Hiking, Fishing, Camping/Cabin Rental Suggestions

[greenlander]

I don't have access to any other group I know that seems to possess such a wealth of knowledge of the PA outdoors, so hopefully a few of you don't mind providing advice on this topic.

Looking to get a group of about 6-10 friends together for a weekend trip somewhere in PA where we have some quality hikes nearby and, although only a few of us fish (and only me avidly), if there are streams that we can fish as part of the weekend, all the better.

Camping is a possibility, though someplace where we could rent a decent cabin would be even better.

Ideal would be a cabin on/very near a stream with good hiking nearby.

Hikes with an aggressive elevation gain and payoff views are welcomed.

Any/all suggestions are welcome.

Oh, w/in 3 hours or so of Philadelphia is needed as well.

 

[govtmule]

rickets glenn has cabins and trails through the falls...etc. you cant fish the stream in the park but they have a stocked lake plus other streams (fishing creek) are close. 2.5 hrs north of philly

http://www.rickettsglen.info/

 

[sandfly]

the area up here has cabins to rent right on the streams and there are dozens of trails. check out the links on my site.

 

[wildtrout2]

You might want to try the Fishing Creek Lodge in the little village of Central (Columbia Co). It's a bed & breakfast type of place on Fishing Creek, just up from Benton. You can rent the whole place if you make reservations. Many streams to choose from in this region! State Game Lands 1 mile north (Sullivan Co) as well. I've stayed here a lot of times and really like it.

 

[TYoung]

I agree with Sandfly, you should check out the Pine Creek Area in Lycoming or Tioga County. There is good fishing, good hiking, and plenty of cabins and houses to rent in the area.

 

[littlelehigh]

I am FINALLY heading up to Sandfly this summer for a weekend with the family on Pine creek. My wife picked out a cabin right on Pine and is so excited, suites me just fine.

I'd suggest the Tioga/Bradford county area. From the looks of things there is alot to do for everyone. From boat rentals to rail trails and everything in between.

Let us know where you wind up.

 

[fishingkidPA]

well i do not know much around philly, but there are some lodges in Benezette Central PA. It has good streams around it also BEAUTIFUL scenery, huge mountains, and elk 🙂

 

[TimMurphy]

Dear greenlander,

I'll put in a plug for Hemlock Acres in Coburn. It has been the sight of many of the past Jamborees. They have several rental cabins available that range from "rustic" to full fledged indoor facilities. They also have sites available for tent or trailer camping.

It's very close to Penns Creek and within 30 minutes to an hour of Spring Creek, Big Fishing Creek, and Spruce Creek/Little Juniata along with smaller streams too numerous to mention.

It's located on the edge of 186,000 acres of the Bald Eagle State Forest so there are plenty of trails and overlooks for the day jobbers who don't fish.

Send me a PM if you want contact information for the campground but you can find it on google too.

If you are looking for something else you might want to google "Homeaway" and check out the rental listings. Or look for a list of PA campgrounds and check through it for places that rent cabins or RV's on site.

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

 

[greenlander]

Thanks for the many suggestions. Looking into several of the mentioned options.

How is Pine Creek fishing these days? Did it have troubles recently, or am I confusing it with another Pine or another creek altogether?

 

[greenlander]

Ah, looks like it's not going to matter regarding Pine Creek. As wonderful as that area looks, the chances of me motivating the group to travel 4+ hours is unlikely. I think 2-3 hours from Philadelphia is going to be my limit.

 

[sandfly]

unless you are in south philly pine creek is a 3 hour drive from that area.

 

[pcray1231]

I'll recommend Black Moshannon. I've been to one of their cabins and they are very nice, perfect for a group like that. I think it was a "modern cabin", it was cabin #20 and away from the campground, but they have lots of cabins ranging from primitive to downright lodgelike. Lots of hiking trails around, including the Allegheny Front trail, which has the payoff views you're looking for. Fishing, well, there's Black Mo Creek (mostly stocked), lots of little brookie streams, and its a half hourish to places like Spring Creek. Also easy to jump on 80 and go east to BFC, though Penns and the LJR are hikes from there. Just about fits your 3 hour requirement Philly, I'd guess 3-3 1/2 hrs from downtown. For the upper Pine recommendations, I think you'd be looking at more like 4 hrs.

http://www.alleghenyfronttrail.info/

The Penns Creek area is another option, similar time from Philly. Better fishing, still got the views and hiking, nicer cabins are tougher to come by (but Hemlock Acres has cabins, just not sure how nice for that many guys).

