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PAtacoFF's Pennsylvania and Mid-Atlantic State Parks and Forests Campsite "reviews"

Discussion in 'North East' started by PAtacoFF, Sep 18, 2019.

  1. Sep 9, 2020 at 8:48 AM
    #21
    PennStateTaco

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    Middle Section

    Site 33
    20200907_112533.jpg

    Site 33 is at the end of Old Mingle Road. There is a gate at the end of the road but the campsite entrance is on the left. This site is very large and will accommodate a trailer/Tent/Pop-up easily. Very secluded being it is the last campsite on the road and the closest one to it is the site I stayed at which is about 100 yards up the road.

    20200907_112638.jpg

    20200907_112632.jpg

    20200907_112703.jpg
     
  2. Oct 2, 2020 at 3:46 PM
    #22
    PAtacoFF

    PAtacoFF [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Bald Eagle State Forest Site #5 - and some other random bits

    Camped at BESF site #5 early this week for two nights. Over all it could be a really nice site. But I'm not going to share pics of the full site. And here's why:IMG_4539.jpg
    IMG_4541.jpg
    IMG_4543.jpg

    This is why we can't have nice things!!!!
    There was sooooo much tp at this site not buried or cleaned up. There was even some under a SMALL rock right in the middle of the main camp area! Spent brass all over the place. Car parts, and other trash and debris. People are FILTHY. I realize I'm probably preaching to the choir here but for the love of all things Pack It In, Pack It Out!

    It's obvious this site is used pretty heavily, and I can see why. It is relatively large, relatively well laid out, and really close to a set in point to the SF. But I can also see it getting shut down if it keeps being misused. I will still share some of the other more remote sites even in this post, bc I think it is important that people do get out into the woods, and do use the forest for recreation so that the SF managers keep the sites and understand that recreation is a good use of the forest, and I think it is important to know that a site might not be what you really want in terms of size, location, layout, etc. This site however needs some time to rest and recuperate.

    After my first night I went for drive in the SF as I like to do. I came across Nittany Mountain Trail, a drivable trail, and a sign that said that it dead ended in .4 miles. I don't normally do the trails when alone since I am driving a nearly stock SR5 with no recovery gear. But I looked down the trail and it seemed mild and would only be a short drive out to "Catherines Crown" which was on both my Gaia and Purple Lizard maps. It was a pretty drive, at nearly 2k feet the colors were really starting to show
    IMG_4551.jpg

    But folks, I had no right to be on that trail
    IMG_4552.jpg

    I took this picture of this mudhole on the way back out. The first time I went though it I went towards what is the passenger side of this pic (drivers on the way out) and had no problems. When I got past this going out is when things started to get uncomfortable for me. I had the truck more off camber than I ever have a couple of times (probably nothing for seasoned off road drivers) due to some larger rocks and drop offs (remember I don't have a lift or sliders or anything else). I finally got to a turnaround spot and headed back. And let me say I was WAY further than .4 miles in. More like 1.4 :notsure:. I cleared the rocks relatively easily and got back to the mudhole. I stopped took the pic and headed back in, this time to the left. Or I tried to go left. The mud had another idea and sucked the passenger tire right to the deep spot. I slowed down so gave it some more gas trying to push through. NOPE. All I got was wheel spin and sink to the axle. Rocked it a few times and tried to go forward. Nope. More sinking. I thought I was going to have to put out an SOS on here to have somebody with a winch or traction boards come to my rescue. But I rocked again and was able to goose it good in reverse and back out. Took a deep breath, engaged 4lo, aimed far left this time and made it through no issues! PHEW, lesson learned though, won't be doing that again solo at least without some recovery gear.

