List of Pennsylvania state parks
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| Map of State Parks of Pennsylvania (Each dot is linked to the corresponding park article) |
This List of Pennsylvania state parks contains the 120 state parks in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, as of 2007.[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 111 of them. The remaining nine are operated in cooperation with other public and private organizations.[a]
Included are three other lists: other names of nine Pennsylvania state parks; eighteen former state parks; and other names of two former state parks. Five former parks have been transferred to the Pennsylvania Historical Museum Commission, four to the National Park Service, 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.
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 (0.01 km²) to 21,122 acres (85.48 km²), with nearly one percent (0.96%) of Pennsylvania's land as state park land. According to Dan Cupper (1993), "Pennsylvania is the thirty third largest state, but only Alaska and California have more park land".[2][3]
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[edit] Overview
There are state parks in 61 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.[4][c] Nine of the 120 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; and Norristown is a Farm Park.[1]
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.[1][3] Eight current parks and one former park contain at least part of eight different National Natural Landmarks.[5][d]
According to the DCNR, the 120 state parks in Pennsylvania are on more than 283,000 acres (1145.3 km²) 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 120 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.[6]
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 in downtown Pittsburgh |
 Jonathan Run Falls |
[edit] 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 on the Bicentennial of the United States, July 4, 1976.[7] Many state parks still preserve history: as of 2007, 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.[8] Eight of the former state parks were also chiefly historic.
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 to the 1930s, some mere camping and picnic areas in state forests, while others preserved unique sites.[9] The 1930s saw a great expansion of parks and their facilities under the Civilian Conservation Corps, with 113 CCC camps in Pennsylvania (second only to California). Using CCC and WPA labor, the National Park Service 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][10]
In 1955, 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 (526.0 km²). 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.[4] 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.[2] Since 2000, parks are being improved through the state's Growing Greener and Growing Greener II and bond programs.[11]
 Schofield Ford bridge |
 man-made Lake Marburg |
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[edit] Current parks
| Park Name | County or Counties | Area in acres (km²) | Date founded |
Stream(s) and / or Lake(s) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allegheny Islands State Park | Allegheny County | 43 acres (0.17 km²) | 1980 | Allegheny River | Three islands near Pittsburgh with no facilities, no plans for future development |
| Archbald Pothole State Park | Lackawanna County | 150 acres (0.61 km²) | 1964 | None | One of world's largest potholes, 38 ft (12 m) deep, largest diameter 42 feet (13 m) by 24 feet (7 m) |
| Bald Eagle State Park | Centre County | 5,900 acres (23.88 km²) | 1971 | Bald Eagle Creek, Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir | 1,730 acre (7.00 km²) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir named for Medal of Honor recipient |
| Beltzville State Park | Carbon County | 2,973 acres (12.03 km²) | 1972 | Pohopoco Creek, Beltzville Lake | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake is 949 acres (3.84 km²) with 19.8 miles (31.9 km) of shoreline |
| Bendigo State Park | Elk County | 100 acres (0.4 km²) | 1959 | East Branch Clarion River | Only 20 acres (0.08 km²) is developed, name is a corruption of Abednego |
| Benjamin Rush State Park | Philadelphia County | 275 acres (1.11 km²) | 1975 | None | Site of one of the world's largest community gardens, otherwise undeveloped |
| Big Pocono State Park | Monroe County | 1,306 acres (5.29 km²) | 1954 | None | On Camelback Mountain, site of Camelback Ski Area and Waterpark |
| Big Spring State Park | Perry County | 45 acres (0.18 km²) | 1936 | Big Spring Run | Has trail to partially completed railroad tunnel in Conococheague Mountain |
| Black Moshannon State Park | Centre County | 3,394 acres (13.74 km²) | 1937 | Black Moshannon Creek, Black Moshannon Lake | Has bog with three carnivorous plant species and 17 orchid varieties[f][g] |
