Worlds End State Park

Worlds End State Park is in a narrow S-shaped valley of the Loyalsock Creek just south of Forksville, Sullivan County. Loyalsock Canyon Vista, reached via Mineral Spring and Cold Run roads, provides outstanding views, especially during fall foliage. 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. ADA accessible Loyalsock Canyon Vista, reached via Mineral Spring and Cold Run roads, and nearby High Knob Vista, provide outstanding views of the Endless Mountains region. Scenery is particularly unforgettable during the June mountain laurel bloom and the fall foliage period in October. 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. The 19 rustic cabins are available for rent year-round. Rentals are for one week periods during the summer, and two-night minimum stays in the off-season. Information is available at the park office. Cabins are equipped with a refrigerator, range, fireplace insert, table, chairs and beds. Three shower buildings are available and a recycling center is at the entrance to the cabin area. Guests should bring their own linens, dishes and sundries. Guests are responsible for their own firewood. HISTORY: Early settlers to the area used two horse trails to cross the rugged highland from Muncy Creek to the forks of Loyalsock Creek at the town of Forksville. This treacherous road became obsolete in 1895 with the building of PA 154. Pioneer Road Trail and Worlds End Road follow the path of the old horse trail. Worlds End Vista, at the junction of Pioneer Road Trail and Worlds End Trail, is the view that possibly inspired the name of the park. At the turn of the 20th century, logging became big business in the area. At least one sawmill operated within the park area. The loggers cut the trees and floated them away on the creek, leaving behind hillsides covered in briars, stumps, and tree refuse that were prone to forest fires and flooding In 1929, the former Department of Forests and Waters began purchasing the devastated land to create a state forest park. In 1932, $50 was allotted to create the park facilities, which purchased little more than four picnic tables. In 1933, to ease the rampant unemployment of the Great Depression, President Roosevelt created the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Companies of 200 young, unemployed men, or veterans, built camps as bases for performing reclamation and construction projects like planting trees, building parks, fire fighting and prevention, creating roads and trails and other conservation work. Four CCC camps were built in Sullivan County. Camp S-95 in Laporte built many of the park facilities, like the swimming area and dam, cabins, hiking trails and roads. Camp S-95 closed in 1941. Since the CCC years, facilities at the park have been improved and new facilities built, but the park still retains its rustic, natural character.