List of Pennsylvania state parks

Last updated

Map of state parks in Pennsylvania
(Each dot is linked to the corresponding park article)

As of 2024, there are 124 state parks in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. [1] The Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks, a division of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), is the governing body for all these parks, and directly operates 116 of them. The remaining parks are operated in cooperation with other public and private organizations. [a]

Contents

The first Pennsylvania state park, at Valley Forge, opened in 1893 and was given to the National Park Service (NPS) for the United States Bicentennial in 1976. There are a total of seventeen former Pennsylvania state parks: four former parks have been transferred to the NPS, four to the Pennsylvania Historical Museum Commission, two to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, one to both the Corps and the Pennsylvania Game Commission, five to the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry, and one has ceased to exist. Nine current and two former state parks have had major name changes or have been known under alternate names.

The list gives an overview of Pennsylvania state parks and a brief history of their development since the first park opened in 1893. State parks range in size from 3 acres (1.2 ha) to 21,122 acres (8,548 ha) and comprise one percent of Pennsylvania's total land area. [2] According to Dan Cupper (1993), "Pennsylvania is the thirty-third largest state, but only Alaska and California have more park land". [3] [4]

Overview

There are state parks in 62 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties, [b] which nearly reaches Pennsylvania's goal of having a state park within 25 miles (40 km) of every resident in the Commonwealth. [5] [c] Eleven parks do not have "State Park" in their name. Three are "Conservation Areas": Boyd Big Tree Preserve, Joseph E. Ibberson, and Varden; four are "Environmental Education Centers": Jacobsburg, Jennings, Kings Gap (also a "Training Center") and Nolde Forest; White Clay Creek is a "Preserve"; Norristown is a "Farm Park"; and Big Spring is a "State Forest Picnic Area". [6]

Seven parks are undeveloped with no facilities: Allegheny Islands, Benjamin Rush, Bucktail, Erie Bluffs, Prompton, Swatara, and Varden; the last four of these are in the process of being developed. Five state parks are small picnic areas: Laurel Summit, Patterson, Prouty Place, Sand Bridge, and Upper Pine Bottom. Five state parks have major U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dams and/or lakes: Bald Eagle, Beltzville, Elk, Kettle Creek, and Sinnemahoning. Three former parks now belong, at least partly, to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Seven parks preserve the industrial past: Canoe Creek is the site of a former lime kiln, and Caledonia, French Creek, Greenwood Furnace, Kings Gap, Mont Alto, and Pine Grove Furnace (plus one former park) are all former iron furnace sites. [6] [4] Eight current parks and one former park contain at least part of eight different National Natural Landmarks. [7] [d]

According to the DCNR, the state parks in Pennsylvania are on more than 300,000 acres (120,000 ha) with some 606 full-time and more than 1,600 part-time employees serving approximately 36 million visitors each year. Admission to all Pennsylvania state parks is free, although there are fees charged for use of cabins, marinas, etc. Pennsylvania's state parks offer "over 7,000 family campsites, 286 cabins, nearly 30,000 picnic tables, 56 major recreational lakes, 10 marinas, 61 beaches for swimming, 17 swimming pools" and over 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of trails. [8]

History

Pennsylvania's first state park was Valley Forge State Park, purchased by the Commonwealth on May 30, 1893, to preserve Valley Forge. It was transferred to the National Park Service (NPS) on the Bicentennial of the United States, July 4, 1976. [9] Many state parks still preserve history: as of 2012, forty-two Pennsylvania state park sites are on the National Register of Historic Places, including two National Historic Landmarks (Delaware Canal and Point), twenty-eight Civilian Conservation Corps sites in nineteen parks, and twelve other parks' historic sites and districts. [10] Eight of the former state parks were also chiefly historic. [4]

In addition to preserving historic sites, Pennsylvania also sought to preserve natural beauty and offer opportunities for recreation in its state parks. In 1902 Mont Alto State Forest Park was the second park established, a year after the state "Bureau of Forestry" was set up to purchase, preserve, and restore Pennsylvania's forests, which had been ravaged by lumbering, charcoal production, and wild fires. Parks were added sporadically until the 1930s, some mere camping and picnic areas in state forests, while others preserved unique sites. [11] The 1930s saw a great expansion of parks and their facilities under Governor Gifford Pinchot, who cooperated with President Franklin Roosevelt, despite their being of different political parties. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) established 113 CCC camps in Pennsylvania (second only to California). Using CCC and Works Progress Administration (WPA) labor, the NPS built five Recreation Demonstration Areas, which became Pennsylvania state parks in 1945 and 1946: Blue Knob, French Creek, Hickory Run, Laurel Hill, and Raccoon Creek. The CCC also "fought forest fires, planted trees, built roads, buildings, picnic areas, swimming areas, campgrounds and created many state parks". [e] [12]

In 1956, there were forty-four state parks in Pennsylvania, mostly in rural areas. Forty-five parks had been added by 1979, mostly near urban areas, and the system had increased by 130,000 acres (53,000 ha). This was thanks largely to the efforts of Maurice K. Goddard, who served as director of the precursors to the DCNR for twenty-four years under six administrations. The number of visitors to parks more than tripled in this time and two voter approved bond issues (Projects 70 and 500) raised millions of dollars for park expansions and improvements. [5] All this expansion was not without costs and by 1988 there was an estimated $90 million in deferred maintenance. In 1993, as the park system celebrated its one-hundredth anniversary, new tax and bond revenues were earmarked for the parks. [3] Since 2000, parks are being improved through the state's Growing Greener and Growing Greener II and bond programs. [13]

