Free camping in W. PA? Route suggestions?

[Macmatic]

Monday I'm going to be in W. PA stopping over between Richwood, WV and Ithaca, NY. Any suggestions for parks or preferably "local" places? I've got a favorite near Mars Hill, NC I'll trade ya!

This is the general route I'm thinking of:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Richwood,+W+Virginia&daddr=US-219%2FWV-55+to:WV-28%2FWV-92+to:Clear+Shade+Dr%2FPA-56+to:PA-414%2FRoute+414+Hwy+to:42.230551,-76.961975+to:S+Franklin+St%2FNY-14+to:ithaca,+ny&hl=en&geocode=%3BFbhBSgIdTKE6-w%3BFYhiSgId0BQ--w%3BFWSiZQIdCK5O-w%3BFdJSeQIdZt1h-w%3B%3BFUKFhgIddBZr-w%3B&mra=dpe&mrcr=1&mrsp=5&sz=9&via=1,2,4,5,6&sll=42.130821,-76.890564&sspn=1.016398,2.329102&ie=UTF8&z=9

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[seekinsoul]

I don't know of any out that way because it's about 100 miles east of me, but I was on 414 on Sunday. I will warn you that the last 5 or 10 miles of 414 are crap the direction you're heading. Since you'll be so close (about 10 miles from your route) you may want to take a detour to Leonard Harrison State Park and check out the view of the PA Grand Canyon.

[Macmatic]

I don't know of any out that way because it's about 100 miles east of me, but I was on 414 on Sunday. I will warn you that the last 5 or 10 miles of 414 are crap the direction you're heading. Since you'll be so close (about 10 miles from your route) you may want to take a detour to Leonard Harrison State Park and check out the view of the PA Grand Canyon.

You mean from around Morris to Liberty?

How about this, the last few miles to the park may be a dirt road but Oleona to Galtone works too.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Richwood,+W+Virginia&daddr=US-219%2FWV-55+to:WV-28%2FWV-92+to:Clear+Shade+Dr%2FPA-56+to:PA-44%2FN+State+Route+44+to:Forest+Rd+to:42.334184,-76.893311+to:ithaca,+ny&geocode=%3BFbhBSgIdTKE6-w%3BFYhiSgId0BQ--w%3BFWSiZQIdCK5O-w%3BFTjpdwIdbHRg-w%3BFV9pfAIdlPhh-w%3B%3B&hl=en&mra=dpe&mrcr=2&mrsp=6&sz=9&via=1,2,4,6&sll=42.214279,-76.36322&sspn=1.015057,2.329102&ie=UTF8&ll=41.624682,-77.471466&spn=0.512245,1.164551&z=10

[seekinsoul]

If you go from Morris to Wellsboro, then west on 660, you should be able to avoid dirt roads, and there should be signs to the canyon. You want to be on the east side of the canyon, too. Leonard Harrison State Park was where I took the photo. There are rest rooms, gift shop, and info about the PA Grand Canyon.

Try this route. As for 414 being bad, I'm probable wrong about how much of it was rough because I was stuck behind slow vehicles. Most of it was nice road. I actually came east across route 6 to Ansonia, then 362 to the Wellsboro Johnston airport, then followed the signs. You really have to see it for yourself. Pictures don't do it justice.
Here is another one

[duaneage]

Monday I'm going to be in W. PA stopping over between Richwood, WV and Ithaca, NY. Any suggestions for parks or preferably "local" places? I've got a favorite near Mars Hill, NC I'll trade ya!

This is the general route I'm thinking of:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Richwood,+W+Virginia&daddr=US-219%2FWV-55+to:WV-28%2FWV-92+to:Clear+Shade+Dr%2FPA-56+to:PA-414%2FRoute+414+Hwy+to:42.230551,-76.961975+to:S+Franklin+St%2FNY-14+to:ithaca,+ny&hl=en&geocode=%3BFbhBSgIdTKE6-w%3BFYhiSgId0BQ--w%3BFWSiZQIdCK5O-w%3BFdJSeQIdZt1h-w%3B%3BFUKFhgIddBZr-w%3B&mra=dpe&mrcr=1&mrsp=5&sz=9&via=1,2,4,5,6&sll=42.130821,-76.890564&sspn=1.016398,2.329102&ie=UTF8&z=9

/\/\ac

Turn left at Morris PA and go up 287 to wellsboro. Then take 287 up to 15 and on into NY. Nicer route I think. Getting on 15 is OK but wellsboro is a neat old town.