| Blue Knob State Park | Bedford County | 5,874 acres (23.77 km²) | 1945 | None | Former Recreation Demonstration Area on state's second highest mountain, has Blue Knob All Seasons Resort |
| Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area | Dauphin County | 914 acres (3.7 km²) | 1999 | Unnamed tributary of Fishing Creek | On Blue Mountain, one of three Conservation Areas, named for donor Alex Boyd |
| Buchanan's Birthplace State Park | Franklin County | 18.5 acres (0.07 km²) | 1911 | Buck Run | Stone pyramid marks the birthplace of James Buchanan, 15th President of the United States |
| Bucktail State Park Natural Area | Cameron and Clinton Counties | 21,039 acres (85.14 km²) | 1933 | Sinnemahoning Creek, West Branch Susquehanna River | Named for Bucktail Regiment, 75 mile (121 km) undeveloped scenic drive on PA 120 |
| Caledonia State Park | Adams and Franklin Counties | 1,125 acres (4.55 km²) | 1903 | Rocky Mountain Creek, Carbaugh Run, East Branch Conococheague Creek | Named for Thaddeus Stevens' iron furnace, home to summer stock "Totem Pole Playhouse" |
| Canoe Creek State Park | Blair County | 658 acres (2.66 km²) | 1979 | Canoe Creek (tributary of Raystown Branch Juniata River), Canoe Creek Lake | Home of largest nursery colony of little brown bats in the state[f] |
| Chapman State Park | Warren County | 805 acres (3.26 km²) | 1951 | Farnsworth Run, West Branch Tionesta Creek, Chapman Lake | Trailhead for trail system in surrounding Allegheny National Forest |
| Cherry Springs State Park | Potter County | 48 acres (0.19 km²) | 1922 | None | Known for some of the clearest, darkest night skies in the state and eastern US[f][g] |
| Clear Creek State Park | Jefferson County | 1,676 acres (6.78 km²) | 1922 | Clear Creek, Clarion River | Start of popular canoe trip on 10 miles (6 km) of Clarion River to Cook Forest State Park[g] |
| Codorus State Park | York County | 3,329 acres (13.47 km²) | 1966 | Codorus Creek, Lake Marburg | Man-made lake is 1,275 acres (5.16 km²), named for former village of Marburg now flooded by it |
| Colonel Denning State Park | Cumberland County | 273 acres (1.1 km²) | 1936 | Doubling Gap Creek, Doubling Gap Lake | Named for William Denning, American Revolutionary War veteran who was never a colonel |
| Colton Point State Park | Tioga County | 368 acres (1.49 km²) | 1936 | Pine Creek | On west rim of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, 800 feet (244 m) deep here[d][f][g] |
| Cook Forest State Park | Clarion, Forest, and Jefferson Counties | 8,500 acres (34.4 km²) | 1927 | Toms Run, Clarion River | National Natural Landmark, "one of America's top-50 state parks" (National Geographic Traveler)[d][f][g] |
| Cowans Gap State Park | Franklin and Fulton Counties | 1,085 acres (4.39 km²) | 1937 | Little Aughwick Creek, Cowans Gap Lake | Site of French and Indian War road, pioneer homestead, lumbering, and CCC camp[g] |
| Delaware Canal State Park | Bucks and Northampton Counties | 830 acres (3.36 km²) | 1931 | Delaware River | Runs 60 miles (97 km) along Delaware Canal, only 1800s U.S. towpath canal left continuously intact[f][g] |
| Denton Hill State Park | Potter County | 700 acres (2.83 km²) | 1951 | None | Site of Ski Denton resort, also open for summer mountain biking |
| Elk State Park | Elk and McKean Counties | 3,192 acres (12.92 km²) | 1963 | East Branch Clarion River, East Branch Lake | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake is 1,160 acres (4.69 km²) |
| Erie Bluffs State Park | Erie County | 540 acres (2.19 km²) | 2004 | Lake Erie | Has 1.0 mile (0.6 km) of lake coastline and bluffs 90 feet (27 m) tall, being developed |
| Evansburg State Park | Montgomery County | 3,349 acres (13.55 km²) | 1979 | Skippack Creek | Has 18 hole Skippack Golf Course, many outdoor recreational opportunities[g] |
| Fort Washington State Park | Montgomery County | 493 acres (2 km²) | 1953 | Wissahickon Creek | George Washington camped here in American Revolutionary War's Philadelphia campaign |
| Fowlers Hollow State Park | Perry County | 104 acres (0.42 km²) | 1936 | Fowlers Hollow Run | Trailhead for the trail system of the surrounding Tuscarora State Forest |
| Frances Slocum State Park | Luzerne County | 1,035 acres (4.19 km²) | 1968 | Abrahams Creek, Frances Slocum Lake | Named for a girl kidnapped by the Lenape who lived the rest of her life with the Miami in Indiana |
| French Creek State Park | Berks and Chester Counties | 7,339 acres (29.7 km²) | 1946 | French Creek | Former Recreation Demonstration Area, adjacent to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site[g] |
| Gifford Pinchot State Park | York County | 2,338 acres (9.46 km²) | 1961 | Beaver Creek (tributary of Conewago Creek), Pinchot Lake | Gifford Pinchot was a Pennsylvania governor, conservationist, and first US Forest Service Chief |
