Worlds End State Park
With a name like Worlds End, you'd expect this park to offer rugged and breathtaking natural beauty in abundance. Happily, it delivers in spades!
Located in Pennsylvania's Sullivan County and surrounded by Loyalsock State Forest, Worlds End State Park offers mountainous terrain, thick forests, excellent hiking, and abundant water-based activities on Loyalsock Creek. It also offers pet-friendly cabins and camping opportunities so you can bring your furry friend along on your family vacation.
The park's campground sits along PA 154 and features 70 sites for tents and trailers. Electric hookups are available on half of all campsites, while water and shower houses are located nearby. Sites near the creek are particularly popular, so you may want to book in advance to ensure you secure the spot you want.
Please also note that there are only 10 sites on Loop A (sites 14-19 and 37-40) that are designated as pet-friendly, and these sites are not available during winter.
However, Worlds End also features 19 rustic cabins that can be rented year-round, with cabins #9 and #19 permitting pets. These feature beds, a refrigerator, and a range, and are serviced by three shower buildings.
There's no entry fee to access the park, but camping costs vary according to the type of accommodation you choose. There are also additional fees if you choose to stay on a pet-friendly site or in a pet-friendly cabin -- $2/night on a campsite and $5/night for a cabin.
There's also a limit of two pets per site or cabin, while your pooch will need to be kept on a leash of six feet or shorter when not confined to a cabin, tent, or vehicle.
The good news is that there's no shortage of activities to enjoy during your stay. A small dam on Loyalsock Creek forms a calm (but cold) swimming area, while the creek is stocked with trout and provides good fishing at most times of year.
Hikers have 20 miles of trails at their disposal. The four-mile Canyon Vista Trail is a good pick if you're craving impressive views of the creek's gorge, while the 3.25-mile Worlds End Trail offers an excellent vista of the park's beach. Take note that the steep terrain in this area means that most trails are strenuous and difficult, so they should only be tackled if you're in good shape.
Finally, be aware that Worlds End State Park is in a reasonably remote location. This may not be great news if you want easy access to stores and major centers, but it's ideal if you want to switch off your cell phone for a couple of days and just get back to nature. If this sounds paw-some to you, add this gorgeous park to your list of must-visit destinations!