Current parks

Current Pennsylvania state parks
Park nameCounty or countiesArea in acres (ha)Date
founded
Stream(s) and / or lake(s)RemarksImage
Allegheny Islands State Park Allegheny County 43 acres
(17 ha)
1980 Allegheny River Three alluvial islands near Pittsburgh with no facilities, and accessible only by boat
Allegheny Islands State Park.jpg
Category:Allegheny Islands State Park on Wikimedia Commons Commons-logo.svg
Category:Allegheny Islands State Park on Wikimedia Commons
Archbald Pothole State Park Lackawanna County 150 acres (61 ha)1964NoneOne of world's largest potholes, 38 ft (12 m) deep, largest diameter 42 feet (13 m) by 24 feet (7 m)
Archbald Pothole State Park panorama 2.jpg
Category:Archbald Pothole State Park on Wikimedia Commons Commons-logo.svg
Category:Archbald Pothole State Park on Wikimedia Commons
Bald Eagle State Park Centre County 5,900 acres (2,388 ha)1971 Bald Eagle Creek, Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir1,730 acre (700 ha) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir named for Medal of Honor recipient
Bald Eagle State Park, Pennsylvania Fall Beach.JPG
Category:Bald Eagle State Park on Wikimedia Commons Commons-logo.svg
Category:Bald Eagle State Park on Wikimedia Commons
Beltzville State Park Carbon County 2,973 acres (1,203 ha)1972 Pohopoco Creek, Beltzville Lake U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake is 949 acres (384 ha) with 19.8 miles (31.9 km) of shoreline.
USACE Beltzville Dam and Lake.jpg
Category:Beltzville State Park on Wikimedia Commons Commons-logo.svg
Category:Beltzville State Park on Wikimedia Commons
Bendigo State Park Elk County 100 acres (40 ha)1959 East Branch Clarion River Only 20 acres (8.1 ha) developed, name a corruption of Abednego
Bendigo State Park.jpg
Category:Bendigo State Park on Wikimedia Commons Commons-logo.svg
Category:Bendigo State Park on Wikimedia Commons
Benjamin Rush State Park Philadelphia County 275 acres (111 ha)1975NoneSite of one of the world's largest community gardens, otherwise undeveloped
BRSP Community Garden.jpg
Category:Benjamin Rush State Park on Wikimedia Commons Commons-logo.svg
Category:Benjamin Rush State Park on Wikimedia Commons
Big Elk Creek State Park Chester County 1,712 acres
(693 ha)
2022 Elk River (Maryland) Big Elk Creek was an important transportation and natural resource corridor for indigenous people for thousands of years and an important area for freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad to the North.
Big Pocono State Park Monroe County 1,306 acres (529 ha)1954NoneOn Camelback Mountain, site of Camelback Ski Area and Waterpark
Cloud Lesson.jpg
Category:Big Pocono State Park on Wikimedia Commons Commons-logo.svg
Category:Big Pocono State Park on Wikimedia Commons
Big Spring State Forest Picnic Area Perry County 45 acres
(18 ha)
1936Big Spring Run [14] (which forms Shermans Creek)Park has trail to partially completed railroad tunnel in Conococheague Mountain.
Big Spring State Park PA.jpg
Category:Big Spring State Park on Wikimedia Commons Commons-logo.svg
Category:Big Spring State Park on Wikimedia Commons
Black Moshannon State Park Centre County 3,394 acres (1,374 ha)1937 Black Moshannon Creek, Black Moshannon LakePark has bog with three carnivorous plant species and 17 orchid varieties. [f] [g]
Black Moshannon State Park Wetland NicholasT.jpg
Category:Black Moshannon State Park on Wikimedia Commons Commons-logo.svg
Category:Black Moshannon State Park on Wikimedia Commons
Blue Knob State Park Bedford County 5,874 acres (2,377 ha)1945NoneThis former Recreation Demonstration Area on the state's second highest mountain has Blue Knob All Seasons Resort (skiing).
Blue Knob Mountain 4.jpg
Category:Blue Knob State Park on Wikimedia Commons Commons-logo.svg
Category:Blue Knob State Park on Wikimedia Commons
Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area Dauphin County 914 acres (370 ha)1999Unnamed tributary of Fishing Creek On Blue Mountain, one of three Conservation Areas, named for donor Alex Boyd
Boyd Big Tree Preserve meadow.jpg
Category:Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area on Wikimedia Commons Commons-logo.svg
Category:Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area on Wikimedia Commons
Buchanan's Birthplace State Park Franklin County 18.5 acres
(7 ha)
1911 Buck Run Stone pyramid marks the birthplace of James Buchanan, 15th President of the United States.
Buchanan's Birthplace State Park.jpg
Category:Buchanan's Birthplace State Park on Wikimedia Commons Commons-logo.svg
Category:Buchanan's Birthplace State Park on Wikimedia Commons
Bucktail State Park Natural Area Cameron and Clinton Counties21,039 acres (8,514 ha)1933 Sinnemahoning Creek, West Branch Susquehanna River Park, named for the Bucktail Regiment, is a 75-mile (121 km) undeveloped scenic drive on PA 120.
West Branch Bend.jpg
Category:Bucktail State Park on Wikimedia Commons Commons-logo.svg
Category:Bucktail State Park on Wikimedia Commons
Caledonia State Park Adams and Franklin Counties1,125 acres (455 ha)1903Rocky Mountain Creek, Carbaugh Run, East Branch Conococheague Creek Park, named for Thaddeus Stevens' iron furnace, is home to summer stock Totem Pole Playhouse.
CaledoniaFurnace.JPG
Category:Caledonia State Park on Wikimedia Commons Commons-logo.svg
Category:Caledonia State Park on Wikimedia Commons
Canoe Creek State Park Blair County 658 acres (266 ha)1979Canoe Creek (tributary of Raystown Branch Juniata River), Canoe Creek LakeHome of largest nursery colony of little brown bats in the state.
Camera pics 141.jpg
Category:Canoe Creek State Park on Wikimedia Commons Commons-logo.svg
Category:Canoe Creek State Park on Wikimedia Commons
Chapman State Park Warren County 805 acres (326 ha)1951Farnsworth Run, West Branch Tionesta Creek, Chapman LakeTrailhead for trail system in surrounding Allegheny National Forest
Chapman 001.jpg
Category:Chapman State Park on Wikimedia Commons Commons-logo.svg
Category:Chapman State Park on Wikimedia Commons
Cherry Springs State Park Potter County 48 acres
(19 ha)
1922NonePark known for some of the clearest, darkest night skies in the state and eastern US. [f] [g]
Snowy Domes - Cherry Springs SP.jpg
Category:Cherry Springs State Park on Wikimedia Commons Commons-logo.svg
Category:Cherry Springs State Park on Wikimedia Commons
Clear Creek State Park Jefferson County 1,676 acres (678 ha)1922Clear Creek, Clarion River Start of popular canoe trip on 10 miles (6 km) of Clarion River to Cook Forest State Park [g]
Phot clcreekcabin2.jpg
Category:Clear Creek State Park on Wikimedia Commons Commons-logo.svg
Category:Clear Creek State Park on Wikimedia Commons
Codorus State Park York County 3,329 acres (1,347 ha)1966 Codorus Creek, Lake MarburgMan-made lake is 1,275 acres (516 ha), named for former village of Marburg now flooded by it.
Kayaking on codorus.jpg
Category:Codorus State Park on Wikimedia Commons Commons-logo.svg
Category:Codorus State Park on Wikimedia Commons
Colonel Denning State Park Cumberland County 273 acres (110 ha)1936Doubling Gap Creek, Doubling Gap LakePark named for William Denning, an American Revolutionary War veteran who was never a colonel.
Colonel Denning State Park Lake.jpg
Category:Colonel Denning State Park on Wikimedia Commons Commons-logo.svg
