If you’re looking for the best things to see and do at Worlds End State Park, you’re in the right place!
Worlds End State Park is a 780 acre oasis in the heart of Sullivan County, making it an ideal home base for exploring and enjoying this ruggedly beautiful part of Pennsylvania.
What I’m going to share with you here is a list of the 22 best things to do at Worlds End State Park and the surrounding Loyalsock State Forest.
From waterfalls to scenic vistas, from covered bridges to camping, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at Worlds End State Park!
1. Visit the Visitors Center
This may seem obvious, but the Visitors Center at Worlds End State Park is a wealth of information about the history of the park.
For example, did you know Worlds End was at different times known as Whirls End and Whirl’s Glen?
Or that many of the park facilities were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s?
From taxidermy to t-shirts, there’s a little bit of everything at the Worlds End State Park Visitors Center.
2. Rent a Cabin
I’ve spent the night in 5 different cabins at the park over the years, and each time I had a great experience.
For information on cabin rentals, visit the park’s official website.
3. Hike the High Rock Trail
The High Rock Trail captures the true rugged spirit of Worlds End State Park.
One of the highlights of this hike is High Rock Falls, located roughly 1/3 of a mile from the trailhead.
Continue onward and upward along the High Rock Trail to reach High Rock Vista, which looks out over the park office and Loyalsock Creek.
4. Visit the Chapel
Located just off Route 154 near the Double Run Trailhead, the Chapel at Worlds End State Park is unlike any church you’ve been to before, and non-denominational services are held there on Sundays in the summer months.
5. Hike the Double Run Trail
The Double Run Trail starts near the Chapel along Route 154, and meanders along, and at times over, Double Run.
One of the highlights of the Double Run Trail is Cottonwood Falls, which lies just outside the park boundaries in the Loyalsock State Forest.
Cottonwood Falls is roughly a half-mile from the Double Run Trailhead along Route 154, making it a very doable excursion that even small children can enjoy.
6. Visit Loyalsock Canyon Vista
Loyalsock Canyon Vista (sometimes simply called Canyon Vista) is the most famous overlook at Worlds End State Park, in large part because you can drive right up to it.
At an elevation of 1,750 feet above sea level, you can find this roadside overlook at GPS coordinates 41.46246, -76.57483, along Cold Run Road.
7. Run an Ultramarathon
If the thought of running 63.8 miles along some of the most challenging trails in Pennsylvania gets your blood pumping, then the Worlds End Ultramarathon might be just the thing for you!
The race starts at 5:00 am at Worlds End State Park, and runners have 19 hours to complete the course.
The racecourse winds through the park and the surrounding Loyalsock State Forest, taking advantage of the myriad of trails criss-crossing the area.
For more information about the Worlds End Ultramarathon, visit the race’s official website.
8. Hike to Worlds End Vista
Worlds End Vista, located along the Worlds End Trail at GPS coordinates 41.46820, -76.58353, overlooks the beach along Loyalsock Creek at Worlds End State Park.
9. Visit Mineral Spring Falls
Mineral Spring Falls is a roadside waterfall located just outside the Worlds End State Park boundary in the Loyalsock State Forest.
A second, smaller waterfall is located just upstream from the roadside Mineral Spring Falls.
This waterfall doesn’t always flow well – the best time to catch it is in the spring or after a hard summer rain.
10. Hike the Loyalsock Trail
The Loyalsock Trail, one of Pennsylvania’s most famous hiking trails, connects to many of the shorter trails at Worlds End State Park.
Upper Alpine Vista is just one of the many highlights of the Loyalsock Trail near Worlds End State Park.
11. Visit the Forksville Covered Bridge
The Forksville Covered Bridge near Worlds End State Park is one of three surviving covered bridges in Sullivan County.
The Forksville Covered Bridge was built in 1850 and is 152 feet 11 inches in length.
The Forksville Covered Bridge spans Loyalsock Creek, and you can still drive through it.