| Gouldsboro State Park | Monroe and Wayne Counties | 2,880 acres (11.65 km²) | 1958 | Gouldsboro Lake | Named for village named for Jay Gould, next to Tobyhanna Army Depot |
| Greenwood Furnace State Park | Huntingdon County | 423 acres (1.71 km²) | 1924 | Standing Stone Creek, Greenwood Lake | Includes ghost town of Greenwood, former ironworks and charcoal hearths[f][g] |
| Hickory Run State Park | Carbon County | 15,550 acres (62.93 km²) | 1945 | Hickory Run, Lehigh River, Sand Spring Lake | Large Boulder Field in park is a National Natural Landmark[d][f] |
| Hillman State Park | Washington County | 3,600 acres (14.56 km²) | 1960s | Raccoon Creek | Managed for hunting by the Pennsylvania Game Commission and largely undeveloped |
| Hills Creek State Park | Tioga County | 407 acres (1.65 km²) | 1953 | Hills Creek, Hills Creek Lake | Land previously used as a pigment mine for the paint industry |
| Hyner Run State Park | Clinton County | 180 acres (0.73 km²) | 1958 | Hyner Run | On the site of Civilian Conservation Corps camp (Camp S-75-PA) |
| Hyner View State Park | Clinton County | 6 acres (0.02 km²) | 1965 | None | Scenic view of the West Branch Susquehanna River and launching point for hang gliding[f] |
| Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center | Northampton County | 1,168 acres (4.73 km²) | 1959 | Bushkill Creek | Surrounds Jacobsburg National Historic District, where rifles were manufactured during American Revolution[g] |
| Jennings Environmental Education Center | Butler County | 300 acres (1.21 km²) | 1979 | Big Run | Contains the only publicly protected relict prairie ecosystem in Pennsylvania, 20 acres (0.08 km²)[f] |
| Joseph E. Ibberson Conservation Area | Dauphin County | 350 acres (1.42 km²) | 2000 | None | On Peters Mountain, one of three Conservation Areas, named for donor Joseph E. Ibberson |
| Kettle Creek State Park | Clinton County | 1,793 acres (7.26 km²) | 1954 | Kettle Creek, Kettle Creek Reservoir | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir is 160 acres (0.65 km²), many recreational facilities built by CCC |
| Keystone State Park | Westmoreland County | 1,200 acres (4.86 km²) | 1945 | Keystone Run, Keystone Lake | Named for Pennsylvania's official nickname, "The Keystone State" |
| Kings Gap Environmental Education and Training Center | Cumberland County | 1,454 acres (5.88 km²) | 1973 | some vernal pools | Training center for park rangers of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
| Kinzua Bridge State Park | McKean County | 329 acres (1.33 km²) | 1970 | Kinzua Creek | Had 1882 Historic Civil Engineering Landmark railway bridge, world's highest and longest, destroyed by a tornado in 2003[f][g] |
| Kooser State Park | Somerset County | 250 acres (1.01 km²) | 1922 | Kooser Run, Kooser Lake | Site of battles between Native American tribes, part of Whiskey Rebellion [g] |
| Lackawanna State Park | Lackawanna County | 1,411 acres (5.71 km²) | 1972 | South Branch Tunkhannock Creek, Lake Lackawanna | On site of a Turn of the Century era community fair |
| Laurel Hill State Park | Somerset County | 3,935 acres (15.92 km²) | 1945 | Laurel Hill Creek, Laurel Hill Lake | Former Recreation Demonstration Area with the largest CCC architecture collection of any Pennsylvania state park[g] |
| Laurel Mountain State Park | Somerset and Westmoreland Counties | 493 acres (2.00 km²) | 1964 | None | Opened in 1939 by Richard K. Mellon and Rolling Rock brewery as one of the state's first ski areas, donated 1964 |
| Laurel Ridge State Park | Cambria, Fayette, Somerset and Westmoreland Counties | 13,625 acres (55.14 km²) | 1967 | Conemaugh River, Youghiogheny River and tributaries | Surrounds the 70 mile (113 km) long Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail |
| Laurel Summit State Park | Westmoreland County | 6 acres (0.02 km²) | 1964 | None | Day use picnic area and trailhead, 2,739 feet (835 m) above sea level |
| Lehigh Gorge State Park | Carbon and Luzerne Counties | 4,548 acres (18.41 km²) | 1980 | Lehigh River | Lehigh Gorge Trail follows river through park for 26 miles (42 km) |
| Leonard Harrison State Park | Tioga County | 585 acres (2.37 km²) | 1922 | Pine Creek | On east rim of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, 800 feet (244 m) deep here[d][f] |
| Linn Run State Park | Westmoreland County | 612 acres (2.48 km²) | 1924 | Grove, Rock and Linn Runs and Adams Falls | Once a "barren wasteland", now a thriving second growth forest with an excellent trout stream[g] |
| Little Buffalo State Park | Perry County | 923 acres (3.74 km²) | 1972 | Little Buffalo Creek, Holman Lake | Named for the bison that are believed to have once roamed the ridge and valley region of Pennsylvania[g] |
