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Kettle Creek State Park



 
 
 
 
 

State Park Information




State Park Overview

Kettle Creek State Park consists of 1,793 acres along Kettle Creek in western Clinton County. The park is in a valley surrounded by mountainous terrain and wilderness.

Many of the existing recreational facilities arose from a joint flood control project developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the former Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources.


Camping

Camping rustic campsites, some with elec.

The park has two camping areas open from early April through deer season in December. Both campgrounds overlook the waterfront and offer scenic views and a quiet setting. Call 888-PA-PARKS for reservations.

The Lower Campground has 44 sites 38 sites with electric hookups. The Upper Campground has 27 sites 12 sites with electric hookups. Both areas have a variety of level, sunny/shaded sites that accommodate tents or trailers. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Non-flush toilets and water spigots are nearby. Water and sewer hookups are not available. A trailer sanitary dumping station is in the Lower Campground.


Trails

Horseback Riding An equestrian trail, 22 miles in length, starts at Beaverdam Run and travels through the Sproul State Forest before returning to the trailhead. Overnight camping at the trailhead is by permit only. Contact the park office for information. Trail maps are available at the park office.

Mountain Bicycle Trail This five-mile trail starts at the day use parking lot and travels onto state forest trails and roads before returning to the park. Trail maps are available at the park office.

Hiking 2 miles of trailsNovice and experienced hikers will find an abundance of trails in the park area. Short day-hikes are possible on the many park trails. Backpackers can enjoy the 53-mile Donut Hole Trail with an access parking lot across from the Lower Campground. This trail connects onto several other trail systems. Trail maps are available at the park office.


Picnicking


Boating

Boating electric motors only

The 167-acre Kettle Creek Reservoir has a boat launch and boat mooring for 60 vessels at its northern end. An overnight mooring permit is required. Sailboards and sailboats are permitted. Overnight mooring for park campers is also available, free of charge.

Motorboats must display a boat registration from any state. Non-powered boats must display one of the following boat registration from any state launching permit or mooring permit from Pennsylvania State Parks that are available at most state park offices launch use permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

Each vessel must have a Coast Guard approved wearable Type I, II, III, or V personal flotation device in serviceable condition for each occupant. Children under 13 years of age and all nonswimmers must wear the approved PFD when boating.


Swimming


Fishing and Hunting

Fishing

The 167-acre Kettle Creek Reservoir is noted for its trout and bass fishing. Also found in the lake are brown bullhead, sucker and panfish. The Lower Campground is beside the seven-acre Kettle Creek Lake, a very popular fishing area. Kettle Creek is noted for its excellent water quality that supports a healthy aquatic population. Mine drainage limits the fishing quality below the Lower Campground.

Many excellent native trout streams surround the park. Additional information on fishing is available at the park office.

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission laws and regulations apply in all areas. Fishing licenses are available nearby at several issuing agents.

Ice Fishing The 167-acre Kettle Creek Reservoir is stocked with trout for the winter season.

Hunting and Firearms

Most of the park is open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, grouse, squirrel, bear and turkey.

The adjacent Sproul State Forest also permits hunting and trapping. The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers lands are managed in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources? Bureau of State Parks and Bureau of Forestry.

Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day through March 31 in designated hunting areas. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Game Com-mission rules and regulations apply. Contact the park office for accessible hunting information.

Use extreme caution with firearms at all times. The park is used by other visitors during hunting seasons. Firearms and archery equipment may be uncased and ready for use only in authorized hunting areas during hunting seasons. In areas not open to hunting or during non-hunting seasons, firearms and archery equipment must be kept in the owners car, trailer or camp.


History of the Area

Kettle Creek State Park is named after the popular trout stream that flows through the area. In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) developed the original park in what is now the Lower Campground.

For more information on the CCC, visit the Civilian Conservation Corps Online Archive.

In 1962, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers opened the Alvin R. Bush Dam for flood protection for the lower Susquehanna watershed. The area above the dam was developed for recreation and administered by the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks.


More Info
This is an official Web site of the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks. Begin your ... Kettle Creek State Park consists of 1,793 acres along Kettle Creek in western Clinton County. The park is in a ...
Under the PA Forest Lands Beautification Program, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has teamed up with nonprofit PA CleanWays to remove illegally dumped...
... of the Susquehanna River and is a favorite spot for hang gliding. Kettle Creek State Park Kettle Creek State Park features mountainous terrain and wilderness habitat. Kettle Creek is a premier trout ...


Nature Programs


Area Attractions

Clinton County Economic Partnership, 888-388-6991, www.clintoncountyinfo.com.

Sproul State Forest The 278,000-acre Sproul State Forest surrounds the park. The forest is in western Clinton and northern Centre counties. The multiple-use management system provides forest-based recreational opportunities such as hiking, backpack camping, snowmobiling pleasure driving, and horseback, ATV, and mountain bike riding. All areas of Sproul State Forest are open to hunting and fishing. Camping permits are required before setting up camp on state forest lands. 570-923-6011

Alvin R. Bush Dam This flood control dam is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and creates 4.5 miles of natural, scenic shoreline. This is one of four dams in the flood control plan for the West Branch Basin of the Susquehanna River watershed. 570-923-1800

Kettle Creek Vista Three miles west of the park, this vantage point provides a breathtaking view of the Kettle Creek Valley.

Pennsylvania Flaming Foliage Festival In Renovo, PA, the second full weekend in October.


Area Campgrounds
Geist Mountain Creek Cmpgrnd
37 Wyatt Ln
Sinnamahoning, PA
(814) 546-2087




Area Resorts and Lodging
Mountainside Lodge
Renovo, PA
(570) 923-2443


Kettle Creek State Park

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