Exploring the Dark Skies Lizard Map

There is so much to find on the Dark Skies Lizard Map that it can be a bit overwhelming. With three state forests and 12 state parks, for a broad brush starter, where would one begin? If a visit to Cherry Springs State Park was on your list to do some serious star gazing, that only accounts for 6 hours of darkness. Looking at the map you quickly realize you'll want the other 18 hours to explore everything around it!

This area is an internationally recognized Dark Skies region

Yes, Cherry Springs is a great place to stargaze, Astronomy Field is exceptional. But the same dark skies exist for miles in every direction, and there is a new dark skies viewing area a few miles south of Emporium, at the May Hollow Skyway. You'll find amazing dark skies camping at Ole Bull, Kettle Creek, Sinnemahoning, Lyman Run and Denton Hill State Parks. Or backpacking along the Susquehannock Trails System and Bucktail Path, although you'll need to choose an open area outside of tree cover.

The Dark Skies region is truly remote.

For daytime adventuring, well - you're gonna need more time. Call in sick, take a few more days off, and plan to return - because you're only going to get a little taste of what's out there, and you will want more. This is a gateway map, it leads you down a path of discovery, it opens your eyes to possibilities, and it forces you to rethink your priorities.

Three State Forests

This map covers all of Susquehannock State Forest, and parts of Elk and and Sproul. That is a lot of territory! You'll find the Square Timber and Hammersley Wild Areas, Dutlinger Wild Area, the Marshall Farm Trails at Sterling Run, and the Pine Tree Trail Natural Area.

You've been to Cherry Springs State Park, but have you driven Wild Boy Road or hiked to the Wild Boy Shelter on the STS? Channel your inner wild boy (or girl) with the Dark Skies Lizard Map!

Where do I start?

The roads: Let's start with a big picture of the map. Scenic Route 6 runs east-west across the northern tier of this map. To help orient yourself, the town of Coudersport is on both sides of the map. State routes 155, 872 and 144 run north and south. Route 44 runs diagonally to connect Coudersport with the Pine Creek region. Route 120 anchors the southern edge, connecting Renovo to Emporium, and off the map to St. Marys and Lock Haven. In between lie a maze of dirt and gravel forestry roads, narrow paved (sort of) township roads along mountain streams connecting ridges, valleys and communities. There are no bad roads here, pick two points and take the long way - you'll be glad you did.

The eastern end of the West Creek Recreation Trail begins in Emporium, and connects it to St Marys. Emporium has multiple gravel road cycling routes that start and finish here. You'll find local eateries to keep you fueled up for more miles. 

The Towns:

In the north, route 6 connects Smethport, Port Allegany, Coudersport and Galeton. In the south, route 120 connects Renovo and Emporium. In between routes 120 and 6 you'll find Austin, Cross Fork, Germania and not much else other than crossroads, which are names on the map, but you won't find gas stations, motels or restaurants. You'll find more State Parks than towns in this part of the Pennsylvania Wilds!

The spillway tower at Stevenson Reservoir is located at the southern end of Sinnemahoning State Park.

12 State Parks!

Every state park has its charm, from the 5-acre Prouty Place, which is little more than a covered picnic area, to the sprawling 1,900-acre Sinnemahoning State Park with it's Wildlife Center filled with interpretive displays covering history, biology and culture. You can paddle in Kettle Creek, Sinnamahoning and Lyman Run State Parks. You can swim in Kettle Creek at Ole Bull State Park, or in a swimming pool at Hyner Run State Park. Most have camping areas for tents and trailers, which are reservable on-line. Some even have rental cabins. You'll find 12 state parks on the Dark Skies Lizard Map: Bucktail, Cherry Springs, Denton Hill, Hyner Run, Hyner View, Kettle Creek, Lyman Run, Ole Bull, Patterson, Prouty Place, Sinnemahoning and Sizerville!

Hiking Trails

This map has three long distance backpacking trails: the 38-mile Bucktail Path in Elk State Forest, the 85-mile Susquehannock Trail System in Susquehannock State Forest, and sections of the Donut Hole Trail in both Susquehannock and Sproul State Forests.

A hikers bridge along the STS. The Dark Skies Lizard Map includes the entire 85-mile Susquehannock Trail System in Susquehannock State Forest, the entire 38-mile Bucktail Path in Elk State Forest and sections of the Donut Hole Trail in both Susquehannock and Sproul State Forests.

Wild Elk Gravel

There are many possible gravel rides all over this map, and we show which roads are gravel/dirt and which are paved. We map out five different gravel loops from Emporium and Sizerville State Park that range from 18 - 34 miles. You can find additional routes for day trips and bike packing at Wild Elk Gravel.

If you are a gravel connoisseur, you'll find Dark Skies gravel to be very high quality!

We included five differemt gravel rides for you to explore from Emporium.

ATV and SxS Trails

The Whiskey Springs trail system by Renovo and the Susquehannock ATV Trail by Denton Hill State Park anchor the north and south ends of the Dark Skies Lizard Map. In season, there are legal township and forestry roads open for ATV use to connect the two riding areas. You can rent a SxS from Denton Go! at Denton Hill State Park on route 6 by Coudersport. We rented one for a day to check out the Susquehannock ATV Trail and it was blast!

Bring your own ATV or rent a SxS (Side-by-Side) to explore the forest roads and trails. There are dedicated ATV trails and legal forestry and township roads throughout this area. They are open seasonally and well marked with signs. The routes do change so pay attention to the signage along the way. You can ride across the entire Dark Skies Lizard Map from Coudersport through Susquehannock and Sproul State Forests to visit state parks and small communities along the way.

The Susquehannock ATV Trail uses a series of former logging roads to connect several state parks. The trail is shared use, open to bicyclists and equestrians as well. 

Roadside Camping

If you like finding remote campsites you can drive to for car camping or overlanding, this map has a ton of them. These have no amentities other than a possible picnic table and fire ring. Some don't even have that, they are just a spot in the woods for you to hang out at. Some are tent only, others are trailer friendly. You will need to reserve these sites on-line, but they offer a very remote camping experince in a variety of terrain. Some are stream side, perfect for fishing or relaxing with your feet in a cool mountain stream. Some are on the mountain top with a wide open view of the night sky - after all, this is Dark Skies country! When you are out exploring, stop by a few of them and make a note if it meets your 'perfect site' criteria, and make a reservation to plan your return. 

You can choose a roadside campsite that is along this section of the Bucktail path. It's absolutely gorgeous to wander this ridgetop section in the Square Timber Wild Area.

We are not alone

This is a massive landscape to explore, and the vast majority of the mammals who live on this map are not human. You may see elk, deer, bear, turkey, fox, raccoon, coyote, eagle, woodpecker, squirrel, rabbit, snake, lizard, sasquatch, aliens or UFOs.

We found these bear claw marks on a log along the Bucktail Path. 

There are places on this map that a human hasn't set foot on in a century or longer. There are ghost towns, CCC camps, old foundations, shale quarries, food plots, lost trails, old camps and a wonderfully remote sense that is increasing hard to find. As Van Wagner sings: 

North of 80 it ain't the same

I don't know how else to put it to explain

There's a different tune in the air

There's a northern feel

that makes it real everywhere

This is the Pennsylvania Wilds, and it's very special. We hope the Dark Skies Lizard Map unlocks a few years worth of new adventures in this magical place!