| Little Pine State Park | Lycoming County | 2,158 acres (8.73 km²) | 1937 | Little Pine Creek | Historians believe a Shawnee village and burial ground were just north of the park |
| Locust Lake State Park | Schuylkill County | 1,089 acres (4.41 km²) | 1966 | Locust Creek, Locust Lake | In a thriving second growth forest on the side of Locust Mountain |
| Lyman Run State Park | Potter County | 595 acres (2.41 km²) | 1951 | Lyman Run, Lyman Run Lake | Site of a Prisoner of War Camp during World War II |
| Marsh Creek State Park | Chester County | 1,705 acres (6.9 km²) | 1974 | Marsh Creek, Marsh Creek Lake | The village of Milford Mills was flooded by the creation of the lake, last Project 70 / 500 park[g] |
| Maurice K. Goddard State Park | Mercer County | 2,856 acres (11.56 km²) | 1972 | Sandy Creek, Lake Wilhelm | Named for Maurice K. Goddard, who led the creation of 45 state parks in 24 years of service |
| McCalls Dam State Park | Centre County | 8 acres (0.03 km²) | 1933 | White Deer Creek | In a remote location on a dirt road between R.B. Winter State Park and Eastville. |
| McConnells Mill State Park | Lawrence County | 2,546 acres (10.3 km²) | 1957 | Slippery Rock Creek | Features a deep scenic gorge with a restored watermill and a covered bridge[d][f][g] |
| Memorial Lake State Park | Lebanon County | 230 acres (0.93 km²) | 1945 | Indiantown Run, Memorial Lake | Surrounded by Fort Indiantown Gap, headquarters of the Pennsylvania National Guard |
| Milton State Park | Northumberland County | 82 acres (0.33 km²) | 1966 | West Branch Susquehanna River | On an island in the river, destroyed by Hurricane Agnes in 1972 and rebuilt |
| Mont Alto State Park | Franklin County | 24 acres (0.1 km²) | 1902 | West Branch Antietam Creek | Pennsylvania's current oldest state park and first "State Forest Park", former iron works |
| Moraine State Park | Butler County | 16,725 acres (67.68 km²) | 1970 | Muddy Creek, Lake Arthur | Served as the location of the 1973 and 1977 National Scout Jamborees |
| Mt. Pisgah State Park | Bradford County | 1,302 acres (5.27 km²) | 1979 | Pisgah Creek, Mill Creek, Stephen Foster Lake | Lake named for renowned American composer Stephen Foster |
| Nescopeck State Park | Luzerne County | 3,550 acres (14.37 km²) | 2005 | Nescopeck Creek | One of the newest state parks in Pennsylvania |
| Neshaminy State Park | Bucks County | 330 acres (1.34 km²) | 1956 | Delaware River | On an estuary, donated by descendant of James Logan, colonial secretary to William Penn |
| Nockamixon State Park | Bucks County | 5,283 acres (21.38 km²) | 1973 | Tohickon Creek, Lake Nockamixon | Nockamixon means "place of soft soil" in the Lenape language |
| Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center | Berks County | 665 acres (2.69 km²) | 1970 | Wyomissing Creek | Once a "luxury forest" privately owned by Jacob Nolde |
| Norristown Farm Park | Montgomery County | 690 acres (2.79 km²) | 1995 | Stony Creek | Managed by the Montgomery County Department of Parks |
| Ohiopyle State Park | Fayette County | 19,052 acres (77.1 km²) | 1965 | Youghiogheny River and tributaries | One of the most popular white-water rafting destinations on the East Coast[d][f] |
| Oil Creek State Park | Venango County | 6,250 acres (25.29 km²) | 1931 | Oil Creek | Edwin Drake drilled the first successful oil well in the world here in 1859[f] |
| Ole Bull State Park | Potter County | 132 acres (0.53 km²) | 1925 | Ole Bull Run, Kettle Creek | Location of a Norwegian colony established by renowned violinist Ole Bull |
| Parker Dam State Park | Clearfield County | 968 acres (3.92 km²) | 1936 | Laurel Run, Parker Lake | A herd of elk lives in and near the park[g] |
| Patterson State Park | Potter County | 10 acres (0.04 km²) | 1925 | None | Day use picnic area on Pennsylvania Route 44, surrounded by Susquehannock State Forest |
| Penn-Roosevelt State Park | Centre County | 41 acres (0.17 km²) | 1983 | Sassafras Run, Standing Stone Creek | Once a segregated black Civilian Conservation Corps camp during the Great Depression |
| Pine Grove Furnace State Park | Cumberland County | 696 acres (2.82 km²) | 1913 | Mountain Creek, Fuller Lake, Laurel Lake | The furnaces at Pine Grove could consume an acre of trees a day[g] |
| Poe Paddy State Park | Centre County | 23 acres (0.09 km²) | 1938 | Big Poe Creek, Penns Creek | Noted by anglers for the shadfly hatch that occurs in late spring |
| Poe Valley State Park | Centre County | 620 acres (2.51 km²) | 1938 | Big Poe Creek, Poe Lake | Constructed during the Great Depression by the CCC |
| Point State Park | Allegheny County | 36 acres (0.15 km²) | 1974 | Allegheny, Monongahela, Ohio rivers | In downtown Pittsburgh at meeting of three rivers, site of Fort Pitt[g] |
| Presque Isle State Park | Erie County | 3,200 acres (12.95 km²) | 1921 | Lake Erie | The most visited state park in Pennsylvania, on a peninsula in lake with many beaches[d][f][g] |
