Simon B. Elliott State Park — Attraction in Bloom Township

Camp S.B, Elliot State Park On Saturday 6th September 2014 Gopal our son took us to S.B, Elliot State Park. State Parks are areas where forests are protected, wild-life is protected and conservation methods are followed. With industrialization and vehicular pollution, the air, water etc get polluted. Realizing the importance of retaining forests and wild-life certain measures have been taken up by people concerned about preserving nature and biodiversity. State-parks are maintained by different states in USA.The conservationists and the government have revived the forests and these parks afford the layman to camp there and enjoy the flora and fauna.

We left Hermitage 61 Lyle Drive at about 12.30 pm and reached the place in 2 hours. We went to Parker Dam site office and collected the keys to our rustic cabin-5 in S.B.Elliot State Park. Check–in time was 3.00 P.M. We paid about $60 for two days.Just as we located our cabin it started raining pretty heavily.There were bunk beds and 4 people could stay here. There were two benches and a dining table. Gas cooking range, refrigerator, fireplace and heating was provided but there was no flowing water inside. We had with us bottled water gallons as also bedsheets, quilts. We prepared tea/coffee . We had with us milk, instant coffee and tea bags. On the wrought iron skillet we toasted a few slices of bread and enjoyed it with our hot drink, enjoying the sight of rain falling on the rows and rows of trees. When the rain stopped a little we used the compost toilet situated a short distance away. There were separate toilets for men and women and sinks with hot and cold water, hand soap and paper napkins. We tried lighting fire in the fire-pit which did come up but was put off by the intermittent rains. So we had a fire built at the fireplace inside and enjoyed the warmth of the burning firewood. We read the journal in which previous occupants had given their experience in a page. They talked about bear encounters, sighting of elks, rattle snake, possums etc and also about their visit to an Amish settlement close-by. The Amish community does not use cars and travel in horse coaches; they raise organic crops and believe in being self-sufficient. They make their own clothes and shun modernity. The fact that there were bears around was scary and it was with trepidation that the last visit to the toilet was made.Next morning we and started our trail.The sun was just rising and the tall oak, pines and ferns were covered with dew-drops. As the sunlight fell on the trees, sound of drops of water falling on the leaves was heard. The tall trees brought to my mind the observation ”Vanani Vishnu, Bhuvanani Vishnu.” “The forests are Vishnu, the universe is Vishnu.” Twigs were seen on the path as also moss covered floors and moss covered trees with ferns growing in plenty. It was just the three of us.The sight of beautiful spider webs caught out attention and they shone in the morning sun in the middle of the wetness of the previous day’s rain. We even got to watch a spider spinning a web.The spider was spinning its web from the outer circumference forming concentric circles to the middle and the whole web looks like a fine threaded crotchet which can never be copied. Even as we were watching the spider at work we noticed some animals moving beyond about four rows of trees. Were they dogs? We watched and realized that they were deer. Fascinated we watched and the deer stared at us but we did not manage a photo. The trail was about 3 miles and we returned to our cabin rejuvenated.We lit a fire and sat around it. Gopal used the iron skillet to prepare bread toast with vegetable fillings - a potato, cut capsicums and a jalapeno pepper were cooked.It was a filling breakfast and was followed by tea. After watching the chipmunks at play as also the kids at other cabins we packed up our stuff and left the place by 12.00 noon. After cleaning the cabin, putting off the fire we drove to Parker dam office to return the key the drove...

Social Distancing & Mask Signs are displayed, but only Rangers WORE MASKS. No campers did & everyone enjoyed breathing 👃 the FRESH AIR 🌞

Small rustic 25 site campground. Cell phone service. All non electric. All pet friendly. All have tent or camper space on every site. Many back to the woods. No Shepard hooks. Older picnic tables, but some were getting replaced while there. Clean older bathrooms with flush toilets & hot/cold sinks, but no showers. Several pavilions on premises for camper use. Dumpster & dump station. Several fresh water pumps in campground. Firewood bundles for $5.00, but plenty of downed limbs to scavenge for your own firewood. No formal activities and no non-denominational church service on Sunday mornings during summer like bigger campgrounds. Easy hiking trail right from campground. Needs some updating and historic buildings in park not in use😔. Much potential though. If you want quiet (meaning less people as you do hear Highway 80 day & night) & low key camping, this is the place. Plenty of room to throw a ball or bring or do other outdoor games with your family as Day Use area right across the street. Also road has little traffic, but easy access off 80. We transferred from Parker Dam up the road because sites were too small, not tent friendly as advertised, & way too overcrowded for our liking. Best decision we made for our camping style. Enjoy if you decide to stay here🌲🌲🌲

2022 Update: New showers & bathrooms ONLY for cabin rentals. Found an old horseshoe pit by where...

A nice little woodland getaway, just tucked right off of 153, and off 1-80. It has plenty of hiking trails, as well as normal camping spots, and spots for RV camping. You can even rent out mini log cabins to camp in for the week or weekend. Check out out the historical CCC log cabins/buildings too! The forest here are connected to that of the greater, historic "Moshannon State Forest". Plenty of whitetail deer, elk, black bear, mountain lions, and even more critters reside in this unique & supportive ecosystem/habitat. If you're lucky maybe you'll see the resident Bald Eagles of "Shagger's Inn Pond" within a close distance of the S.B. Elliot State Park boundaries. There are whispers of "Bigfoot" sightings/encounters from Clearfield County dating back to the mid 1800s. A sighting of one was just down the road at the I-80 on & off exit ramp.. This is also the location of "The highest point on I-80 East of The Mississippi River". If you're in the area, have time, need to rest, looking to hike or need to camp.. Stop at S.B. Elliot State Park for...