A little-known gem of northwestern Pennsylvania and western New York, the Kinzua Reservoir offers an idyllic place to fly a seaplane. The reservoir was formed with the construction of the Kinzua Dam on the Allegheny River in the 1950’s. Today, its waters are recognized as a National Recreation Area while its hills are part of the Allegheny National Forest. There are various water-only accessible campsites open to boaters and seaplanes. Seaplane visitors should note that the New York portion of the reservoir is part of the Seneca Nation and is not open to seaplane operations (although on-water taxing would be permitted under boating rules). Click on the photo below to go to our trip’s image gallery.