| Prince Gallitzin State Park | Cambria County | 6,249 acres (25.29 km²) | 1965 | Beaverdam Run, Glendale Lake | Named for Demetrius Gallitzin, Russian nobelman turned Roman Catholic priest |
| Promised Land State Park | Pike County | 3,000 acres (12.14 km²) | 1905 | Wallenpaupack Creek, Promised Land Lake, Lower Lake | Name is an ironic commentary created by immigrant residents, once owned by the Shakers[g] |
| Prompton State Park | Wayne County | 2,000 acres (8.09 km²) | 1962 | Lackawaxen River, Prompton Lake | Northeast Sports Ltd. sponsors outdoor sports there, being developed with help of "Friends of Prompton" |
| Prouty Place State Park | Potter County | 5 acres (0.02 km²) | 1925 | Prouty Run | Day use picnic area on Long Toe Road |
| Pymatuning State Park | Crawford County | 21,122 acres (85.48 km²) | 1934 | Shenango River, Pymatuning Lake | The largest state park in Pennsylvania, with one of the largest lakes[f] |
| R. B. Winter State Park | Union County | 695 acres (2.81 km²) | 1933 | Halfway Creek, Halfway Lake | Has first cement and stone dam ever built by the Civilian Conservation Corps[g] |
| Raccoon Creek State Park | Beaver County | 7,572 acres (30.64 km²) | 1945 | Little Traverse Creek, Raccoon Lake | Built by CCC, WPA as one of five state National Park Service Recreational Demonstration Areas[f][g] |
| Ralph Stover State Park | Bucks County | 45 acres (0.18 km²) | 1931 | Tohickon Creek | "High Rocks" portion of the park donated to Pennsylvania by James Michener in 1956 |
| Ravensburg State Park | Clinton County | 78 acres (0.32 km²) | 1933 | Rauchtown Run | Named for the ravens that flock near the gorge[g] |
| Reeds Gap State Park | Mifflin County | 220 acres (0.89 km²) | 1938 | Honey Creek | Once a gathering place for the locals to hold picnics and listen to travelling evangelists |
| Ricketts Glen State Park | Columbia, Luzerne, and Sullivan Counties | 13,050 acres (52.81 km²) | 1942 | Kitchen Creek | Slated to become a National Park, but did not due to redirection of funds during World War II[d][f] |
| Ridley Creek State Park | Delaware County | 2,606 acres (10.55 km²) | 1972 | Ridley Creek | Adjacent to the John J. Tyler Arboretum[g] |
| Ryerson Station State Park | Greene County | 1,164 acres (4.71 km²) | 1967 | North Fork of the Dunkard Fork of Wheeling Creek, Ronald J. Duke Lake | 52 acre (0.21 km²) man-made lake, 38 miles (61 km) from next nearest Pennsylvania state park (Hillman) |
| S. B. Elliott State Park | Clearfield County | 318 acres (1.29 km²) | 1933 | Stony Run | Named for Simon B. Elliott, a noted Pennsylvania conservationist and legislator[g] |
| Salt Springs State Park | Susquehanna County | 405 acres (1.64 km²) | 1973 | Fall Brook | Large hemlocks over 500 years old are some of the largest trees in the state, has three waterfalls |
| Samuel S. Lewis State Park | York County | 85 acres (0.34 km²) | 1954 | None | Named for donor, a Secretary of Department of Forests and Waters, now popular for star gazing |
| Sand Bridge State Park | Union County | 3 acres (0.01 km²) | 1978 | Rapid Run | The smallest state park in Pennsylvania, a day use picnic area on Pennsylvania Route 192 |
| Shawnee State Park | Bedford County | 3,983 acres (16.12 km²) | 1951 | Lake Shawnee | Rental lodge on an island in the lake |
| Shikellamy State Park | Northumberland and Union Counties | 132 acres (0.53 km²) | 1960 | West Branch and North Branch Susquehanna River | Overlook at confluence of West Branch and North Branch Susquehanna River, marina added in 1972 |
| Sinnemahoning State Park | Cameron and Potter Counties | 1,910 acres (7.73 km²) | 1962 | Sinnemahoning Creek, George B. Stevenson Reservoir | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir is 142 acres (0.57 km²), park home to rare elk and bald eagle |
| Sizerville State Park | Cameron and Potter Counties | 386 acres (1.56 km²) | 1924 | Cowley Run, Portage Creek, Driftwood Branch, and Sinnemahoning Creek | Named for the nearby ghost town of Sizerville |
| Susquehanna State Park | Lycoming County | 20 acres (0.08 km²) | 1961 | West Branch Susquehanna River | Operated by the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, home to paddlewheeler Hiawatha |
| Susquehannock State Park | Lancaster County | 224 acres (0.91 km²) | 1965 | Susquehanna River | Named for the Susquehannock, whose chief village was nearby, on bluffs overlooking the river |
| Swatara State Park | Lebanon and Schuylkill Counties | 3,515 acres (14.22 km²) | 1987 | Swatara Creek | Rail Trail on former Lebanon & Tremont Branch of Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, being developed[g] |
| Tobyhanna State Park | Monroe and Wayne Counties | 5,440 acres (22.01 km²) | 1949 | Tobyhanna Creek, Tobyhanna Lake | Once part of an artillery range for Tobyhanna Army Depot |
