Photo
Description
Handsome Lake Retreat Spring is located just outside of Chapman State Park, within the Allegheny National Forest. This spring feeds Adams Run, a pristine and vibrant habitat for many rare native species including hellbenders, brook trout, & river otters. The spring flows from a fissure in the middle of a hillside through a small spring house with metal piping into a terracotta basin handy for filling up small jugs or drinking from. The water is cold, pure, and noticeably charged with life force.
Additional info: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/chapman.aspx
Nearest Address
1000 Chapman Dam Rd.
Directions from Nearest Address
From Clarendon, PA: Travel West on Chapman Dam Rd. for approximately 2 miles. The spring is located on the right side of the road, with a small parking pull-off just before the spring.
Vital Information
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Hours Spring is Open:
24/7/365
GPS: N/A
Map Link: Handsome Lake Retreat Spring Map
Submitted by: minqua
Photos
Description
You can drive right up to the taps to fill your bottles (see photos).
Water Quality:
This is very special, precious, delicious, pure spring water!! The owner, a true saint, tests the water weekly for bacteria and made the healthy choice to run the water through UV instead of chlorine.
The water is tested yearly for VOC, SOC, and IOCs and radiation every 3 years.
History: Early Shekelamy/Schuykill Indian paths led to this flourishing spring located at the eastern entrance to Adamstown. These Indian paths were later followed to construct the first road between Lancaster and Reading. In 1823, John and Nicolas Coleman opened a stage line and stopped at Crystal Spring (then Addams Spring) to water their horse and allow passengers to fill a vessel.
Early in 1993, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced its plans to exercise eminent domain and pave over Crystal Spring to accommodate new highway construction. Understandably, Crystal Spring water patrons voiced strong opposition to these plans. Letters were written to local legislators as well as Penn dot officials. Ultimately construction plans were modified to save this precious water source. Some of these opposed where Bill Good, who competed in the 1932 and 1936 Olympics and at this time held the title for Americas Strongest Man. At 88 years of age, Mr. Good enjoys excellent health through diet and exercise. The World’s Heaviest Exhibition Bell (2150 pounds) lifted by Mr. Good from 1929 to 1990 is on permanent display at Crystal Spring. Mr. David Clark, of Adamstown Chiropractic, has patronized Crystal Spring Water for almost two decades. Dr. Clark’s philosophy in his own words,
‘Health is a state of optimal well-being and not just the absence of pain and disease. Water is essential to life and health and one of the most important things we put into our bodies”. Floyd Sensenig, of Sensenig and Weaver Well Drilling, has drilled thousands of wells in Eastern Pennsylvania. After drilling into the Crystal Spring aquifer in 1973 Mr. Sensenig stated, “The materials blowing out of the drill-hole indicate that the Crystal Spring aquifer is passing through a pocket of sandy ironstone ….a naturally filtered water source like Crystal Spring is unique and irreplaceable.” Because of his vast drilling experience, Mr. Sensesig is recognized as a knowledgeable authority on regional geology.
Many Indian relics were found in the vicinity of Adamstown which leads historians to believe that an Indian village once existed there. The abundance of water and its purity made Adamstown popular for manufacturing purposes and for settlement. Several fine springs and watering troughs lined the north side of Main Street as late as the 1950’s attesting to this.
Nearest Address
On Route # 272 at the intersection of routes #222, #272, and # 568 next to Stoltzfus campers and RV’s.
Directions from Nearest Address
This is just right off the highway, you will meet many wonderful local people filling up their bottles here, many who have been coming here for generations over the past 35 years!
Vital Information
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Hours Spring is Open:
The spring is open 24 hours a day …and there are lights for evening fill-up. They are closed…once a year from the beginning of January1st to February 14th.
GPS: N/A
Map Link: Historic Crystal Spring Map
Submitted by: Taylor Call, Jeff Shaw
Posted by Comments
Description
Beautiful spring in Bald Eagle State Park area. Located along the north side of Rt. 45. There is a small area for parking in front of the spring.
Nearest Address
West of Hartleton on Rt. 45.
Directions from Nearest Address
Follow Rt. 45 west of Hartleton (or east of Woodward). The spring is located in a mountainous area north of Rt. 45.
Vital Information
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Hours Spring is Open:
Always
GPS:
40.9050745; -77.2413649
Map Link: Hickernell Spring Map
Submitted by: Luke Chohany
Posted by Comments
Description
There are two spouts: a drinking fountain type that has an on-off button, as well as a spigot underneath where fresh, cool spring water is constantly running. Under this open spigot is a metal grate into which all excess water falls, so it does not get muddy everywhere. There is a little fish pond at this spring (no fishing allowed).
Nearest Address
At the intersection of PA-49 & Baker Creek Rd, Coudersport, PA 16915
Directions from Nearest Address
From Coudersport, Pennsylvania:
Take N. Main Street to continue north onto PA-44.
After about 3 miles PA-44 turns into PA-49.
After about 1/2 a mile the spring will be on the left.
Pull off onto Baker Creek Rd. on the left, and fill up your bottles with the best water ever!
Note: There is a small fish pond at the spring, which is fun to look at, but there is no fishing allowed!
Another note: There is a pretty decent health food store (the only one I know of in the area) about 16 miles away called Genesee Natural Foods (www.gnfi.com). Keep going in the same direction on PA-49 for 10 miles, then turn left onto Gold Rd./PA-449. About 6 miles down the road it will be on the left. They have GT’s Kombucha!