Category:Colonel Denning State Park on Wikimedia Commons
Colton Point State Park Tioga County 368 acres (149 ha)1936 Pine Creek On west rim of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, 800 feet (244 m) deep here [d] [f] [g]
Colton Point State Park overlook 1.jpg
Category:Colton Point State Park on Wikimedia Commons Commons-logo.svg
Category:Colton Point State Park on Wikimedia Commons
Cook Forest State Park Clarion, Forest, and Jefferson Counties8,500 acres (3,440 ha)1927Toms Run, Clarion River National Natural Landmark, one of America's top-50 state parks ( National Geographic Traveler ) [d] [f] [g]
Streamside.jpg
Category:Cook Forest State Park on Wikimedia Commons Commons-logo.svg
Category:Cook Forest State Park on Wikimedia Commons
Cowans Gap State Park Franklin and Fulton Counties1,085 acres (439 ha)1937 Little Aughwick Creek, Cowans Gap LakeSite of French and Indian War road, pioneer homestead, lumbering, and CCC camp [g]
CGSP Snowy Bridge.jpg
Category:Cowans Gap State Park on Wikimedia Commons Commons-logo.svg
Category:Cowans Gap State Park on Wikimedia Commons
Delaware Canal State Park Bucks and Northampton Counties830 acres (336 ha)1931 Delaware River Park runs 60 miles (97 km) along Delaware Canal, the only 19th century U.S. towpath canal left continuously intact. [f] [g]
Delaware Canal State Park-Railroad.jpg
Denton Hill State Park Potter County 700 acres (283 ha)1951NoneSite of Ski Denton resort, also open for summer mountain biking
DHSP Skiin'.jpg
Elk State Park Elk and McKean Counties3,192 acres (1,292 ha)1963 East Branch Clarion River, East Branch Lake U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake is 1,160 acres (470 ha).
East Branch Clarion River Lake at Elk State Park.jpg
Erie Bluffs State Park Erie County 540 acres (219 ha)2004 Lake Erie Park has 1.0 mile (0.6 km) of lake coastline and bluffs 90 feet (27 m) tall, and is being developed.
Mouth of Duck Run Erie Bluffs State Park.JPG
Evansburg State Park Montgomery County 3,349 acres (1,355 ha)1979 Skippack Creek Park has 18 hole Skippack Golf Course and many outdoor recreational opportunities. [g]
Evansburg.jpg
Fort Washington State Park Montgomery County 493 acres (200 ha)1953 Wissahickon Creek George Washington camped here in the American Revolutionary War's Philadelphia campaign.
PA-MONTCO-FTWASHINGTON-WISSAHICKON.JPG
Fowlers Hollow State Park Perry County 104 acres (42 ha)1936Fowlers Hollow RunTrailhead for the trail system of the surrounding Tuscarora State Forest
Fowlers Hollow State Park.jpg
Frances Slocum State Park Luzerne County 1,035 acres (419 ha)1968Abrahams Creek, Frances Slocum LakePark named for a girl kidnapped by the Lenape who lived the rest of her life with the Miami in Indiana.
SlocumStateParkSwamp.jpg
French Creek State Park Berks and Chester Counties7,339 acres (2,970 ha)1946 French Creek Former Recreation Demonstration Area, adjacent to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site [f] [g]
French Creek State Park Geese and Sailboat.jpg
Gifford Pinchot State Park York County 2,338 acres (946 ha)1961Beaver Creek (tributary of Conewago Creek), Pinchot Lake Gifford Pinchot was a Pennsylvania governor, conservationist, and first US Forest Service Chief.
GiffordPinchotStatePark.jpg
Gouldsboro State Park Monroe and Wayne Counties2,880 acres (1,165 ha)1958Gouldsboro LakePark named for village named for Jay Gould, next to Tobyhanna Army Depot.
GSP Island.jpg
Greenwood Furnace State Park Huntingdon County 423 acres (171 ha)1924 Standing Stone Creek, Greenwood LakeIncludes ghost town of Greenwood, former ironworks and charcoal hearths [f] [g]
GreenwoodFurnacePA.jpg
Hickory Run State Park Carbon County 15,550 acres (6,293 ha)1945Hickory Run, Lehigh River, Sand Spring LakeFormer Recreation Demonstration Area with a large boulder field that is a National Natural Landmark. [d] [f]
HickoryRunBoulderField2007.jpg
Hillman State Park Washington County 3,600 acres (1,456 ha)1960sRaccoon CreekManaged for hunting by the Pennsylvania Game Commission and largely undeveloped
Hillman State Park.jpg
Hills Creek State Park Tioga County 407 acres (165 ha)1953Hills Creek, Hills Creek LakeLand previously used as a pigment mine for the paint industry
Hills Creek State Park.jpg
Hyner Run State Park Clinton County 180 acres (73 ha)1958 Hyner Run On the site of Civilian Conservation Corps Camp S-75-PA
Hyner Run State Park.JPG
Hyner View State Park Clinton County 6 acres
(2 ha)
1965NoneScenic view of the West Branch Susquehanna River and launching point for hang gliding [f]
Hyner View State Park Paragliding.jpg
Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center Northampton County 1,168 acres (473 ha)1959 Bushkill Creek Park surrounds Jacobsburg National Historic District, where rifles were manufactured during the American Revolution. [g]
Jacobsburgh EEC Barn.jpg
Jennings Environmental Education Center Butler County 300 acres (121 ha)1979Big RunPark contains the only publicly protected relict prairie ecosystem in Pennsylvania, 20 acres (8.1 ha). [f]
Jennings Environmental Education Center.jpg
Joseph E. Ibberson Conservation Area Dauphin County 350 acres (142 ha)2000NoneOn Peters Mountain, one of three Conservation Areas, named for donor Joseph E. Ibberson
Joseph E. Ibberson Conservation Area.jpg
Kettle Creek State Park Clinton County 1,793 acres (726 ha)1954 Kettle Creek, Kettle Creek Reservoir U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir is 160 acres (65 ha), park has many recreational facilities built by CCC.
Kettle Creek State Park vista.jpg
Keystone State Park Westmoreland County 1,200 acres (486 ha)1945Keystone Run, Keystone LakePark is named for the Keystone Coal and Coke Company that once owned the land and created the lake.
Keystone State Park PA.jpg
Kings Gap Environmental Education and Training Center Cumberland County 1,454 acres (588 ha)1973some vernal pools, Kings Gap Hollow Run, Irish Gap RunTraining center for park rangers of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Kings Gap Castle.jpg
Kinzua Bridge State Park McKean County 329 acres (133 ha)1970 Kinzua Creek Had 1882 Historic Civil Engineering Landmark railway bridge, once the world's highest and longest, destroyed by a tornado in 2003. [f] [g]
Collapsed Kinzua Bridge.jpg
Kooser State Park Somerset County 250 acres (101 ha)1922Kooser Run, Kooser LakeSite of battles between Native American tribes, part of Whiskey Rebellion [g]
Cross-Country Skiing at Kooser State Park.jpg
Lackawanna State Park Lackawanna County 1,411 acres (571 ha)1972 South Branch Tunkhannock Creek, Lake LackawannaOn site of a Turn of the Century era community fair
LSP Icy Lake.jpg
Laurel Hill State Park Somerset County 3,935 acres (1,592 ha)1945 Laurel Hill Creek, Laurel Hill LakeFormer Recreation Demonstration Area with the largest CCC architecture collection of any Pennsylvania state park [g]
LHSP CCC Cabin.jpg
Laurel Mountain State Park Somerset and Westmoreland Counties493 acres (200 ha)1964NoneOpened in 1939 by Richard K. Mellon and Rolling Rock brewery as one of the state's first ski areas, donated to the state in 1964
Laurel Mountain State Park.jpg
