Camping in PA - suggestions?

[Dan 177]

Me and some friends are looking to do some camping in free America for a weekend. Does anyone have suggestions on some good places in the eastern parts of PA?

 

Looking for something off the beaten path away from others, so a commercial "camp ground" is not what we're looking for. A little bit of a hike isn't a problem, but generally looking for a drive-in/out location. Bonus points if its in an area secluded, safe, and legal for some camping target practice.

 

If anyone has good ideas I'd appreciate it. If its nothing you would like to share to the public, please feel free to PM me.

 

Thanks!

 

[NYMetsFan86 9]

i've been looking at doing this for a couple months now. Especially after i get my CCW. That being said I hope someone posts instead of PM's you to share the info with all of us

[maintenanceguy 510]

Ole Bull Camp Ground is about 5 hours from the border but well worth the drive.  Beautiful area, excellent campground.  Right in the middle of the free part of America.

[fishnut 2,358]

+1 for Allegheny National Forest they allow "Primitive camping" is allowed. That is real camping where you hike out into the woods and pick your own spot. Draw backs are you have to move your camp every day without a permit and no bath rooms. Also its a bit of a drive from NJ but well worth it in my opinion.

[Dan 177]

Thanks for the suggestions thus far, I will look into them.

[Dan 177]

For anyone else interested, I did find some information. The only public areas that I could find where you can camp and target shoot would be a National Forest. Allegheny is the closest one to NJ, besides one in NY that may be a little closer (but I'm not taking any kind of gun into NY). State Forests and National Parks in PA, you can carry a gun for self defense, but alas, target shooting permitted. The only times you can shoot are in designated hunting areas while in the act of legal hunting (permits, season, etc).

 

The only other option would be private property.

[greatgunstatenj 32]

I was down in the Shenandoah Valley area this past summer, Skyline Drive, etc. I passed a couple of camping places that had shooting ranges. I didn't investigate but I'm almost positive they were in National Parks. I don't recall the exact location so I can't say how the travel time compares to Western PA.

[mipafox 438]

We need a law in PA that allows civil immunity for landowners when they let people use the land for lawful recreation. I am told NY has such a law.

 

Their are rumblings of a law for hunting but it should be for everything.

[Dan 177]

I believe some National Parks have designated target shooting ranges. Same for State parks and forests, but it is on an individual basis. I'm going to give the PA State Forest/Park people a call and ask. In their rules it says its up to the area manager or something to that effect..

 

Mipa, PA does have such a thing : http://fishandboat.com/water/public/rec_use_land_water_act.htm

 

There are some stipulations to be aware of regarding definitions. http://indianlakepa.us/dotnetnuke/Portals/0/Misc/DCNR%20RULWA%20Act%20586%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf

 

Basically if it is a large , undeveloped area, it should be covered. Once there are things like buildings, developed areas... like parking lots, facilities, etc... then not so much. I believe this is to prevent commercial or semi-commercial operations from claiming immunity for the purposes of saving money by not buying liability insurance.

[mipafox 438]

Thanks, I'm going to have to look into that a bit more. I'm betting a berm and cleared strip for shooting are going to exceed the "improvement" threshold based on the examples.

[Dan 177]

Unfortunately I think it would be a fine line Mipa... unless you were to tell the people recreating on the property that they could only use a certian area of the property that does not include developments, and have them sign something acknowledging restrictions and waiving liability for good measure CYA.

 

Stuff like trails and whatnot are covered. Its when you get into specific things like a bathroom building, or picnic area with an awning and grills, "designated and developed shooting site". etc. If the person was offered those to utilize, since they are developed, a person would have a reasonable assumption that they are safe... opening you up to negligence and liability.

 

A dirt mound in the middle of the woods... if were so decided that was a good backstop by the recreation people would not constitute a "developed" shooting area, IMO of course.

[mipafox 438]

I understand everything except the "fine," was that a typo?

[Dan 177]

I meant "fine line to walk", but for some reason my burnt out Friday brain omitted the rest.

[Nick T 4]

We go to Potter County and camp in Lyman Run, we are actually going next week to look at 30 acres with a cabin on the top of a mountain for our own little getaway up there

[mipafox 438]

If you went camping and woke up with vaseline on your butt, would you tell everybody?

[Dan 177]

NickT that sounds great. One of these day's I'd like to have a getaway of my own. Good luck with that.

 

mipa, not sure where you are coming from, going to, or anything about the road between on the vasaline/butt comment..... and don't want to know

[mipafox 438]

Dan, it's an 80s school playground joke

 

You are supposed to say, Heck no!

 

And then I ask you if you want to go camping

 

Uh, yeah, doesn't really stand the test of time. Would have been funny had you been there.

[Dan 177]

Doh, missed that episode lol

[Norseman 2]

I went hiking up in Maine and had my .45 on my hip the whole time ...felt great to be free!!

 

If I can do the same so much closer to home - I'm there! Good post.

 

 

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