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State Park Overview |
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The Kittanning State Forest is comprised of 9,089 acres in northern Jefferson County, 3,165 acres in Venango County and 1,012 acres in southern Forest County.
The first parcel of land, 3,200 acres, was purchased by the state in 1919 for $6,880.00. Many additional tracts have been purchased since, the last being in 1980. In 1883, the first sawmills were built in the area, generally along streams, where white pine and hemlock were cut almost exclusively. Many of the timbers were then made into rafts and floated down the Clarion River to Pittsburgh. Records show that at least three logging railroads existed here after 1864, utilizing a wooden rail system. |
Trails |
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History of the Area |
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The Kittanning State Forest is comprised of 9,089 acres in northern Jefferson County, 3,165 acres in Venango County and 1,012 acres in southern Forest County.
The first parcel of land, 3,200 acres, was purchased by the state in 1919 for $6,880.00. Many additional tracts have been purchased since, the last being in 1980. In 1883, the first sawmills were built in the area, generally along streams, where white pine and hemlock were cut almost exclusively. Many of the timbers were then made into rafts and floated down the Clarion River to Pittsburgh. Records show that at least three logging railroads existed here after 1864, utilizing a wooden rail system.
By 1905 nearly all the virgin forest had been cut from the present State Forest Land, and soon after, most of this area was burned over. The fire apparently started near the present Sigel Hotel and spread north and east, jumping the Clarion River near Heath Pump Station, and spreading nearly to Lolita before it was extinguished by rain. Charred scars on old stumps still show evidence of this fire.
Chestnut blight appeared around 1912 and six years later most of the American Chestnut was dead. In the early 1990s protective legislation for deer passed and the herds eventually became so large that over-browsing virtually eliminated the understory.
Today, these State Forest Lands are managed under the "Multiple Use Management" system, which involves the consideration of all uses and places the highest priority on the most important use for a given area. Within this framework, the Bureau of Forestry managed the Kittanning State Forest for recreation, timber, oil and gas production and wildlife. |
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More Info | |
October 2000. Forester creates landowner group, conservation camp. Anyone can sit back and talk about great things, but it takes a great person to actually do them. Mark Bodamer of Kittanning... | |
NEWS RELEASE. COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Commonwealth News Bureau Room 308, Main Capitol Harrisburg, PA 17120. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. CONTACT... |
Area Campgrounds | | Kalyumet Campground
8628 Miola Rd
Lucinda, PA
(814) 744-9622
| White's Haven Campground & Cabins
3058 Cathers Run Rd
Clarington, PA
(814) 752-2205
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Area Fishing Related Businesses | | Red Mill Bait & Tackle
Perrin Dr
Falls Creek, PA
(814) 375-4477
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Area Resorts and Lodging | | Cook Riverside Cabins Inc
River Rd
Cooksburg, PA
(814) 744-8300
| Forest View Cabins
Cementary Rd
Cooksburg, PA
(814) 744-8413
| Clarion River Lodge & Riverview Suites
River Rd
Cooksburg, PA
(814) 744-8171
| Stonecrest Cabins Cook Fo
96 Tylersburg Rd
Leeper, PA
(814) 744-8458
| Stonecrest Cabins
Cooks Frst
Leeper, PA
(814) 744-8458
| Pine Crest Cabins
1413425 Route 36
Clarington, PA
(814) 752-2200
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