Laurel Ridge State Park Cambria, Fayette, Somerset and Westmoreland Counties13,625 acres (5,514 ha)1967 Conemaugh River, Youghiogheny River and tributariesThe park surrounds the 70 mile (113 km) long Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail.
Laurel Ridge Shelter.jpg
Laurel Summit State Park Westmoreland County 6 acres
(2 ha)
1964NoneDay use picnic area and trailhead, 2,739 feet (835 m) above sea level
LSSP Green trials.jpg
Lehigh Gorge State Park Carbon and Luzerne Counties4,548 acres (1,841 ha)1980 Lehigh River The Lehigh Gorge Trail follows the river through the park for 26 miles (42 km).
Lehigh Gorge State Park - April 21 2007.JPG
Leonard Harrison State Park Tioga County 585 acres (237 ha)1922 Pine Creek On east rim of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, 800 feet (244 m) deep here [d] [f]
Pine Creek from Otter Vista, horizontal.JPG
Linn Run State Park Westmoreland County 612 acres (248 ha)1924Grove, Rock and Linn Runs and Adams FallsOnce a barren wasteland, now a thriving second growth forest with an excellent trout stream [g]
Linn Run State Park Waterhole.jpg
Little Buffalo State Park Perry County 923 acres (374 ha)1972Little Buffalo Creek, Holman LakePark named for the bison that are believed to have once roamed the ridge and valley region of Pennsylvania. [g]
LBSP Sunset.jpg
Little Pine State Park Lycoming County 2,158 acres (873 ha)1937 Little Pine Creek Historians believe a Shawnee village and burial ground were just north of the park.
Little Pine Creek Lake.JPG
Locust Lake State Park Schuylkill County 1,089 acres (441 ha)1966Locust Creek, Locust LakeIn a thriving second growth forest on the side of Locust Mountain
Locustlake.jpg
Lyman Run State Park Potter County 595 acres (241 ha)1951Lyman Run, Lyman Run LakeSite of a Prisoner of War Camp during World War II
Fall Preview (1).jpg
Marsh Creek State Park Chester County 1,705 acres (690 ha)1974Marsh Creek, Marsh Creek LakeThe village of Milford Mills was flooded by the creation of the lake, last Project 70 / 500 park. [g]
Marsh Creek Lake.jpg
Maurice K. Goddard State Park Mercer County 2,856 acres (1,156 ha)1972 Sandy Creek, Lake WilhelmPark named for Maurice K. Goddard, who led the creation of 45 state parks in 24 years of service.
Phot mkgoddard2.jpg
McCalls Dam State Park Centre County 8 acres
(3 ha)
1933 White Deer Creek In a remote location on a dirt road between
R. B. Winter State Park and Eastville.
McCall Dam State Park18.jpg
McConnells Mill State Park Lawrence County 2,546 acres (1,030 ha)1957 Slippery Rock Creek Features a deep scenic gorge with a restored watermill and a covered bridge [d] [f] [g]
McConnells Mill.JPG
Memorial Lake State Park Lebanon County 230 acres (93 ha)1945Indiantown Run, Memorial LakeSurrounded by Fort Indiantown Gap, headquarters of the Pennsylvania National Guard
Memorial Lake State Park.jpg
Milton State Park Northumberland County 82 acres
(33 ha)
1966 West Branch Susquehanna River On an island in the river, destroyed by Hurricane Agnes in 1972 and rebuilt
Soccer Fields and PA 642 Bridge in Milton State Park.JPG
Mont Alto State Park Franklin County 24 acres
(10 ha)
1902 West Branch Antietam Creek Pennsylvania's current oldest state park and first State Forest Park, former iron works
MASP carousel pavilion trees 2.JPG
Moraine State Park Butler County 16,725 acres (6,768 ha)1970 Muddy Creek, Lake ArthurPark served as the location of the 1973 and 1977 National Scout Jamborees. [f]
Moraine State Park Hot air balloons.jpg
Mt. Pisgah State Park Bradford County 1,302 acres (527 ha)1979Pisgah Creek, Mill Creek, Stephen Foster LakeLake named for renowned American composer Stephen Foster.
Mt. Pisgah State Park.jpg
Nescopeck State Park Luzerne County 3,550 acres (1,437 ha)2005 Nescopeck Creek One of the newest state parks in Pennsylvania
Nescopeck State Park Brush.jpg
Neshaminy State Park Bucks County 330 acres (134 ha)1956 Delaware River Park, on an estuary, donated by descendant of James Logan, colonial secretary to William Penn
Neshaminy State Park Philly skyline.jpg
Nockamixon State Park Bucks County 5,283 acres (2,138 ha)1973 Tohickon Creek, Lake Nockamixon Nockamixon means "place of soft soil" in the Lenape language.
NSP Geese.jpg
Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center Berks County 665 acres (269 ha)1970 Wyomissing Creek Once a forest privately owned by Jacob Nolde
NFEEC the dock.jpg
Norristown Farm Park Montgomery County 690 acres (279 ha)1995Stony CreekManaged by the Montgomery County Department of Parks
NFP Barn.jpg
Ohiopyle State Park Fayette County 19,052 acres (7,710 ha)1965 Youghiogheny River and tributariesOne of the most popular white-water rafting destinations on the East Coast [d] [f]
Lower Yough Rafting.jpg
Oil Creek State Park Venango County 6,250 acres (2,529 ha)1931 Oil Creek Edwin Drake drilled the first successful oil well in the world here in 1859. [f]
Oil Creek State Park Wooden Oil Tower.jpg
Ole Bull State Park Potter County 132 acres (53 ha)1925Ole Bull Run, Kettle Creek Location of a Norwegian colony established by renowned violinist Ole Bull
Kettle Creek at Ole Bull State Park.JPG
Parker Dam State Park Clearfield County 968 acres (392 ha)1936 Laurel Run, Parker LakeA herd of elk lives in and near the park. [g]
Parker Dam State Park.jpg
Patterson State Park Potter County 10 acres
(4 ha)
1925NoneDay use picnic area on PA 44, surrounded by Susquehannock State Forest
Patterson State Park Shelter 1.jpg
Penn-Roosevelt State Park Centre County 41 acres
(17 ha)
1983Sassafras Run, Standing Stone Creek Once a segregated black Civilian Conservation Corps camp during the Great Depression
Penn-Roosevelt State Park.jpg
Pine Grove Furnace State Park Cumberland County 696 acres (282 ha)1913 Mountain Creek, Fuller Lake, Laurel LakeThe furnaces at Pine Grove could consume an acre of trees a day. [f] [g]
Pine Grove Iron Works, PA - furnace stack.jpg
Category:Pine Grove Furnace State Park on Wikimedia Commons Commons-logo.svg
Category:Pine Grove Furnace State Park on Wikimedia Commons
Poe Paddy State Park Centre County 23 acres
(9 ha)
1938Big Poe Creek, Penns Creek Noted by anglers for the shadfly hatch that occurs in late spring
PoePaddyStateParkwoods.jpg
Poe Valley State Park Centre County 620 acres (251 ha)1938Big Poe Creek, Poe LakeBuilt during the Great Depression by the CCC
Poe Valley State Park, fall of 06.jpeg
Point State Park Allegheny County 36 acres
(15 ha)
1974 Allegheny, Monongahela, Ohio riversIn downtown Pittsburgh at meeting of three rivers, site of Fort Pitt [g]
Point State Park in Fall.jpg
Presque Isle State Park Erie County 3,200 acres (1,295 ha)1921 Lake Erie The most visited state park in Pennsylvania, on a peninsula in lake with many beaches [d] [f] [g]
Presque Isle Waterworks Lighthouse.jpg
Prince Gallitzin State Park Cambria County 6,249 acres (2,529 ha)1965Beaverdam Run, Glendale Lake Park named for Demetrius Gallitzin, Russian nobleman turned Roman Catholic priest.
Phot princegallitzin2.jpg
Promised Land State Park Pike County 3,000 acres (1,214 ha)1905 Wallenpaupack Creek, Promised Land Lake, Lower LakeName is an ironic commentary created by immigrant residents, once owned by the Shakers. [f] [g]
PLSP Memories of Green.jpg
Prompton State Park Wayne County 2,000 acres (809 ha)1962 Lackawaxen River, Prompton LakeBeing developed with the help of Friends of Prompton
Prompton State Park.jpg