Vital Information
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Hours Spring is Open:
Unknown
GPS:
Unknown
Map Link: Coudersport Spring Map
Submitted by: Cadyn Mosch
Posted by Comments
Description:
Hands down the purest, freshest water in the area (even a grade above nearby Wildcat Spring), though Chickadee Spring is visited by very few because it is more remote and not well known. This spring flows from the bedrock of the Allegheny Wilderness into a simple spring box with a metal pipe. The flow is extremely strong and continuous, and the water is very cold.
Nearest Address
896 Olmsted Rd, Ludlow, PA
Directions from Nearest Address
From Ludlow: – Travel west on Rt. 6 for about 1 mile – Spring is just past Wildcat Park on the left
Vital Information
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Hours Spring is Open:
Always
GPS:
Unknown
Map Link: Chickadee Spring
Submitted by: minqua
Posted by Comments
Photos:
Description:
Wildcat Run has been in popular use since 1936, and is a “true spring” of notable quality. The easiest fill-up location is across from Wildcat Park, just east of Ludlow, PA. The spring issues forth from the upper half of a large hill into a beautiful stone spring house and is carried through rubber tubing to a nicely constructed fill-up area with paths and a metal grate. Flow is regular and strong, with a noticable pulse coming straight from the earth. This spring is choice, but is also surrounded by dozens of other springs of comparable quality.
Nearest Address
896 Olmsted Rd, Ludlow, PA
Directions from Nearest Address
From Ludlow: – Travel west on Rt. 6 for about 1 mile – Spring is just past Wildcat Park on the left
Vital Information
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Hours Spring is Open:
Always
GPS:
Unknown
Map Link: Wildcat Run Spring
Submitted by: minqua
Description:
The spring has a great history of being a supplier of ice back in the day when the railroads still ran in this area . Ricketts Glen offers cool hiking trails plus about 13 waterfalls on an 8 mile trail . Lake Jean is a fabulous Lake at the top of the Mountain that has an island in the middle. It has a beach and offers swimming ,Kyaking , canoeing , camping etc….The surronding areas offer some great antique shops where I have purchased several glass 5 gallon jugs for water or wine . Summer or fall is the best time to visit here . There are plenty of road side vegie stands and yard sales . I grew in the valley below Mt. Springs and know the woods there fairly well . My husband and I would be more than happy be your guide should you ever have the opportunity to travel to this area.
Nearest Address
Ricketts Glen State Park , PA
Directions from Nearest Address
Please Google “Ricketts Glen State Park” – in North East PA . There is a water spout is off the highway on the left as you are going up the Mountain towards Lake Jean and there is an excellent sping fed pond a few miles past Lake Jean which is called Mt. Springs . The pond is on the right side of the highway a few miles past Lake Jean . Mt Springs itself is located a few miles back in the woods and the road is a rough dirt road.
Vital Information
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Hours Spring is Open:
Unknown.
Map Link: Mountain Springs Map
Submitted by: lily paden
Photo:

Description:
The spring is on the right of the road there is a pull off and concrete basin with two pipes coming out (see photo).
the water runs constantly and there is a grate to sit your bottle on to fill up. Above the concrete basin is the spring house…..unfortunately after talking to the rangers we discovered that they do add chlorine to the water, even though according to them it is very little. They test the water once a month for bacteria.
The setting is in a beautiful park in an equally beautiful area, with trout streams near by and an amazing waterfall (check with park for directions to walk to falls) or Google the park directly.
Camping is also available in the park.
Nearest Address
Latrobe, PA
Directions from Nearest Address
From PA turnpike take Route 711 northeast to Ligonier, turn right heading East on Route 30, travel approx. 2 and ½ miles until you see route 381 and signs to Linn Run State Park. Follow four miles making a left turn at Linn Run Road continue to follow signs for Linn Run State Park. Continue on Linn Run Road until you enter the park on a gravel road proceed along approx one mile ….you will see spring on the right hand side.
Vital Information
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Hours Spring is Open:
Unknown.
Map Link: Linn Run/Forbes Forest
Spring Map
Submitted by: Matthew Wojton, Taylor Call
Description
This spring has been heavily utilized since the 1800’s and is widely known for it’s purity. It flows straight from a broken limestone rock face through a PVC pipe into the surrounding conifer forest. The flow is powerful and continuous. There is a small parking area across the road. Limestone Elixir Spring is pure fossil water of the highest order. Highly recommended!
Nearest Address
Elm St.
Directions from Nearest Address
From downtown Tidioute: – Follow Elm St. (Main St./Rt. 127) north for approximately 1 mile – Spring is on the right, parking to the left
Vital Information
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Hours Spring is Open:
Always
GPS:
Unknown
Map Link: Limestone Elixir Spring Map
Submitted by: minqua
Posted by Comments
Description
Seneca Spring is located approximately 4 miles north of East Hickory on Rt. 62. The flow is pulsing, fast, and continuous, coming from the top of a large mountain covered in mixed old growth forest. The spring opening is covered with a small stone structure and water is carried to the filling area through a short length of PVC pipe. There is plenty of parking, though you aren’t likely to see anyone there due to the remote location. Excllent quality.
Nearest Address
Rt. 62
Directions from Nearest Address
From East HIckory: – Travel north on Rt. 62 toward Trunkeyville for approximately 4 miles – Spring is on the right
Vital Information
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Hours Spring is Open:
Always
GPS:
Unknown
Map Link: Seneca Spring
Submitted by: minqua