Ricketts Glen

Ricketts Glen SP https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/RickettsGlenStatePark/Pages/default.aspx https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricketts_Glen_State_Park Ricketts Glen State Park is located in Columbia, Luzerne, and Sullivan counties in Pennsylvania. The National Natural Landmark is known for its old-growth forest and 24 named waterfalls along Kitchen Creek, which flows down the Allegheny Front escarpment from the Allegheny Plateau to the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians. The park offers hiking, ten cabins, camping (one of the two camping areas is on a peninsula in the lake), horseback riding, and hunting. Lake Jean is used for swimming, fishing, canoeing and kayaking. In winter there is cross-country skiing, ice fishing on the lake, and ice climbing on the frozen falls.

Ricketts Glen State Park A Pennsylvania Recreational Guide for Ricketts Glen TOP 10 ACTIVITIES Top 10 Activities at Ricketts Glen Pennsylvania State Parks Mission 1. Hike the Falls Trail System. Wear proper footwear. Sandals are prohibited. The primary purpose of Pennsylvania state parks is to provide opportunities for enjoying healthful outdoor recreation and serve as 2. Cool off on a hot summer day at the swimming beach on Lake Jean and grab an ice cream at the concession. outdoor classrooms for environmental education. In meeting these purposes, the conservation of the natural, scenic, aesthetic, and historical values of parks should be given first consideration. Stewardship responsibilities should be carried out in a way that protects the natural outdoor experience for the enjoyment of current and future generations. visitPAparks Printed on recycled paper Directions Spend the Day The park is 30 miles north of Bloomsburg on PA 487. The section of PA 487 from the town of Red Rock to the Lake Jean area of the park is very steep. Heavy trailer units should avoid this hill and enter the park by taking PA 487 south from Dushore. PICNICKING: Picnic facilities are located in the Lake Jean area and in the lower area off PA 118. A limited number of charcoal grills and hot charcoal disposals are located in the picnic areas. SWIMMING: The 600-foot beach is open from late-May to mid-September, 8:00 AM to sunset. Swim at your own risk. Please follow posted rules and regulations. A food and refreshment concession, boat rental, and picnic facilities are nearby. Swimming is permitted inside the designated area only. Reservations Make online reservations at www.visitPAparks.com or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757), 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Saturday. Scarlet tanager HISTORY OF RICKETTS GLEN STATE PARK At the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861, Robert Bruce Ricketts enlisted as a private in the U.S. Army. Fighting for the Grand Army of the Potomac, Ricketts led Battery F during the Battle of Gettysburg. Ricketts swiftly moved up in the ranks. When the war ended, he was discharged a colonel. Colonel Ricketts at one time owned or controlled over 80,000 acres of land in this area. His heirs, through the Central Penn Lumber Company, sold 48,000 acres to the Pennsylvania Game Commission from 1920-24. This left them with over 12,000 acres surrounding Ganoga Lake, Lake Jean, and the Glens Area. Although the area was approved as a national park site in the 1930s, World War II brought an end to this plan for development. In 1942, the heirs sold 1,261 acres, the Falls and Glens areas, to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for a state park. Additional purchases from Colonel Ricketts’ son, William Ricketts, in 1943 and 1949, resulted in a park consisting of approximately 10,000 acres. Purchases from other individuals have brought the park to its present size. Recreational facilities first opened in 1944. In 1950, the former Department of Forests and Waters replaced the Lake Jean Dam with a larger, earthen dam. This combined Lake Jean with Mud Pond, creating the current 245-acre lake. Other facility improvements and constructions have been completed over the years, including the beach house, restrooms, and cabins. FISHING: The 245-acre Lake Jean has warmwater game fish and panfish. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission regulations and laws apply. Fishing is prohibited in the Glens Natural Area. BOATING: electric motors only The 245-acre Lake Jean has dry mooring and two boat launches. A boat rental concession operates during the summer season and offers rowboats, paddleboats, kayaks, and canoes. Motorboats must display a boat registration from any state. Non-powered boats must display one of the following: boat registration from any state; launch permit or mooring permit from Pennsylvania State Parks, available at most state park offices; launch use permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. the waterfalls, which came to be known as the Glens Natural Area. A member of the Wyoming Historical and Geological Society, Colonel Ricketts named many of the waterfalls after American Indian tribes. He also named waterfalls for his friends and family. The lower glen came to be called Ricketts Glen. Many of the magnificent trees in this area are over 300 years old. Diameters of almost four feet are common and many 3. Spend a winter weekend in one of the modern cabins. 8. Visit the park in winter to snowmobile, cross-country ski, and snowshoe. 4. Camp overnight in the campground. Scouts and other groups can try the rustic Organized Group Tent Campground. 9. Enjoy 10,144 acres of hunting within the state park and additional acres in the surrounding state game lands. 5. Explore the waters of Lake Jean via boat. Boat rentals are available during the summer. 10. Enjoy the scenery from Grand View Trail, especially in mid-June when the mountain laurel blooms. HUNTING AND FIREARMS: About 10,144