Prouty Place State Park Potter County 5 acres
(2 ha)
1925Prouty RunDay use picnic area on Long Toe Road
Prouty Place State Park.jpg
Pymatuning State Park Crawford County 21,122 acres (8,548 ha)1934 Shenango River, Pymatuning Lake This is the largest state park in Pennsylvania, with one of the largest lakes. [f]
Phot pyma2.jpg
R. B. Winter State Park Union County 695 acres (281 ha)1933Halfway Creek, Halfway LakePark has first cement and stone dam ever built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. [g]
R B Winter State Park Dam.jpg
Raccoon Creek State Park Beaver County 7,572 acres (3,064 ha)1945Little Traverse Creek, Raccoon LakePark was built by the CCC and WPA as one of five National Park Service Recreation Demonstration Areas in state. [f] [g]
RCSP Waterfall.jpg
Ralph Stover State Park Bucks County 45 acres
(18 ha)
1931 Tohickon Creek High Rocks portion of the park was donated to Pennsylvania by James Michener in 1956.
RalphStover.jpg
Ravensburg State Park Clinton County 78 acres
(32 ha)
1933 Rauchtown Run Park named for the ravens that flock near the gorge. [g]
Ravensburg State Park.JPG
Reeds Gap State Park Mifflin County 220 acres (89 ha)1938 Honey Creek Once a gathering place for the locals to hold picnics and listen to travelling evangelists
Reeds Gap State Park.jpg
Ricketts Glen State Park Columbia, Luzerne, and Sullivan Counties13,050 acres (5,281 ha)1942 Kitchen Creek Known for its many waterfalls, it was slated to become a National Park, but did not due to redirection of funds during World War II. [d] [f]
Ricketts Glen State Park Ganoga Falls 10.jpg
Ridley Creek State Park Delaware County 2,606 acres (1,055 ha)1972 Ridley Creek Adjacent to the John J. Tyler Arboretum [g]
RCSPSycMillsDam.JPG
Ryerson Station State Park Greene County 1,164 acres (471 ha)1967North Fork of the Dunkard Fork of Wheeling Creek, Ronald J. Duke Lake52 acre (21 ha) man-made lake, 38 miles (61 km) from next nearest Pennsylvania state park (Hillman)
RSSP stream.jpg
S. B. Elliott State Park Clearfield County 318 acres (129 ha)1933Stony RunPark named for Simon B. Elliott, a noted Pennsylvania conservationist and legislator. [g]
S.B. Elliott State Park Pumphouse and Pavilion.jpg
Salt Springs State Park Susquehanna County 405 acres (164 ha)1973Fall BrookPark has three waterfalls and its hemlocks are over 500 years old and some of the largest trees in the state.
Mossy.jpg
Samuel S. Lewis State Park York County 85 acres
(34 ha)
1954NonePark named for its donor, a Secretary of the Department of Forests and Waters; now popular for star gazing.
Samuel S. Lewis State Park.jpg
Sand Bridge State Park Union County 3 acres
(1 ha)
1978Rapid RunThis is the smallest state park in Pennsylvania, a day use picnic area on PA 192.
SBSP Sign.JPG
Shawnee State Park Bedford County 3,983 acres (1,612 ha)1951Lake ShawneeRental lodge on an island in the lake
Phot shawnee2c.jpg
Shikellamy State Park Northumberland and Union Counties132 acres (53 ha)1960 West Branch and North Branch Susquehanna River Park overlook is at confluence of West Branch and North Branch Susquehanna River, marina added in 1972.
Shikellamy State Park Overlook from river.JPG
Sinnemahoning State Park Cameron and Potter Counties1,910 acres (773 ha)1962 Sinnemahoning Creek, George B. Stevenson Reservoir U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir is 142 acres (57 ha), park home to rare elk and bald eagle.
Sinnemahoning State Park Outlook.jpg
Sizerville State Park Cameron and Potter Counties386 acres (156 ha)1924Cowley RunPark named for the nearby ghost town of Sizerville.
Sizerville State Park - HDR.jpg
Susquehanna Riverlands State Park York County 1,100 acres
(445 ha)
2022 Susquehanna River The largely wooded tract, located where Codorus Creek flows into the Susquehanna River, protects critical water and forest resources.
Susquehanna State Park Lycoming County 20 acres
(8 ha)
1961 West Branch Susquehanna River Park operated by the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, home to paddlewheeler Hiawatha.
Hiawatha Paddlewheeler.JPG
Susquehannock State Park Lancaster County 224 acres (91 ha)1965 Susquehanna River Park named for the Susquehannock, whose chief village was nearby.
Hawk Point Overlook.jpg
Swatara State Park Lebanon and Schuylkill Counties3,515 acres (1,422 ha)1987 Swatara Creek Rail trail is on the former Lebanon & Tremont Branch of Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, park being developed. [g]
Waterville Bridge in Swatara State Park HAER 462-14.jpg
Tobyhanna State Park Monroe and Wayne Counties5,440 acres (2,201 ha)1949 Tobyhanna Creek, Tobyhanna LakeOnce part of an artillery range for Tobyhanna Army Depot
Tobyhanna State Park Lakeshore.jpg
Trough Creek State Park Huntingdon County 554 acres (224 ha)1936 Great Trough Creek, Raystown Lake Bald eagles have migrated here naturally since the early 1990s. [f] [g]
Phot trough2c.jpg
Tuscarora State Park Schuylkill County 1,618 acres (655 ha)1971Locust Creek, Tuscarora LakeThe Tuscarora moved to the area after the Tuscarora War in North Carolina, were later forced out by colonial settlement.
Tuscarora State Park.jpg
Tyler State Park Bucks County 1,711 acres (692 ha)1974 Neshaminy Creek Old original stone dwellings in park are fine examples of early farm dwellings of rural Pennsylvania.
Tyler-SP-craftsmen.JPG
Upper Pine Bottom State Park Lycoming County 5 acres
(2 ha)
1924Upper Pine Bottom RunA roadside park and picnic area for day use only, on PA 44
Upper Pine Bottom State Park Foundation 1.jpg
Varden Conservation Area Wayne County 343 acres (139 ha)2001 Middle Creek One of three Conservation Areas, donated by Dr. Mead Shaffer, being developed
Varden Conservation Area.jpg
Vosburg Neck State Park Wyoming County 669 acres
(271 ha)
2022 Susquehanna River#North Branch Susquehanna Public access for water-based recreation to the North Branch of the Susquehanna River.
Warriors Path State Park Bedford County 349 acres (141 ha)1965 Raystown Branch Juniata River Park named for the Great Indian Warpath used by the Iroquois in war raids on the Cherokee and other tribes.
Warriors Path State Park.jpg
Washington Crossing Historic Park Bucks County 500 acres (202 ha)2016 Delaware River Site of George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River. Transferred from the Historical and Museum Commission in 2016. [15]
McConkey's Ferry Inn.jpg
Whipple Dam State Park Huntingdon County 256 acres (104 ha)1928Whipple LakeThere was a camp for Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Campfire Girls on the north side of lake from 1928 to 1941. [g]
Boat, tied.jpg
White Clay Creek Preserve Chester County 1,255 acres (508 ha)1984 White Clay Creek Park was donated by DuPont to preserve "diverse and unique plant and animal species, and the rich cultural heritage of the area".
Forks of White Clay.JPG
Worlds End State Park Sullivan County 780 acres (316 ha)1932 Loyalsock Creek A "Must See Park" known for trout fishing, white-water kayaking, camping, and hiking on the Loyalsock Trail. [f] [g]
Worlds End State Park Angler.jpg
Yellow Creek State Park Indiana County 3,140 acres (1,271 ha)1963 Yellow Creek, Yellow Creek LakeCrossed by the Kittanning Path, a major east–west Native American trail during the 18th century
Yellow Creek State Park.jpg