Ricketts Glen is nice too, great waterfalls but that hike is a little more "touristy", but some wild country just to the N and W. Not sure of the cabin situation but I'm sure there's campgrounds and bed & breakfast type places.

 

[greenlander]

Still working on this. Proven harder than I thought.

Still looking at the Pine Creek area, Lackawaxen area, also now considering something on the E/W Branch of the D (are the lower portions of the WB wadeable, or do I need to go EB for wadeable?) ... and anything in between.

Definitely need something that is on water, private is better, as I know this group will be up late.

I never imagined there'd be SO many places to choose from in PA. VRBO/etc offers up a sea of cabins.

Anyone ever stayed in the DCNR cabins in Little Pine state park? I'm guessing they're not on the water.

 

[henrydavid]

I'm suprise no one mentioned the Loyalsock State Forest, cabins and camping inside Worlds End State Park. The hiking is some of the best in the state, native trout streams all around and the Little Sock & Big Sock.

Sullivan County is as unspoiled as it gets. Also in the area are Pleasant Stream, Masten & Rock Run.

 

[Bruno]

greenlander wrote:
Anyone ever stayed in the DCNR cabins in Little Pine state park? I'm guessing they're not on the water.

PA State Parks are Dry. Not sure if you planning on having a few but if you are be warned.

 

[henrydavid]

I've stayed dozens of times in cabins inside DCNR Parks, we never were confronted or even warned. We had beers pretty well in plain site. Heck even one cabin had a kegger on the porch, that was at Worlds End, other parks might be different.

 

[bikerfish]

I agree it depends on the ranger and the park. I've been camping and sipping some beers for 20 years at state parks all over the state, always kept it discreet, never a problem. only time I had an issue was at cherry springs, the ranger kept constant surveilence on us, parking up the hill and sitting in his vehicle and watching our every move. finally got dark and he left. we were the only people camping there at that time. he never did stop to talk, just stared. wierd.
best to keep it discreet. I think the rangers know most folks have some beers (one look at the dumpster should be a clue!) but as long as no one is being an idiot, they leave ya alone. gives them leverage though in case there are some rowdy folks.
thumbs up on worlds end, one of my favorites. gets crowded during the season though.

 

[wsender]

I'm going to put another plug in for the Pine Creek area. Happy Acres (http://www.happyacresresort.net/) has an assortment of cabins all up and down and around Pine Creek from Waterville to Wellsboro and then points west and north of there.

It's a breath taking area. There is good hiking from Rails to Trails which pretty much runs the length of Pine Creek, and is lower gradient. Then there are the mid state trails in Little Pine Creek State Park which are higher gradient. Then their are also trails in PA Grand Canyon Park as well too.

Excellent fishing through out. Pine Creek from Slate Run up is wonderful. Little Pine Creek above the dam is great as well. I think Pine Creek provides a unique fishing experience that is hard to find in PA. It's a great river.

It's definitely worth the trip from Philly!

 

[pcray1231]

I fully agree with all of the suggestions, Pine Creek valley, world's end, etc., etc. The only thing is, they violate the OP's 3 hr requirement from Philly. Thats why I tried to keep my suggestions further south. If he upped it to 4 hours, well, then thats a different story.

As for alcohol. We never did it late or loud, and always kept it relatively out of sight, and usually you're ok. It's not like they don't know but they're usually pretty cool about it as long as you aren't disturbing anyone or making it obvious to kids around. But I have been hassled in situations where a neighboring group was getting rowdy, and hey, if the ranger's gotta say something to them, its not fair they only selectively enforce the law, so they feel they gotta say something to you too. As far as cabins, I think the same would apply if the cabin is in the campground. If its outside the campground, I still wouldn't leave cases laying around in plain site or anything, but I think you'd have more freedom.

 

[greenlander]

Believe it or not, a few days out, this is still undecided.

The most likely scenario is we'll end up near the Lackawanna in NEPA, after which I might head up and fish the Upper D/catskill streams.

As pcray said, although I'm still pushing for it, I don't think I can get most of the group to drive 3.5+ hours. The area we're heading keeps it under 2.5 for everyone.

I don't know half the group, so my influence is somewhat limited.

And thanks to Bruno for the warning about the parks being dry. That's definitely an issue I'll simply avoid.