Minister Creek is located in the heart of the Allegheny National Forest (ANF) of Pennsylvania in the Bradford Ranger District. With flowing creeks, hiking trails, and a breathtaking overlook, it’s no surprise that folks want to spend a few nights at the campground!

The Minister Creek campground has 6 sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. It costs $12 per night. Potable water and pit toilets are available seasonally. The campground is open from March 31st through October 31st.

Use this article as your ultimate guide to the Minister Creek campground. I’ll go over everything you need to know, from getting there, staying overnight, and what to do while camping. Grab those weenie-roasting sticks and let’s go!

Getting To Minister Creek Campground

First things first. Let’s get you to the campground. The road to get to the Minister Creek Recreation Area is paved, and any vehicle can make it. The campground itself has a gravel road, and the pull-in sites are a mix of gravel and packed dirt.

• GPS Coordinates (Google Maps): N41.6210, W79.1537

According to the U.S. Forest Service, the campground is located right off Route 666 (Triple 6), 14.7 miles southwest of Sheffield and 20 miles from West Hickory.

6 Sites To Choose From

Minister Creek is the Allegheny National Forest’s smallest campground with a grand total of 6 sites. Each site has a picnic table, a flat spot for a tent, and a fire ring with a grate.

• Creekside Sites: 1 & 3
• Trailside Sites: 2, 4, 5, 6

If you want to camp alongside Minister Creek, head for sites 1 or 3, which are situated on the campground’s eastern side.

If you’d rather be closer to the woods, opt for sites 2, 4, 5, or 6, which are on the western side of the campground.

If you’d rather camp outside of the Minister Creek Undeveloped Area, head over to our guide on how to find overnight parking for free!

What To Know: Rules and Tips

While camping at Minister Creek, there are a few things to be aware of and a few rules to help preserve the land around you while being respectful of your neighbor.

Reservations

Reservations are not accepted. This campground is on a first-come, first-served basis only. The campground may get busy on summer weekends, but there’s usually a spot open.

For the best chance at snagging a spot, it’s recommended to get to the campground on Friday afternoon or early Saturday morning for a weekend camping trip.

Season of Operation

The Minister Creek campground is open from March 31st through October 31st. After October 31st, there is no gate that bars access to the campground, but the on-site potable water is shut off and is not turned back on until May.

Price

It costs $12 per night to stay at Minister Creek. If you have a Golden Age or Access Passport, the price is 50% off ($6) per night. The Pay Station is located on a large notice board toward the beginning of the campground.

Payments may be made by cash or check. If using a check, they are payable to Allegheny Site Management. Note that there is a $50 charge for returned checks.

Site Regulations

The following regulations are in place at the Minister Creek Campground:

• Vehicle limit: Paying the $12 fee gives you access for two vehicles. Each additional vehicle is $5. Sites are big enough for small to medium rigs, typically 35 feet or less. Large rigs and buses will not fit.
• Fires: Fires are permitted in the fire rings only. Downed wood may be collected for fires. Before leaving your campsite, always make sure the fire is extinguished by pouring plenty of water, stirring the ashes, and repeating until the ash is cool to the touch.
• Quiet Hours: Quiet hours are in effect from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• Water & Restrooms: Vault toilets are located at the back of the campground. Potable water via a hand-pump is available from May through October and is located centrally in the campground (it’s bright red, so it’s hard to miss!).
• Pets: Pets are welcome at the campground and on all hiking trails at Minister Creek.

If you decide to bring your furbag along for the adventure, check out our dog hiking gear list to make sure your pup has everything they need to conquer the trails at Minister Creek!

Want to explore other areas nearby? Check out our other hiking guides around the ANF:

• 32 Things To Do Near Cook Forest, PA
• Hiking Buzzard Swamp
• Forest Cathedral: A Walk Amongst The Giants
• Best Ways To Get To Henry Run Sawmill Dam
• Beartown Rocks Hiking Guide
• Hiking Devil’s Den
• 4 Ways To Hike the Cook Forest Fire Tower
• Hector Falls Hiking Guide

Minister Creek Camping: What To Bring

Every campground is different, so below I’ve outlined a few essential items that are specific to the Minister Creek campground that are in addition to normal camping gear.

• Hand sanitizer: Vault toilets do not always have hand sanitizer in them, and definitely do not have running water. Bring hand sanitizer for cleanliness and hygiene.
• Wipes: There are no shower facilities at Minister Creek, so having some body wipes like the Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes will keep you feeling clean even after a sweaty hike!
• Bug spray: Because the campground is located next to Minister Creek, mosquitoes can be a problem in the summer. Be sure to bring some bug spray like Murphy’s Natural to keep those annoying insects at bay!
• Garbage bags: There are no garbage cans or dumpsters on site at the campground, so bring a garbage bag to collect all trash.
• Fishing gear: If you’re an angler, Minister Creek is a wonderful place to fish for trout. Don’t forget your fishing gear and license.
• Hiking gear: Similarly, if you’re a hiker, bring everything you need for a day hike, as the Minister Creek Trail can be reached from the campground.

Things To Do At Minister Creek

Once you settle into a camp spot, there are plenty of things to do at the beautiful Minister Creek Undeveloped Area.

• Hiking: Three hiking loops meander throughout the surrounding area and can be reached right from the campground. One intersects with the North Country National Scenic Trail. Our article on the Minister Creek Trail covers all three loops.
• Fishing: Minister Creek and the nearby Tionesta Creek offer fantastic fishing opportunities.
• Explore the Rocks: The undeveloped area is littered with massive boulders and rocks that make for a natural playground for adventurers. Head out on the Minister Creek Trail or, if you rock climb, make a first ascent in this hidden gem of a climbing area!
• Overlook: The Minister Valley Overlook offers stunning views of the surrounding valley and sits atop a jutting rock formation.

For more ideas, check out our guide on the 8 things to do at Minister Creek!

Minister Creek Campground: Wrap-Up Session

The Minister Creek Undeveloped Area is a vast network of beautiful scenery, wildlife, hiking trails, and enormous boulderfields. Camping is a great way to explore all this area has to offer.

To recap, here are the most important things to know about the Minister Creek campground:

• Season: March 31st through October 31st.
• Fee: $12 per night
• Number of Sites: 6
• Vehicle Limits: Small to medium rigs (35 feet or less)
• Pets: Yes
• Potable Water: Yes, Seasonal May through October
• Restrooms: Vault toilets
• Showers: No
• Dump Station: No
• Laundry: No
• Garbage: No

The closest towns to Minister Creek are Sheffield to the Northeast or West Hickory to the west. Remember to extinguish all fires and pack out everything you pack in to keep the campground clean and the forest pristine.

Until next time, give your furbag an extra pet from us and keep exploring this beautiful world! For more camping destinations like this one, head over to the Dirtbags with Furbags blog!