Consider Camping In Pennsylvania

The next time you go camping in PA (Pennsylvania) there are some things you should consider. When you think of camping and the outdoors most think of Yosemite Yellowstone and large famous parks. Pennsylvania, though not on the top of the list has other attractions that you should be aware of.

Most state parks are open seasonal. Pennsylvania has three state parks that are open year round. These parks include Little Pine, Promised Land, and Ole Bull. Since this location is in the upper northeast, these parks get a taste of all the different seasons.

At one particular park Promised Land has a 422 acre lake, which fishing is a common pastime. During the winter season ice fishing is also a big hit among visitors. That is not the only attraction during the long winter months. Campers in Pennsylvania enjoy cross country skiing and twenty three miles of snowmobile trails.

The seasonal state parks have just as much to offer. The top seven state parks are Champan,  Parker Dam, Gifford Pinchot, Shawnee, Pine Grove Furnace, Prince Gallitzin, and the huge  Pymatuning. Each park has a different flavor. Records show that Pymatuning is one of the most  visited parks in Pennsylvania. It is by far the biggest state park in Pennsylvania being 21,  122 acres. The park has one of the biggest lakes that is well over seventeen thousand acres.

Before any camper voyages to their campsite, they must know the rules and regulations. Pennsylvania parks have textbook rules. These are rules such as no unauthorized fires, this is a for obvious reasons. No alcoholic beverages are allowed at the campsites or the state parks. This may be a bad thing for a few campers, though there are plenty of campsites outside of the state parks where having alcohol is legal. On the up side, the state parks allows pets on premise as long as it is a dog, cat or small caged animal.

Beware of leaving out food around the campsite. Pennsylvania has populations of black bears and coyotes. Hunting and game is another activity that can be done in the state park system. You will need the proper permits paper work and hunt during the right season. The most usual game include wild turkey, whitetail deer, grouse, and pheasant.

If hunting isn’t on the menu, but observing wildlife is you can visit an elk range. Elk are larger then deer and males can weigh up to a thousand pounds. You can drop by one of the ranges near your campsite.