Cherry Springs State Park

4.77

326 reviews

C/O Lyman Run SP, 454 Lyman Run Road, Galeton, Pennsylvania, 16922, United States

Peace & QuietStargazing

Featured in:Fall Camping Pennsylvania#1 Tent Camping Pennsylvania#1 Summer Camping Pennsylvania#1 +6 more

Quick Facts

2,300 ft

Price

$20/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

No Pets

RV FriendlyElectric

Opens Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

2,300 ft

Price

$20/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

No Pets

RV FriendlyElectric

Opens Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources site

Official Website

Get Directions

Cherry Springs State Park

$20.00 - $20.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Stargazing tours hosted by outfits like Wild Asaph Outfitters cost around $20 per person, and campsite reservation fees are likely similar.

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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What Campers Say

4.77

Top-Rated

Based on 326 reviews

277 Google reviews

Most mentioned

peaceful

"User reviews are highly positive regarding the stargazing opportunities, with many describing it as a transformative and unforgettable experience. However, bathroom facilities receive mixed reviews, largely due to the lack of running water in restrooms at the campsites and the reliance on vault toilets."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

C/O Lyman Run SP, 454 Lyman Run Road, Galeton, Pennsylvania, 16922, United States

Cherry Springs State Park

C/O Lyman Run SP, 454 Lyman Run Road, Galeton, Pennsylvania, 16922, United States

Driving directionsCherry Springs State Park is on PA 44 in Potter County. Use the following address for GPS devices: 4639 Cherry Springs Road, Coudersport, PA 16901.

The park is accessed via PA 44, which is a rural road. No specific mention of difficult terrain or seasonal closures was provided.

Nearby places

Coudersport (9 miles, approx. 15 minutes), Galeton (15 miles, approx. 20 minutes).

Nearby supplies

There is a country store a few miles away. The nearest camp store is within 10 miles of the campground, and a laundromat is more than 10 miles away.

Best Time to Camp at Cherry Springs State Park

Cherry Springs transforms with the seasons, each offering its own celestial rewards. Summer nights bring warm, comfortable conditions perfect for hours of stargazing, while crisp autumn evenings showcase brilliant stars against cool, clear skies. Winter transforms the park into a crystalline wonderland where dedicated astronomers brave the cold for some of the year's clearest viewing conditions. Spring arrives with renewed life and increasingly mild nights, though visitors should always pack layers—mountain weather can surprise even in warmer months.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Warm summer nights are comfortable for extended stargazing sessions.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Crisp autumn evenings and Milky Way season make fall a popular time to visit.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Spring visits praised in reviews; good stargazing and quieter conditions reported.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

3.0 / 5

Astronomy field open year-round but colder nights and limited amenities reduce comfort.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: No specific peak season dates are provided.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: The Astronomy Field is open and available year-round, with a few exceptions.

About Cherry Springs State Park

Beneath some of the darkest skies east of the Mississippi, Cherry Springs State Park beckons stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts to experience the cosmos like never before. This remote sanctuary, cradled within the expansive Susquehannock State Forest, offers visitors a rare glimpse into the night sky as our ancestors saw it—unpolluted by artificial light, where the Milky Way stretches across the heavens in breathtaking clarity. By day, the park reveals its wild character through dense forests and untamed landscapes that seem worlds away from civilization.

The park offers primitive camping and some RV accommodations with electric hookups for astronomy equipment. Tent camping is common, and group camping options are available.

Historical SignificanceNamed for the wild black cherry trees that once dominated these highlands, Cherry Springs carries echoes of Pennsylvania's pioneer past. In the 1930s, this remote mountaintop served an unexpected purpose as an emergency landing strip, carved from the wilderness during an era of expanding aviation. Today, those same wide-open spaces that once welcomed aircraft now offer unobstructed views of the universe, transforming a forgotten airfield into one of America's premier astronomical destinations.

Weather and SeasonsCherry Springs transforms with the seasons, each offering its own celestial rewards. Summer nights bring warm, comfortable conditions perfect for hours of stargazing, while crisp autumn evenings showcase brilliant stars against cool, clear skies. Winter transforms the park into a crystalline wonderland where dedicated astronomers brave the cold for some of the year's clearest viewing conditions. Spring arrives with renewed life and increasingly mild nights, though visitors should always pack layers—mountain weather can surprise even in warmer months.

ElevationPerched at 2,300 feet atop the ancient Allegheny Plateau, the campground's elevation places visitors closer to the stars in more ways than one. This lofty position above the surrounding valleys creates ideal atmospheric conditions for astronomy, with cooler, more stable air that minimizes the twinkling effect that can blur celestial objects. The thin mountain air and distance from sea-level moisture combine to create exceptionally transparent skies on clear nights.

Natural Features and SceneryThe highland forests of Cherry Springs paint a portrait of Pennsylvania's wild heart, where towering black cherry trees share the canopy with maple, oak, and hemlock. This pristine habitat atop the Allegheny Plateau supports a thriving ecosystem where black bears lumber through the underbrush, barred owls call through the darkness, and white-tailed deer graze in moonlit meadows. At night, the haunting songs of coyotes remind visitors that this is still very much wild country, where nature's rhythms continue undisturbed beneath the starlit sky.

