Camping in the Pennsylvania Wilds

[Mr Lynn]

We're thinking of heading to the Pennsylvania Wilds for a week or two in July. Figure to take Rt 6 West from Scranton. Any good experience with campgrounds there (and places on Rt 6)?

Wife wants still water (i.e. a lake) with beach for swimming; we can boondock (preferably sunny spot), but shore power is better. I'm curious about any nearby sites for railroad photography and other locations of present or historical interest.

Had never heard of the 'Wilds' designation until we saw this sign at a rest stop on I80:

[Bob Smucker]

I live in PA and have camped at many state parks in that area with our Casita. Some of them are so-so and others are great, depending on what you are expecting. Email me directly (bsmucker at yahoo dot com) with a phone number and we can talk.

[Bill L in PA]

Hi, Lynn,

I live in PA and have a cabin just off of Route 6 in Coudersport, PA which is in the heart of the PA Wilds.The "Wilds" designation is really a branding idea to let folks know about the recreational opportunities in this beautiful and remote part of PA, and the PA Wilds group is doing a great job of communicating and supporting those recreation efforts.

So if you are in the area and looking for a few things to do, here are a few suggestions:

1.If you are interested in railroad history and camping I would suggest going to Kinzua Bridge State Park. This beautiful park features awesome views of and from the Kinzua Bridge that spanned a broad valley. A big section of the bridge collapsed in a tornado, but you can walk out on the remaining walkway and it is magnificent. Also, great interpretive history museum which provides the history of the bridge and the railroad that operated on it. Lots of photo ops here.

2. If you like fishing, hiking and swimming, Ole Bull State Park near Cross Fork, PA is a very nice state park to camp at. Kettle Creek, an excellent trout stream, crosses the park and there is a wide beach area for swimming in the park. The Susquehannock Trail System also crosses through the park so this is a great area to bring your trailer and then take off to backpack for an overnighter in the outback.

3. If you are interested in star gazing, Cherry Springs State park offers a really cool opportunity for camping and star gazing (it is the darkest area of the country east of the Mississippi)...and even if you don't have a telescope there are plenty of people who have really sophisticated equipment that they love inviting people to look in.

4. Susquehannock State Park offers camping and swimming with great trout fishing nearby. Also, this is a park where you can see the famous PA Elk herd.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Bill

[GaryM]

I was going to recommend Ole Bull State Park, but Bill L beat me to it. Used to swim there when I was a kid and have camped there since. Gramps had a camp up th mountain (12 mile road) from there. Great spot. Have fun!