Members with information/experience/interest in Pennsylvania State Forests for off pavement travel/dispersed camping

[DevilDodge]

Yes. Taking the forest to get to state college is much more relaxing than roaring down 99.

There are a few drivable trails there. I havent hit any yet, but plan to soon.

The fire towers are cool to see.

We hiked a bit on the mid state trail.

There is alot of native American history there as well. Some if the lookouts were used by the tribes for security

Can not wait to get back down there.

 

[DevilDodge]

Just got notification...Purple Lizard maps have arrived. That was fast.

 

[SteveC-Pro4X]

Last night I camped in Bald Eagle State Park at the Poe Paddy campground. My campsite was near the stream. My trek began on Saturday at Ricketts Glenn. Feels good to get out after being cooped up.

 

[riss800]

Last night I camped in Bald Eagle State Park at the Poe Paddy campground. My campsite was near the stream. My trek began on Saturday at Ricketts Glenn. Feels good to get out after being cooped up.

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I couldn't agree more! It felt great to be out camping and fishing this past weekend with my brothers. As one of them said "it was a nice slice of normal pie and it was wonderful"! Oh and this looks like a great camp site, I will need to check it out.

 

[DevilDodge]

Got some gear for my excursions into the Pennsylvania Wilds. Combined with my compass they form the most important gear I have.

Looked at them a bit. Really informative and easy to see. Worth every penny.

They were out of the Moshannon and Quehanna maps.

Gonna do some looking now.

 

[SteveC-Pro4X]

I just ordered my Purple Lizard maps for Bald Eagle and Loyalsock regions. They're arriving today.

 

[DevilDodge]

Anyone complete a trip this weekend?

We got out with our travel trailer. Going again tomorrow for the weekend.

 

[SteveC-Pro4X]

Not this past weekend or the one coming. On June 6th or 7th, I am heading out again and Bald Eagle is on the agenda. I may go farther west to PA Wilds afterwards.

 

[JeepingMike]

I spent the weekend in BESF. We drove around that area, Poe Paddy State Park, over Poe Paddy Drive, and Ingleby View/Penns View. Definitely a good place to set up a base camp and go from there. Great weather, some rough "road", mostly gravel roads, nothing technical. Awesome to be back wandering outdoors.

 

[DevilDodge]

Sounds like a great trip @JeepingMike

I am hoping to make it out there in the next couple weekends.

Thanks for sharing

 

[DevilDodge]

Looks like Rothrock opened to camping this weekend. Good news.

 

[SteveC-Pro4X]

Great photos, @JeepingMike .

 

[JeepingMike]

Great photos, @JeepingMike .

Thanks!

 

[DevilDodge]

So, on 2 weekends now we had members say they are about completely booked for motorized campsites.

My only experience with them is some scouting I did in February and March...and as expected there wasn't anyone using them.

So, to my question. Are these always this booked up in the summer? You can reserve 90 days ahead. Anyone know if they have a system that shows what is reserved, or do you really have to request with your top choices and hope you get one.

Obviously, I can just call and ask...but just curious what has been the scenario when people have reserved a permit.

Thank you

 

[SteveC-Pro4X]

Here is my recent experience:

Using reserveamerica.com, I booked two more nights at Poe Paddy, next to the stream, three weeks in advance. There seemed to be lots of other sites available.

Also using reserveamerica.com, I booked four nights, lakefront site at Ricketts Glenn, three months in advance. The lakefront sites are prime and they usually have a longer lead time of three to four months.

I hope that helps.

 

[DevilDodge]

Yes, reserve america is perfect for state park campgrounds. You can book 11 months in advance.

Unfortunately, they do not do the motorized campsites. You have to contact each particular State forest. I just didn't want to bother them at the moment as they are pretty busy being we are coming out of the covid days.

Was just curious if anyone came across something like the reserve america for the dispersed sites. I am pretty sure there is notjimg like it...but wondered if they can tell you what weekends the site is available or if you just have to make the request and hope.

I have been using Reserve America since 2015. It is great for many reasons. One being able to see what is available...and then also being able to see how full the particular campground is.

We reserve for trunk or treat at our local State park. We do it 11 months in advance. But because we planned to stay 2 weekends in a row, I thought...hmm....i can actually reserve our site 2 weeks early...well guess what...i wasn't the first to try this trick...our site was gone as someone else reserved the full 14 days in advance.

By the actual 11 month in advance date, 90% of the campground was reserved.

I did check poe paddy and poe Valley for the weekend I am planning...booked already.

Either they are always this busy, or plenty of people were doing research while quarantined...lol

 

[DevilDodge]

I believe @LGlx was to spend some time in Bald Eagle this weekend. Very anxious to hear his report.

 

[LGlx]

Very pleased and happy with our trip. We stayed at Site 34. Did 30 miles Friday and close to 60 miles Saturday. Notable off-road and tight spots are Hallow Negro, Longwell Draft, Strong Mountain Rd, Little Poe, Paddy Mtn road, Poe Paddy. Pretty much we tried hitting most OHV roads we can get in one day.

 

[LGlx]

 

[LGlx]