Geological RegionRising from the ancient Allegheny Plateau, Cherry Springs occupies a unique geological throne 2,300 feet above sea level, surrounded by the vast 262,000-acre Susquehannock State Forest. This elevated tableland, carved by millions of years of erosion, creates the perfect natural amphitheater for stargazing—with low horizons in every direction and a natural buffer against light pollution from distant cities. The plateau's isolated position and the protective embrace of the surrounding forest preserve darkness levels that have become increasingly rare in the modern world.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in

8:00 AM

Check-out

10:00 PM

Stay Limit

No more than one family unit or five unrelated persons per campsite.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Afamily unit or up to five unrelated people.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutCampsites are clean, orderly, and shaded, with picnic tables and movable fire pits included.

Reservation PlatformsThe DCNR Calendar of Events is required for Public Stargazing program bookings.

Walk-in AvailabilityWalk-up availability is not detailed, though the Astronomy Observation Field is open year-round.

Cancellation PolicyCancellations and modifications must be made in accordance with Pennsylvania State Park Rules and Regulations.

AccessibilityAccessibility features are not explicitly described in the sources.

Site SizeCampsites are described as 'not too big but not small,' with adequate space for a picnic table, benches, and a fire pit. Some sites border the forest and provide tree cover.

PrivacySites are close together, but quiet and respectful neighbors are common due to the stargazing focus, as noted by Rami Nasr.

Recommended SitesCamping on a moonless night or crescent moon is ideal for stargazing. Sites near the south end of the campground offer the most shade.

Amenities available

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Activities you can enjoy

The primary activity at Cherry Springs State Park is stargazing, with facilities and rules tailored to enhance night sky observation. Other activities include hiking, fishing, and swimming within a 10-mile radius.

HikingHiking opportunities are limited within the park. The nearby Susquehannock Trail offers extensive backpacking and hiking options with 85 miles of trails.

FishingFishing opportunities are available within 10 miles of the park, but specific details such as species and quality are not provided.

SwimmingSwimming is accessible within 10 miles, with a small dam-created beach nearby for swimming and boating, as noted by Henry Hilgendorf.

BoatingBoating opportunities exist within 10 miles, and a small dam-created area nearby allows for such activities.

Wildlife viewingWildlife sightings are common, including deer, bears, and coyotes. The remote nature of the park enhances opportunities for wildlife observation.

Cultural and Educational ProgramsThe park offers scheduled stargazing programs and private guided astronomy tours, such as those by Greg Snowman and Wild Asaph Outfitters. These include constellation stories and telescope use.

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsWildlife such as deer, bears, and coyotes are common. Visitors should follow proper food storage guidelines to avoid attracting animals.

Fire PolicyCampfires are allowed in designated fire pits.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are 9 PM to 8 AM

Emergency ServicesEmergency services are not specifically detailed. The nearest city, Galeton, likely provides emergency services, but this is not confirmed.

Trash & RecyclingTrash and recycling details are not explicitly mentioned. Visitors are instructed to clean and dispose of waste properly before leaving.

Water FeaturesThere is a small dam nearby with a beach area for swimming and boating.

Camp HostRangers visit periodically to check on guests and enforce rules.

Weather at Cherry Springs State Park

Reviews

4.8

326 reviews

Top-Rated

Cherry Springs State Park is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews are highly positive regarding the stargazing opportunities, with many describing it as a transformative and unforgettable experience. However, bathroom facilities receive mixed reviews, largely due to the lack of running water in restrooms at the campsites and the reliance on vault toilets.

Review Summaries

Based on 326 reviews

What Campers Love

Users consistently praise the park for its exceptionally dark skies and stargazing opportunities. Rami Nasr writes, 'The stars here on a clear night will take your breath away.' The community of...

Based on 326 reviews

Common Concerns

The primary complaint is the quality of vault toilets, described by Rebecca L as smelling 'like death.' The lack of shower facilities and limited hiking trails are also noted concerns.

Based on 326 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors recommend bringing red flashlights or modifying regular lights to preserve night vision. Rami Nasr suggests sticking tape colored red with a Sharpie over your phone or flashlight. Warm...

Based on 326 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The park's popularity peaks during the Milky Way season and new moon phases. Visits during full moons or cloudy weather are discouraged due to reduced stargazing visibility.

Based on 326 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'The stars here on a clear night will take your breath away.' - Rami Nasr 2. 'Awesome place for stargazing. Only red lights are allowed...' - Janelle 3. 'The bathroom does not have running...

Based on 326 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Specific campsite reviews vary. Sites near the south end are described as offering more shade by Katie Ann. Sites are noted as close together but quiet.

Based on 326 reviews

Accessibility Features

No user reviews specifically address accessibility features.

Based on 326 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are not allowed in the campground or the astronomy observation field. This is confirmed by official rules and a complaint by Dury Martin about the lack of pet-friendly accommodations.

Based on 326 reviews

0 review

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Last updated January 13, 2026

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