 513,175 acres.[1]
Throughout the national forest’s history, it has received various additions to the landscape, some of which allowed for easier access to various outdoor recreational activities. Such activities available in the area involve wildlife observation, cross-country skiing, fishing, snowmobiling, and camping. A few campsites in the national forest provide electricity and showers, depending on the area.[1] Specific attractions in the destination, primarily located in St. Marys, include the Straub Brewery; Bendigo State Park, which features various trees such as cherry, maple, birch, and beech; and the Shadows of the Past, which is an antique store.[7] Another city in the region is Warren, located between Allegheny National Forest and the state border. Those who are visiting places in the destination can participate in different activities such as visiting Rimrock Overlook; Warren County Visitors Bureau; Warren County Historical Society, located in the historic district of the area; Crazy Art Gallery; and the Jamestown City of Parks. Warren County Historical Society showcases exhibits of archives and genealogical records that people can observe.[8]
When visiting the Allegheny National Forest Destination, it is recommended by former tourists of St. Marys to visit anytime between late June to early September. This particular time is recommended due to the warmer weather conditions that are fairly common during this season of the year. It should also be noted that warm-weather activities are more accessible during this time, as temperatures are somewhat moderate.[3]
Allegheny National Forest Destination is located in the northern part of the state of Pennsylvania, along the New York Border. The namesake of the destination, Allegheny National Forest, is located towards the western part of the region. Other natural areas in the destination include the Susquehannock State Forest and Sproul State Forest. The Allegheny National Forest encompasses 513,175 acres in the destination’s northwestern portion. One notable feature in the forest is the Kinzua Dam, which helps to form the Allegheny Reservoir.[1] The creation of the dam and reservoir is said to have brought about “the most dramatic change to developed recreation in the forest.” It eventually led to the addition of hiking trails, campgrounds, boat launches, picnic areas, and beaches.[2]
Wildlife is relatively common in the destination, primarily due to the three forests within the region. A diverse range of habitats in the ecosystem of the Allegheny National Forest serve as the home for various types of fauna, including black bear, grey fox, white-tailed deer, ruffed grouse, red-backed salamander, squirrel, wild turkey, river otter, rattlesnake, and snowshoe hare, to name a few. With regard to the birds that live in the region, bald eagles, hawks, osprey, and songbirds are some of the more common types.[4] Considering that the area is reported to be 70% forested, there is a wide variety of flora within the national forest. Some of the greenery in the national forest are red maple, American Beech, black birch, black cherry, and white ash.[2]
The weather in the Allegheny National Forest varies depending on the time of year, generally between 17 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit. The warm season has an average daily temperature of 69 degrees Fahrenheit, while the cold season, between the months of December to March, has temperatures that rest around 40 degrees Fahrenheit on average. Although the cold season has an average low of roughly 18 degrees, it is typical for temperatures to drop to this average most commonly during the month of January. The season that tends to receive the most amount of precipitation is from March to October. Between that time frame, each day has an approximate probability of a 29% chance of rain, and the two primary types of precipitation that St. Marys may receive are rain and snow.[3]
The Allegheny National Forest Destination has a considerable extent of historical background, considering that the destination contains not only several cities but also three national/state forests. The first recorded events in the Allegheny Nation Forest took place in the 1800s. During this time, the first European settlers arrived in the area. At first, the settlers used the forest for lumber harvesting. This type of production continued as the westward expansion started to sweep through the United States, which caused a depletion in certain types of wildlife due to hunting. It wasn’t until 1923 that the Allegheny National Forest was officially established; however, when this change occurred, the land was seemingly depleted, and it was called the “Allegheny Brush-patch” for a time. Eventually, the forest returned somewhat to its original state; however, it is reported that “it was a different forest than the previous one.” In current times, the forest has grown to maturity.[2]
St. Marys, one of the larger cities in the destination, was originally established as a colony in 1942. During that time, a new settlement came to be known as Sanct Marien Stadt, also called St. Marys, which was to honor Mother Mary. The area was originally established as a Bavarian Catholic town.[9] Since the settlement's early years of development, the population has grown to an estimated total of 12,738 residents as of the 2020 census. However, currently, the population is affected by a -0.52% decline rate. The racial composition of residents in the city is comprised of white (98.32%), Asian (0.30%), and African American individuals (0.19%).[5]
Since 2012, Red Oak Campground has been under the ownership of Steve and Joanne Green. A fairly wide range of accommodations and units are available for patrons to reserve, including 192 RV sites, 5 rustic cabins, 8 Park Model rentals, 6 RV rentals, and 8 primitive spaces. The campground is located near the Allegheny River and Allegheny National Park, where visitors tend to gravitate towards to engage in outdoor recreational activities. Over the course of one's stay at Red Oak Campground, several activities are available for guests to use, namely a swimming pool, giant leggos, a dog park, hiking trails, and a playground, to name a few. Joanne and Steve try to make safety and comfort a priority for everyone's experience.
...Read MoreDeer Meadow Campground is located in Cooksburg, Pennsylvania, which is found adjacent to Cook Forest State Park. The business is open seasonally from mid-April to mid-October, and prospective guests can choose to rent an RV space from 350 available sites. Some of these sites are capable of accommodating larger rigs. Other amenities that are found on the grounds include a laundry facility, a small camp store they have coined the name Deer Meadow Mall, two playgrounds, a game room, and a heated swimming pool. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day the campground host weekend activities along with music and dancing. The business is pet-friendly and has a dog park for pets to run freely. Deer Meadow Campground first opened in 1965 and has gone through several owners over the years. A few changes have been made, including the addition of Wi-Fi, the dog park, and other amenities that are now available for guests.
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