Charlie Hutler of Easton is one of the “Seen ’em All Challenge” winners (those folks who filled their Pennsylvania State Parks and State Forests Passport with adventure) having wrapped up the original 121 with Keystone State Park in September 2021. He wrote in to share some of his thoughts on the many things to be seen and done. Read along!

Benjamin Rush State Park Model Airplane Field 1

Benjamin Rush State Park Model Airplane Field

The model plane field at Benjamin Rush was a surprise. Now drones can be flown too, but only at Beltzville, Benjamin Rush, Hillman, Lackawanna, Prompton, and Tuscarora state parks. Rules such as registration with the FFA must be followed. I had a nice time just watching, especially the big model planes.

Little Pine State Park Shooting Range

Little Pine State Park Shooting Range

Little Pine had both a shooting range and an archery range. A partnership with the Pennsylvania game commission provides state parks with all they need to offer an Explore Archery program. Keep an eye on the Calendar of Events for classes near you.

Many parks allow horseback riding and you can even keep your horse overnight with you at Promised Land.

Evansburg has a cricket field and Caledonia has golf. For the more daring, you can go rock climbing at McConnells Mill or hang gliding from Hyner View.

Class 4 white water rafting is a big draw at Ohiopyle but there’s also the natural water slide here at Meadow Run.

All terrain vehicles are allowed on some state forest land. If you have one, you might want to find the obscure Prouty Place State Park in the Susquehannock State Forest. If an ATV is too expensive, you can still get a rush on the many mountain bike trails. A highly rated one is in Yellow Creek State Park.

Ohiopyle State Park 7 Meadow Run Waterslide

Ohiopyle State Park Meadow Run Waterslide

Lehigh Gorge State Park Bike Riders at the Tannery Gate

Lehigh Gorge State Park – Bike Riders at the Tannery Gate

Need a smoother trail to bike? The Lehigh Gorge trail is 24 miles but you can break it up in sections. And while the Delaware Canal trail is 59 miles, it too has many parking areas along the way and several great local eating places to take a break.

I don’t like to travel in the snow so I’ll just say there’s plenty of winter activities to do. Things like sledding, ice skating, ice fishing, cross country skiing and Blue Knob, Laurel Mountain, and Big Pocono offer a full skiing experience. Of course there’s seasonal hunting too in many parks and nearby state forest land.

My favorite activities involve the water and our parks are water wonderlands. Even the smallest tend to have at least a creek running through them. Most parks have some kind of a fishing opportunity. I was pleased to see so many handicapped piers being used and it made me smile to see numerous parents teaching their kids to fish.

Boating is popular at the state parks but each park has its own motor restrictions so check first. Beltzville has a beautiful lake and it has a section for water skiing. Many state parks have water craft rentals, so get out in a canoe, kayak, or paddleboat.

Beltzville State Park Boat Launch

Beltzville State Park Boat Launch

Codorus has a large boat rental vendor and Nockamixon has a lot of space for sailboat mooring, but it was at French Creek where I was pleasantly surprised I could rent one.

Codorus State Park Boat Rental

Codorus State Park Boat Rental

Two times a year the quieter Ralph Stover park comes alive when a water release turns a tranquil stream into a white water torrent.

Ralph Stover State Park Fall '21 Dam Release Whitewater Rafting (3)

Ralph Stover State Park – Fall ’21 Dam Release

I like a trip to the ocean, but I especially like the lakes, and there’s so many beautiful lakes at our state parks. Shot from the dam, I picked the beach at Raymond Winter as a nice example.

Raymond B Winter State Park View from Dam along Route 192

Raymond B Winter State Park – View from Dam along Route 192

Little Buffalo State Park Pool With Water Slides

Little Buffalo State Park Pool With Water Slides

When there’s no beach, the larger parks have pools. At 4 o’clock on a hot July day, I was drawn to the pool at Little Buffalo.

Kettle Creek State Park Lower Campground2

Kettle Creek State Park – Lower Campground

Ready to stay the night?  There’s so much great camping at the state parks. For now I’ll mention the camping spots along the Kettle Creek Lake. Imagine catching dinner right out the camper door. For convenience, some camps have stores and it’s also nice when you have a campground host.

Well that’s a broad overview of the park activities. I hope I’ve energized you so you’ll get to a park and do something fun outdoors.

Some people have asked what Pennsylvania State Park I first visited. It was only recently that I found a picture of me, just out of college, going canoeing. It was at Memorial Lake State Park.

 

Memorial Lake State Park Canoeing Trip

Memorial Lake State Park Canoeing Trip

charles hutler keystone 121

He has also posted a complete series of reviews and pictures of the PA State Parks on Google Maps. If you should see a review or photo by Charles H., just click on the name and all the reviews come up. Charlie reports that, “In three years there’s been over one million looks at the reviews and ten million views of the pictures.”

Share News

What all is there to do in Pennsylvania’s state parks?