Worlds End State Park Photo: Nicholas / CC BY 2.0
United States › Pennsylvania

Worlds End State Park

ByWilderness Experts

Fast facts

  • Size: about 780 acres (3.2 km²), surrounded by Loyalsock State Forest
  • Setting: the Loyalsock Creek canyon on the Allegheny Plateau
  • Trail link: the Loyalsock Trail, about 59 miles (95 km)
  • Gateway: Forksville and Laporte
  • Managed by: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

The landscape

Worlds End sits in a narrow S-shaped canyon cut by Loyalsock Creek into the Allegheny Plateau. Hemlock and hardwood forest cover the steep walls, and overlooks such as Canyon Vista look out over endless ridges. Rock gardens of huge boulders and small waterfalls fill the side ravines. Black bears, deer and timber rattlesnakes live here.

Best time to go

Spring and fall are best for hiking, with brilliant colour in mid-October. Summer brings swimming and camping. Winter is quiet and snowy.

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Getting there and around

Route 154 runs through the canyon past the park office, campground and cabins. Trails climb steeply from the creek to overlooks and into the state forest.

Things to do

The Loyalsock Trail crosses the park, one of the most rugged backpacking routes in Pennsylvania. The High Rock and Worlds End trails climb to overlooks. The creek offers swimming, fishing and whitewater in spring.

Staying safe

Trails are steep and rocky; allow extra time. Rock near waterfalls is slippery. Watch for rattlesnakes on sunny ledges. Loyalsock Creek rises fast after rain. Leave a trip plan for backpacking trips.

Know before you go

This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report, so confirm current conditions and reservations with Pennsylvania State Parks before you go.

Navigation
Coordinates
41.4630, -76.5732
Magnetic declination
11.3° W (2026)

Set this declination on your compass, then align it to the map's north lines; it is the angle between true north and magnetic north, refreshed each year.

How declination works, and how to navigate with a map and compass

14 places in Worlds End State Park

A spread of the park’s main places shows straight away, and the rest appear as you zoom in. You can also search above, or pick any place from the lists below, and the map will go to it. Places in bold, marked , have a short description.

Getting there 3

Park entrances

Ranger station

On the trail 5

Campgrounds

Sights 6

Viewpoints

Waterfall

Map data comes from third-party sources and may be incomplete or out of date, so carry a current official map (terms).

Trip types
Day hikeCar campingWeekend backpackingMulti-day/expedition

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Terrain
ForestRiversMountains
Key hazards
Steeprocky climbsSlippery rock near waterfallsRattlesnakesHigh water on Loyalsock Creek
Best seasons
Spring, Summer, Fall (foliage)
Difficulty
Moderate to strenuous
Access / trailheads
Route 154 near Forksville in Sullivan County, northeastern Pennsylvania.
Water
Streams; treat all water.
Cell / satellite coverage
Limited in the canyon.
Nearest ranger / SAR / emergency
Emergencies: 911, and contact a park employee. Park office: 570-924-3287.
Permits & regulations
Campsites and cabins are reserved through Pennsylvania State Parks (888-727-2757). Backpackers on the Loyalsock Trail camp in the surrounding Loyalsock State Forest under state forest rules.
Leave No Trace
Stay on trail, camp at designated sites in the park or follow state forest rules beyond it, and pack out all waste.
Conditions by month

October This month

Average high56°F(13°C)13°C(56°F)
Average low38°F(4°C)4°C(38°F)
Rainfall4.5 in(115 mm)115 mm(4.5 in)
Daylight, mid-month11 h 10 minSunrise 7:17 a.m., sunset 6:26 p.m.

What to bring depends on your trip: how long you’re out, where you sleep, and how far you go from the road. The planner builds the list for yours.

Plan a trip here →

Averages for 1991–2020 from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, measured at the Laporte station, 5 miles (8 km)8 km (5 miles) away at 1,966 feet (599 m)599 m (1,966 feet). Higher trails run colder, by about 3.5°F for every 1,000 ft (2°C per 300 m)2°C for every 300 m (3.5°F per 1,000 ft) of climb. Daylight runs from sunrise to sunset on the 15th, on the park’s own clock, for a level horizon. Valleys and slopes facing away from the sun are in shade earlier.

Before you go Conditions, permits, fire bans and closures change constantly — we summarise and link out, but always confirm with the managing agency first.
Official park website → Last verified 2026-09-21

Nearby parks

Straight-line distance between park centres. Road distance is usually longer.

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