 © Marty Straub
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Nearby Parks:
Tracy Creek State Forest
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| 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, a stream that flows into Silver Creek.
The Friends of Salt Springs Inc. also have a Web site. |
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| Trails: |
| Above the picnic area are hiking trails that provide access to giant hemlock trees. Trails also overlook the three falls on Fall Brook Stream hundreds of feet below. A constant roar of rushing water is heard from ?Penny Rock? along Hemlock Trail. Although this area provides some shorter trails, the country dirt roads are also available for those taking a longer trek. |
| Trail Accessories: |
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| Picnicking: |
| The park consists of 400 acres, mostly wooded, with very little development. A small picnic area is located at the base of a mountain along a stream stocked with trout. A restroom is located near the parking area between the two streams. A walk across the bridge will take you to the remains of the ?Salt Spring? from which the park was named. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| Fishing:
A favorite area of local trout fishermen is the area where Fall Brook runs into Silver Creek near 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, also 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 owner's car, trailer or camp. |
| Fishing and Hunting Accessories: |
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| 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 near 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." |
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...vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental, etc read more.... |
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| Related Links: |
| Area Campgrounds | | Alpine Meadow Lakes
RR 1 Box 1O3B
Stevensville, PA
(570) 746-3742
| Rock Mountain Bible Camp
1 Beaver Creek Rd
South Gibson, PA
(570) 756-2200
| Camp Tioga
RR 1 Box 54
Thompson, PA
(570) 756-2660
| Camp Iroquoina
RR 1 Box 1601
Hallstead, PA
(570) 967-2577
| Arrowhead Bible Camp
Lake Arrowhead
Brackney, PA
(570) 663-2419
| Pilgrim Holiness Camp Grounds
Franklin Avenue Ext
Binghamton, NY
(607) 722-1813
| Lakeside Camp Ground
336 Hargrave Rd
Windsor, NY
(607) 655-2694
| Pine Crest Camping Area
280 State Route 79
Windsor, NY
(607) 655-1515
| River Beach Campsites
378 Route 6 and 209
Milford, PA
(570) 296-7421
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| | 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) 770-1408
| Eyerock Performance Marine
717 Conklin Rd
Conklin, NY
(607) 723-8882
| Cross Current Guide Service
100 Laurel Acres Rd
Milford, PA
(570) 296-6919
| Matamoras Rod & Gun Club
120 Rod and Gun Club Rd
Milford, PA
(570) 409-9330
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| | Area Resorts and Lodging | | Cruise Holidays of Binghamton
Valley plz
Johnson City, NY
(607) 770-4994
| Fairfield Inn
864 Upper Front St
Binghamton, NY
(607) 651-1000
| 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
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| Directions: |
| Salt Springs State Park is in Susquehanna County seven miles north of Montrose in northeastern Pennsylvania. The park is off of PA 29, one mile west of Franklin Forks on Salt Spring Road. |
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