Upper Pine Bottom State Park
Pennsylvania’s Lycoming County State Forest Gateway — Trout-Stocked Pine Bottom Run, Roadside Picnicking, Tiadaghton State Forest Access & Seasonal Hunting Near Waterville
Upper Pine Bottom State Park is a 5-acre roadside day-use park in Cummings Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. The park features a small parking area, picnic tables along Upper Pine Bottom Run (a trout-stocked stream), and serves as a popular access point and staging area for the surrounding Tiadaghton State Forest.
Upper Pine Bottom is one of Pennsylvania’s smallest state parks, but what it lacks in acreage it makes up for in strategic location. The park sits at a key entry point to the vast Tiadaghton State Forest, which covers thousands of acres of northern Pennsylvania wilderness. Upper Pine Bottom Run, which flows through the park, is state-stocked with trout, making this modest roadside park a favorite stop for anglers during the spring stocking season. The park is maintained by the staff of nearby Little Pine State Park and serves as a staging area for hikers, hunters, mountain bikers, and horseback riders heading into the surrounding state forest.
Things to Do
Fishing
- Upper Pine Bottom Run: Flows through the park
- Trout stocked: State-approved stocked trout stream
- Best season: Spring stocking season (April–May)
- Pennsylvania fishing license required
Picnicking
- Picnic tables: Along the stream
- Roadside setting: Easy access from vehicle
State Forest Access
- Gateway to Tiadaghton State Forest: Thousands of acres of wilderness
- Hiking: Multiple trailheads accessible from the park vicinity
- Mountain biking: On designated state forest trails
- Horseback riding: On designated state forest trails
- Hunting: Seasonal deer and small game hunting (PA license required)
- Cross-country skiing and snowmobiling: In winter
Park Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Size | 5 acres |
| Type | Day-use only — no camping |
| Hours | Sunrise to sunset, year-round |
| Admission | Free |
| Facilities | Parking and picnic tables — no restrooms, no water |
| Management | Maintained by Little Pine State Park staff |
| Contact | Little Pine State Park Office: 570-753-6000 |
| Cell Service | ⚠️ Often unreliable — bring physical or offline maps |
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Highlights | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Apr–May) | ⭐ BEST: Trout stocking season; stream fishing; wildflowers; green-up; moderate temps | Muddy trails; variable weather; bugs emerging |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Full forest access; mountain biking; horseback riding; warm days; long hours | Hot; humid; thunderstorms; mosquitoes in forest |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | ⭐ Fall foliage in Tiadaghton Forest; deer hunting season; cool hiking; photography | Wear blaze orange during hunting season; cooling; shorter days |
| Winter (Dec–Mar) | Cross-country skiing; snowmobiling; winter forest solitude | Cold; snow; limited access; check road conditions |
Visitor Tips
- Trout fishing: Upper Pine Bottom Run is stocked with trout by the state — spring is prime time.
- State forest gateway: Use the parking area as a staging point for exploring the vast Tiadaghton State Forest on foot, bike, or horseback.
- No facilities: There are no restrooms, no water, and no modern amenities. Plan accordingly.
- Cell service: Cell service is unreliable in this area. Bring physical maps or download offline maps before arriving.
- Managed by Little Pine: For questions, contact the Little Pine State Park office at 570-753-6000.
- Hunting season: During fall hunting season, wear blaze orange if hiking in the surrounding state forest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you fish at Upper Pine Bottom State Park?
Yes — Upper Pine Bottom Run, which flows through the 5-acre park, is a state-approved trout-stocked stream. The best fishing is during the spring stocking season (typically April–May). A Pennsylvania fishing license is required. The park in Cummings Township, Lycoming County, also serves as a staging area for the surrounding Tiadaghton State Forest, which offers additional outdoor recreation including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and hunting.
Is there camping at Upper Pine Bottom State Park?
No — Upper Pine Bottom State Park is a small, 5-acre day-use park with no camping facilities. It features picnic tables along a trout-stocked stream and serves primarily as a staging area for the surrounding Tiadaghton State Forest. For camping nearby, visit Little Pine State Park (which also manages Upper Pine Bottom), located in the same region of Lycoming County with developed campgrounds, a lake, and full facilities. Contact Little Pine State Park at 570-753-6000.
Last updated: May 2026