Other names of current parks

The following are significantly different former or alternate names for nine current Pennsylvania state parks. Note that many parks were originally "State Forest Parks" or were state public camping or picnic areas in Pennsylvania state forests. In modern times, some "State Parks" have become "Environmental Education Centers", while other parks have dropped one word from their name ("Cherry Springs Drive" is now Cherry Springs, "Codorus Creek" is now Codorus, "Kooser Lake" is now Kooser, "Laurel Hill Summit" is now Laurel Summit, and "Promised Land Lake" is now Promised Land). Such minor name changes are not included in this table.

Former or alternate names of current Pennsylvania state parks
Former or alternate NameCounty or countiesDate name changedCurrent park nameRemarks
Adams Falls Class A Campground [4] Westmoreland County unknown Linn Run State Park Adams Falls is a waterfall on Linn Run within Linn Run State Park (which has both an "Adams Falls Picnic Area" and "Adams Falls Trail").
Halfway State Park [16] Union County 1955 R. B. Winter State Park Park was renamed for Raymond B. Winter, a Forest Ranger who established it and worked there 45 years; also known as "Halfway Dam State Park".
High Rocks State Park [17] Bucks County unknown Ralph Stover State Park "High Rocks" refers to part of park added in 1956; this name is listed in the USGS GNIS, but was never an official DCNR name or separate park.
Pennsylvania State Park at Erie [3] Erie County unknown Presque Isle State Park This was only the second "State Park" by name in the state when established in 1921; also known unofficially as "Peninsula State Park".
Sandy Creek State Park [4] Mercer County 1969 Maurice K. Goddard State Park Proposed as "Sandy Creek" (on Sandy Creek), but the name was changed (despite the objections of Dr. Goddard) before park officially opened in 1972.
Theodore Roosevelt State Park [18] Bucks and Northampton Counties1989 Delaware Canal State Park Park was originally named for Theodore Roosevelt, who had no connection to it; renamed for its focus, the Delaware Canal.
Tohickon State Park [19] Bucks County 1965 Nockamixon State Park Park was proposed in 1958 as "Tohickon" (on Tohickon Creek), but the name was changed before the park officially opened in 1973.
Whirl's End State Park [20] Sullivan County 1936 and 1943 Worlds End State Park "Whirl's End" 1936–1943 (for whirlpool in Loyalsock Creek); "Worlds End" 1932–1936 and 1943 to present (for remote location); also known as "Whirl's Glen"
Valhalla State Forest Park [4] Potter County 1920s Ole Bull State Park "Valhalla" was a settlement in Ole Bull's failed Norwegian colony, now within the boundaries of Ole Bull State Park.

Former parks

The following eighteen were once Pennsylvania state parks, but have been transferred to federal (National Park Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) or state (Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Pennsylvania Game Commission, Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry) agencies, or ceased to exist. [h]

Former Pennsylvania state parks
Former state parkCounty or countiesDate jurisdiction changedCurrent nameRemarks
Allegheny River State Park [4] Venango County 1980 [21] Kennerdell (or Allegheny River) tract [22] Now part of Clear Creek State Forest (Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry)
Blue Marsh State Park [3] [4] Berks County 1978 Blue Marsh Lake and Pennsylvania State Game Lands Number 280 [23] [24] Park was completed, but without funds to operate it, so was given to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, now also partly a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers site.
Brandywine Battlefield State Park [4] [25] Delaware County unknown Brandywine Battlefield [26] Now a Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission site
Bushy Run Battlefield State Park [4] [27] Westmoreland County unknown Bushy Run Battlefield [26] Now a Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission site
Colerain State Park [4] Huntingdon County unknownColerain Picnic Area [28] Now part of Rothrock State Forest (Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry) although as of 2012 it is not shown on the official state forest web site or map; [29] [30] also known historically as "Colerain Forge".
Conrad Weiser Memorial Park [4] Berks County 1953 Conrad Weiser Homestead [26] Now a Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission site
Crooked Creek State Park [3] [4] [31] Armstrong County unknown Crooked Creek Lake Recreation Area [32] Now a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers site
Curwensville State Park [3] [4] [33] Clearfield County unknownCurwensville Lake on the West Branch Susquehanna River [34] Now a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers site, recreation area operated by Clearfield County
Drake Well State Park [4] [35] Venango County 1943 Drake Well Museum [26] Now a Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission site
Fort Necessity State Park [4] [36] Fayette County 1961 Fort Necessity National Battlefield [37] Now part of a National Park Service site
George W. Childs State Park [4] [11] [38] [39] Pike County 1983 George W. Childs Recreation Site [40] Now part of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, a National Park Service site; it was donated to the state for a park in 1912 by the widow of Dr. Childs.
Hemlock State Forest Park [41] Perry County unknownHemlocks Natural Area [42] Now part of Tuscarora State Forest (Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry)
Independence Mall State Park [4] [5] [43] Philadelphia County 1975 Independence National Historical Park [44] Now a National Park Service site
Moosic Lake State Park [4] Lackawanna County 1930sNo longer in existenceThe Pennsylvania state legislature created park in early 1930s, but did not fund it, so it never came into existence.
Snyder-Middleswarth State Park [4] [45] [d] Snyder County 1980s Snyder Middleswarth Natural Area and Picnic Area [46] [47] Now part of Bald Eagle State Forest (Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry), established 1921
Valley Forge State Park [4] [9] Montgomery County 1976 Valley Forge National Historical Park [48] Now a National Park Service site, it was established in 1893 as the first state park in Pennsylvania.
Voneida State Forest Park [4] [49] Centre County unknownHairy Johns State Forest Picnic Area [47] Now part of Bald Eagle State Forest (Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry), it was established 1922 and named for "Hairy John" Voneida [4] [41]

Other names of former parks

The following are significantly different former or alternate names for two former Pennsylvania state parks. One former park dropped one word from its name ("Colerain Forge" became "Colerain" sometime between 1924 and 1937). Such minor name changes are not included in this table.

Former or alternate names of former Pennsylvania state parks
Former or alternate nameCounty or countiesDate name changedFormer park nameRemarks
Braddock Grave State Park [50] Fayette County 1961Part of Fort Necessity State ParkNow part of Fort Necessity National Battlefield (National Park Service) [37]
Hairy John's State Forest Park [4] Centre County unknownVoneida State Forest ParkNow a State Forest Picnic Area in Bald Eagle State Forest (Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry), [47] it was originally named for "Hairy John" Voneida, a 19th-century hermit who lived nearby.
Leonard Harrison State Park Panorama.jpg
Panoramic view of the Pine Creek Gorge from the main vista terrace in Leonard Harrison State Park

