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4.5
171 votes

Cherry Springs State Park

Coudersport-Jersey Shore Highway, Coudersport, Pennsylvania 16915 USA

  • Independent
  • Not Wheelchair
    Accessible
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“Certified as an International Dark Sky Parks (IDSP)”

Cherry Springs State Park is nearly as remote and wild today as it was two centuries ago. Due to its exceptionally dark skies, it is one of the best place on the eastern seaboard for stargazing and the science of astronomy, Named for the large stands of black cherry trees in the park, the 82-acre state park is surrounded by the 262,000-acre Susquehannock State Forest. The Susquehanna Trail passes nearby and offers 85 miles of backpacking and hiking. The park is open every day of the year, sunrise to sunset. Day use areas close at dusk. The campground is open a specific season. The Astronomy Field is open to registered users all night. The Night Sky Public Viewing Area is intended for short term (a few hours or less) star gazing and is not permitted for overnight stays. The Overnight Astronomy Observation Field is open to registered users all night. The viewing field is located at the top of a 2,300-foot high mountain and the surrounding state forest is relatively undeveloped. With all nearby communities sitting in valleys, any light that might affect the park is uniquely shielded making it a great place for 360 degree views of the night sky. In 2008, Cherry Springs State Park attained a Gold Level International Dark Sky Park certification from the International Dark Sky Association in 2008. Cherry Springs was, in fact, the second International Dark Sky Park in the world. The International Dark-Skies Association and its partners certify locations with exceptional nightscapes as International Dark Sky Parks (IDSP). These locations serve as reminders that with quality outdoor lighting, the extraordinary wonders of the nighttime sky and night environment are just as much a part of our lifestyle and history as are the daylight hours. In fact, without the inspiration and wonders of the nighttime environment much of the world's history, art, culture, music, and literature might not have been created

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Reviews of Cherry Springs State Park

8 people have reviewed this location

Ratings Summary

3.0 Access
3.0 Location
3.0 Cleanliness
2.0 Site Quality
4.0 Noise

Cell Coverage

T-Mobile 4G

Confirmed by 1 users | Last reported on June 13, 2018
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Reviewed by
Katie9232

  • 1 Review
  • 5 Helpful
April 17, 2015
Rated 5.0

Planning my next trip this weekend! Been here about 4-5 times. Word of advice- this place is in the middle of nowhere so if you're planning a trip make sure you check out their dark sky chart online to see if viewing conditions are good for stargazing. Driving all the way out here to see cloudy skies isn't worth it! But driving all the way out when during the new moon phase, with little to no cloud cover and good transparency makes an ideal combo for the novice astronomer. Bring your telescope or simply gaze out in the field with your own eyes to see the milky way. Absolutely breathtaking!

5 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
mbayruns

  • 6 Reviews
  • 2 Helpful
July 03, 2016
Rated 4.0

Pretty nice campground: great if it's a clear night, but it is very isolated and there aren't any longer trails nearby. There is a camp store down the road that has everything you could ever need. Remember to bring red cellophane to cover your flashlights and the bathrooms near the nonelectric campsites does not have running water!

2 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Nancy Sewell

  • 1,228 Reviews
  • 412 Helpful
April 02, 2016
Rated

Campground - base price $17 for non residents and amenities like showers, electric, $4-7 add on

2 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Andrew Cunniff

  • 4 Reviews
  • 1 Helpful
July 10, 2018
Rated 5.0

Outstanding stargazing. I might have had the best weather on my trip after the 4th of July, not a cloud in the sky for 4 straight days. The sites are clean, some are not on level ground and their are only about 1/2 of the sites that have no shade.

Keep in mind that these are "roughing it" campsites. There is no electricity, showers or running water in the bathrooms. Even though you are using a pit to go to the bathroom in it is actually rather clean. Bring something for personal washing, I recommend a product called "The Shower Pouch". Little piece of info as well, Verizon had a perfect LTE connection, AT&T had literally no service.

I did not participate in the tours so I can't review that portion of the park. But, overall this place is a five star ;) resort for stargazing!

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
ERIKOMET

  • 1 Review
  • 1 Helpful
May 06, 2017
Rated

Have been coming to Cherry Springs for many years making the 5 hr. trip from Cleveland, OH. Wonderful place for stargazing. Observers/campers tend to be serious you will wear out you welcome quickly with white flashlights and/or lasers. The park is managed by the State of PA parks who do an absolutely wonderful job year in and year out. Facilities are nice clean and well maintained. There are two major sponsored star parties each year: The Cherry Springs (Spring) and Black Forest (Fall) that usually sell out all 500 spots. Each of these event are wonderful but camping can be very crowed. Google each to find more information. Each new moon from May thru Nov you can expect 100+ in the observing field. Google Cherry Springs State Park for information on prices and restrictions. Clear skies......

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
dm45winmag

  • 10 Reviews
  • 6 Helpful
September 01, 2014
Rated 4.0

Well worth the drive. The presentation was really good.

1 person found this review helpful
Photo of Campendium

Reviewed by
Campendium

June 13, 2018
Rated

I stayed one night here expecting a to see a star filled sky. Unfortunately it was a cloudy night. All except one site was reserved. I was lucky enough to get the last one. I paid $21 senior rate for the night. Pit toilet, clean and didn’t smell and no garbage. I got there using route 44. This is a very twisty hilly road.

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Nightly Rate: $21.00

Days Stayed: 1

Site Number: 15

3 Access
3 Location
3 Cleanliness
2 Site Quality
4 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

T-Mobile 4G

Reviewed by
kpossible318

  • 18 Reviews
  • 5 Helpful
January 14, 2018
Rated 5.0

This was great! We went in early April; very cold! But almost no one else there so we weren't disturbed by lights. Set my up telescope and saw the coolest sky of my life.

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Cherry Springs State Park

Coudersport-Jersey Shore Highway
Coudersport, Pennsylvania
16915 USA
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  • Unavailable
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    Pets Allowed
  • Unknown
    Restrooms
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    Wifi
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    Wheelchair Accessible
  • Unknown
    Credit Cards Accepted
Affiliation
State park or forest
Last Nightly Rate
21.0
Longest Vehicle Length Reported
15.0
Lowest Nightly Rate
21.0
  • Unavailable
    Fifty Amp
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    Full Hookup
  • Unavailable
    Pull Through
  • Check
    Dump Station
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    Big Rigs
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    Open Seasonally
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    Age Restricted
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    Boondock
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    Cabin Sites
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    Dispersed Sites
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    Firewood
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    Fulltime Residents
  • Unavailable
    Group Tent Sites
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    Laundry
  • Unavailable
    Mobile Homes
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    Permit Required
  • Unavailable
    Propane
  • Unavailable
    Public Water
  • Unavailable
    Pull Through RV Sites
  • Unavailable
    Reservations
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    Sewer Hookup
  • Unavailable
    Showers
  • Unavailable
    Water Hookup
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