My family went to this park often, but I never realized how good it was until later in life when I saw how crappy most other state parks are, both in Pennsylvania and elsewhere.
Reeds Gap has pretty much everything--swimming pool, concessions, playground, campsites--but I love it for the picnic areas, hiking, and general woodland setting. We used to come here for low-key Sunday afternoons: just bring the family and some food and set up shop at one of the picnic tables. After lunch, let the kids run around the woods or the playground, or maybe even go swimming.
Today I was amazed that the park was nearly empty. I saw two rangers and two campers back towards the far (eastern) end of the park. The pool and concession stand were closed. What gives? It was a Friday. In the old days, there would have been hundreds of people.
I took advantage of the peace and quiet. First I sat at a picnic table near Parking Lot B, directly facing Honey Creek. There is almost no better sound on Earth than gently running water in a rocky creek. I enjoyed my lunch and didn't even get out the book that I brought; I just looked and listened.
Then I took off down the trail by the creek. At one point I lost the trail and just crossed the creek on some rocks, picking up the red trail, which I took all the way around the loop. I crossed the creek again on a large fallen tree. That was scary but thrilling.
The whole excursion was exactly what I needed--some peace and calm while enjoying the outdoors. All I wanted to do was eat lunch, tromp around the woods, stop and read my book, tromp around the woods some more, etc. Perfect afternoon.
This park has something for everyone, and all aspects are very well maintained by the DCNR. Kudos to them for their efforts to create and keep a great park. read more