| Trough Creek State Park | Huntingdon County | 554 acres (2.24 km²) | 1936 | Great Trough Creek, Raystown Lake | Bald eagles have migrated here naturally since the early 1990s[f][g] |
| Tuscarora State Park | Schuylkill County | 1,618 acres (6.55 km²) | 1971 | Locust Creek, Tuscarora Lake | The Tuscarora moved to area after Tuscarora War in North Carolina, later forced out by colonial settlement |
| Tyler State Park | Bucks County | 1,711 acres (6.92 km²) | 1974 | Neshaminy Creek | Old original stone dwellings in park are fine examples of early farm dwellings of rural Pennsylvania |
| Upper Pine Bottom State Park | Lycoming County | 5 acres (0.02 km²) | 1924 | Upper Pine Bottom Run | A roadside park and picnic area for day use only, on Pennsylvania Route 44 |
| Varden Conservation Area | Wayne County | 343 acres (1.39 km²) | 2001 | Middle Creek | One of three Conservation Areas, donor is Dr. Mead Shaffer, being developed |
| Warriors Path State Park | Bedford County | 349 acres (1.41 km²) | 1965 | Raystown Branch Juniata River | Named for the Great Indian Warpath used by the Iroquois in war raids on the Cherokee and other tribes |
| Whipple Dam State Park | Huntingdon County | 256 acres (1.04 km²) | 1928 | Whipple Lake | A camp for Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Campfire Girls on north side of lake used 1928 to 1941[g] |
| White Clay Creek Preserve | Chester County | 1,255 acres (5.08 km²) | 1984 | White Clay Creek | Donated by DuPont to preserve "diverse and unique plant and animal species, and the rich cultural heritage of the area" |
| Worlds End State Park | Sullivan County | 780 acres (3.16 km²) | 1932 | Loyalsock Creek | "Must See Park" known for trout fishing, white-water kayaking, camping, hiking on Loyalsock Trail[f][g] |
| Yellow Creek State Park | Indiana County | 3,140 acres (12.71 km²) | 1963 | Yellow Creek, Yellow Creek Lake | Crossed by the Kittanning Path, a major east-west Native American trail during the 18th century |
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 lake from dam |
 hiking trail |
[edit] 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, "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 Name | County or Counties | Date name changed | Current Park Name | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams Falls Class A Campground[3] | Westmoreland County | 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[12] | Union County | 1957 | R. B. Winter State Park | Named for Raymond B. Winter, a Forest Ranger who established park and worked there 45 years; also known as "Halfway Dam State Park" |
| High Rocks State Park[13] | Bucks County | 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[2] | Erie County | Presque Isle State Park | Was only the second "State Park" by name in state when established in 1921, also known unofficially as "Peninsula State Park" | |
| Sandy Creek State Park[3] | Mercer County | 1969 | Maurice K. Goddard State Park | Proposed as "Sandy Creek" (on Sandy Creek), but name was changed (despite the objections of Dr. Goddard) before park officially opened in 1972 |
| Theodore Roosevelt State Park[13][14] | Bucks and Northampton Counties | 1989 | Delaware Canal State Park | Originally named for Theodore Roosevelt, who had no connection to this park; renamed for its focus, the Delaware Canal |
| Tohickon State Park[15] | Bucks County | 1965 | Nockamixon State Park | Proposed in 1958 as "Tohickon" (on Tohickon Creek), but name changed before park officially opened in 1973 |
| Whirl's End State Park[16] | 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[3] | 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 |
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 boat dock on lake |
[edit] Former parks
The following seventeen 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 State Park | County or Counties | Date jurisdiction changed | Current Name | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allegheny River State Park[3] | Venango County | 1980s | Kennerdell (or Allegheny River) tract[17] | Now part of Clear Creek State Forest (Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry) |
| Blue Marsh State Park[2][3] | Berks County | 1978 | Blue Marsh Lake and Pennsylvania State Game Lands Number 280[18] | 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[3][13] | Delaware County | Brandywine Battlefield [19] | Now a Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission site | |
| Bushy Run Battlefield State Park[3][13] | Westmoreland County | Bushy Run Battlefield[19] | Now a Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission site | |
| Colerain State Park[3] | Huntingdon County | Colerain State Forest Picnic Area[20] | Now part of Rothrock State Forest (Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry), also known as "Colerain Forge" | |
