|
|
| 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 2011.[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 (1.2 ha) to 21,122 acres (8,548 ha), 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]
Contents |
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 (115,000 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 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]
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 (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.[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]
| Park Name | County or Counties | Area in acres (ha) | Date founded |
Stream(s) and / or Lake(s) | Remarks | Photos |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allegheny Islands State Park | Allegheny County | 43 acres (17 ha) |
1980 | Allegheny River | Three islands near Pittsburgh with no facilities, no plans for future development | |
| Archbald Pothole State Park | Lackawanna County | 150 acres (61 ha) | 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 (2,388 ha) | 1971 | Bald Eagle Creek, Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir | 1,730 acre (700 ha) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir named for Medal of Honor recipient | |
| 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 | |
| Bendigo State Park | Elk County | 100 acres (40 ha) | 1959 | East Branch Clarion River | Only 20 acres (8.1 ha) is developed, name is a corruption of Abednego | |
| Benjamin Rush State Park | Philadelphia County | 275 acres (111 ha) | 1975 | None | Site of one of the world's largest community gardens, otherwise undeveloped | |
| Big Pocono State Park | Monroe County | 1,306 acres (529 ha) | 1954 | None | On Camelback Mountain, site of Camelback Ski Area and Waterpark | |
| Big Spring State Forest Picnic Area | Perry County | 45 acres (18 ha) |
1936 | Big Spring Run | Has trail to partially completed railroad tunnel in Conococheague Mountain | |
| Black Moshannon State Park | Centre County | 3,394 acres (1,374 ha) | 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 (2,377 ha) | 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 (370 ha) | 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 (7 ha) |
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 (8,514 ha) | 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 (455 ha) | 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 (266 ha) | 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 (326 ha) | 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 (19 ha) |
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 (678 ha) | 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 (1,347 ha) | 1966 | Codorus Creek, Lake Marburg | Man-made lake is 1,275 acres (516 ha), named for former village of Marburg now flooded by it | |
| Colonel Denning State Park | Cumberland County | 273 acres (110 ha) | 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 (149 ha) | 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 (3,440 ha) | 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 (439 ha) | 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 (336 ha) | 1931 | Delaware River | Runs 60 miles (97 km) along Delaware Canal, only 19th century U.S. towpath canal left continuously intact[f][g] | |
| Denton Hill State Park | Potter County | 700 acres (283 ha) | 1951 | None | Site of Ski Denton resort, also open for summer mountain biking | |
| Elk State Park | Elk and McKean Counties | 3,192 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) | |
| Erie Bluffs State Park | Erie County | 540 acres (219 ha) | 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 (1,355 ha) | 1979 | Skippack Creek | Has 18 hole Skippack Golf Course, many outdoor recreational opportunities[g] | |
| Fort Washington State Park | Montgomery County | 493 acres (200 ha) | 1953 | Wissahickon Creek | George Washington camped here in American Revolutionary War's Philadelphia campaign | |
| Fowlers Hollow State Park | Perry County | 104 acres (42 ha) | 1936 | Fowlers Hollow Run | Trailhead for the trail system of the surrounding Tuscarora State Forest | |
| Frances Slocum State Park | Luzerne County | 1,035 acres (419 ha) | 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 (2,970 ha) | 1946 | French Creek | Former Recreation Demonstration Area, adjacent to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site[g] | |
| Gifford Pinchot State Park | York County | 2,338 acres (946 ha) | 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 (1,165 ha) | 1958 | Gouldsboro Lake | Named for village named for Jay Gould, next to Tobyhanna Army Depot | |
| Greenwood Furnace State Park | Huntingdon County | 423 acres (171 ha) | 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 (6,293 ha) | 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 (1,456 ha) | 1960s | Raccoon Creek | Managed for hunting by the Pennsylvania Game Commission and largely undeveloped | |
| Hills Creek State Park | Tioga County | 407 acres (165 ha) | 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 (73 ha) | 1958 | Hyner Run | On the site of Civilian Conservation Corps camp (Camp S-75-PA) | |
| Hyner View State Park | Clinton County | 6 acres (2 ha) |
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 (473 ha) | 1959 | Bushkill Creek | Surrounds Jacobsburg National Historic District, where rifles were manufactured during American Revolution[g] | |
| Jennings Environmental Education Center | Butler County | 300 acres (121 ha) | 1979 | Big Run | Contains the only publicly protected relict prairie ecosystem in Pennsylvania, 20 acres (8.1 ha)[f] | |
| Joseph E. Ibberson Conservation Area | Dauphin County | 350 acres (142 ha) | 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 (726 ha) | 1954 | Kettle Creek, Kettle Creek Reservoir | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir is 160 acres (65 ha), many recreational facilities built by CCC | |
| Keystone State Park | Westmoreland County | 1,200 acres (486 ha) | 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 (588 ha) | 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 (133 ha) | 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 (101 ha) | 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 (571 ha) | 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 (1,592 ha) | 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 (200 ha) | 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 (5,514 ha) | 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 (2 ha) |
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 (1,841 ha) | 1980 | Lehigh River | Lehigh Gorge Trail follows river through park for 26 miles (42 km) | |
| 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] | |
