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Cherry Springs State Park is the ultimate destination for gazing at the stars. We absolutely loved our stay there. It is the darkest spot in Pennsylvania, which makes it the best spot to see the stars. Visiting had been on my bucket list for a few years. I had no idea that it was actually only a couple of hours away from us. Here is everything you need to know about visiting Cherry Springs.
Where to Stay
There are a couple of options for camping at Cherry Springs State Park. The first is at the campground that is in the state park. The Cherry Springs State Park Campground is rustic, so you will definitely get to have a back to nature experience there. The second option is to set up camp in the overnight observation field. Fees for staying here are per person and not per site. We chose to rent a cabin about 10 minutes from the observation field. I highly recommend this quaint cabin for those looking for an option outside of camping. It is essentially a tiny home that includes a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, & living room area. Outside there is a fire pit and charcoal grill. We enjoyed sitting by the fire and gazing up at the stars there. There are other homes nearby, but you feel totally secluded with the way this cabin sits back in. It is also dog friendly!
Star Gazing
We were concerned with securing a spot, so we arrived earlier than necessary. However, we did get some fantastic pictures of the sun setting. If you aren’t interested in watching the sunset, I would suggest getting there after dusk. We went in June, so it didn’t get dark until 10:00. The park has guides with laser pointers to show you the constellations as well as the planets. They also have telescopes that you can view the stars through. White lights are not allowed, so make sure that you have red lights to guide your way back through the field on your way out. You will also want to plan around the moon cycle. Avoid visiting when the moon is fuller. You will not get the full effect of the stars, due to the moon’s brightness. You are not allowed to sleep overnight in the observation field, but you can stay as long as you would like as long as you are awake.
Hiking
Cherry Springs State Park doesn’t have hiking trails to speak of. There is one trail near the overnight observation field, The Cherry Springs Working Forest Interpretive Trail. I would consider it more of a nature walk. It’s about one mile long with informational boards along the way. It is a beautiful walk and perfect for families.
We found spent time during the day hiking at Lyman Run State Park. It is only about 20 minutes away from Cherry Springs State Park. We recommend checking out the Rock Run & Spur Line Trail and the Lyman Run Creek Trail. These are both easier rated trails. Lyman Run is rated moderately on All Trails, but that is due to a creek crossing. Water levels were low in June, so we had no issues staying dry. It is about two miles long with minimal elevation. You get beautiful views of the creek for most of the hike. Rock Run/Spur Line Trail is a little over 2 miles. This one has about a 400-foot elevation gain with some great views from a vista at the top. We were fortunate enough to have all three trails mostly to ourselves. We only crossed paths with a couple people the entire time on the trails. Also to note while on the Lyman Run Creek Trail, there was an ATV road that crosses the trail. Keep your ears open when in that area.
Where to Eat
I highly recommend stopping at Mountain Top and Provisions. It’s a little bit of a drive, but it was along our route to Cherry Springs. They are open Wednesday through Sunday with Wednesdays being their Wood Fired Pizza Night. Mountain Top is known for their smoked meat which you can get in a platter, as well as several sandwiches. They also have fantastic options for those who prefer to not eat meat.
What You Need to Bring
- Red light or red light coverings for your flashlights
- Blankets
- Chairs
- Refreshments – the observation field is the perfect spot for a picnic!
- Telescope/binoculars
- Bug spray – black flies were terrible when we visited
- Sunscreen
- Sweatshirt – even in June it was a tad chilly at night
Other Things to Know
If you forget something, Galeton is a short distance from the park. You can find a dollar store, gas station, and grocery store in the town. There are also some restaurant options. We didn’t venture into any of the restaurants, so I’m not able to provide any recommendations. Dogs aren’t welcome at the park. And as with all of the Pennsylvania State Parks, no alcohol is allowed in the park. Cell phone service is extremely limited. There were only a couple spots that we were able to get a connection.