12. Hike the Cold Run Trail
The Cold Run Trail is a 1.5 mile extension of the Canyon Vista Trail, the trailhead of which is located along Route 154 at Worlds End State Park.
The Cold Run Trail features an excellent scenic overlook and several small waterfalls.
There’s also a boulder garden along the Cold Run Trail, and part of the trail actually pases UNDERNEATH one of the larger boulders.
13. Visit High Knob Overlook
High Knob Overlook is one of the most popular roadside vistas in Sullivan County.
High Knob Overlook is located approximately six miles from the heart of Worlds End State Park, along High Knob Road.
The views from High Knob Overlook are outstanding no matter the season.
High Knob Overlook is also a terrific spot to catch an Endless Mountains sunset.
14. Visit Dry Run Falls
Another fantastic roadside attraction near Worlds End State Park is Dry Run Falls.
Located just minutes from High Knob Overlook, Dry Run Falls can be seen from your car or you can descend the banks of Dry Run for a stream-level view.
15. Visit Sones Pond
Sones Pond along Loyalsock Road is another must-see location in the Loyalsock State Forest, near Worlds End State Park.
This view is completely roadside (though you certainly can hike around and explore the lake further if you choose to do so) and located at GPS coordinates 41.47157, -76.51457.
16. Hike the Ketchum Run Trail
The Ketchum Run Trail is a relatively unknown gem located near High Knob Overlook and Worlds End State Park.
The fall foliage along Ketchum Run Trail is spectacular!
Ketchum Run Falls is another highlight of this hike.
The trail eventually intersects with the Loyalsock Trail, allowing you to explore even more waterfalls downstream on Ketchum Run.
17. Eat at Big Mike’s Steaks and Hoagies
Big Mike’s Philly-style cheesesteaks and hoagies at the Forksville General Store have a reputation for being the some of THE finest sandwiches in Pennsylvania!
Located right next to the Forksville Covered Bridge, I can personally attest to the deliciousness of the sandwiches here.
18. Hike to Alpine Falls
Located just outside the Worlds End State Park boundary, Alpine Falls is located along the Loyalsock Trail in the Loyalsock State Forest.
Alpine Falls is most easily accessed via the Crane Spur Trail off of Loyalsock Road.
When it’s flowing well, few waterfalls in the Loyalsock State Forest can rival Alpine Falls for sheer natural beauty.
19. Explore Loyalsock Creek
Loyalsock Creek is THE main artery flowing through the heart of Sullivan County.
Whether you’re swimming in it, fishing it, or just taking in the scenery, Loyalsock Creek is never far away when you’re exploring the area in and around Worlds End State Park.
20. Hike to Dutchman Falls
Dutchman Falls is a magnificent 27 foot-tall, two-tiered waterfall located near the eastern terminus of the Loyalsock Trail.
Dutchman Falls is most easily accessed from a parking area just off of Route 220.
Winter is an especially scenic time at Dutchman Falls, with intricate ice formations surrounding the falls.
21. Explore the Rock Garden
The Rock Garden at Worlds End State Park is located directly across from Loyalsock Canyon Vista, along Cold Run Road.
The boulders that form the Rock Garden at Worlds End State Park are part of the Pottsville Formation dating back roughly 300 million years to the Pennsylvanian geologic period.
Here you can walk on, around, and through the various boulder formations that make up the Rock Garden.
22. Spend Time at the Beach
The beach at Worlds End State Park is located along a bend in the Loyalsock Creek, adjacent to Route 154.
The swimming area at Worlds End State Park was built during the Great Depression by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and is open between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
So there you have it – 22 of the best things to do in and around Worlds End State Park!
Nearby Attractions
Sullivan County is known as the “waterfall wonderland” of Pennsylvania, and you’ll find out why in my article 28 Must-See Waterfalls in Sullivan County.
Many people like visiting both Worlds End State Park and Ricketts Glen State Park on the same trip.
If you’re one of those people (or you’d like to be), be sure to check out “Exploring the Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen State Park” for my advice on hiking this world-famous waterfall trail.
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