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Pricketts Fort State Park adventures

Pricketts Fort State Park Adventures

Pricketts Fort State Park offers a unique combination of historical interpretation and natural beauty along the West Branch Susquehanna River, making it a destination for outdoor activities and heritage tourism.

183
Acres Protected
4
Miles of Trails
25,000
Annual Visitors
1965
Year Established

About Pricketts Fort State Park

Pricketts Fort State Park
 

Pricketts Fort State Park is located along the West Branch Susquehanna River in northern Pennsylvania, near the town of Jersey Shore. The park covers approximately 183 acres of river valley forest and riparian habitat, providing a scenic setting rich in both natural and cultural history. The park is best known for its reconstructed 18th-century stockade fort, which serves as an open-air museum depicting early frontier life around the 1770s. The fort includes period-appropriate log cabins, blockhouses, and a blacksmith shop, offering visitors a hands-on look at colonial frontier defense and settlement. The river corridor attracts kayakers and anglers, while the dense woodlands surrounding the site feature hiking trails that pass through mature hardwood forests and wetlands. Birdwatching and wildlife spotting are popular activities here, with species such as white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and various songbirds commonly observed. The park’s picnic areas and river access points invite extended family outings, and seasonal events hosted at the fort highlight Revolutionary War-era traditions, crafts, and reenactments. Pricketts Fort State Park combines cultural history with outdoor recreation, appealing to both history enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Highlights

Highlight

Reconstructed 18th-century frontier stockade with historic buildings

Highlight

Access to the West Branch Susquehanna River for paddling and fishing

Highlight

Varied hiking trails through hardwood forests and riparian zones

Highlight

Seasonal historical reenactments and educational programming

Notable Natural Features

Prickett's Fort

A full-scale reconstruction of a defensive fort built by frontier settlers in the 1770s, featuring blockhouses, cabins, and a blacksmith shop.

West Branch Susquehanna River

A scenic river offering opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing within the park boundaries.

Nature Trails

Several short trails winding through mature hardwood forests, wetlands, and along the riverbank, ideal for easy hiking and wildlife viewing.