Ravensburg State Park
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ravensburg State Park | |
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| Pennsylvania State Park | |
| Natural Monument (IUCN III) | |
 The dam on Rauchtown Run in Ravensburg State Park was built by the CCC.
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| Named for: Ravens that nest on the cliffs at the park | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Clinton |
| Township | Crawford |
| Location | [1] |
| - coordinates | Coordinates: |
| - elevation | 1,030 ft (313.9 m) [1] |
| Area | 78 acres (31.6 ha) [2] |
| Founded | 1933 [2] |
| Managed by | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
| Nearest city | Williamsport, Pennsylvania |
  Location of Ravensburg State Park in Pennsylvania
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| Website : Ravensburg State Park | |
Ravensburg State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Crawford Township in Clinton County, Pennsylvania in the United States. It is in a gorge carved by Rauchtown Run through the side of Nippenose Mountain. Ravensburg State Park is 78 acres (0.32 km²) of wooded land that is almost entirely surrounded by Tiadaghton State Forest. This state park is on Pennsylvania Route 880, 8 miles (13 km) north of Carroll and 8 miles (13 km) south-east of Jersey Shore. The nearest city is Williamsport.
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[edit] History
Ravensburg State Park gets its name from the ravens that were known for roosting on the rock ledges at the southern end of the park (near the south entrance). Ravens can be seen in the vicinity of this park to this day, making the name logical despite that fact that there is no community nearby that goes by the name Ravensburg. The nearest community to Ravensburg State Park is the unincorporated village of Rauchtown.[2]
The forest surrounding and within Ravensburg State Park has not changed much in the past 100 years. It is also unlikely that much timber has even been harvested in this area due to the extremely rocky surroundings and the narrow gorge in which Ravensburg State Park lies.[3]
Ravensburg State Park was constructed during the Great Depression in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps founded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The CCC created many jobs for the out of work industrial workers of Williamsport, Jersey Shore and Lock Haven. Ravensburg State Park is just one of many examples of the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps throughout North Central Pennsylvania. The CCC built a small dam on Rauchtown Run that is still being used as a swimming hole by the visitors to Ravensburg State Park. The CCC also built pavilions, latrines, bridges, trails, waterlines and fountains at Ravensburg, some of which are still being used as of 2007.[4]
The Emergency Conservation Work architecture in the 1933-1942 time period has earned the park a listing on the National Register of Historic Places, along with other Pennsylvania state parks developed in this time period.[5]
[edit] Geology
Over the years Rauchtown Run has made its way through the mountains on its way to the West Branch Susquehanna River near Jersey Shore, via Antes Creek. The years of water flow have created the gorge in which the park is located. Tall erosional spires of sandstone have created a formation known as Castle Rocks. The rocks can be seen from the Mid State Trail and are said to resemble the towers of an ancient castle. The frost action, brought on by the cold winters of Pennsylvania, has led to the creation of this rock formation.[6]
[edit] Recreation
[edit] Camping
Bring your tents to Ravensburg because that is the only type of camping available. The campground is downstream from the dam. Each campground has a fire ring as well as a picnic table.[2]
[edit] Picnics
Ravensburg is popular for picnicking by families and church groups. There are three picnic areas on the grounds of Ravensburg State Park. Each area has picnic tables and pavilions and charcoal grills. There is a centrally located playfield with a playground and several horseshoe pits.[2]
[edit] Hunting
Because Ravensburg State Park is just 78 acres in size, hunting is prohibited with the confines of the park. However, there are 215,000 acres (870 km²) of hunting area available in the surrounding Tiadaghton State Forest.[2][3]
[edit] Hiking
There is one mile (1.6 km) of hiking trail available. Raven Trail, on the banks of Rauchtown Run, provides easy access to the creek for fishing. There are several side trails that lead to scenic rocky outcrops or to other hiking trails on state forest land. The 306-mile (492 km) Mid State backpacking trail is accessible from Ravensburg State Park.[2]
[edit] Fishing
Avid fishermen will find native brook trout and brown trout living in Rauchtown Run. This provides for cold water fishing in Rauchtown Run as well as its tributaries.[2]
[edit] Nearby state parks
The following state parks are within 30 miles (48 km) of Ravensburg State Park:[7][8]
- Bald Eagle State Park (Centre County)
- Bucktail State Park Natural Area (Cameron and Clinton Counties)
- Hyner Run State Park (Clinton County)
- Hyner View State Park (Clinton County)
- Little Pine State Park (Lycoming County)
- McCalls Dam State Park (Centre County)
- Milton State Park (Northumberland County)
- R. B. Winter State Park (Union County)
- Reeds Gap State Park (Mifflin County)
- Sand Bridge State Park (Union County)
- Shikellamy State Park (Union and Northumberland Counties)
- Susquehanna State Park (Lycoming County)
- Upper Pine Bottom State Park (Lycoming County)
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Ravensburg State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (August 2, 1979). Retrieved on 2007-12-20.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Ravensburg State Park. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved on 2006-10-11.
- ^ a b State Parks near the Tiadaghton State Forest. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved on 2006-10-11.
- ^ Pennsylvania State Parks: The CCC Years. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved on 2006-11-28.
- ^ Pennsylvania State Parks - Historic Places. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved on 2006-10-11.
- ^ Geyer, Alan R.; Denise W. Royer. Pennsylvania Trail of Geology: Ravensburg. Pennsylvania Geological Survey. Retrieved on 2007-12-20.
- ^ Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Planning and Research, Geographic Information Division. 2007 General Highway Map Clinton County Pennsylvania [map], 1:65,000. Retrieved on 2007-07-27.Note: shows Ravensburg State Park
- ^ Michels, Chris (1997). "Latitude/Longitude Distance Calculation". Northern Arizona University. Retrieved on 2008-04-23.
[edit] External links
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