Little Pine State Park

Little Pine State Park is a beautiful natural destination located in Lycoming County, about 45 minutes from Williamsport. Known for its stunning mountain views, tranquil lake, and abundance of recreational opportunities, this PA state park provides visitors with the opportunity to disconnect from the frenzied pace of everyday life and reconnect with the great outdoors. Encompassing over 2,000 acres of lush forests, clear streams, and rolling hills, visitors can take part in several outdoor activities including hiking, fishing, boating, swimming, picnicking and wildlife watching. In the winter, when the snow hits, many people come here for the opportunity to go winter hiking, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, ice skating and ice fishing. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat or an action-packed outdoor adventure, Little Pine State Park has something to offer everyone. It even has a lovely campground with campsites for RVs and tents, as well as yurts and cabins for those who want to spend a few days enjoying it.

Activities

Guests at Little Pine State Park can enjoy its beautiful scenery in a variety of ways. Presented beneath is a brief review of some of the more exciting recreational outdoor pursuits you can engage in during your time there.

Water Activities at Little Pine State Park

Little Pine State Park in Pennsylvania is known for its beautiful 94-acre Little Pine Lake, which provides terrific opportunities for water-based activities. The lake is surrounded by lush forested hills, which makes it a picturesque setting for outdoor enthusiasts. Fishing is a particularly popular activity at Little Pine Lake, with anglers trying their luck at catching bass, crappie, and trout. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission stocks the lake with trout in the spring and fall, making it an ideal spot for anglers. To help them catch these fish, a pier and boat launch are available for visitors to use. If fishing isn’t your thing then perhaps you will enjoy swimming more? This also takes place at the lake within a large sandy beach area that is perfect for swimming and sunbathing. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer months to make it a safe place for families to enjoy swimming and other water activities. One of these is boating. With canoes, kayaks, and paddleboats available for rent at the park office. Visitors are also welcome to bring their own boats with electric motors to explore the lake’s waters. Dotted around the lake are several picnic areas where you can enjoy an al fresco meal against the watery background. There you will find grills, tables and toilets available to use.

Hiking at Little Pine State Park

If you would prefer to keep your feet on dry land, you’ll be pleased to read that the park is a nature lover’s paradise. Overall it has 14 miles of hiking trails for you to explore, including the popular Lake Shore Trail, which provides incredible views of the water. The trail is approximately 2.5 miles long and is relatively easy to hike. So, if you want something a bit more challenging you should try the 4.5-mile Panther Run Trail, which offers a steep ascent through the forest to the top of a ridgeline. From there you will be able to take in sensational panoramic views of the area. Another trail worth tackling is the Mount Loganton Trail. It extends for 4.5-miles and takes hikers to the top of the mountain. Along the way, hikers will enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys and forested hillsides.

Winter Activities at Little Pine State Park

It is not just in the warmer months of summer that Little Pine State Park is a very good place to come to. In the winter, once the snow hits, it is transformed into a magical playground for guests to engage in a wide range of cold weather activities. This includes the likes of winter hiking and cross country skiing on its trails. It also includes snowmobiling and snowshoeing, whilst over on the water ice skating and ice fishing are also popular activities. When doing these activities it is important to wrap up warm and wear bright colors so you can easily be seen by others in the park.

Pets

Pets are welcome to join you at Little Pine State Park, but there are several rules and regulations in place that you will have to adhere to, should you bring them along. They include dogs being kept leashed at all times and also being cleaned up after they have made a mess. Owners are also forbidden from taking their furry friends to certain parts of the park and must ensure they are well behaved at all times. For a full rundown of the park’s pet policy it is worth contacting the main office staff for clarification.

Camping

The park has a very good campground that is open from the beginning of April to around mid-December. Overall it presents 88 campsites, of which 83 sites can house trailers of up to 20 long. The other five sites are specifically for tent campers. Several shaded or open sites are available, with a selection of them directly being on Little Pine Creek. All of these sites come with a fire ring and picnic table and offer access to amenities like flush toilets, hot showers and a dump station. There are also numerous water outlets, trailer storage and receptacles for both trash and recycling. In addition to these sites, the park also offers two yurts and three cottages for hire which provide guests with a few more home comforts.

Park Location

Little Pine State Park 4205 Little Pine Creek Rd Waterville, PA 17776 Phone: 570.753.6000 Park Website Reservations

Map

Video

Here is a short YouTube video showcasing several attractions at Little Pine State Park:

Explore More Pennsylvania State Parks

Little Pine State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Pennsylvania. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Pennsylvania guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.