| Linn Run State Park | Westmoreland County | 612 acres (248 ha) | 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 (374 ha) | 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 (873 ha) | 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 (441 ha) | 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 (241 ha) | 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 (690 ha) | 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 (1,156 ha) | 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 (3 ha) |
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 (1,030 ha) | 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 (93 ha) | 1945 | Indiantown Run, Memorial Lake | Surrounded by Fort Indiantown Gap, headquarters of the Pennsylvania National Guard | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| Moraine State Park | Butler County | 16,725 acres (6,768 ha) | 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 (527 ha) | 1979 | Pisgah Creek, Mill Creek, Stephen Foster Lake | Lake named for renowned American composer Stephen Foster | |
| Nescopeck State Park | Luzerne County | 3,550 acres (1,437 ha) | 2005 | Nescopeck Creek | One of the newest state parks in Pennsylvania | |
| Neshaminy State Park | Bucks County | 330 acres (134 ha) | 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 (2,138 ha) | 1973 | Tohickon Creek, Lake Nockamixon | Nockamixon means "place of soft soil" in the Lenape language | |
| Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center | Berks County | 665 acres (269 ha) | 1970 | Wyomissing Creek | Once a luxury forest privately owned by Jacob Nolde | |
| Norristown Farm Park | Montgomery County | 690 acres (279 ha) | 1995 | Stony Creek | Managed by the Montgomery County Department of Parks | |
| Ohiopyle State Park | Fayette County | 19,052 acres (7,710 ha) | 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 (2,529 ha) | 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 (53 ha) | 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 (392 ha) | 1936 | Laurel Run, Parker Lake | A herd of elk lives in and near the park[g] | |
| Patterson State Park | Potter County | 10 acres (4 ha) |
1925 | None | Day use picnic area on Pennsylvania Route 44, surrounded by Susquehannock State Forest | |
| Penn-Roosevelt State Park | Centre County | 41 acres (17 ha) |
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 (282 ha) | 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 (9 ha) |
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 (251 ha) | 1938 | Big Poe Creek, Poe Lake | Constructed during the Great Depression by the CCC | |
| Point State Park | Allegheny County | 36 acres (15 ha) |
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 (1,295 ha) | 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 (2,529 ha) | 1965 | Beaverdam Run, Glendale Lake | Named for Demetrius Gallitzin, Russian nobelman turned Roman Catholic priest | |
| Promised Land State Park | Pike County | 3,000 acres (1,214 ha) | 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 (809 ha) | 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 (2 ha) |
1925 | Prouty Run | Day use picnic area on Long Toe Road | |
| Pymatuning State Park | Crawford County | 21,122 acres (8,548 ha) | 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 (281 ha) | 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 (3,064 ha) | 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 (18 ha) |
1931 | Tohickon Creek | High Rocks portion of the park donated to Pennsylvania by James Michener in 1956 | |
| Ravensburg State Park | Clinton County | 78 acres (32 ha) |
1933 | Rauchtown Run | Named for the ravens that flock near the gorge[g] | |
| 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 | |
| Ricketts Glen State Park | Columbia, Luzerne, and Sullivan Counties | 13,050 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] | |
| Ridley Creek State Park | Delaware County | 2,606 acres (1,055 ha) | 1972 | Ridley Creek | Adjacent to the John J. Tyler Arboretum[g] | |
| Ryerson Station State Park | Greene County | 1,164 acres (471 ha) | 1967 | North Fork of the Dunkard Fork of Wheeling Creek, Ronald J. Duke Lake | 52 acre (21 ha) man-made lake, 38 miles (61 km) from next nearest Pennsylvania state park (Hillman) | |
| S. B. Elliott State Park | Clearfield County | 318 acres (129 ha) | 1933 | Stony Run | Named for Simon B. Elliott, a noted Pennsylvania conservationist and legislator[g] | |
| Salt Springs State Park | Susquehanna County | 405 acres (164 ha) | 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 (34 ha) |
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 (1 ha) |
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 (1,612 ha) | 1951 | Lake Shawnee | Rental lodge on an island in the lake | |
| Shikellamy State Park | Northumberland and Union Counties | 132 acres (53 ha) | 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 (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 | |
| Sizerville State Park | Cameron and Potter Counties | 386 acres (156 ha) | 1924 | Cowley Run | Named for the nearby ghost town of Sizerville | |
| Susquehanna State Park | Lycoming County | 20 acres (8 ha) |
1961 | West Branch Susquehanna River | Operated by the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, home to paddlewheeler Hiawatha | |
| Susquehannock State Park | Lancaster County | 224 acres (91 ha) | 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 (1,422 ha) | 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 (2,201 ha) | 1949 | Tobyhanna Creek, Tobyhanna Lake | Once part of an artillery range for Tobyhanna Army Depot | |
| 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] | |
| Tuscarora State Park | Schuylkill County | 1,618 acres (655 ha) | 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 (692 ha) | 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 (2 ha) |
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 (139 ha) | 2001 | Middle Creek | One of three Conservation Areas, donor is Dr. Mead Shaffer, being developed | |
| Warriors Path State Park | Bedford County | 349 acres (141 ha) | 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 (104 ha) | 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 (508 ha) | 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 (316 ha) | 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 (1,271 ha) | 1963 | Yellow Creek, Yellow Creek Lake | Crossed by the Kittanning Path, a major east-west Native American trail during the 18th century |
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 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 |
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] | Berks 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 | George W. Childs Recreation Site[25] | 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[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 |
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] |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||