Colonel Denning State Park
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| Colonel Denning State Park, Pennsylvania, USA | |
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| IUCN Category III (Natural Monument) | |
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| Location: | Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Nearest city: | Carlisle, Pennsylvania |
| Coordinates: | |
| Area: | 273 acres (1.1 km²) |
| Established: | 1936 |
| Governing body: | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
Colonel Denning State Park is a Pennsylvania State Park located on 273 acres (1.1 km²) in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is in the Doubling Gap of Blue Mountain on Pennsylvania Route 233 between Newville and Landisburg. Doubling Gap Lake is a man-made lake covering 3.5 acres (0.01 km²) on the park grounds. Colonel Denning State Park is surrounded by Tuscarora State Forest.
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[edit] History
Colonel Denning State Park is named in honor of William Denning who was, oddly, never a colonel. He was a veteran of the American Revolutionary War and a manufacturer of wrought iron cannons. Denning was a sergeant in the Continental Army from March 1778 until April 1780. He was stationed near Carlisle at Washingtonburg Forge, now the Carlisle Barracks. While stationed there, Denning explored and mastered the technique of creating lighter and easier to transport cannons. He did this by welding strips of wrought iron together in layers and building the cannon with the layers. Denning lived out his life following the Revolution near Newville. His grave can be found in the cemetery of Big Spring Presbyterian Church in Newville.
Many of the facilities at Colonel Denning State Park were constructed during the Great Depression in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It was formally opened in 1936.
[edit] Recreation
[edit] Hunting and fishing
Colonel Denning State Park is open to hunting. Hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The common game species are squirrels, white-tailed deer, and turkeys. The hunting of groundhogs is prohibited. Hunting is also permitted in the nearby Tuscarora State Forest. Doubling Gap Lake is open for trout fishing during the trout season established by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
[edit] Hiking, swimming and picnics
There are 18 miles (28.97 km) of hiking trails at Colonel Denning State Park and the park serves as a trailhead for the Tuscarora Trail (105 miles (168.98 km)). Visitors are permitted to swim at their own risk in Doubling Gap Lake; lifeguards are not provided. There are over 200 picnic tables available at Colonel Denning State Park.
[edit] Camping
The camping season at Colonel Denning State Park begins with the start of trout season and ends at the conclusion of deer season. There are 52 tent and trailer sites. Each site is equipped with a fire ring and picnic table. Outhouses are available at the campsite.
[edit] Nearby state parks
The following state parks are within 30 miles (48 km) of Colonel Denning State Park:
- Big Spring State Park (Perry County)
- Caledonia State Park (Adams and Franklin Counties)
- Fowlers Hollow State Park (Perry County)
- Kings Gap Environmental Education and Training Center (Cumberland County)
- Little Buffalo State Park (Perry County)
- Mont Alto State Park (Franklin County)
- Pine Grove Furnace State Park (Cumberland County)
[edit] References
- Colonel Denning State Park. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved on 2006-11-07.
- United States Geological Survey. Colonel Denning State Park, USGS Andersonburg (PA) Topo. TopoZone. Retrieved on 2006-11-07.
- Find a Park Dutch Country Roads. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved on 2006-11-07.