    Back on more solid ground and with the rain now beginning to pour down, I visited a few of the primitive sites I hadn't seen yet. Here is site #2. It is back off of a parking area and is quite large. Another site for equestrians it has two horse hitches and plenty of room for trailers.
    IMG_4553.jpg IMG_4554.jpg

    Site #1 is quite nice as well, although it is near a SF road intersection so traffic may be a bit higher. Has a mix of sun and shade, although not well screened from the road. A bit of strategic parking or tarp arrangement would help with that though.
    IMG_4555.jpg IMG_4556.jpg

    I came across a vista with an amazing view
    IMG_4557.jpg

    I found site #14 which is way out there. It was occupied so no pics. It is a tent only site but looked nice for that. 2-3 car parking area and large area for fire and dining and separate tent area from what I could see.

    Since I was near R.B. Winter SP on my way back to camp (actually on detour to Rusty Rail Brew Co for some more beer and appetizers to go) I went there to use the facilities and buy some wood bc what I had wasn't going to last me though these conditions.
    IMG_4562.jpg

    It was another good trip in BESF. Next trip is in a few weeks with the family to Black Moshannon SP to hopefully see some elk.
     
  3. Oct 5, 2020 at 7:40 AM
    #23
    cynicalrider

    cynicalrider #NFG

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    Site 33 looks awesome.
     
  4. Oct 5, 2020 at 7:12 PM
    #24
    HomerTaco

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    I need to get out here... :(
     
  5. Oct 19, 2020 at 8:47 PM
    #25
    PAtacoFF

    PAtacoFF [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Black Moshannon State Park and Surrounding Area including Quehanna

    Took a short two night trip with the wife and son to Black Moshannon this past weekend. We had site 66 and it was really nice.

    IMG_4659.jpg

    This is a nice little park. We didn't get to do anything in the park itself since it was such a short trip, so on our way home we talked about trying to get back sooner rather than later. The park itself is great for wildlife lovers with a trail that leads to a large wetland area just outside the campsite and other hiking trails as well. The park has a what looked like a decent size, but not large, lake for kayaking/canoeing along with rentals of both available (seasonal). There is a camp store just outside the entrance to the camp area (possibly seasonal). The campground itself is relatively small. It is also nearly fully wooded with just a few more open sites. Our site was nicely screened from other sites by a few smaller trees and had a couple of larger trees that I was able to hang my newish Kelty 16ft tarp between. If it hadn't been for the RV crowd leaving their exterior lights on all night I would have been able to see the Milky Way as it was right above the site in a perfect opening in the tree canopy. As it was I was able to see a crap ton of stars and just the faintest hint of the milky way.
    Bears don't seem to be an issue since the dumpsters were left hanging wide open and there was a complete lack of any other bear resistant trash receptacles. The raccoons however, they just don't give a shit at all that you are sitting there talking by the fire, they will come steal your trash at night! One tried the first night with ours just about 10-15ft away from us, it ran away as soon as we heard it and moved to shine a light. The second night two of them ripped open the neighbor sites trash even with us watching and shining a bright led spot flashlight in their face, they knew we were to far away to do anything and had an easy meal.
    There is NO firewood available at the park itself. There is a list of a few "nearby" locations to get wood but the couple we drove past were out. Plan accordingly.

    Of course we had some good food cooked over the fire. Steak fajitas one night, Balsamic marinated chicken and veggies the other.
    IMG_4657.jpg IMG_4664.jpg

    Our main reason for going to this area was to try to see some of the native elk population that resides north of I-80. We saw a few during the day, but not the main herd. If we had been out earlier or later in the day perhaps we would have seen more but it was still exciting, especially for the wife and son, to see them out in the "wild". It would probably be better to stay at Parker Dam or S.B. Elliot State Parks for elk site seeing since you would be closer to the area the herds live, and could get out closer to dawn or dusk.
    This guy was an absolute beast. His shoulders were above roof line height and that rack :101010:.IMG_4546.jpg

    We were respectful of the fact that this is a wild animal, and he's in his space (which in this pic also is some persons side yard) and stayed on the side of the road and about 200ft back. However many people were not nearly as respectful. There were about 8 cars parked in this persons grass and 15-20 people within 20ft of the elk trying to get their instagram selfies. If he wanted he could have skewered them all. He did rub against one of the cars with his hips on the way past, sort of a 'this is my space' vibe.

