Worlds End State Park is situated in a narrow S-shaped valley of the Loyalsock Creek, just south of Forksville, Sullivan County.
Surrounded by the Loyalsock State Forest, the 780-acre park offers visitors diverse recreational opportunities within a pristine environment. The rugged natural beauty coursing through the heart of the Endless Mountains landscape provides many photographic possibilities.
Hiking at Worlds End State Park
20 miles of trails
The more than 20 miles of hiking trails of Worlds End State Park are mostly rocky with steep sections that climb the surrounding mountains. Hikers should wear proper footgear and be extra cautious in the winter and spring when trail surfaces can be frozen or icy.
Butternut Trail
2.5-mile loop, more difficult hiking, orange blazes
This uneven, rocky trail originates at the east side of the Cabin Bridge and makes a circuitous loop through a northern hardwood forest. Lower Road travels parallel to and above Loyalsock Creek and crosses Butternut Run, an intermittent stream. Upper Road travels an old logging road. Butternut Vista offers a view of the Loyalsock Valley above and downstream of the park campground.
Canyon Vista Trail
4-mile loop, more difficult hiking with steep sections, blue blazes
This trail explores the eastern half of the park and rewards the hiker with a spectacular view of the Loyalsock Creek gorge from its vista, which is an elevation of 1750 feet. Many wildflowers grow beneath the canopy of maturing ash, sugar maple, and black cherry trees.
Be sure to explore the blocky maze of the Rock Garden adjacent to the vista. A second rock labyrinth is found in the easternmost section of the trail where it runs parallel to Cold Run Road.
Double Run Nature Trail
1.2-mile loop, more difficult hiking with short, steep sections, green blazes
This trail begins and ends on PA 154 across from the park chapel. It travels through rich, fertile woodlands along the west branch of Double Run. Solomon seal, wild ginger, jack-in-the-pulpit, and other spring, ephemeral wildflowers grow abundantly along this trail, which has waterfalls and pools.
High Rock Trail
1 mile, most difficult hiking, red blazes
This steep trail begins at the east side of the Cabin Bridge. An elevation gain of several hundred feet is made as the trail crosses the intermittent High Rock Run and climbs upward through a maze of lichen-encrusted rocks and boulders to reach High Rock Vista. The trail descends through mountain laurel and hardwoods to PA 154 north of the park entrance. Please be safe and stay on the trail.
Link Trail
7 miles, more difficult hiking, yellow circle with red X blazes
Beginning at the Cabin Bridge, the trail runs adjacent to Loyalsock Creek and then meanders through the rich and fertile woodland alongside the cascading Double Run. After steep ascent to Loyalsock Canyon Vista, the trail makes its way through Loyalsock State Forest to intersect Loyalsock Trail at Rock Run Road mile 55.33. When combined with the Loyalsock Trail, it is possible to make a 16.2-mile loop.
Loyalsock Trail (LT)
59.21 miles, most difficult hiking, yellow circle with red LT blazes
This trail follows the mountain ridges and streams of the Loyalsock watershed. This rugged trail runs from PA 87 near Loyalsockville to US 220 north of Laporte. It passes through the park as it travels through Loyalsock State Forest on footpaths, old logging roads and abandoned railroad grades.
Detailed maps are available for purchase at the park office, which is at mile post 45.9 of the LT. Further information may be obtained from the Alpine Club of WilliamsportOpens In A New Window.
Worlds End Trail
3.25 miles, more difficult hiking, yellow blazes
This trail begins at the park office. Hemlock and hardwood trees line the trail as it ascends a steep mountainside to arrive at Worlds End Vista, overlooking the park beach. Then the trail crosses Pioneer Road, where travelers over a century ago possibly gave the area its name ‘Worlds End’ when they saw the precipitous drop to the river below.
The trail ascends into the state forest and ends at Loyalsock Trail at mile 37.77, within Coal Mine Road Loop. When combined with LT, it is possible to make an 11.5-mile loop.
Picnicking at Worlds End State Park
The main picnic area is along Loyalsock Creek, just upstream of the swimming area. Tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Picnickers are asked to dispose of hot charcoal in the facilities provided.
A food concession, playground, and recycling station are found within the picnic grounds.
Stay the Night at Worlds End State Park
Camping
warm showers and flush toilets
This activity or structure is ADA accessible.
A 70-site tent and trailer campground is located along PA 154, one mile east of the park office. Half of the campsites have electric hookups.
Water and shower houses are within a short distance of all sites.
A sanitary dumping station is available for emptying travel trailer holding tanks.
Pets are permitted at designated sites.
The campground is closed in the winter.
Swimming at Worlds End State Park
A small dam on Loyalsock Creek forms a swimming area that is open from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day, sunrise to sunset. The mountain stream water is always cold and exhilarating.
Swim at your own risk. Please read and follow posted rules for swimming.
Smoke-Free Beach
Smoking is prohibited on the beach and in the swimming area.
For visitors who smoke and still want to use the beach, designated areas adjacent to the beach are provided. The restriction includes:
Cigarettes
Pipes
Cigars
E-cigarettes
Other handheld, lighted smoking devices
Wildlife Watching at Worlds End State Park
The extensive forest cover, hemlock valleys, and mountainous terrain provide ideal habitat for “big woods” wildlife. White-tailed deer, black bear, and wild turkey are regularly sighted.
The patient observer may find bobcat, coyote, and river otter. More than 200 species of birds have been recorded. Many breeding species that one could expect to find further north are present, including:
Northern goshawk
Yellow-bellied flycatcher
White-throated sparrow
Wildlife is best viewed by walking any of the hiking trails or slowly driving the extensive Loyalsock State Forest roads in and around the park.
Do not feed wildlife. Keep food locked inside cabins or vehicles.
Whitewater Boating at Worlds End State Park
Whitewater boaters may use Loyalsock Creek at any time of the year, although the area by the swimming beach is closed during the summer.
The best water is March to May. Due to rapid fluctuations in water level, kayakers should inquire about conditions before coming to the park.
The stream is NOT suitable for open canoes.
Fishing at Worlds End State Park
Loyalsock Creek is stocked with trout by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. The cold mountain water provides good fishing most of the year.
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission rules and regulations apply.
Hunting at Worlds End State Park
During established seasons, about half of Worlds End State Park is open to:
Hunting
Trapping
Training of dogs
Common game species are:
Deer
Grouse
Squirrel
Bear
Turkey
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.
Firearms Safety
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 vehicle or enclosed trailer. Exceptions include law enforcement officers and individuals with a valid Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms are authorized to carry a firearm concealed on their person while they are within a state park.
Cross-country Skiing at Worlds End State Park
Several park areas are suitable for Nordic skiing. A 21-mile trail network is close by on Loyalsock State Forest land.
Snowmobiling at Worlds End State Park
Several miles of park roads are used as joint-use snowmobile trails. Additionally, many trails have been designated on Loyalsock State Forest land.
A trail along Worlds End Road leads to Eagles Mere, which is a short distance south of the park.