| Conrad Weiser Memorial Park[3] | Bucks County | 1953 | Conrad Weiser Homestead[19] | Now a Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission site |
| Crooked Creek State Park[2][3][13] | Armstrong County | Crooked Creek Lake Recreation Area[21] | Now a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers site | |
| Curwensville State Park[2][3][13] | Clearfield County | Curwensville Lake on the West Branch Susquehanna River[22] | Now a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers site, recreation area operated by Clearfield County | |
| Drake Well State Park[3][13] | Venango County | 1943 | Drake Well Museum[19] | Now a Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission site |
| Fort Necessity State Park[3][13] | Fayette County | 1961 | Fort Necessity National Battlefield[23] | Now part of National Park Service site |
| George W. Childs State Park[3][9][13][24] | Pike County | 1983 | Part of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area[25] | Now part of National Park Service site, donated to the state for a park in 1912 by the widow of Dr. Childs |
| Hemlock State Forest Park[26] | Perry County | Hemlocks Natural Area[27] | Now part of Tuscarora State Forest (Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry) | |
| Independence Mall State Park[3][4][13] | Philadelphia County | 1975 | Independence National Historical Park[28] | Now a National Park Service site |
| Moosic Lake State Park[3] | Lackawanna County | 1930s | No longer in existence | Legislature created park in early 1930s, but did not fund it, so it never came into existence |
| Snyder-Middleswarth State Park[3][13][d] | Snyder County | 1980s | Snyder Middleswarth Natural Area and Picnic Area[29][30] | Now part of Bald Eagle State Forest (Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry) |
| Valley Forge State Park[3][7] | Montgomery County | 1976 | Valley Forge National Historical Park[31] | Now a National Park Service site, established 1893 as the first state park in Pennsylvania |
| Voneida State Forest Park[3][13] | Centre County | Hairy Johns State Forest Picnic Area[30] | Now part of Bald Eagle State Forest (Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry), established 1922, named for "Hairy John" Voneida[3][26] | |
| Washington Crossing State Park[2][3][13] | Bucks County | Washington Crossing Historic Park[19] | Now a Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission site, established July 1917 |
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[edit] Other names of former parks
The following are significantly different former or alternate names for two former Pennsylvania state parks.
| Former or Alternate Name | County or Counties | Date name changed | Former Park Name | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braddock Grave State Park[13] | Fayette County | 1961 | Part of Fort Necessity State Park | Now part of Fort Necessity National Battlefield (National Park Service)[23] |
| Hairy John's State Forest Park[3] | Centre County | Voneida State Forest Park | Named for "Hairy John" Voneida, a 19th century hermit who lived nearby; now a State Forest Picnic Area in Bald Eagle State Forest (Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry)[30] |
[edit] See also
- List of Pennsylvania state forests
- Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
- Pennsylvania Game Commission
- Pennsylvania Scenic Rivers
[edit] Notes
- a. ^ Four Pennsylvania state parks are also the site of ski areas run by private contractors: Big Pocono (Ski Camelback), Blue Knob (Ski Blue Knob), Denton Hill (Ski Denton), and Laurel Mountain (no ski operations in 2006-2007). 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").[1]
- b. ^ The Pennsylvania counties without state parks as of 2007 are: Armstrong, Juniata, Lehigh, Montour, Snyder, and Wyoming counties. Two of these counties are sites of former state parks: Crooked Creek in Armstrong County, and Snyder-Middleswarth in Snyder County.[1][3]
- 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).[4]
- 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.[5]
- 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 2007, 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.[3]
- f. ^ This park was one of twenty-one chosen by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Parks for its "Twenty Must-See Pennsylvania State Parks" list.[32]
- g. ^ This park has one or more historic sites or districts on the National Register of Historic Places.[8]
- 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.[3]
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.[3]
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).[33]
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 2007, while nine are former state parks, and twelve are in state forests (nine of these still retain their names as state forest picnic, natural or wild areas).
