Why Winter Is This Pennsylvania State Park’s Secret Season

Even with the inevitable roller coaster winter in Pennsylvania takes us on every year, the coldest season is made for adventure. While traditional activities like skiing, snow tubing, and ice skating tend to sit at the top of many of our to-do lists, Pennsylvania’s state parks transform into a wonderland of natural beauty and seasonal fun. Next time you’re planning a cold-weather adventure, pencil in a visit to Worlds End State Park, an enchanting winter destination in Pennsylvania, especially after a fresh snowfall.

Bundle up for a winter day at Worlds End State Park, a cozy 780-acre park that’s flanked by the massive Loyalsock State Forest. Although the state park draws crowds in the warmer months, and most notably for its magnificent display of fall foliage, winter tends to be quieter, making it an idyllic destination for an adrenaline-inducing adventure or a tranquil stroll through the woods.

More than 20 miles of trails, ranging from easy to difficult, meander through the park, and parts of them venture into Loyalsock State Forest. While you can slip on your sturdiest hiking boots and grab your hiking poles, you might want to try exploring a different way if there’s enough snow on the ground. Both snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are popular, although you should check out the difficulty of the trail and potential challenges before setting off.

Because they’re my favorite natural creation, I always look for waterfalls, particularly along easy or moderately challenging trails, and Worlds End State Park boasts a few that are especially breathtaking blanketed in snow. Earning a moderate rating predominately due to having to hike uphill, Double Run Nature Trail is a 1.3-mile loop that leads to Cottonwood Falls.

Indulge in an epic adrenaline rush with a morning or afternoon of snowmobiling. Snowmobiling is permitted on several of the roads and trails at Worlds End State Park as long as the conditions allow. One of the most popular snowmobiling routes, which tallies around 6.5 miles, runs from the state park to nearby Eagles Mere, an adorable village with an epic toboggan run. (The toboggan runs only in those winters when there is enough ice on the ground.)

If you’ve never been camping during the winter, book one of the year-round cabins at Worlds End State Park. The cozy cabins are considered rustic, featuring such basic amenities as a fireplace insert, a fridge and cooking range, beds, and a table and chairs while there are ADA-accessible bathrooms available nearby. A minimum two-night stay is required during the off-season, and two cabins are dog-friendly.

For more information, including a full list of amenities, stop by the official website of Worlds End State Park, or check out the Friends of World Ends State Park page on Facebook. For a full list of hiking trails at Worlds End State Park and Loyalsock State Forest, download AllTrails+.

What’s your favorite winter destination in Pennsylvania? Let us know by filling out a nomination form.

After a wintry day of exploration, you’ve probably worked up a hearty appetite. Dig into a delicious meal and maybe even catch the big game at Forksville Inn & Tavern, a popular restaurant in Forksville, Pennsylvania. And if you're up for even more Pennsylvania adventures, find your next stop using our new Travel Planner!