See also

Notes

a. ^ As of 2012, three Pennsylvania state parks are also the site of ski areas run by private contractors: Big Pocono (Ski Camelback), Blue Knob (Ski Blue Knob), and Denton Hill (Ski Denton). [6] (Two other state parks had commercial ski operations in the past Laurel Mountain (from 1939 to 2005) [51] and Black Moshannon (from 1965 to 1982). [4] [52] ) Two parks are operated by other governmental bodies: Hillman (managed for hunting by the Pennsylvania Game Commission) and Norristown Farm (operated by the Montgomery County Department of Parks). Three parks are operated by other organizations: Susquehanna (operated by the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce), Prompton (operated by non-profit "Friends of Prompton"), and Salt Springs (operated by non-profit "Friends of Salt Springs"). [6]
b. ^ The Pennsylvania counties without state parks as of 2023 are: Armstrong, Juniata, Lehigh, Montour, and Snyder counties. Two of these counties are sites of former state parks: Crooked Creek in Armstrong County, and Snyder-Middleswarth in Snyder County. [6] [4]
c. ^ The goal of having a state park within 25 miles (40 km) of every resident was set by Maurice K. Goddard (Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters, and then of the Department of Environmental Resources from 1955 to 1979). [5]
d. ^ The seven National Natural Landmarks at least partly within current state parks (with the park name in parentheses, if different) are: Cook Forest, Ferncliff Peninsula (Ohiopyle), the Glens Natural Area (Ricketts Glen), Hickory Run Boulder Field (Hickory Run), McConnells Mill, the Pine Creek Gorge (includes Colton Point and Leonard Harrison), and Presque Isle. One National Natural Landmark, Snyder Middleswarth Natural Area, is a former state park. [7]
e. ^ The date of establishment for many Pennsylvania state parks is not always clear, especially for parks developed from state forest property. As an example, consider Upper Pine Bottom, which, as of 2012, is a picnic area surrounded by Tiadaghton State Forest. These state forest lands were acquired by the state by the early 1900s, the site was "Upper Pine Bottom Class B Public Campground" by 1924, the CCC built a pavilion there in 1936 (which is no longer extant), but it was not officially transferred from the Bureau of Forests to State Parks until 1962. [4]
f. ^ This park was one of twenty-five chosen by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Parks for its "25 Must-See Pennsylvania State Parks" list. [53]
g. ^ This park has one or more historic sites or districts on the National Register of Historic Places. [10]
h. ^ There have been a considerable number of changes in Pennsylvania's categorization of its state parks and other protected areas over the years, so that what can be called a former state park is not always clear. This can be seen by comparing the following three lists from 1923, 1924, and 1937.
In 1923, the Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters listed seven "State Forest Parks": Caledonia, Childs (now part of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area), Hairy John's (now a picnic area in Bald Eagle State Forest), James Buchanan, Leonard Harrison, Mont Alto, and Valhalla (now Ole Bull). Note this does not include Snyder-Middleswarth State Forest Park, established in 1921. [4]
One year later the state listed twenty-six public campgrounds in state forests, which included three of the previous year's state forest parks, plus twelve sites that later became state parks. The ten Class A Public Campgrounds (with space for cars and tents, on main highways) were: Adams Falls (now Linn Run), Big Spring, Caledonia, Childs, Colerain Forge, Darling Run, Laurel Run Park, Ole Bull, Promised Land, and Tea Springs. The sixteen Class B Public Campgrounds (lean-to shelter, on secondary roads) were: Baldwin, Bear Valley, Cherry Springs Drive, Clear Creek, Donnelly, Joyce Kilmer, Kansas, Kooser, Laurel Hill Summit (now Laurel Summit), Laurel Lake Park, Locusts, McCall's Dam, Ravensburg, Sizerville, Sulphur Springs, and Upper Pine Bottom. [4]
In 1937, the state published a brochure listing the following forty-nine protected areas: six State Parks (Caledonia, Childs, Cook Forest, Presque Isle, Pymatuning, and Ralph Stover); eight State Monuments (Bushy Run, Conrad Weiser, Drake Well, Fort Necessity, Fort Washington, James Buchanan, Valley Forge, and Washington Crossing); ten Forest Recreational Reserves (Clear Creek, Colton Point, Cowans Gap, Kooser Lake, Parker Dam, Pecks Pond, Promised Land Lake, Snow Hill, Whipple Dam, Whirl's End); sixteen Wayside Areas (Big Spring, Black Moshannon, Cherry Spring, Colerain, Greenwood Furnace, Halfway (now R.B. Winter), Joyce Kilmer, Kettle Creek, Mont Alto, Pine Grove Furnace, Reeds Gap, S.B. Elliott, Sideling Hill, Sizerville, and Tea Spring); seven Forest Monuments (Alan Seeger, Bear Meadows, Ole Bull, Detweiler Run, McConnell Narrows, Mount Logan, and Snyder-Middleswarth); and three State Forest Lookouts (Leonard Harrison, Martins Hill, and Mount Riansares). [54]
Only twelve of the twenty-six public campgrounds from 1924 are on the 1937 list. Of the forty-nine areas on the 1937 list, twenty-eight are state parks as of 2012, while nine are former state parks, and twelve are in state forests (eight of these still retain their names as state forest picnic, natural or wild areas).

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ricketts Glen State Park</span> State park in Pennsylvania, United States

Ricketts Glen State Park is a Pennsylvania state park on 13,193 acres (5,280 ha) in Columbia, Luzerne, and Sullivan counties in Pennsylvania in the United States. Ricketts Glen is a National Natural Landmark known for its old-growth forest and 24 named waterfalls along Kitchen Creek, which flows down the Allegheny Front escarpment from the Allegheny Plateau to the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians. The park is near the borough of Benton on Pennsylvania Route 118 and Pennsylvania Route 487, and is in five townships: Sugarloaf in Columbia County, Fairmount and Ross in Luzerne County, and Colley and Davidson in Sullivan County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Worlds End State Park</span> Park in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania

Worlds End State Park is a 780-acre (316 ha) Pennsylvania state park in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania. The park, nearly surrounded by Loyalsock State Forest, is in the Loyalsock Creek valley on Pennsylvania Route 154 in Forks and Shrewsbury Townships southeast of the borough of Forksville. The name Worlds End has been used since at least 1872, but its origins are uncertain. Although it was founded as Worlds End State Forest Park by Governor Gifford Pinchot in 1932, the park was officially known as Whirls End State Forest Park from 1936 to 1943.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raccoon Creek State Park</span> State park in Beaver County, Pennsylvania

Raccoon Creek State Park is a 7,572-acre (3,064 ha) Pennsylvania state park on Raccoon Creek in Hanover and Independence townships in Beaver County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is about 30 miles (48 km) from the city of Pittsburgh, near Hookstown. Raccoon Creek State Park is easily accessed from Pennsylvania Route 18 and U.S Routes 30 and 22. The park offers numerous activities such as hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, camping, hunting, swimming, fishing, and boating, the last three at the 101-acre (41 ha) "Raccoon Lake."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ohiopyle State Park</span>

Ohiopyle State Park is a Pennsylvania state park on 20,500 acres (8,300 ha) in Dunbar, Henry Clay and Stewart Townships, Fayette County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The focal point of the park is the more than 14 miles (23 km) of the Youghiogheny River gorge that passes through the park. The river provides whitewater boating, recreational fishing, and kayaking. Ohiopyle State Park is bisected by Pennsylvania Route 381 south of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The park opened to the public in 1965 but was not officially dedicated until 1971.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">French Creek State Park</span> State park in Pennsylvania, United States

French Creek State Park is a 7,977-acre (3,228 ha) Pennsylvania state park in North Coventry and Warwick Townships in Chester County and Robeson and Union Townships in Berks County, Pennsylvania. It straddles northern Chester County and southern Berks County along French Creek. It is located in the Hopewell Big Woods. The park is the home of two lakes: Hopewell Lake, a 68-acre (28 ha) warm water lake, and Scotts Run Lake, a 22-acre (8.9 ha) cold water lake. The state record smallmouth bass was caught in Scotts Run Lake. There are extensive forests, and almost 40 miles (64 km) of hiking and equestrian trails. The park is also friendly to mountain bikers, having some renowned technical trails. Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, which features a cold blast furnace restored to its 1830s appearance, is surrounded by the park. The Six Penny Day Use Area and Group Camp are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. French Creek State Park is located off of Pennsylvania Route 345 to the south of Birdsboro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cherry Springs State Park</span> United States historic place

Cherry Springs State Park is an 82-acre (33 ha)[a] Pennsylvania state park in Potter County, Pennsylvania, United States. The park was created from land within the Susquehannock State Forest, and is on Pennsylvania Route 44 in West Branch Township. Cherry Springs, named for a large stand of Black Cherry trees in the park, is atop the dissected Allegheny Plateau at an elevation of 2,300 feet (701 m). It is popular with astronomers and stargazers for having "some of the darkest night skies on the east coast" of the United States, and was chosen by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and its Bureau of Parks as one of "25 Must-See Pennsylvania State Parks".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little Pine State Park</span> State park in Pennsylvania, United States

