Food and Lodging

Food at CSSP

As in years past, Bob May will be providing food 24 hours/day starting at 6PM on Friday and ending 11AM on Sunday, Bob provides a wide variety of food options at very reasonable prices

In addition to Bob, Fox's Pizza will be serving fresh pizza on Saturday from 1-6PM

Camping

Most attendees will want to camp in the observing field for convenience. There is no charge for this. The observing field will accommodate tents, campers and RV's. Owners of large campers and RV's are requested to setup on the North end of the field if possible in order to avoid blocking the view of others that may have setup near you.

The State Park also has 30 dedicated camping sites with picnic tables and a sanitary dumping station across the road from the observing field. There is a charge for camping at the State Park sites. The fee is $11.00 per night, payable to the Park Ranger who will visit to make the collection. Please do not send any camping fees to the Central Pennsylvania Observers.

The observing field area has several pumps with potable water, and clean rest rooms (modern latrine), but there are no showers. There is more modern camping at Lyman Run State Park, approximately 10 miles from Cherry Springs.

The temperatures at Cherry Springs State Park during mid September are typically pleasantly warm during the day, but can possibly drop into the 40's or high 30's during the overnight hours when the skies are clear. We suggest you come prepared with warm clothing so that you'll be able to comfortably enjoy a full night of observing.

Millstream Inn

For several years, the Millstream Inn has been a generous supporter of the Black Forest Star Party. They have provided a room, free of charge, for our keynote speaker. The accomidations have always been great and the service is top-rate. For more information, please visit their web site here.

Hotels and Motels

If you are coming to the Black Forest Star Party, but do not wish to camp for the weekend, there are several local hotels and motels. We provide this service as an aid only and do not recommend any one hotel or motel over another. Any omissions do not reflect on the suitability of an establishment, but are merely an oversight on our part.

Restaurants

As with hotels and motels aboce, we provide this list as an aid only and do not recommend any one restaurant over another. Any omissions do not reflect on the suitability of an establishment, but are merely an oversight on our part.

Area Attractions

Potter County Visitors Association - www.pottercountypa.org

The Potter County Visitors Association is the local source for information about Potter County.

Cherry Springs Vista and Cherry Springs Fire Tower

Route 44 offers a number of official and unofficial vistas. The best is the Cherry Springs Vista, about two miles south of the park. Next to the vista is a well-marked entrance to the Cherry Springs Fire Tower, which is only a few hundred feet from the road.

Austin Dam Disaster Site

Located on PA. Rt. 872 about 11 miles south of Coudersport, the Austin Dam Disaster Site is a facinating sight. Huge pieces of this un-reinforced dam were shoved around like a child's blocks after the dam burst, causing a deadly flood that wiped out the town and killed many residents. This disaster led to legislation requiring steel reinforcing in dams.

Coudersport Golf Course

At Sweden Valley, 9.2 miles from Cherry Springs. Includes a bar and a restaurant. 814-274-9122.

Gary's Putter Golf (Coudersport)

At Sweden Valley, 10.7 miles from Cherry Springs. Hours: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 10 p.m. Sundays. Closed Fridays. 814-274-9401.

Farmer's and Crafter's Market (Coudersport)

Courthouse square, 15 miles from Cherry Springs, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

Downtown Coudersport

15 miles from Cherry Springs, Coudersport is a great example of a 19th-century small town. The business district includes shops, restaurants, a movie theater and other businesses typical of a small rural community. Coudersport (population about 3,000) is the county seat and the largest community in Potter County (population about 17,000).

Self-Guided Tour of the Historic Logging Village of Galeton - www.angelfire.com/pa/galeton/

At one time, Galeton was the largest community in Potter County with a population of about 5,000. Thirty-five trains daily carried passengers and freight to other parts of the country. Galeton is 12 miles from Cherry Springs. The 1.2 mile walking tour starts and ends at Lush Hardware, 16 West St. There is free parking next to the store. The tour includes more than 50 points of interest. 814-435-2275.

Lyman Run State Park - www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/lyman.htm

Lyman Run Lake is about eight miles from Cherry Springs. The park offers 50 campsites with central drinking water and rest rooms.

Black Forest Trading Post and Deer Pens

On U.S. Route 6 between Coudersport and Galeton. Deer have been raised in the pens for about 35 years. The deer are quite friendly and visitors can feed them through the fence. 814-435-6754.

Pennsylvania Lumber Museum - www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/stateforests/forests/susquehannock/susqactivities.htm

On U.S. Route 6 between Coudersport and Galeton, across the highway from Ski Denton. The museum features more than 3,000 items from everyday tools to a logging locomotive. The main attraction outside is a full-size replica of a typical logging camp and sawmill from a century ago. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily including weekends. 814-435-2652.

Animaland Zoological Park (Wellsboro)

9 miles west of Wellsboro on Route 660, next to Leonard Harrison State Park. The zoo is 30 miles from Cherry Springs. Paved walkways weave among exhibits holding more than 200 animals, birds and reptiles. The park includes contact areas for petting and feeding some of the animals. Hours 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 570-724-4546.

Pennsylvania Grand Canyon (Wellsboro) - www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/Parks/leon.htm

The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania stretches 47 miles along Pine Creek starting near Ansonia on U.S. Route 6, about 30 miles from Cherry Springs. The area includes two state parks and a zoo.