Pike Outdoors A Public Lands Guide for Sportsmen & Outdoor Enthusiasts Pike County, PA Field Maps • Things to Know pikepa.org/pikeoutdoors Year-Round Outdoor Enjoyment e, the Commissioners of Pike County, Pennsylvania, are happy to present an Wupdate to our much-loved Pike Outdoors guide. We invite all outdoor enthusiasts to get outside and enjoy all of the recreational opportunities that Pike County has to offer. The County continues to grow; in our natural resources, our public lands, even more trails for you to explore. Pike County has over 120,000 acres of federal and state owned lands open to public use. Hunters, Anglers, Hikers, Bikers, Boaters, Kayakers, Birding enthusiasts will all find something special Pike County here in our County. PENNSYLVANIA We are home to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, with over 17,000 acres spanning the Delaware River. The Department Explore Our Outdoors of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Bureau of Forestry District 19 manages over 74,500 acres in Pike County. The Pennsylvania Game Commission manages more than 24,000 acres for wildlife management and hunting. Promised Land State Park is also located here in Pike County and there are endless recreational, as well as educational, opportunities just waiting for you in this 3,000 acre park. Anglers and Boaters have ample opportunity at over 20 state boat launches managed by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Tourism is the county’s main industry. You can float or canoe down the Delaware River in the summer; ski downhill or cross country in the winter; hike on the McDade Trail in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area year round and visit historic Milford, the county seat. Thousands of visitors annually enjoy our County’s recreation, historic, and cultural opportunities. While we’re home to hundreds of geocaches, you might try your hand at finding all nine of our own SRCP geocaches which can be found on lands protected through our County preservation program. The fall foliage is breathtaking along our ridges, and our pristine rushing waters are a sight to behold. We are especially excited to announce the launch of the Pike Outdoors mobile app in Summer 2018, which puts all these maps in the palm of your hand. Explore Pike Outdoors Pike County Commissioners Matthew M. Osterberg Ronald R. Schmalzle Steven R. Guccini Cover Photo Credits: Scot Boyce, Jessica Yoder, David B. Soete and Nick Spinelli. 2 pikepa.org/pikeoutdoors One of Seven Conservation Landscapes in Pennsylvania estled in Northeast PA, the Pocono Forests and NWaters Conservation Landscape covers Pike, Wayne, Monroe, Carbon, Luzerne, and Lackawanna counties. The Landscape includes the highest concentration of wetlands in the state and large tracts of forested lands, allowing for clean water and air, outdoor recreation, and sporting and vacation opportunities. The benefit to the public provided by the State Forests, Parks, and Game Lands also includes the opportunity to explore and learn about our natural surroundings and their importance. Gifford Pinchot, the first chief of the US Forest Service and one of the fathers of the conservation movement in the United States, called the region his home. Grey Towers, Pinchot’s former home, is a must see for people interested in history, architecture, and landscaping. Noted author Zane Grey penned some of his popular works in Pike County. His home is now a museum open to the public in Lackawaxen Township. Pike County is home to the Bruce Lake, Pine Lake, Pennel Run, Stillwater, One of a series of falls Little Mud Pond Swamp, and Buckhorn Natural Areas. The Stairway Wild Area at Childs Park. surrounding Stairway Lake is home to a breathtaking view (well worth the hike). Start Exploring Pike Outdoors Download the app today. All the great features of this guide now are available in the palm of your hand at anytime. And, much much more! pikepa.org/pikeoutdoors © Jessica Yoder Pike County, PA 3 Camping Penn’s Woods By Garrett Beers he Delaware State Forest offers a multitude Tof recreational activities. The opportunities run the gamut from hunting, hiking, fishing, ATV, snowmobiling or equestrian riding, to camping. A great way to experience nature, and all that the so be sure to check for winter weather travel conditions Delaware State Forest has to offer, is to stay in the forest before starting your trip. State forest roads can be driven overnight by camping. There are two types of camping on year-round, however you travel at your own risk. Cell phone the Forest, “motorized” and “primitive.” coverage is not available in all areas, so plan accordingly. Motorized camping Motorized campsites are available year-round and can be reserved by contacting the Delaware State Forest District Motorized