Ricketts Glen State Park This campground has modern non-electric campsites and deluxe camping cottages. Some campsites are pet friendly. ADA accessible campsites are available for people with disabilities. The campground has an amphitheater, sanitary dump station, and modern restrooms with warm showers. Deluxe cottages sleep five people in single bunk beds and double/single bunk beds. They have a dining table and chairs, refrigerator, microwave, stovetop, electric heat, lights, and outlets. Outside there is a porch, picnic table, and fire ring. All deluxe cottages are ADA accessible and some deluxe cottages allow up to two dogs. Cottages do not have running water. Guests can use the shower house nearby. CAMPING SEASON: Campsites 1 to 73 and the deluxe cottages open the second Friday in April and close the third Sunday in October. Selected campsites from 74 to 120 are open year round. Access cannot be guaranteed during winter months. Call the park office for campground conditions. RESERVATIONS: Most campsites in Pennsylvania state parks can be reserved 11 months in advance to noon of the day of arrival. Campers without a reservation arriving after noon should check at the contact station or near the campground entrance for instructions. Reservations can be made using MasterCard, VISA, American Express, and Discover credit cards; personal, traveler’s, and cashier’s checks; or a Pennsylvania State Parks Gift Card. To receive a confirmed reservation, full payment must be received within ten days of making the reservation. For reservations, call the Pennsylvania State Parks Reservation Center at 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757), Monday to Saturday,7:00 AM to 5:00 PM or visit http://pennsylvaniastateparks.reserveamerica.com. CAMPSITE ISSUING: Advance reservations are available for almost all campsites. Unreserved sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. If an employee is not available, read posted instructions and check the site availability listing. The appropriate fee must be paid to a park employee or deposited in a supplied honor system envelope before setting up on a campsite. CHANGES AND CANCELLATIONS: Cancellations, changes, or transfers to reservations will be assessed a fee and can be made prior to arrival by the Pennsylvania State Parks Reservation Center. Any cancellation, change, or transfer made upon arrival must be processed through the state park. For complete information on fees, cancellations, changes, transfers, and discount policies, view the Reservation Cancellation/Change Policy at the website above. Campground Rules Protect and Preserve Our Parks CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT TIME: Check-in time is 3:00 PM. Campsites must be vacated by 3:00 PM. Deluxe cottages must be vacated by 10:00 AM. Please make your visit safe and enjoyable. Obey all posted rules and regulations and respect fellow visitors and the resources of the park. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in all Pennsylvania state parks. • Be prepared and bring the proper equipment. Natural areas may possess hazards. Your personal safety and that of your family are your responsibility. PETS: Pets are permitted at designated campsites in this campground. Please contact the park office for pet guidelines. Pets are prohibited in swimming areas, buildings, and all overnight facilities not participating in the pet program. Guide dogs and service dogs are not considered pets. QUIET HOURS: Campers must not disturb the sleep of others between 9:00 PM and 8:00 AM. NOISE: Operation of electric generators that create excessive noise is prohibited. MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PEOPLE PER SITE: Site occupancy is limited to one family unit (persons living under one household) or five unrelated people per site. MOTOR VEHICLES: Park only in designated areas. Only one vehicle is permitted at a campsite in addition to a camping unit. If permitted, additional vehicles can park on the camping spur for a fee or in the second car parking area at no charge. VISITORS: Visitors are welcome on campsites from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM. MINIMUM/MAXIMUM CAMPING PERIOD: Campers may stay in a state park campground up to 14 consecutive nights from Memorial Day to Labor Day. If reserving a Saturday during the summer season, a two-night minimum stay is required. Campers may camp up to 21 consecutive nights during the remainder of the year. HUNTING: Use extreme caution with firearms at all times. Other visitors use the park during hunting seasons. Firearms and archery equipment used for hunting may be uncased and ready for use only in authorized hunting areas during hunting seasons. In areas not open to hunting or during non-hunting seasons, firearms and archery equipment shall be kept in the owner's vehicle or enclosed trailer. Exceptions include: law enforcement officers and individuals with a valid Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms are authorized to carry a firearm concealed on their person while they are within a state park. Modern Camping Ricketts

RICKETTS GLEN STATE PARK CABINS To Boat Launch, Boat Rental Bath Kitchen “Great” Room “Cathedral”-Type Ceiling La Bea ch ke Tra il Je an Bedroom Park Office 695 State Route 487 Benton, PA 17814 570-477-5675 Bedroom 2-bedroom Modern Cabin Floor Plan (Sleeps 6) LEGEND Modern Cabin Restrooms Paved Road Modern Cabin Picnic Pavilion Unpaved Road (Sleeps 6) N Make online reservations at www.visitPAparks.com or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757). (Sleeps 8) Gate Beach Dog Permitted lh Trai ead Public Phone Parking Trail GPS DD: Lat. 41.33799 Long. -76.27646 ch ng #2 Lot ki Par B ea ADA Accessible Food Concession G D E F To Dushore 487 RICKETTS GLEN STATE PARK N H Lake Jean Boat Launch & Boat Rental B Park Office A J The Glens Natural Area 487 To Wilkes-Barre Ca b 118 B ear Walk 118 487 Rev. 10/18 To Berwick To Park Office, PA 487 in Tra il Co lon C y Roa 100 0 100 200 300 FEET d To The Glens Natural Area