National and State Parks - Recreational Areas

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Salt Springs State Park
State Park Information

State Park Overview
A focal point of the 400-acre park is the old growth hemlock trees estimated to be between 600 and 700 years old. Also in the park are the waterfalls of Fall Brook - stream that flows into Silver Creek.

The Friends of Salt Springs Inc. also have a Web site.

Trails

Picnicking

Fishing and Hunting
Fishing

A favorite area of local trout fishermen is the area where Fall Brook runs into Silver Creek - the picnic area. Crystal clear waters provide the angler with ample opportunity to fill his creel. The streams are stocked each year during the season by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

Hunting and Firearms

Over 300 acres are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, turkey, rabbit, pheasant and grouse. Contact the park office for accessible hunting information.

Hunting woodchucks -lso known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day through March 31 in designated hunting areas. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Game Commission rules and regulations apply.

Use extreme caution with firearms at all times. The park is used by other visitors during hunting seasons. Firearms and archery equipment 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 must be kept in the owners car, trailer or camp.

History of the Area
The idea for the park arose during the 1960s when local conservation-oriented citizens learned that the property was for sale by James Wheaton, whose family had owned the land since 1848.

The Nature Conservancy purchased the land with the assurance the state would buy it from them at a later date. On August 7, 1973, the Commonwealth purchased the first 129 acres for $81,500.

The Legend of the Salt Spring

Much folklore and history are associated with the salt spring. Information on the folklore and history of the area is available from the Susquehanna Historical Society, Montrose, Pennsylvania.

A well-known story about the salt spring was taken from an article printed in the newspaper (Independent Volunteer-October 11, 1832).

"At the time of the settlement of Susquehanna County, bands of hostile native Americans overran the country and one of these roving tribes had attacked the house of a settler. After killing several of the native Americans, he was wounded and taken captive, but his wife and children escaped.

"His captors, to avoid pursuit, made their way to a stream and followed its course until, just at dusk, they arrived at the mineral spring which gives to the place the name of Salt Spring. After drinking here they pass on into a little ravine, through which a second stream flows to join the first, intending to spend the night under its protection.

"It is a spot well adapted to shelter for on either side the banks rise for over a hundred feet and are crowned with dark forests which add to the gloom of the place. Between these black towering heights a series of beautiful cascades form a background for the weird picture of the encampment.

"The native Americans have bound their prisoner to a tree and are sitting around the fire, smoking and debating as to what shall be the fate of the captive. Their stern countenances foretell no easy one, but the poor victim is too exhausted to heed either their words or their looks.

"At last the fate of the captive is decided. The moment of vengeance at hand but from the dark cliff above rings out on the clear night air the war cry of the Oneidas and over the precipice rock after rock comes thundering down. The native Americans quickly extinguish the fire and an answering war whoop of defiance bursts forth as they recognize the song of their enemy and they rush out to meet them, leaving the captive still bound to the tree.

"As soon as they leave the ravine, the wife who has followed them at a safe distance to their retreat, is at the side of her husband and has cut the thongs which bound him and he is free. Knowing that the native Americans will only too soon find how they have been outwitted she hastens to assist her husband to escape but the surprise and joy have been too much for him and he sinks back into her arms, dead.

"Sorrowfully she conceals the body - the spot and returning to her friends, bids them seek the remains of her husband beneath the shadow of the precipice that overhangs the Salt Spring."



More Info

Events Search Results. Quick Search Complete Listing of Events. July 2002. July 6. Country Arts and Crafts Show. Historic Railroad Depot Station Railroad Street, Dushore. A variety of arts and... ...nklin Township. Red Mens Hall, Franklin Forks, PA ca. 1906. Church Street, Franklin Forks, PA ca. 1906. Churches Franklin Hill Presbyterian Church located on Rt. 4002 Franklin Forks...
570-247-7175 E-mail httm@gwe.net August 31September 1 Arts in the Park Salt Springs State Park Off Rte. 29, Franklin Forks Fourth Annual festival with fine arts exhibits, crafts, music, nature


Area Campgrounds

Alpine Meadow Lakes
RR 1 Box 1O3B
Stevensville, PA
(570) 746-3742

Rock Mountain Bible Camp
1 Beaver Creek Rd
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(570) 756-2200

Camp Tioga
RR 1 Box 54
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(570) 756-2660

Camp Iroquoina
RR 1 Box 1601
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(570) 967-2577

Arrowhead Bible Camp
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(570) 663-2419

Pilgrim Holiness Camp Grounds
Franklin Avenue Ext
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(607) 7222813

Lakeside Camp Ground
336 Hargrave Rd
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(607) 655-2694

Pine Crest Camping Area
280 State Route 79
Windsor, NY
(607) 6552515

River Beach Campsites
378 Route 6 and 209
Milford, PA
(570) 296-7421



Area Fishing Related Businesses

Bernie's Bait & Tackle
659 Main St
Johnson City, NY
(607) 797-7743

H & D Tackle
222 Myrtle Ave
Johnson City, NY
(607) 7702408

Eyerock Performance Marine
717 Conklin Rd
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(607) 723-8882

Cross Current Guide Service
100 Laurel Acres Rd
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(570) 296-6919

Matamoras Rod & Gun Club
120 Rod and Gun Club Rd
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(570) 409-9330



Area Resorts and Lodging

Cruise Holidays of Binghamton
Valley plz
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(607) 770-4994

Fairfield Inn
864 Upper Front St
Binghamton, NY
(607) 6512000

Malibu Dude Ranch
351 Foster Hill Rd
Milford, PA
(570) 296-7281

Myer Motel
600 Route 6 and 209
Milford, PA
(570) 296-7223

Milford Motel
591 Route 6 and 209
Milford, PA
(570) 296-6411


Salt Springs State Park