    While sort of looking for elk, but mainly just driving around and soaking in the fall colors we drove through the Quehanna Wild Area and made a few stops.
    IMG_4639.jpg IMG_4641.jpg

    This is a beautiful area and I can imagine that it is that way no matter the time of year you would visit.

    It is hunting season, and being cognizant of that, as well as respecting the hunters we didn't hike any trails with vistas or through the 900+ acres of paper birch. But there was one vista that we were able to drive to with a great view over the west branch of the Susquehanna. Phone picture doesn't do it justice.

    IMG_4633.jpg

    On our drive I was sure to route up Big Medix Grade Rd to check out the dispersed campsites there. I've seen these mentioned a few times and needed to scope them out. They are all good to great sites. Some or right on the road, and others are set back a bit. Some are large enough for travel trailers, other are just tent only sites. There is a fair amount of hiking in the area, fishing in Medix Run, and with forest rd and high clearance trails to drive.

    Notes:
    Site 10- on the road, its nice but not screened from road
    9 - tent only site. parking along rd, short trail across creek to camp area
    8 - nice, large
    7- nice, smaller than 8, stony
    6 - small and on road
    5- nice, small but also oxymoronically has space
    4,3 - side by side sites, if occupied together large space. fishing area
    2 - smallish but nice
    1 - bigger site for trailer
     
  6. Oct 25, 2020 at 6:51 AM
    #26
    PennStateTaco

    PennStateTaco Well-Known Member

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    I am still looking for public land places with drivable trails like Bald Eagle State Forest. Anyone have some good places to go?

    State Game Lands, State Forests, Public Land power lines etc??? I want to find free trails as I am not into the paid off road parks. I love Bald Eagle State Forest. Some of the trails up there are pretty awesome just to putt around on and take in the views.

    Anyone have some favorite trails they can share as I would really like to get out to some more places. I have a stock TRD Pro and I just want to go out to trails like Bald Eagle where there are some high clearance areas but not monster boulders or anything like at Rausch Creek.

    Even better are places where you can go camping on the trails. Anyone have places like this where I can go overlanding overnight or just for a day trip to play in the dirt, mud water etc....
     
    fasteddieyj likes this.
  7. Oct 25, 2020 at 6:58 AM
    #27
    fasteddieyj

    fasteddieyj Well-Known Member

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    Geaorge Washington/Jefferon national forests have a lot of the same types of trails that are open. Plus a ton of free camping. I know it's a bit more of a haul, but totally worth it for a longer weekend type trip. I'm planning on heading down there for a few days over the Thanksgiving holiday.
    Another area that I have not had a chance to check out but have found on my gps is located north of Sproul state forest. Look for Kettle Creek road of of route 120, north of the Susquehanna river. There are a bunch of forest roads/trails indicated on the gps that look like they should be open to motor vehicles.
     
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  8. Oct 25, 2020 at 7:01 AM
    #28
    HomerTaco

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    Look above Lock Haven... Lots of "roads less traveled" up there.
     
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  9. Oct 25, 2020 at 7:03 AM
    #29
    HomerTaco

    HomerTaco also HomerTaco Vendor

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    Sproul is what I was referring to. Used to go up there twice a year to ride ATV's.
     
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  10. Oct 25, 2020 at 7:17 AM
    #30
    PennStateTaco

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    Thanks dude I will definitely look at Kettle Creek. What GPS program do you recommend? Gaia Gps or do you use something else?
     
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  11. Oct 25, 2020 at 7:18 AM
    #31
    PennStateTaco

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    Sproul is on my list now. Are the purple lizard maps worth it for these kinds of places?
     
  12. Oct 25, 2020 at 7:22 AM
    #32
    fasteddieyj

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    I use Gaia and have been happy with it the few times that I have used it.
     
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  13. Oct 25, 2020 at 7:23 AM
    #33
    PennStateTaco

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    I looked at the free version. Is the paid version a lot better?
     
