Situated in a stunning gorge in the Endless Mountains region, the remote World’s End State Park has nearly endless opportunities for outdoor adventure.
World’s End State Park is located in Sullivan County, in what is known as the “Endless Mountains” region of Pennsylvania. The appropriateness of the name will be apparent if you visit one of the region’s many scenic vistas overlooking the waves of mountains and gorges spanning from horizon to horizon. World’s End State Park is located at the bottom of a gorge along the remarkably pristine Loyalsock Creek as it winds through the mountains. World’s End has a family campground, a group tenting area, cabins, and a day use area with many picnic spots and pavilions. Additionally, World’s End is surrounded by Loyalsock State Forest which has many primitive campsites scattered throughout. But this is barely the beginning of what this exceptional camping destination has to offer.
World’s End State Park Campground Review
Reservations can be made easily through the DCNR Website. As with all Pennsylvania state parks, alcoholic beverages are prohibited. The family campground is arranged in two loops: A and B. Each loop contains a bathhouse with bathroom facilities and showers. Pennsylvania state parks set a high bar for clean well-maintained facilities, and World’s End is no exception. There is no cell service anywhere in the state park. The nearest reliable reception is in Laporte or Eagle’s Mere, each about a 10-minute drive away.
It is noteworthy that the chipmunks at World’s End campground are particularly bold and will attempt to snatch whatever food they can right before your eyes. One night we also woke up to a racoon on the picnic table poking through non-food items we left out. We caught it nibbling on cardboard (probably accustomed to boxes containing food). Although we didn’t hear any bears wandering the campsite, we did encounter a mama and four cubs about a quarter mile from the campground, so you can be sure they make visits here. As with any camping excursion, be sure to secure your food and trash, and use common sense.
The A loop consists primarily of electric sites with a few non-electric sites. The A loop includes designated pet sites, as shown on the campground map. The B loop consists entirely of non-electric sites. The sites in the A loop are closer together, while the sites in the B loop are spread farther apart. If you need electric, then you are limited to the A loop. If you want a more rustic feel the B loop is the way to go.
We’ve prepared a walking tour of the World’s End State Park campground for you in the video so you can see for yourself and pick the perfect campsite.
Campsite key takeaways:
- Our favorite non-electric sites are all on the B loop: sites 45, 46, 50 through 51.
- Our favorite walk-in site (also non-electric on the B loop) is 70 followed by 69.
- Our favorite electric sites: nothing stood out to us, but any would be fine other than those noted below. But see what suits your preferences in the walking tour video above.
- Our least favorite sites are 1, 2, and 3 because they are open, adjacent to weeds in the back along the hill (east side of the sites) and have utility lines directly overhead. Besides, they do not have electric, so if you are looking for a non-electric site, you are better off on the B loop.
- Sites 4 through 9 are better than 1, 2, and 3, having more tree cover and fewer weeds, but I would still avoid them on account of the utility lines overhead, if that is important to you.
- We would also avoid sites 14 through 19 because of their proximity to the main road which sees its share of speeding vehicles. See what we mean in the campground walking tour.
In addition to the family campground, World’s End offers group tenting and cabins for rent.
Things to Do at World’s End State Park
Swimming, Fishing, and Exploring the Loyalsock Creek
One of the friendly locals we met commented that the Loyalsock looks like a stream from the West was picked up and moved to the East. The Loyalsock is a remarkably beautiful clear water creek lined with smooth water-polished stones interspersed with rock slabs. World’s End campground is adjacent to the Loyalsock Creek as it curves through the gorge. Just cross the street, walk down the path to the water and you’re there. The photos above and below were taken right across from the campground. It was a popular swimming spot for children through adults.
The Loyalsock was also very popular for fishing, particularly fly fishing. No wonder: we saw many fish, including trout, while walking along the bank and wading. Although the Loyalsock is a popular kayaking destination for white water, we didn’t see any during our trip. Maybe because we visited during a dry period and the water was low.
We also recommend taking a dip in World’s End Day Use Area (see below) if you want more depth. Two other recommended swimming holes we found are:
- At approximately 41.453277, -76.528512, just south where Route 154 crosses over Pole Bridge Run. There is a pull-off parking area along Route 154. The swimming hole had a maximum depth of approximately 7-8 feet during our visit. Our favorite part of this swimming hole was a swinging rope.
- The ever-popular Haystacks located at 41.45724, -76.48101. Note that that you have to hike into the Haystacks, about 2 miles each way.