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e Find a Park: Alphabetical Listing of All 117 Pennsylvania State Parks. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (PA DCNR). Retrieved on 2007-02-26. Note: despite the title, the list has all 120 parks and is the default reference for current individual state parks.
- ^ a b c d e f g Dan Cupper (Winter 1994). A Century of Conservation: The Story of Pennsylvania’s State Parks. Pennsylvania Heritage Magazine. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Retrieved on 2007-03-01. Note: URL is to Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection reprint of article
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab Cupper, Dan (1993). Our Priceless Heritage: Pennsylvania’s State Parks 1893-1993. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission for Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of State Parks. ISBN 0-89271-056-X.
- ^ a b c d The Goddard Era. PA DCNR. Retrieved on 2007-02-26.
- ^ a b "National Natural Landmarks: Pennsylvania". National Park Service. Retrieved on 2007-12-13.
- ^ History. PA DCNR. Retrieved on 2007-02-26.
- ^ a b Pennsylvania's First State Park. PA DCNR. Retrieved on 2007-02-26.
- ^ a b National Register of Historic Places. PA DCNR. Retrieved on 2007-02-26.
- ^ a b The Early Years. PA DCNR. Retrieved on 2007-02-26.
- ^ The CCC Years. PA DCNR. Retrieved on 2007-02-26.
- ^ Growing Greener: What is Growing Greener?. Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Retrieved on 2007-02-26.
- ^ R.B. Winter History: Halfway to Winter. PA DCNR. Retrieved on 2007-02-05.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Geographic Names Information System Feature Query Results. United States Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System. Retrieved on 2007-03-01. Note: Search on "State Park" in Pennsylvania for current and former state parks
- ^ Delaware Canal. National Canal Museum. Retrieved on 2007-02-27.
- ^ Nockamixon State Park. PA DCNR. Retrieved on 2007-01-12.
- ^ Worlds End State Park. PA DCNR. Retrieved on 2007-01-12.
- ^ Kennerdell Tract Clear Creek State Forest (PDF). map. PA DCNR. Retrieved on 2007-11-11.
- ^ A visitor's guide to Blue Marsh Lake. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District. Retrieved on 2007-03-01.
- ^ a b c d e PHMC Trail of History. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Retrieved on 2007-03-01.
- ^ Rothrock State Forest Map. PA DCNR. Retrieved on 2007-03-08.
- ^ Crooked Creek Lake. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District. Retrieved on 2007-03-01.
- ^ Curwensville Lake, Pennsylvania. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District. Retrieved on 2007-03-01.
- ^ a b Fort Necessity National Battlefield. U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Retrieved on 2007-03-01.
- ^ Then and Now: Childs Recreation Site and Mills along Dingmans Creek. National Park Service. Retrieved on 2007-02-28.
- ^ Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Retrieved on 2007-03-01.
- ^ a b Godcharles, Frederic A. [1944]. Chronicles of Central Pennsylvania (PDF), New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Co., Inc.. Retrieved on 2007-03-09.
- ^ Natural & Wild Areas of the Tuscarora State Forest. PA DCNR. Retrieved on 2007-03-09.
- ^ Independence National Historical Park. U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Retrieved on 2007-03-01.
- ^ State Parks near the Bald Eagle State Forest: Snyder-Middleswarth State Park. PA DCNR. Retrieved on 2007-03-01.
- ^ a b c Bald Eagle State Forest (map) (PDF). PA DCNR. Retrieved on 2007-03-01. Note: shows Snyder Middleswarth Natural Area, Hairy Johns Picnic Area
- ^ Valley Forge National Historical Park. U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Retrieved on 2007-03-01.
- ^ Twenty Must-See Pennsylvania State Parks. PA DCNR. Retrieved on 2007-02-05. Note: Despite the title, there are twenty-one parks in the list, with Colton Point and Leonard Harrison State Parks treated as one.
- ^ "Pennsylvania has everything!" (PDF), Brochure, Pennsylvania State Publicity Commission, 1937. Retrieved on 2007-03-13.
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