Asaph Run Picnic Area Campground The campground provides you with access to some beautiful backcountry with several recreational opportunities available nearby. Beauty: 5 stars Privacy: 2 stars Spaciousness: 3 stars Quiet: 3 stars Security: 3 stars Cleanliness: 4 stars KEY INFORMATION ADDRESS: Westfield, PA 16950 OPERATED BY: Tioga State Forest CONTACT: 570-724-2868, dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/stateforests/tioga OPEN: Year-round SITES: 10 SITE AMENITIES: Picnic table, fire ring WHEELCHAIR ACCESS: None ASSIGNMENT: First-come, first-served REGISTRATION: Registration kiosk at entrance to campground FACILITIES: Vault toilets PARKING: 1 car/site FEE: $10 RESTRICTIONS: PETS: Permitted QUIET HOURS: None VISITORS: Permitted FIRES: In fire rings only; see note on firewood on page 7 ALCOHOL: Not permitted STAY LIMIT: 14-day stay limit OTHER: Sites limited to 2 tents, 1 tent and 1 wheeled unit, or 1 wheeled unit Because the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania along Pine Creek attracts the attention of most visitors to the region west of Wellsboro, much of the other area in this neck of the woods tends to get overlooked. But in addition to Pine Creek, many other lovely and out-of-the-way natural and wild areas abound in this part of the state. One such place is the Asaph Run Park and Picnic Area, which has a small campground situated in the pines and hemlocks alongside of Asaph Run just downstream from the confluence of the stream's right and left forks. The campground has only 10 sites, which tend to fill on summer weekends as well as during the height of hunting and fishing seasons (you'd be hard-pressed to get a site for the first weekend of fishing season in April). But if you come during the week or on an off-weekend, you're likely to be the only one here. The campground is open year-round, provided you can get there. Access is by 4 miles of dirt road, and winter maintenance is spotty. Of the 10 campsites, 6 (sites 3, 5, 7, 9, and 10) are nestled among the hemlocks on the west bank of Asaph Run. All of these are nice sites, with some shade, some space, and a buffer of vegetation between you and your neighbor. Site 3, at the back of the loop, is the most private. Although it is right next to the kiosk at the campground entrance, site 10 is quite a nice place to pitch a tent. It is large and has quite a bit of creek frontage. Three of the other four sites are located inside of the loop. These tend to be a bit on the small side. Although larger, the site above the loop is going to attract campers with trailers or the occasional RV. No hookups are available at the campground, however, which tends to keep all but those campers interested in a rustic experience at bay. The campground provides you with access to some beautiful backcountry with several recreational opportunities available nearby. A picnic area complete with pavilions and tables is located directly across the road from the campground entrance. It sits between the right and left forks of the Asaph Run. The main creek is popular with anglers, especially those who enjoy fishing small, rocky streams. From the campground, you can access a couple of multiuse trails. The Middle Ridge Trail, which leaves from the picnic area, heads northwest along the ridge between the two forks of Asaph Run and through the Asaph Wild Area. From the campground, you can take the Forks Trail to the south and make a loop back to the campground by linking up sections of the trail with Goodall Road, a mile or so south of the campground. A map of the Tioga State Forest is available at tinyurl.com/tiogasfmap. The Pine Creek Rail-Trail is easily accessed from the town of Ansonia just a couple of miles west of Asaph. This 62-mile-long path runs from Wellsboro Junction in the north, along Marsh Creek to Pine Creek, and then through the Pine Creek Gorge south to Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania. It's been rated by USA Today as "one of the 10 great places to take a bike tour." This beautiful, hard-packed-dirt path is pleasant for walking as well as for biking. Information on the trail and a map are available at visittiogapa.com/railtrail.html. Be sure to grab your supplies before you head for Asaph Run. The closest place to buy food and camping supplies is Wellsboro, about 10 miles east of the little hamlet of Asaph along US 6. Getting There The park is located off a dirt road, which is typically in good condition during the spring, summer, and fall. The bigger challenge is getting to Asaph. Your best bet is to pick up County Road 3027 (Marsh Creek Road) from US 6 in Ansonia. It's just west of the bridge over Marsh Creek. Follow CR 3027 and east 2 miles to Asaph Run Road. Turn left and follow Asaph Run Road north; it becomes dirt after about a mile. About 2 miles along, the road forks--stay right, now on Asaph Road. Turn left at the next fork onto Left Asaph Road (about another mile and a half). The campground is on the left, just across the bridge over Asaph Run. GPS COORDINATES N41° 47.392' W77° 26.750' Excerpted from Best Tent Camping: Pennsylvania: Your Car-Camping Guide to Scenic Beauty, the Sounds of Nature, and an Escape from Civilization by Matt Willen All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