camping involves the use of a vehicle in Office. Motorized camping permits are required and can some form. Vehicle usage could be spending the night in be issued for up to seven nights. Camping permits are free a recreational vehicle (RV) or using an automobile to reach of charge, and can be reserved up to 90 days in advance. It is your campsite. All motorized campsites are designated important to reserve campsites early, especially during peak and include a picnic table and fire ring. There are 29 of times of the year. these campsites available, with 17 of them being able to accommodate RVs and trailers. Primitive camping Motorized camping on the Delaware State Forest lacks “Primitive” camping is when your supplies are trans- the basic amenities of a state park or private campground. ported manually by backpacking, or by a non-motorized State forest campsites do not have toilets, potable water, method, such as a horse or watercraft. A permit is not garbage cans or electric hookups. Campers must come required for primitive camping when staying at a particular prepared with their own location for only one night. A free permit would be required supplies and be self-sufficient when staying at the same location from two up to seven for the length of their stay. nights, or along the Upper Delaware River. Primitive campers are permitted to camp in the forest as long as Many of the motorized they are at least 25 feet off of a trail. campsites can be reached with 2-wheel drive vehicles Campers are permitted to build a campfire if the forest during favorable weather fire danger rating is low or moderate. The forest fire danger conditions. However it is rating is posted around the forest and available by calling recommended that campers the district office. It is encouraged that campers purchase come equipped with 4-wheel firewood from a local source or pick up downed and dead drive vehicles, especially wood from the vicinity of the campsite. Transporting during the winter months. firewood over long distances is how many of our non- State forest roads do not native forest pests, such as emerald ash borer and receive winter maintenance, spotted lantern fly spread. 4 pikepa.org/pikeoutdoors Fall beauty reflected on Pecks Pond. © Nicholas A Tonelli, flickr.com/people/nicholas_t/ A Tonelli, © Nicholas Download the “Pike Outdoors” App to plan out where you can camp and ride ATVs. Leave No Trace Ethics Regardless of the camping style you choose, whether on areas that have durable it is primitive camping along a trail or camping with an surfaces such as grass, gravel RV, it is important to remember the “Leave No Trace and designated campsites. Ethics.” Leave No Trace means exactly what the name These surfaces can withstand implies, leave nothing behind. When you recreate, do your frequent use by campers. best to minimize your impact on the landscape and leave The Leave No Trace Ethics as few clues as you can to your past presence for future should be a part of your daily life. We are all stewards recreationists. The Leave No Trace Ethics are important of the land and we all have a stake in the world around in all outdoor activities, but especially to campers. us. When you are in the Delaware State Forest, remember One of the most important examples of Leave No Trace to leave it as pristine as you found it. When you pack up is the carry in, carry out principal. Simply stated, it means your campsite, it should look the way it was when you bring everything out of the forest that you took in with you. arrived, or even better, so that the next group of visitors Many types of trash, such as plastic bottles and aluminum may enjoy it as much as you did! cans, will persist in our forest well past our lifetimes. We take great pride in managing and Over time, this debris will accumulate in our forests and maintaining the Delaware State Forest. become eyesores to future users and can be harmful to Come out and enjoy what the Forest has our wildlife. The sight of trash and debris will degrade the to offer and make lifelong memories in future experiences of forest users. Also, litter is one of the the process. biggest reasons that lead to areas being closed on public Garrett Beers and private land. Service Forester Not only is it important to remove trash such as plastics, PA Department of Conservation it is also important to remove all food waste. Food waste and Natural Resources that is improperly disposed of can cause human—animal Garrett is the PA DCNR conflicts. Pike County has a large black bear population due District 19 Service Forester to the excellent habitat that the area offers. Black bear can for Pike and Monroe County. As a Service Forester, Garrett’s easily become habitualized to associate campsites with primary role is to provide technical assistance and food.