Little Pine State Park

The 2,158-acre Little Pine State Park is in a beautiful mountain section of Tiadaghton State Forest in PA Wilds. The 94-acre Little Pine Lake, hiking trails and the campground are prime attractions to the park. Little Pine State Park is featured in a 30-minute video created in partnership with the Pennsylvania Cable Network, which is available for purchase at their Web site. www.pcntv.com/stateparks.html

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Directions - Weather  - Recreation  - Trails  - Winter Activities  - Winter Report  - Environmental Education  - Calendar of Events  - Accessibility  - History  - Wildlife Watching  - Nearby Attractions  - Volunteers  - Rules and Regs  - In an Emergency  - Contact Us  - Downloadables and Maps

Park Advisories

Directions

The park is in Lycoming County. From the south, take US 220 to the Pine Creek Exit near Jersey Shore. Take PA 44 north 11 miles to Waterville, then turn right onto SR 4001 and go four miles to the park. From the northwest, take PA 120 south to the village of Hyner. Turn left onto Hyner Mountain Road and follow that to PA 44. Take PA 44 south to Waterville and turn left onto SR 4001. From the north and northeast, take US 6 to Wellsboro, then PA 287 south to English Center, and SR 4001 to the park.

Recreational Opportunities

Hiking  - Picnicking  - Swimming  - Boating  - Fishing  - Hunting  - Wildlife Watching  - Cross-country Skiing  - Sledding  - Snowmobiling  - Ice Fishing  - Organized Group Tenting  - Yurts  - Camping Cottages  - Camping

Swimming: A sand beach with grass turf is open from late-May to mid-September, 8 a.m. to sunset. Swim at your own risk. Please read and follow posted rules. Pets, glass and breakable containers or utensils are prohibited in this area. All children ten years of age or younger must be accompanied by a person at least 14 years of age.

Picnicking: Four picnic areas in both shaded and open locations contain four picnic pavilions, many picnic tables, a volleyball court and play equipment. Picnic pavilions may be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee. Unreserved picnic pavilions are free on a first-come, first-served basis. The Lower Picnic Area is about one-half mile south of the campground. It is completely separated from the rest of the park. This six-acre area has picnic tables, grills, charcoal disposals, non-flush toilets, parking area and picnic pavilion. River birch, white pine, sugar maple and black locust are common trees in the area.

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Hunting and Firearms: About 1,700 acres are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, squirrel, fox, bear, grouse and turkey. There is a rifle/pistol range and an archery range in the park. The adjacent state forest land is open to hunting.

Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day through March 31 in designated hunting areas. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Game Commission rules and regulations apply. Contact the park office for ADA accessible hunting information.

Use extreme caution with firearms at all times. Other visitors use the park during hunting seasons. Firearms and archery equipment used for hunting may be uncased and ready for use only in authorized hunting areas during hunting seasons. In areas not open to hunting or during non-hunting seasons, firearms and archery equipment shall be kept in the owner's car, trailer or leased campsite. The only exception is that law enforcement officers and individuals with a valid Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms may carry said firearm concealed on their person while they are within the park.

For complete information on hunting rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission Web site.

Fishing: The 94-acre Little Pine Lake has 3.3 miles of shoreline. There is also 4.2 miles of stream. These warm-water and cold-water fisheries have stocked and native trout (brook, rainbow and brown), smallmouth bass, pickerel, sunfish, catfish and perch. This diversity provides good fly, bank and boat fishing. There is a special regulation, artificial lure only, fishing area along Little Pine Creek in the northeast section of the park. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission laws apply. For complete information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.

Boating: electric motors only
The 94-acre Little Pine Lake has one launch area and 25 seasonal (April 1 to November 1) mooring spaces. A boat rental concession is open from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. Paddleboats, canoes, kayaks and rowboats are available.

Motorboats must display a boat registration from any state. Non-powered boats must display one of the following: boat registration from any state; launching permit or mooring permit from Pennsylvania State Parks that are available at most state park offices; launch use permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. For complete information on boating rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.

Hiking: There are 14 miles of trails. Explore Trails for complete trail descriptions.

