Ryerson Station State Park
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| Ryerson Station State Park, Pennsylvania, USA | |
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| Location: | Greene County, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Nearest city: | Waynesburg, Pennsylvania |
| Coordinates: | |
| Area: | 1,164 acres (4.71 km²) |
| Established: | 1967 |
| Governing body: | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
Ryerson Station State Park is a 1,164 acre (4.71 km²) Pennsylvania State Park in Greene County, Pennsylvania in the United States. Ronald J. Duke Lake a 52 acre (0.21 km²) man made lake on the North Fork of the Dunkard Fork of Wheeling Creek that was constructed in 1960 is part of the park. Ryerson Station State Park is 3 miles (4.83km) from Wind Ridge just off Pennsylvania Route 21 very close to the West Virginia state line.
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[edit] History
The park is named for Fort Ryerson. This fort was constructed by the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1792 as a refuge from the raids of the local Native Americans who were resisting the settlement of the Ohio River Valley by the United States. Ownership of the land in this part of Pennsylvania was disputed among several parties including Virginia, Pennsylvania and the Native Americans.
The state acquired the land in 1958. Duke Lake was completed with the construction of a dam in 1960 and finally the park was opened in 1967.
[edit] Recreation
[edit] Camping and picnics
There is a camping facility on a ridge overlooking the park. There are 48 sites for tents and campers. There are no flush toilets or showers at the camp site. Group tenting is permitted in the large group tenting area. Two wooden cottages are available for rent. The cottages have electric lights and outlets as well as double and single bunks that sleep up to five, wooden floors, windows, skylights, a porch, fire ring, and picnic table.
Over 275 picnic tables are available for use on the ground of Ryerson Station State Park. The park also has five pavilions. There is a small playground in the main picnic area.
[edit] Hunting and fishing
Hunting is permitted in 1,000 acres of Ryerson Station State Park. Hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The common game species are ruffed grouse, squirrels, turkey and white-tailed deer. The hunting of groundhogs is prohibited.
Duke Lake is stocked by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission with trout in the spring and again in the fall. Fisherman may take non powered and electric powered boats onto the waters of the lake. Gasoline powered boats are prohibited. All boats must have a current registration from any state and they must have a launching or mooring permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
[edit] Swimming and hiking
The swimming pool is open from 11:00 am until 7:00 pm beginning Memorial Day weekend and ending Labor Day weekend. The park has 11 miles (17.70 km) of hiking trails. The trails pass through several different habitats, mature forests, evergreen plantations, wet valley bottoms and fields.
[edit] Winter activities
The snow covered slopes of the park are opened to sledding and tobogganing when the weather permits. Duke Lake is open for ice fishing and ice skating. Fish and skate at your own risk the thickness of the ice is not monitored by the park staff. Cross-country skiing and snow mobiling are permitted on some of the hiking trails.
[edit] Nearby state parks
- Raccoon Creek State Park
- Hillman State Park
- Ohiopyle State Park
- Prickett's Fort State Park (West Virginia)
[edit] References
- Ryerson Station State Park. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved on 2006-11-20.
- Map ref for Ryerson Station State Park. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved on 2006-11-20.