Little Pine State Park is a Pennsylvania state park on 2,158 acres (873 ha) in Cummings Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania in the United States. Little Pine State park is along 4.2 miles (6.8 km) of Little Pine Creek, a tributary of Pine Creek, in the midst of the Tiadaghton State Forest. A dam on the creek has created a lake covering 94 acres (38 ha) for fishing, boating, and swimming. The park is on Pennsylvania Route 4001, 4 miles (6.4 km) northeast of the unincorporated village of Waterville or 8 miles (13 km) southwest of the village of English Center. The nearest borough is Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, about 15 miles (24 km) south at the mouth of Pine Creek on the West Branch Susquehanna River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Upper Pine Bottom State Park</span> State park in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, United States

Upper Pine Bottom State Park is a 5-acre (2.0 ha) Pennsylvania state park in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is in Cummings Township on Pennsylvania Route 44 and is surrounded by the Tiadaghton State Forest. It is on Upper Pine Bottom Run, which gave the park its name and is a tributary of Pine Creek. Upper Pine Bottom State Park is in the Pine Creek Gorge, where the streams have cut through five major rock formations from the Devonian and Carboniferous periods.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colton Point State Park</span> State park in Pennsylvania, US

Colton Point State Park is a 368-acre (149 ha) Pennsylvania state park in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is on the west side of the Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, which is 800 feet (240 m) deep and nearly 4,000 feet (1,200 m) across at this location. The park extends from the creek in the bottom of the gorge up to the rim and across part of the plateau to the west. Colton Point State Park is known for its views of the Pine Creek Gorge, and offers opportunities for picnicking, hiking, fishing and hunting, whitewater boating, and camping. Colton Point is surrounded by Tioga State Forest and its sister park, Leonard Harrison State Park, on the east rim. The park is on a state forest road in Shippen Township 5 miles (8 km) south of U.S. Route 6.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black Moshannon State Park</span> State park in Pennsylvania, United States

Black Moshannon State Park is a 3,480-acre (1,410 ha) Pennsylvania state park in Rush Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States. It surrounds Black Moshannon Lake, formed by a dam on Black Moshannon Creek, which has given its name to the lake and park. The park is just west of the Allegheny Front, 9 miles (14 km) east of Philipsburg on Pennsylvania Route 504, and is largely surrounded by Moshannon State Forest. A bog in the park provides a habitat for diverse wildlife not common in other areas of the state, such as carnivorous plants, orchids, and species normally found farther north. As home to the "largest reconstituted bog in Pennsylvania", it was chosen by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for its "25 Must-see Pennsylvania State Parks" list.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trough Creek State Park</span> State park in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania

Trough Creek State Park is a 554 acres (224 ha) Pennsylvania state park in Cass, Penn and Todd Townships, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The majority of the park is in Todd Township along Pennsylvania Route 994, east of the unincorporated village of Entriken. Huntingdon is the nearest borough. The park borders Rothrock State Forest and Raystown Lake National Recreation Area. There is a growing population of bald eagles at the lake. Fourteen eagles were spotted in January 2007. This is up from two that were spotted in 1990, the first year that an eagle survey was taken. These three sections of state and federal owned property combine together to provide hunting, hiking and fishing opportunities for the outdoorsman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leonard Harrison State Park</span> Park in Pennsylvania, USA

Leonard Harrison State Park is a 585-acre (237 ha) Pennsylvania state park in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is on the east rim of the Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, which is 800 feet (240 m) deep and nearly 4,000 feet (1,200 m) across here. It also serves as headquarters for the adjoining Colton Point State Park, its sister park on the west rim of the gorge. Leonard Harrison State Park is known for its views of the Pine Creek Gorge, and offers hiking, fishing and hunting, whitewater boating, and camping. The park is in Shippen and Delmar Townships, 10 miles (16 km) west of Wellsboro at the western terminus of Pennsylvania Route 660.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prouty Place State Park</span> Park in Pennsylvania, United States of America

Prouty Place State Park is a Pennsylvania state park on 5 acres (2 ha) in Summit Township, Potter County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is 5 miles (8 km) southwest of Pennsylvania Route 44, along Prouty Road near the junction with Long Toe Road, near Sweden Valley. The park provides access points for hiking, hunting and fishing in the Susquehannock State Forest. It is a small rest area for hikers and other travellers to the wilds of Potter County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hyner Run State Park</span> State Park in Pennsylvania, United States

Hyner Run State Park is a 180-acre (73 ha) Pennsylvania state park in Chapman Township, Clinton County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is 6 miles (9.7 km) east of Renovo and 3 miles (5 km) north of Hyner on Pennsylvania Route 120. Hyner Run State Park is surrounded by Sproul State Forest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hyner View State Park</span> State park in Pennsylvania, United States

Hyner View State Park is a 6-acre (2.4 ha) Pennsylvania state park in Chapman Township, Clinton County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is 6 miles (9.7 km) east of Renovo and 3 miles (4.8 km) north of Hyner on Pennsylvania Route 120. Hyner View State Park is surrounded by Sproul State Forest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryerson Station State Park</span> State park in Greene County, Pennsylvania

Ryerson Station State Park is a 1,164-acre (471 ha) Pennsylvania state park in Richhill Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania in the United States. It was previously home to Ronald J. Duke Lake, a 52-acre (21 ha) artificial lake on the North Fork of the Dunkard Fork of Wheeling Creek, that was constructed in 1960, but drained in 2005 due to structural concerns about the dam. Ryerson Station State Park is 3 miles (5 km) from Wind Ridge just off Pennsylvania Route 21 very close to the West Virginia state line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pine Grove Furnace State Park</span> State park in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania

Pine Grove Furnace State Park is a protected Pennsylvania area that includes Laurel and Fuller Lakes in Cooke Township of Cumberland County. The Park accommodates various outdoor recreation activities, protects the remains of the Pine Grove Iron Works (1764), and was the site of Laurel Forge (1830), Pine Grove Park (1880s), and a brick plant (1892). The Park is 8 miles (13 km) from exit 37 of Interstate 81 on Pennsylvania Route 233.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laurel Hill State Park</span>

Laurel Hill State Park is a 3,935-acre (1,592 ha) Pennsylvania state park in Jefferson and Middlecreek Townships, Somerset County, Pennsylvania in the United States. Laurel Hill Lake is a 63-acre (25 ha) man-made lake with a dam that was constructed during the Great Depression by the young men of CCC camps SP-8-PA and SP-15-PA. Laurel Hill State Park is 8 miles (13 km) from Interstate 76 just off Pennsylvania Route 31 near Bakersville and on Pennsylvania Route 653 near Trent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Snyder-Middleswarth Natural Area</span> Natural area in Pennsylvania

Snyder-Middleswarth Natural Area is a 500 acre (202 ha) National Natural Landmark within Bald Eagle State Forest in Spring Township, Snyder County, Pennsylvania in the United States. It is named for two Pennsylvania politicians from Snyder County: Simon Snyder and Ner Alexander Middleswarth. It was formerly a Pennsylvania state park and was the only one in Snyder County, but lost its state park status in the mid 1990s.

Conococheague Mountain is a long and narrow mountain located in the far western corner of Perry County, Pennsylvania. The highest point on the mountain is a summit known as Round Top; it rises to an elevation of 2,190 feet (670 m) and is located at the very southern end of the ridge. The mountain is almost entirely located in the Tuscarora State Forest, and has numerous hiking trails and dirt roads, including Bryner Road, New Germantown Road, and the Iron Horse Trail. The nearest town to the mountain is Blain.

References

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