Longhouse scenic drive is in northwest Pennsylvania 15 miles east of Warren. It is 29 miles long and follows PA 59, PA 321, and FSR 262. The roads are two-lane paved roads suitable for all vehicles. Forest Service Road 262 is closed by snow from mid-December through March. The rest of the byway usually remains open year-round.
Longhouse scenic byway travels through the hardwood forests of Allegheny National Forest as it makes its way around the Kinzua Arm of Allegheny Reservoir. Scenic turnouts along the route provide beautiful vistas of the forest’s valleys, rugged rock outcrops, and the lake’s blue waters. Fall paints the byway in brilliant colors of red, orange, and gold.
Allegheny Reservoir is a 12,080-acre lake formed by the construction of a dam on Allegheny River. The dam was constructed by the Corps of Engineers. The lake provides excellent opportunities for fishing, swimming, boating, and waterskiing.
Wildlife observers will delight in the many species inhabiting the area. The best time for viewing white-tailed deer is early in the morning or evening. If you look above, you’re likely to spot an eagle, osprey, or hawk riding on the wind currents. There’s other forms of wildlife here including black bears, turkeys, an abundance of rabbits, and the great blue heron, usually seen fishing along the banks and streams of the reservoir.
Those interested in camping will find three developed national forest campgrounds. Red Bridge Campground offers 55 campsites with picnic tables and grills. Drinking water, restrooms, a dump station, shower facilities, and a playground are also provided. Kiasutha Campground is a little larger and has 90 sites for tents and RVs, drinking water, restrooms, a boat ramp, showers, trailer dump station, and playground equipment. The third camping area is the Dewdrop Campground with 74 sites, drinking water, restrooms, dump station, playground, and boat access to the lake. None of the campgrounds have hookups.