Tuscarora State Park

Tuscarora State Park in central-eastern Pennsylvania is a 1,618-acre campground that is wooded, hilly, rugged land that is part of the regional Poconos Mountains as it is too far east to be part of the Allegheny Mountain Range. The park, named after the lake it contains, is a multi-use wild area with established trails and camping sites, including accommodations for recreational vehicles, which is a pleasant way of saying those fully equipped, industrial vehicles families use for parking close to the outdoors. 

Situated between Harrisburg, Allentown, and Wilkes-Barre, Tuscarora Park is free to use and open day and night throughout the year, but it is also available for hunters, for which there are several active seasons in the state. That includes open seasons for squirrels, rabbits, pheasant, grouse, quail, woodchucks, crows, sparrows, turkey, bear, and elk, which means there are certainly times when you and your dog will want to wear bright orange or stay out of harm's way altogether. 

Pets are allowed in the park, but dogs must be either leashed or in a crate or a cage at all times. Your pet must be under control at all times, licensed, vaccinated, and owners must carry their droppings to a trash can or out of the park. While the park is free for visitors and there is no charge for hiking, there are modest fees for boat rentals, camping, swimming, and other activities. 

One of the features in Tuscarora State Recreational Area is Locust Mountain, which sprouts directly above the southern side of Tuscarora Lake – not to be confused, by the way, with Tuscarora Lake near Cazenovia, New York. Visitors might also be confused by the name Tuscarora, which was a native American tribe from North Carolina, not Pennsylvania. However, the tribe was relocated to Pennsylvania before, at a later date, being forced to move from there, as well.