Allegany State Park, NY ?'s

[Sarchi]

First timers - this park looks good, can anyone give additional info.?  For instance we were wondering why almost all the Cain Hollow campsites are available..?  (compared w/very few in the other parts of the Park)

Family of four, we want electrical hookup, quiet, shade, etc.

tia.

[skcin]

Hi there,

I've been to Allegany SP many, many times - usually for day trips though, I haven't camped there in a few years so I don't know how much help I'll be.  I'm not really sure why that area is wide open - I think it's a bit farther away from things (which can be a positive, IMO.)  Not sure about the hookups, sorry.  The bathrooms are decent, showers are free unless things have changed, but get there early for a hot one.  Park security is pretty strict, they patrol frequently during quiet hour & won't hesitate to kick people out for being disorderly (great if you're there with your fam; not so great if you're one of the disorderly, lol.)

The park itself is fantastic, plenty to see & do.  There's a small beach for swimming and you can also rent paddle boats & canoes, I believe there's good fishing as well.  There are also many miles of marked trails, at least one store (I'm nearly 100% sure they sell firewood), a history museum, a couple of restaurants and good chances to see wildlife (many birds, deer, fox, beaver, racoon and I heard recently there have been a few bears lurking around.)  There are several places in the area (outside the park) to fish, hike, eat, swim - whatever you feel like doing.

I highly recommend checking out Thunder Rocks (it's right in the park, there is a way to hike there, but if I recall it's very long, so we usually drive - rough road, but short.)  It's a group of enormous rock formations (may be from glaciers, but don't quote me on that - they do have guided tours) that are lots of fun to climb on & around.  Bear Caves are good too (though, they're not really caves & I've never seen a bear there, lol) but look into the hike - one way there is extremely steep & tiring, the other way up is easier.  There is a fire tower at ASP, but I don't believe you can climb to the top.