Just over an hour from State College, you will find Little Pine State Park, spreading across 2,158 acres. Not to be missed is over the four-mile-long Little Pine Creek from which it borrows its name. Located 40 minutes away from Williamsport and Lock Haven in Pennsylvania, the park borders the mountainous terrain of Tiadaghton State Forest, making it a favorable habitat for wildlife. Animals such as bear, coyote, and deer are in plenty while birders can spot wild turkey, osprey, and nesting eagles.
This is the ideal destination for RVers who like to add elements of nature and adventure to their vacation. All year round the park has interesting outdoor activities. Little Pine State Park welcomes guests to take part in hunting, hiking, and fishing. If visiting in the winter come with your skiing and snowmobiling gear. RV visitors can also engage in ice fishing and sledding.
With over 100 campsites to choose from, there is no shortage of places to spend time with your family. RV campers will appreciate that most sites are equipped with electric hookups.
RVers can get to Little Pine State Park easily. Little Pine Creek Road leading to the park is a one-lane road in some sections. Campers can park at designated campsites or if they have a second vehicle there are extra parking spaces near the campground entrance. Interior roads are well maintained and wide enough for large trailers. For those in the group tenting area, there is a paved parking lot available. Motor vehicles are prohibited from using the Lake Shore Trail. There are no driving restrictions in the park.
Little Pine State Park is a pet-friendly campground with 104 campsites that can accommodate trailers, motorhomes, and tents. Campsites are open from April to mid-December. Most of the park’s RV campsites can accommodate a trailer of up to 30 feet and are equipped with electricity.
A dump station, water outlets, showers, garbage and recycling receptacles, fire ring, picnic tables, and flush toilets are some of the amenities you can enjoy here. Advance reservations are available up to 11 months in advance. Guests can camp for a maximum of 14 days from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Outside this time frame, campers can stay for a maximum of 21 days.
Little Pine State Park is a haven for hikers. With over 10 miles of scenic trails, visitors can gain access to every attraction and facility within the park. For those who need an easy hike the nearly one-mile Carsontown Trail and the five-mile Button Ball Trail will perfectly match their ability. The five and a half Lake Shore Trail is a little bit difficult but doable. For animal lovers and birders, this one of the best nature trails. While the nearly three-mile Panther Run Trail and one-mile Spikebuck Hollow Trail will probably require some degree of fitness they have got the most rewarding views. Additionally, some section of the 250-mile Pennsylvania Mid State Trail passes through the park.
Anglers will love the flexibility to either fish along the four-mile Little Pine Creek, a tributary of Pine Creek originating from the forest, or the Pine Creek Lake. Little Pine State Park presents a variety of fishing options and species. Little Pine Creek is great for fly fishing while the lake shorelines are perfect for bank fishing. If you need to get deeper in the waters, you can just rent a boat and try your luck. The lake is stocked with a variety of trout including brook, rainbow, and brown. Other prominent fish species include smallmouth bass, perch, and sunfish.
What about swimming in the cool waters or basking on the beach during the summer? Little Pine Lake State Park offers visitors a chance to enjoy its sandy beach from late May to mid-September. If you have carried your swimsuit in your camper just get to the changing room in the concession area and you are good to go. Extra caution is required since there is no lifeguard available.
Bring your boat to set out and explore the 60-acre Little Pine Lake. Here you can launch your boat or enjoy offshore mooring in the parks 25 mooring spaces. Paddle boats, canoes, and rowboats can be rented from the concession area from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Only electric motors are permitted.
Little Pine State Park has plenty of white-tailed deer, ruffed grouse, and fox that can be hunted. The park’s 1,700 acres of land is open seasonally for hunting and trapping, giving hunters a chance to practice their skills. Additionally, archers can enjoy more game hunting in the neighboring Tiadaghton State Forest land. Here you can hunt for bear and wild turkey. This area also hosts dog training and an archery range.
Park your campervan in the parking area and choose your favorite picnic spot along the Little Pine Creek. The park provides a mix of shaded and open day use areas for its visitors. There are four picnic areas to choose from. For intimate picnicking, the park has secluded day use area amounting to six acres in the lower picnic area surrounded by maple and white pine. For your convenience, the picnic areas are equipped with tables and grills.
