Worlds End State Park is a 780-acre park in northeastern Pennsylvania, a little over 100 miles north of Hershey and Harrisburg. While the name Worlds End State Park has been the official name of this park since 1954, it has been known by several names throughout history, and locals consider both Whirls End and Whirls Glen to be synonymous to Worlds End. This secluded park is surrounded by the Loyalsock State Forest and offers a variety of enjoyable recreational activities for RVers to spend time in natural surroundings.
The untamed, rugged beauty of the park is inspirational for photographers and other artists. The Worlds End State Park Family Cabin District, which includes 19 cabins and three latrines originally developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps between 1933 and 1941, earned the park a listing on the National Register of Historic Place in 1987. Birds and other animals are abundant in this area, and it also has been named an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area by BirdLife International. The Loyalsock Creek that runs through the park is a popular spot for trout fishing, and there are a number of wonderful hiking and skiing trails available to explore the wilderness of Worlds End. Whether you are visiting Worlds End State Park in your campervan or trailer there are plenty of activity to enjoy all year long from swimming to snowmobiling.
Worlds End State Park is about 45 minutes northeast of Williamsport, PA. The roads that lead to Worlds End State Park have a number of twists and turns along the way, but they are wide enough for big rigs to easily navigate and most have wide shoulders. Roads inside and outside the park are heavily forested so watch out for falling leaves and tree branches. The tiny town of Forksville, home of a 150-year-old general store turned restaurant, is the closest town to the campgrounds.
Inside the wooded campground, the roads are unpaved and more narrow. It can be difficult to see around corners and it is important to take your time and use caution when driving through the park, especially if you have a large camper or are towing a trailer or boat. There is a sanitary dump station located within the park but the road to reach it is steep and winding. The Visitors Center is clearly visible from the road, and there is plenty of parking available there.
There are 70 tent, RV, and trailer sites located in the Worlds End State Park, about one mile east of the park office. Camping facilities are available by reservation and about half of them are equipped with electricity. None of the campsites have water hookups but there is water as well as shower houses that are just a short distance from each of the sites.
Campsites are wooded and quite private. Each is equipped with a fire ring, grill, and a picnic table, but it is important to read the site descriptions carefully before reserving your site, especially if you have a big rig. The size of the sites can vary greatly, with a few sites being large enough to accommodate a 80-foot rig, while others are much smaller and only able to house a trailer or campervan up to 20 feet long.
Pets are permitted only at designated sites and are required to be under human control with a six foot or shorter leash at all times. There is a pet walk area to walk your canine companion, but they are not allowed in any areas not specifically designated for them, particularly the camp office, swimming areas, and most of the trails.
There is an abundance of wildlife in and around the Worlds End State Park. Plenty of ruffed grouse, eastern grey squirrels, groundhogs, and white-tailed deer make these forests their home as well as a few bears and bobcats. Hunting is permitted on about half of the lands in this state park, so be aware of where you are and wear visible clothing such as an orange vest if you are planning on venturing into hunting areas during hunting season.
Behind the canyon vista is an area known as a rock garden, which was formed by frost wedging which created large crevices and caves within the rocks. Climbing in and on these rocks is a great way for older kids to let off a little steam and can be interesting for adults as well. Exercise common sense when climbing, wear good shoes, and keep an eye on the kids as they explore. Some of the rocks here are the size of small houses and falling from them could be dangerous.
The Loyalsock Creek that runs through Worlds End State Park, as well as its tributary, the Double Run, are designated as approved trout waters. Not only is there an active population of brown trout that reproduce here naturally, but these areas are also well-stocked with other types of trout by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat commission during trout season. While fishing is good throughout the year, these waters are more likely to yield fish during the late spring and early fall when the water is cooler, and fly fishing is the most effective method used.
If you are planning a trip to Worlds End State Park in the summer, you will want to bring your swimsuit and water shoes with you in your camper. A section of Loyalsock creek has been sectioned off as a swimming hole with deep water and it is delightfully cool, even in the summer heat. There are no lifeguards so it is best to swim with a buddy, but it is well-marked and there is a refreshment stand nearby that is open during the summer months.
There are more than 20 miles worth of somewhat challenging hiking trails in and around Worlds End State Park. The shortest trail is the one-mile High Rock Trail, a difficult trail that gains several hundred feet of elevation as you traverse it. The-1.2 mile Double Run, which features a number of small waterfalls, may be a bit more moderate, although it has several short sections of steep climbing as well. The longest trail is the 59.21-mile Loyalsock Trail, which connects the Worlds End State Park with the rest of the Loyalsock forest, and travels on old footpaths, logging roads, and abandoned railroad grades.
Worlds End State Park is one portion of a very large Important Bird Area, encompassing 214,839 acres of woodland. The Audubon Society designated this area as a globally important habitat for bird conservation and featured the park in their Susquehanna River Birding and Wildlife Trail Guide. There are over 200 various species that either make these woods their home or migrate through it on a regular basis. Commonly seen species include vireos, flycatchers, herons, and grouse, as well as the many varieties of warbler that use this area as a breeding ground. Northern goshawks and several types of owl roost in the park as well, including the rare and elusive northern saw-whet owl.
