Allegany State Park - Redhouse Loop Campground, Salamanca, NY

Introduction / Overview

For New York residents in search of a deep, immersive experience in nature without leaving the comfort and resources of a world-class state park, the **Allegany State Park - Redhouse Loop Campground** is an essential destination. As part of New York’s largest state park, the 65,000-acre Allegany offers a natural playground of mature forests, rolling hills, and pristine lakes, all nestled in the stunning un-glaciated landscape of Western New York. The Red House Area, specifically, is a central hub of activity, famed for the picturesque Red House Lake and the historic, Tudor-style Administration Building.

The Redhouse Loop Campground provides a traditional, yet amenity-rich, camping experience within this massive park. It caters to a variety of campers, from those with large RVs and trailers to those who prefer setting up a tent under the canopy of trees. Visitors consistently praise the classic state park atmosphere—where sites are wooded, often spacious, and offer a needed buffer of natural scenery. As noted by one recent visitor, the sites, though varying in size and privacy, are well-maintained, creating a pleasant backdrop for a short stopover or an extended stay.

Allegany State Park is truly a four-season destination, with the camping season running roughly from spring through late fall, and winterized cabins offering year-round access to the park's extensive snow sports and trails. Whether your goal is to tackle the 79 miles of hiking trails, spend a day fishing on Red House Lake, or simply relax by a campfire, the Redhouse Area offers the perfect setting. Furthermore, its location near the town of Salamanca—specifically on the Seneca Nation of Indians territory—provides a unique local advantage for quick access to nearby convenience stops and local services, as one reviewer pointed out. The combination of pristine state land and local accessibility makes this one of the most celebrated state park campgrounds in New York.

Location and Accessibility

The Redhouse Loop Campground is located within the Red House Area of Allegany State Park, in the southwestern region of New York State. The official address for the vicinity is 145-139 English Stoddard Rd, Salamanca, NY 14779, USA. This placement makes it a highly accessible and popular retreat for residents of Buffalo, Rochester, and other Western New York communities.

Access to the Red House Area is straightforward, primarily via Exits 19 and 20 of the Southern Tier Expressway (Interstate 86/Route 17). This excellent highway connection means the park is an easy, scenic drive for regional travelers. The park is nestled near the Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania, making it a gateway to the larger Appalachian environment. The nearby city of Salamanca serves as a convenient access point for supplies and local attractions, including the Kinzua Reservoir and the Allegheny River. For local users, the convenience of checking in at the historic Red House Administration Building, a central point of information, rental services, and park operations, streamlines the arrival process.

Services Offered

As a flagship facility of the New York State Park system, the Redhouse Loop Campground and the surrounding Red House Area provide a comprehensive suite of services and accommodations designed for an extended, comfortable stay.

Campsite Variety: The Red House Area offers over 120 campsites designated for tents and trailers. Sites are generally gravel or natural surface, with many offering partial shade and varying degrees of privacy thanks to the wooded buffers.
Utility Services: Campsites offer electric hookups (30 and 50 amp service available on some sites). While full sewer hookups are not common on individual sites, shared water spigots are located throughout the camping loops for filling tanks, and a convenient dump station is available for RVers leaving the park.
Comfort Facilities: Modern and well-maintained bathhouses with flush toilets and hot showers are available within the camping loops. The cleanliness of the facilities is often highlighted positively by visitors.
Rental Options: For non-campers, the Red House Area boasts a significant number of rental cabins and cottages, including winterized options and the full-service Pitt Cottage, providing year-round accommodation.
Park Administration and Support: The historic Administration Building houses the regional headquarters, a gift shop for souvenirs, and a Red House Restaurant for dining, ensuring essential services are close at hand.
Pet Policy: Pets are permitted on campsites (maximum of two per site) and in day-use areas, provided they are leashed, supervised, and owners can produce proof of rabies vaccination upon request.
Firewood and Supplies: Fire rings and picnic tables are standard amenities at each site, and a camp store is typically stocked with bait, fishing supplies, ice, and cold beverages during the peak season.

Features / Highlights

The true allure of the Redhouse Loop Campground is its unparalleled access to the vast recreational opportunities of Allegany State Park, centered around the beautiful Red House Lake. The combination of natural features and developed facilities ensures activities for every age and interest.

Red House Lake Recreation: The lake offers a sandy beach for swimming (lifeguards on duty during season), designated fishing piers, and a boat launch. Non-motorized boat rentals, including kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards, are available at the boat house.
Extensive Trail System: The park features over 79 miles of hiking trails and 45 miles of equestrian trails. A major highlight is the paved, 5-mile multi-use trail looping around Red House Lake, perfect for biking, jogging, or a leisurely stroll.
Winter Sports: In the colder months, the Art Roscoe Ski Touring Area, located nearby, is renowned for its groomed cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails, complemented by over 90 miles of groomed snowmobile trails throughout the park.
Natural History Museum and Amphitheater: The Administration Building contains a natural history museum detailing the park’s unique ecology. The Red House Area also features an amphitheater that hosts nature programs and events during the peak season.
Sightseeing and Geology: Visitors can explore unique natural features like Bridal Falls, the scenic Stone Tower, and the Summit Fire Tower, which offers spectacular views of the surrounding forest and mountains.
Sports Courts: The Red House Area includes playing fields for softball, along with tennis, basketball, and volleyball courts, providing active recreation options outside of the trails.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

Allegany State Park – Redhouse Loop Campground is ideally suited for New York locals, particularly those in the western and central parts of the state, as it offers the grandeur of a deep-woods wilderness retreat without the hardship. For many, it's a beloved tradition, representing the best of New York’s commitment to natural preservation and public recreation. The park's massive 65,000-acre size guarantees a genuine sense of escape, providing abundant space to disconnect and enjoy the natural world.

Unlike many smaller campgrounds, Allegany provides a full recreational infrastructure: from two separate lakes and sandy beaches to a comprehensive network of hiking, biking, and winter trails. The presence of modern, clean facilities, a convenient camp store, a restaurant, and even the historic Administration Building ensures a balance of ruggedness and convenience. Furthermore, the location offers a unique cultural and economic advantage, being close to the Seneca Nation territory for quick access to goods and services. For a weekend of intense hiking, a family vacation by the lake, or a cozy winter retreat in a cabin, the Redhouse Loop area provides Western New York residents with an accessible, high-quality, year-round state park experience that is unrivaled in the region.