Big Falls Parking Lot
Public parking space
2601 Stony Fork Creek Road, Morris, PA 16938
This location may be clothing-optional or adjacent to adult content. We do not display adult imagery and recommend discretion. Families should verify suitability.
CreekPA
Short Hole
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Separate the historical Thornbottom Road creek reference from Cowanesque Lake's managed beaches and withhold the mismatched western Pennsylvania pin.
Swimming permission unconfirmed
The historical creek reference is not established as a public bathing entrance. Cowanesque Lake's South Shore recreation and Tompkins campground beach do not authorize the nearby archived roadside creek approach.
Water type
Creek
Access
Swimming unconfirmed
Fee
Confirm charges for the destination and activity; no general free swimming claim
Best season
Check current access, weather and notices before choosing a date
Nearby towns
Mansfield, Lawrenceville, Nelson
Water body
Historical Thornbottom Creek/Short Hole Reference
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Mansfield, Lawrenceville, Nelson
Place-name search
Short Hole: Tioga County Identity & Access Checks
Map searches for the named location. Confirm the entrance and current access with the park before you go.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Current swimming permission has not been independently confirmed for this listing. Check with the land manager before entering the water.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
Resolve the Tioga County reference before navigating
The archive places Short Hole beyond Cowanesque Lake along Thornbottom Road and Pleasant Valley Road. Its stored map point lies in western Pennsylvania and does not fit that route. The point is withheld rather than replaced with an invented creek entrance. A weathered barn and old roadside view are not enough to identify legal access today.
Keep the lake beach separate from the creek
USACE identifies Cowanesque Lake near Lawrenceville in Tioga County. It lists swimming facilities at South Shore Recreation Area and a beach for camper use at Tompkins Recreation Area. These are separately managed destinations, not evidence of bathing permission at Short Hole.
Ask about the actual destination
For a lake visit, check the project's current notices and contact 570-835-5281 about the chosen area. The page carries a dated July 17, 2026 South Shore reopening notice; that is not a guarantee of today's seasonal availability or conditions. For Short Hole, establish the exact property manager, lawful parking and intended water use independently.
What the historical account cannot establish
No designated pull-off, usable swing, clear-water guarantee, measured approach or child-suitable entry was verified here. Do not follow the old road-end landmarks into a private parcel. Choose a specifically authorized destination if the creek entrance cannot be resolved.
Getting There
Do not navigate to the old stored coordinate. The archive describes the Route 49, Thornbottom Road and Pleasant Valley Road area near Cowanesque Lake, but the exact current Short Hole entrance and parking permission remain unverified. Use USACE's own directions for any separate authorized lake visit.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
The historical creek reference is not established as a public bathing entrance. Cowanesque Lake's South Shore recreation and Tompkins campground beach do not authorize the nearby archived roadside creek approach.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
The historical creek reference is not established as a public bathing entrance. Cowanesque Lake's South Shore recreation and Tompkins campground beach do not authorize the nearby archived roadside creek approach. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
Sand Run Falls Parking
Hiking area
4.4 (99)
Arnot Rd, Wellsboro, PA 16901
Stony Fork Creek Campground
Campground
4.5 (303)
658 Stony Fork Creek Road, Wellsboro, PA 16901
Canyon Country Campground & Glamping
Campground
4.5 (364)
130 Wilson Rd, Wellsboro, PA 16901
Free Wi-Fi
Grand Canyon Motel Resort & Campground
Campground
3.9 (112)
863 Sullivan Rd, Wellsboro, PA 16901
Rural motel & campground offering basic rooms with free WiFi, plus on-site dining & a game room.
Free Wi-Fi
Restroom
Public bathroom
Marsh Creek Rd, Wellsboro, PA 16901
PA Grand Canyon Overlook Loop 🚽
Public bathroom
PG2P+37, Wellsboro, PA 16901
Tioga State Forest Office
State park
4.7 (587)
1 Nessmuk Ln, Wellsboro, PA 16901
State forest with over 160 thousand scenic acres featuring multi-purpose trails, a gorge & streams.
Public restroom
Frequently Asked Questions About Short Hole
Why was the Short Hole map point withheld?
The stored western Pennsylvania coordinate does not match the archive's Tioga County route near Cowanesque Lake. No replacement bathing pin was verified.
Is Short Hole a Cowanesque Lake beach?
No equivalence was established. The historical creek account and managed lake beaches are separate destinations.
Which lake areas have documented swimming facilities?
USACE lists South Shore swimming facilities and a Tompkins campground beach for camper use. Check each area's current availability and admission separately.
Does the July 2026 reopening notice guarantee access now?
No. A dated notice is not a present seasonal or water-condition clearance; check the current project information before travel.
Can I park by the old barn and walk in?
No current parking approval or public approach was established for the historical Short Hole location.
Who answers Cowanesque Lake questions?
USACE lists 570-835-5281. That contact concerns the lake project, not proof that it operates the historical creek site.
Highlights
Short Hole: Tioga County Identity & Access Checks
Distinct managed alternatives explained
No invented swimming pin or gallery
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Do not jump, dive or use a rope swing based on historical descriptions
- Current conditions, depth, submerged hazards and water quality are not certified by this listing
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
Historical visitor accounts are retained in archived directions, not presented as current permissions.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Use permitted public viewpoints only; no site-matched gallery approved.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Respect property boundaries and posted restrictions, use authorized routes and carry out waste.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Check current access, weather and notices before choosing a date.
Difficulty Level
No measured or verified approach to an exact swimming entrance.
Fee
Confirm charges for the destination and activity; no general free swimming claim
Facilities
No verified exact swimming-entry inventory of toilets, drinking water, changing facilities or lifeguards.
Activities
Authorized destination-specific recreation; no verified jumping or rope-swing itinerary
Phone
No verified Short Hole operator; 570-835-5281 applies to the separate USACE lake project
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
Book an authorized campground separately; no camping permission at the historical water entry established.
Loading weather data…
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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