  14. Oct 25, 2020 at 7:36 AM
    #34
    fasteddieyj

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  15. Oct 25, 2020 at 7:42 AM
    #35
    PennStateTaco

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    Thanks man. Really appreciate the info! I dont mind paying for the membership at all. I just wanted to make sure it is worth it. PA is a tricky place to find trails open for public use so I wasnt sure if this application was worth it before purchasing it.

    I have been messing around with it this morning and still unsure if the trails I see are open for public use. Thats why I was asking about the paid vs free version. If the paid version really highlights the driveable trails I would buy in a heartbeat.
     
    Last edited: Oct 25, 2020
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  16. Nov 1, 2020 at 1:47 PM
    #36
    PennStateTaco

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    I was up at Bald Eagle again this weekend. This was my last trip up there for the year to camp at least. It was not supposed to rain this weekend. The weather called for clear and cold.. Well they got the cold part right but clear it was not it actually was snowing.
    I tent camp and I was prepared for it to be a little on the cold side but when the snow started the temperature dropped about 7 degrees colder.
    At 3 AM it was 27 degrees out Friday night. Fortunately I was well insulated with my Blue Moon Beer :cheers:. Overall I had a blast but this will be my last camping trip for the year up there. Cant wait till next spring!

    I took a few pictures of our campsite which was Site 34. Absolutely loved it there. It is very secluded and near the bottom of Hobo Vista. I took my truck out to play on the trails this weekend and I was not disappointed.

    The first trail we did was Negro Hollow. Let me tell you that trail is legitimate. Stock rigs might not fair well at all in there. We had so much rain over the week that we had lots of water. Quite a few holes that were up to my doors. We had ruts that were kissing my skid plate and just over all very very sketchy trail. But it was a blast.

    We went down some other trails that the gates had been opened up for hunting season. All in all a great weekend!

    Site 34
    20201031_134058.jpg 20201031_134113.jpg 20201031_134044.jpg

    We also drove by site 30 which is right down the road. This site is also very secluded.

    Site 30
    20201030_180001.jpg 20201030_175947.jpg

    And for your viewing pleasure here is Hobo Vista which is right up the road from where we were camping at.

    Hobo Vista
    20201031_135044.jpg
     
    Last edited: Nov 1, 2020
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  17. Nov 1, 2020 at 1:57 PM
    #37
    fasteddieyj

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    I've seen a few other mentions of the Negro Hollow trail but can't seem to find it on my gps. Where abouts is it in the forest?
     
  18. Nov 1, 2020 at 2:30 PM
    #38
    PennStateTaco

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    If you look at my map. Look at site 30 It sits just to the left of site 30. Took us about an hour to run it. It is very long and those ruts are deep. Few times I thought about turning back because we were alone. Few water holes were well up to my doors. Truck had no issues at all.. but there were a few areas with some rocks that did get technical about tire placement.

    Capture Middle.jpg
     
  19. Apr 8, 2021 at 7:08 AM
    #39
    cynicalrider

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    I'll be interested to see the discrepancy you both have had on site 62. One of you said it's large and flat the other said it's small and not flat. I am camping there in May for a dual sport trip with some buddies. Should be able to provide pictures for this thread. I originally wanted 47 based on the reviews in this thread but it was already booked up. 33 was also on my list and was available but it would take us way out of the way of where the majority of the dual sport trails are. It's basically separated by penns creek from one side of the mountain to the other.
     
  20. Apr 9, 2021 at 7:56 AM
    #40
    PAtacoFF

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    Let me know what you think. I don't have any pics, but I just checked my notes again and I did write down small, not flat. I most likely didnt get out of the truck since those sites weren't appealing to me and may have missed a larger flatter area further back off the road. And flat for me is easy enough to level my trailer flat which might be different than somebody else's flat. I've got a trip planned in late May to site 47, hopefully have my new hiker trailer. I'll check back at 62 if I get a chance and see what I might have missed if you haven't yet. Enjoy your trip :bikewheelie:
     

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