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Camping and Hiking in Pennsylvania
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Oil Creek State Park
Located in Crawford and Venango counties, the 7,096 acres of
park land consists of deep hollows, steep hills, wetlands and a
beautiful, meandering creek through 13.5 miles of the scenic Oil
Creek Gorge. Remains of the oil boom days still exist in the
park hidden among clean trout waters, hemlock and broadleaf
forests, and a wide variety of plant and animal life. A 9.5-mile
paved bicycle trail through scenic Oil Creek Gorge is a major
park attraction. Trailheads can be found at Petroleum Centre and
Drake Well Museum. Trail users may rent bicycles at the old
Egbert Oil Office at Petroleum Centre. The concession also sells
snacks and soft drinks and is open each day from Memorial Day to
Labor Day, and weekends during the spring and fall. The trail
also serves as a route for hikers and cross-country skiers.
Picnic tables, benches, rain shelters and a restroom are located
at key points along the trail. Historical markers detail special
events of the 1860s oil boom era. The trail is open to two-way
bicycle traffic. Stay to the right while riding. When passing
another cyclist, first ensure that there are no on-coming
riders, then call out to the cyclist that you are passing.
Bicycles should be parked off of the trail to avoid obstructing
traffic. Over 52 miles of hiking and interpretive trails lead
visitors through areas rich in historic and scenic interest.
Trail maps and information are available at the park office. For
information call: 888-PA-PARKS
Cherry Springs State Park
Facilities at Cherry Springs include camping sites and two
picnic shelters. Cherry Springs State Park is nearly as remote
and wild today as it was a century ago, a haven for campers who
like to rough it and who can appreciate one of the finest scenic
drives in all of Pennsylvania. Thirty (30) campground spaces and
a sanitary dump station are available. The campground is open
from the second Friday in April and closes at the end of
antlerless deer season in December. Maximum camping period shall
be limited to 14 consecutive nights. Advance registrations are
not accepted. For information call: 888-PA-PARKS
Promised Land State Park
Promised Land lies in the heart of the Poconos. Two lakes,
campgrounds, many hiking trails and beautiful scenery make the
park a popular destination in all seasons. Within the park you
can still see the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps done
in the 1930s. A seasonal museum explores CCC contributions and
area wildlife. 487 campsites are available in four tent and
trailer camping areas. All campgrounds are near swimming,
boating, fishing and hiking facilities. The Pines Campground is
located at the northwestern end of Promised Land Lake within
walking distance of the day use area and main beach. Pickerel
Point Campground is located on a peninsula and provides patrons
with the park's most primitive camping experience. Deerfield
Campground is up on the mountain tucked into the rocks. Lower
Lake Campground is found at the western edge of the Lower Lake
and contains modern restrooms with showers. Pickerel Point
Campground is open throughout the year. However, access cannot
be guaranteed during severe winter storms. Nestled in hemlocks,
adjacent to Lower Lake, the Bear Wallow Cabin Colony contains
twelve rustic rental cabins constructed by Civilian Conservation
Corps. These primitive cabins each have a fireplace, electricity
and an adjacent private bath There are more than 30 miles of
hiking trails in Promised Land State Park and the surrounding
state forest, providing access to many natural scenic places.
Hike Bruce Lake Road to a natural glacial lake, or see the
little waterfalls along the East Branch of Wallenpaupak Trail,
or walk a loop around Conservation Island. Splendid
opportunities exist for nature study, relaxation and
exploration. Motorized vehicles are prohibited on all hiking
trails, except snowmobiles, which are allowed on designated
snowmobile trails. Before hiking, let someone know where you are
going and when you will return. Take a map, stay on the trails
and plan to return before dusk. For information call:
888-PA-PARKS
Greenwood Furnace State Park
Nestled in the mountains of northeastern Huntingdon County,
historic Greenwood Furnace State Park offers a unique
recreational experience. The park covers 423 acres including a
six-acre lake. Fifty forested tent and trailer campsites are
open from the second Friday in April until the end of the
antlerless deer hunting season in late December. A washhouse
with flush toilets, hot showers and laundry tubs is available.
Many short hikes are available in the park and on surrounding
state forest lands. Two long distance trails begin in the park.
The Greenwood Spur of the Mid-State Trail leads past the
Greenwood Forest Fire Lookout Tower and through Alan Seeger
Natural Area where it intersects the Mid State Trail. Along the
way to the tower a person will see charcoal hearths where wood
was made into charcoal that fueled the Greenwood furnaces. The
Mid State Trail provides cross-country hiking in the Ridge and
Valley Region of central Pennsylvania. This 171-mile ridge top
route connects U.S. Route 22 at Water Street, Huntingdon County
and the West Rim Trail in the Tioga State Forest north of
Blackwell, Tioga County. The trail is characterized by extensive
forested areas which provide the hiker with a variety of
successional changes from newly regenerated forest stands
through mature and virgin timber and offers many scenic vistas.
The trail route takes the hiker through Penn Roosevelt State
Park, Thickhead Wild Area, Bear Meadows and the Detweiler
Natural Areas. The main trail is marked with orange paint blazed
rectangles 2 inches by 6 inches. Side trails are blue paint
blazed rectangles of the same size. Trail registers have been
installed at a number of places along the trail and overnight
camping is permitted anywhere along the trail except in the
natural areas or within 200 feet of any forest road. Hikers
wishing to camp overnight at a state park must use the camping
areas and pay the nightly fee. The Link Trail is a rugged
65-mile hike that links the Tuscarora Trail near Cowans Gap
State Park with the Mid State Trail via the Greenwood Spur. The
Tuscarora Trail intersects the Appalachian Trail in Perry County
and in Virginia. For information call: 888-PA-PARKS
Neshaminy State Park
The park provides access to several hiking trails (4.0 mi.)
which vary from flat to gently sloping. The River Walk Trail is
described in a booklet available at the park office. The
information provided in the booklet linked with a walk on the
trail, gives the hiker a fascinating look at the Delaware as it
flows by the park. For information call: 888-PA-PARKS
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