I hunted near morris for years, The road you will be on before morris is a little dirty so be prepared for loose surface.Wellsboro has a great diner across from the main hotel, cheap eats.

BTW Johnny Carson had a spread near morris, he apparently liked the area.

[Macmatic]

Thanks for the input guys, I'll be sure to check out that diner and if we want to hit the east side of the canyon it looks like only 7mi or so around to get there.

This is the semi-final route. It has maximum fun....I don't mind dirt roads as long as it hasn't rained lately... but plenty of options to shave time and miles in case of 3T issues. (Time, Tired, Trouble)

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Richwood,+W+Virginia&daddr=US-219%2FWV-55+to:WV-28%2FWV-92+to:Clear+Shade+Dr%2FPA-56+to:PA-44%2FN+State+Route+44+to:Forest+Rd+to:PA-362+to:PA-287+to:County+Rte-42%2FDyke+Rd+to:42.304991,-77.001801+to:County+Rd-16%2FCounty+Rte-16%2FMeads+Creek+Monterey+Rd+to:Townsend+Rd+to:W+4th+St%2FNY-409+to:ithaca,+ny&geocode=%3BFbhBSgIdTKE6-w%3BFYhiSgId0BQ--w%3BFWSiZQIdCK5O-w%3BFTjpdwIdbHRg-w%3BFV9pfAIdlPhh-w%3BFWHUfAIdA51j-w%3BFTjGfgIdOK9l-w%3BFXBFhAIdzrRo-w%3B%3BFc4ChgIdWW1p-w%3BFZpdhgIdrFRq-w%3BFfyshgIdDAFr-w%3B&hl=en&mra=dme&mrcr=2&mrsp=9&sz=12&via=1,2,4,6,7,8,9,10,11,12&sll=42.29712,-76.983261&sspn=0.126718,0.291138&ie=UTF8&ll=41.664705,-77.165222&spn=0.511927,1.164551&z=10

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[skreemer]

Look up "Don Wright's Guide to Free Campgrounds"

There's a western and eastern edition... The campgrounds aren't all free and it features places that start at 12$ a night. It also lists their amenities such as RV hookups and electricity as well as showers and toilet facilities if you don't want a "rustic" or "pioneer" type campground.

The books themselves are 19$ a pop but I figure one or two stays someplace listed and they should about pay for themselves.

For example on your route right outside of Somerset, it lists two campgrounds:

Kooser State Park
11miles Wast of Turnpike exit 10; 9 miles east of turnpike exit 9 on SR31
12$ base for modern sites, non-residents pay 14$ fees are 3$ higher on the weekends. The sites include tables, campfire/grill area, flush toilets, drinking water, dump, but NO showers.

Laurel Hill State Park
8 Miles west of Somerset om SR 31; Left on Trent road and follow the signs to the park.
12$ base, 14$ non-residents. Features flush toilets, showers, campfire/grill area, dump, drinking water and tables.

[Gravity Tester]

If you head about 2hours west (Cattarugus) I can get you a friday & saturday night might even feed you. The Gumball rally is Friday to sunday 26 & 27 if you are intrested or if it is this week head north from ithaca to Canandaigua & I have an extra bed or back yard. about 1.15 hr's from Ithaca great view of Seneca Lake.

Or if you need support send me a PM & Ill give you a cell number to call if you need any thing.


Pat

[Macmatic]

Thanks for the new info and invites. I probably won't be able to make the rally since I'm not going to be back home in NY until Wednesday and its too quick of a turn around but I might try and ride out to meet up on Sat/Sun.

PM sent.

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