Ole Bull State Park

Introduction of Ole Bull State Park

Ole Bull State Park, located in Pennsylvania, is surrounded by the wilderness of Susquehannock State Forest and offers plenty of fun for RV adventure seekers. Despite being only 132 acres in size, the park features the enchanting hues of Kettle Creek, a beautiful stream of water that flows through the park, as well as a diverse range of wildlife that will make your jaw drop.Ole Bull State Park is named after the famous Norwegian violinist Ole Bull, who established a Norwegian establishment in the area long before it was designated as a state park. If you want to spend some time camping in a peaceful setting close to nature, this Pennsylvania state park is an excellent choice. The park, surrounded by the endless acres of Susquehannock State Forest, is well worth bringing your RV for some downtime. There are no restrictions on outdoor recreation at Ole Bull State Park.You will be satisfied with the amount of fun you can have, from hiking and mountain biking to fishing and hunting. Winter activities such as cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are also popular among winter campers and visitors. To clear your mind, we recommend a nice relaxing picnic or a dip in Kettle Creek for visitors looking to kick back and relax. Wildlife viewing and birdwatching are also popular pastimes. The state park is open year-round and has two separate campgrounds with a total of 81 RV-friendly sites; the busiest camping seasons at the park are spring, summer, and fall. For visitors looking for alternative lodging, we recommend the one-and-a-half-story Ole Bull Cabin, which is available to rent for overnight accommodations all year. Ole Bull State Park’s peak season lasts from April to October.

Ole Bull State Park Camping

On the southwest and northern sides of Kettle Creek, Ole Bull State Park has two RV-friendly campgrounds. Camp Area One is the larger of the two, with 46 campsites, 32 of which have electric and water hookups. Visitors who want to swim during their visit to the park frequently stay at Campground One because it is close to the sandy swimming beach.One significant difference between the two campgrounds is that Camping Area One is not pet-friendly, so you must stay in Camping Area Two if you have a furry friend. The campground has an ADA-accessible restroom with showers, as well as a sand volleyball court, playground, and water collection points. Reservations are advised if visiting during peak season because it can be a popular place to stay. While the campground is usually open all year, some amenities may be unavailable during the winter.

Camping Area Two is the smaller of the two campgrounds, but it is still packed with great amenities. There are 32 campsites in total, 24 of which have electric hookups, but none have water hookups, unlike Camping Area One. Each campsite has a picnic table, a fire ring, and a level gravel pad.
This campground is near the park office on the opposite side of the river, so you’ll have to cross the creek to get to the beach. Pets are also permitted in Camping Area Two for an additional fee.

An ADA-accessible restroom with hot showers is available at the campground, and a playground and car parking are also nearby. Because most of the campsites at Campground Two and One are quite small, RVs larger than 36 feet are not permitted to stay.
There is no Wi-Fi in either of the two camping areas, but you should be able to get phone reception on all major networks. Campground Two can also be reserved, and each site can accommodate up to five people.

The Ole Bull Cabin is a one-of-a-kind lodging option at Ole Bull State Park. The cabin is quite large, with three bedrooms spread across one and a half stories, sleeping up to 12 people. There is also a modern kitchen, an ADA-accessible bathroom, and a standard bathroom in the cabin. Ole Bull Cabin does not allow pets, and reservations must be made through the park, as it cannot be reserved online like the campgrounds.

Ole Bull State Park Activities

Birding

You should see a variety of interesting bird species while exploring Ole Bull State Park during your RV camping stay. The wooded trails are the most popular spots for birders to visit, but there are also plenty of waterfowl at Kettle Creek. If you have binoculars, keep them with you at all times and ask one of the helpful staff members for a birding checklist so you can keep track of how many species you see during your stay.

Hunting

Ole Bull State Park’s hunting can be exceptionally good due to the many diverse game species that make your hunt a spectacular experience. Deer, turkey, grouse, beer, and squirrel are all abundant for an exciting wild hunt. You can also train your dogs on the 25 acres of land set aside for hunting and trapping. Every year, the hunting season begins during the camping off-season, which runs from Labor Day to the end of March, but before you begin your hunt, make sure you follow the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s rules and regulations.

Picnicking

Along the banks of Kettle Creek, there are a number of picnic spots to choose from. Many picnic tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis, but if you are traveling with a large group, we recommend reserving one of the four picnic pavilions. The Stone Pavillion is our choice because it is the only shelter with electricity. Reservations may be made up to 11 months ahead of time.

Hiking

If you enjoy hiking, you will be impressed by the four scenic trails available within the park. The four trails total five miles of hiking terrain that perfectly captures the park’s beauty and splendor. Each trail has something special to offer, so you’ll have a fantastic time hiking from one to the next. The Daugherty Loop Trail, which takes you on an exploration of the ancient loggings and rail grades while gradually drawing you into the surrounding forest wilderness, is our favorite. If you want to go on a longer hike, you can check out the 85-mile Susquehannock Trail System.

Fishing

RV travellers who enjoy fishing should visit Kettle Creek, a freshwater stream that flows through the park and is an excellent fishing spot. The river is home to many different species, but trout are the most popular to target due to their abundance. Rainbow, brown, and brook trout are just a few of the species you might be able to catch. To cast a line, you must have a valid fishing license and must not fish within the sandy beach area.

Ole Bull State Park Location

Ole Bull State Park is a well-known attraction in Potter County. The park is located along Kettle Creek, a stream that runs through the Pennsylvania counties of Clinton, Potter, and Tioga. The park is only a 10-minute drive from Cross Fork. You will have no trouble getting to the park if you use a map or GPS. If you want to explore more of the surrounding area, you can visit the towns of Renovo and Galeton, which are not far from the park.

If the weather permits, you’ll enter the park via PA-144, which is the only way to get there. Due to heavy snowfall, the highway may be closed for the majority of the winter. If you are visiting in the winter, we recommend that you check for seasonal road closures ahead of time to avoid becoming stranded.

There are no strict driving rules in the park for RVs, except that speeds should not exceed 25 miles per hour. There are two unpaved parking lots in the campground loops, as well as a large unpaved parking lot near the picnic pavilion. If you are only staying for the day, you can park your camper near the pavilion before heading over to hike any of the surrounding trails or claim your picnic area site. There is also a paved parking lot near the park office at the entrance.

Parking

Parking is available

Public Transport

Public Transport is not available