As a note of caution, we encountered persistent biting flies at each of the swimming holes except the Haystacks. They weren’t bad enough to ruin adventure but be aware and come prepared.
Cliffs, Beach, and Picnic at the World’s End Day Use Area
The World’s End Day Use Area is located at another bend of the Loyalsock Creek, affording majestic views of the gorge. This section of the park is also notable for the ruggedly scenic exposed rock cliff and smoothed boulder beach. The High Rock Trail runs on the ridge above the cliff.
The swimming area, complete with a sandy beach, changing stations, and snack shop is another popular attraction. The maximum depth during our visit was noted as 8 feet on the buoys. The shallower children’s section is pictured to the right of the deeper section. We especially appreciated the picturesque setting for the swimming area surrounded by the verdant high gorge wall and accented by what appeared to be CCC-era stonework.
There are numerous picnic areas and reservable pavilions. Bring the crew and stay a while!
The Famous Loyalsock Canyon Vista and Rock Garden
The World’s End Loyalsock Canyon Vista and Rock Garden are accessible by car and are must-dos. To whet your appetite, here are some teasers:
High Knob Overlook
Don’t miss the spectacular views form High Knob Overlook. You can drive right to it at 41.44385, -76.67876. You can easily see why this region is called the “Endless Mountains”
Waterfalls Galore
World’s End and the surrounding Loyalsock State Forest is a region dominated by mountains and gorges. As such, many streams descending the steep elevations have waterfalls or at least cascades at some point. Some notable waterfalls worth your visit are:
- Cottonwood Falls and other associated waterfalls on the West Branch of Double Run. These are a short walk on the Double Run Nature Trail located within World’s End State Park.
- Unnamed waterfall at 41.44898, -76.57614 visible from Mineral Spring Road about 1.6 miles form the World’s End campground. See it in our excursion to the Loyalsock Canyon Vista and Rock Garden.
- Dry Run Falls is a drive-up waterfall with a picnic area on Dry Run Road in Loyalsock state forest. Join us on our visit to Dry Run Falls here .
- Angel Falls is on the Loyalsock Trail at 41.39401, -76.67684 a little south of the Kettle Creek Gorge Natural Area. It is the tallest of the falls listed here. If you’re not hiking the Loyalsock Trail and want to see the falls, you can park off of Brunnerdale Road at 41.38537, -76.66822 and hike in about a mile up the gorge to access Angel Falls.
- Ketchum Run Falls is located on the Ketchum Run Gorge section of the Loyalsock Trail and is one of our favorite waterfalls in the area. I highly recommend hiking the Ketchum Run Gorge because of the waterfalls, scenic vistas, rock formations, cliffs and the exquisite beauty of the peaceful secluded hollow down in the gorge. The waterfall is located at 41.45576, -76.63428.
- Dutchman Falls is located at the eastern terminus of the Loyalsock Trail, only about 150 feet from the parking lot. See our adventure to Dutchman Falls and the Haystacks.
Be aware when exploring the Endless Mountains region that some destinations marked as “waterfall” on maps may be little more than trickles down the beds of what look like would be majestic drops if there was more water. This was the case with the Cold Run Trail. The Cold Run Trail is a still must-do in the World’s End area for the rock formations, but don’t go expecting to see voluminous waterfalls. Of course, the amount of water you will dee depends on when you visit
Endless Hiking Opportunities in the Endless Mountains
The Word’s End area is a hiker’s paradise of seemingly endless mountains and gorges to explore. The 59.2 mile Loyalsock Trail and its many side and connecting trails runs through World’s End State Park and the surrounding Loyalsock State Forest. With so many trails, you can customize your adventure to be as long or as short as you want. Be aware that because you are in gorge country, so most trails have elevation. Check out some of our adventures below:
- Double Run Nature Trail to Cottonwood Falls
- High Rock Trail
- The Haystacks and Dutchman Falls on the Loyalsock Trail
- Cold Run Trail
Concluding Thoughts and Recommendation
Because of its seclusion, beauty, and seemingly inexhaustible abundance of nearby outdoor adventure, Worlds End State Park is one of our favorite camping destinations. The beauty of the Loyalsock Creek and majesty of the gorge are remarkable. This review has only scratched the surface, so we highly recommend you plan your next camping trip for World’s End State Park and see for yourself.
For more information, visit the World’s End State Park website.
Also, be sure to check out our other campground guides and reviews.