Stay the Night

Camping: modern sites, many with electricity The campground opens the first weekend in April and closes in mid-December. There are 99 campsites: 93 sites can accommodate trailer units up to 30 feet in length, six sites are for tents only. Open or shaded sites are along a stream. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. The campground has a sanitary dump station, showers, flush toilets and many water outlets. Garbage and recycling receptacles, trailer storage and a second vehicle parking lot are at the campground entrance. Alcoholic beverages and unlicensed motor vehicles are prohibited. Pets are permitted on designated sites.

Explore the campground map.

Explore camping for more information.

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Camping Cottages: The three cottages comfortably sleep five people. Each cottage has two sets of single bunks, a full-size bed, wooden floors, windows, porch and electric lights, heat and outlets. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table.

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Yurts: Located in the campground, the two Mongolian style tents are round, on a wooden deck and sleep five people in single bunks and double/single bunks. Yurts have a cooking stove, refrigerator, microwave oven, table, chairs, electric heat and outlets, fire ring and picnic table. A shower house is nearby.

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Organized Group Tenting: Available to adult and youth groups, there are four sites: two sites hold 40 people and two sites hold 20 people, or combine to hold 120 people. A paved parking lot, showers, flush toilets, fire rings and picnic tables are provided. A garbage and recycling center is near the campground entrance.

Explore organized group tenting for more information.

Winter Activities

Explore the Winter Report for current snow and ice depths.

Cross-country Skiing: The 4.2-mile Lake Shore Trail follows level terrain and parallels the lake and headwaters and then returns to the starting location. Motor vehicles and snowmobiles are prohibited in this area.

Sledding and Tobogganing: In the main day use area, two acres of slopes are available for sledding. Ample parking is by the bathhouse.

Ice Fishing: Trout are stocked in the 94-acre Little Pine Lake for ice fishing. The ice thickness is not monitored. For your safety, be sure the ice is four inches thick and carry safety equipment.

Snowmobiling: Ample parking is available throughout the park. There are more than 100 miles of groomed snowmobile trails in the surrounding Tiadaghton State Forest. Snowmobiles may be operated on designated trails and roads from the day following the last deer season in December until April 1, weather permitting. Restrooms are available. Overnight accommodations, food, gasoline and groceries are available throughout the area.

Environmental Education and Interpretation

Environmental education and interpretive programs are offered on a seasonal basis. Field learning experiences are available to schools during the spring and fall, and teachers’ workshops are offered periodically. Programs are designed to meet the standards for Environment & Ecology, but also address other areas.

Programs are also available on request to civic organizations and youth groups. Topics include astronomy, botany, entomology, folklore, and zoology, among others.

Guided walks, evening programs, hands-on learning activities and craft programs are offered to park visitors in the summer season. An indoor classroom, part of the park office, is used during cold or rainy weather.

Explore the Calendar of Events for a listing of events from today forward.

Explore environmental education and interpretation for more information.

Annual Autumn Festival

This annual event focuses on the outdoor recreational opportunities in Northcentral Pennsylvania. Activities include: guided walks, crafts, presentations and informational displays by private and government conservation organizations. The festival is held on the Sunday of the second full weekend in October.

Access for People with Disabilities

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit.

Nearby Attractions

For information on nearby attractions, contact the Lycoming County Visitor’s Bureau, 800-358-9900. www.vacationpa.com

Upper Pine Bottom State Park: This small day use area along PA 44 west of Waterville is maintained by Little Pine State Park as a parking area for hunters and anglers.

In an Emergency

Contact a park employee or dial 911.
For directions to the nearest hospital, look on bulletin boards or at the park office.

Nearest Hospital:
Jersey Shore Hospital
1020 Thompson Street
Jersey Shore, PA 17740
570-398-0100

Directions: Follow SR 4001 south to Waterville. Turn left onto PA 44 south. Merge onto PA 220 north. Exit on the Thomas Street Exit (the first exit). At the end of the exit ramp, turn right and follow the signs to the hospital.

For More Information Contact

Little Pine State Park
4205 Little Pine Creek Road
Waterville, PA 17776-9705
570-753-6000
Manager: Michael Winters

E-mail: littlepinesp@state.pa.us
An equal opportunity employer

Make online reservations or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, for state park information and reservations.