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Nearby Parks:
Thickhead State Wildlife Area
Rothrock State Forest
Greenwood Furnace State Park
Pleasant Gap State Fish Hatchery
Whipple Dam State Park
Bald Eagle State Forest
Reeds Gap State Park
Poe Valley State Park
Poe Paddy State Park
Moshannon State Forest
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| State Park Overview: |
 | This 41-acre park is in an isolated area of the Seven Mountains region known as the Stone Creek Kettle. While this Centre County park is small in size, it is surrounded by an 80,000-acre block of Rothrock State Forest. Penn-Roosevelt is a good base for those seeking low-density recreation on this vast expanse of public land. |
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| Camping: |
| Camping: rustic sites, tents only
The 18 rustic campsites are for tents only. Some sites are walk-in for more privacy. Drinking water and non-flush toilets are available. Due to the isolated location, Penn-Roosevelt provides an excellent opportunity to get away from noise and electric lights. Park rangers routinely patrol the park and camping fees are paid through a self-registration/payment system. Please keep food and coolers in vehicles to discourage wild animals. |
| Camping Accessories: |
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| Picnicking: |
| A picnic area is on the west side of the lake. Picnic tables and a reservable picnic pavilion are available on the eastern side. Call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS for reservations. Drinking water and restrooms are available year-round. |
| Swimming: |
| Hiking:
Many trails are on nearby state forest land. The Mid State Trail bisects the park and provides cross-country hiking in the Ridge and Valley Region of central Pennsylvania. This 261-mile ridge top route connects US 22 at Water Street, Huntington County and the West Rim Trail in the Tioga State Forest north of Blackwell, Tioga County. This trail passes through a diversity of forested areas from newly regenerated forest stands to mature and old growth timber areas. Scenic vistas dot the trail, which passes through Thickhead Wild Area, and Bear Meadows and Detweiler Run natural areas.
The main trail is marked with orange paint-blazed rectangles - two inches by six inches. Side trails are blue paint-blazed rectangles of the same size. Trail registers are at a number of places along the trail and overnight camping is permitted anywhere along the trail except in the natural areas or within 200 feet of any forest road. Hikers wishing to overnight at Penn-Roosevelt State Park must use the camping area and pay the nightly fee. Hikers overnighting on the trail who wish to leave their vehicle overnight at the park should register with the Greenwood Furnace State Park office and use the main parking lot next to the CCC camp monument.
The Mid State Trail is a rugged and demanding mountaintop trail, and hikers assume their own liability, realizing the difficulty and possible dangers involved. |
| History of the Area: |
| At the turn of the 20th century, large railroad logging operations were in progress in the Seven Mountains area with the hillsides and hollows receiving a ?lumberman?s shave? typical of the day. During the summer, Reichley Brothers, a logging company, ran a 39-mile Sunday excursion train carrying up to 210 passengers, mostly from Lewistown. The trip began at Milroy, traveled to Poe Mills, to Thickhead Mountain, through the Stone Creek Kettle, and back to Milroy by way of Laurel Creek. One of the hardest climbs was at Stone Gap, just south of the main park area.
These logging company properties were later sold to the Commonwealth in large tracts, forming the bulk of the Rothrock State Forest. Many of the railroad grades were later used as a base for the state forest roads. Observant visitors can still find some of the grades.
Penn-Roosevelt State Park did not exist until June 5, 1933, when members of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) arrived to set up a work camp during the height of the Great Depression. The camp at Penn-Roosevelt was first known as Camp S-62, Stone Creek Kettle. The CCC of the 1930s was segregated and the camp at Stone Creek Kettle was one of only 12 Black camps in Pennsylvania. Corpsmembers lived at the camp and constructed recreational facilities, including a 195-foot log-crib dam that has since been stone-faced. They also built many of the surrounding forestry roads and trails. Two fireplaces, a unique stone bake oven and other ruins of the camp can still be found. |
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| Area Accommodations |
| | | B&Bs / Inns | | The Annie Natt House - The Annie Natt House, in Bellefonte's historic district, is approx. halfway between New York and Ohio. It offers 19th century charm and access to major sporting events and many outdoor activities. | | Mountain Hideaway - Relax in solitude and natural beauty. Enjoy a spectacular view of the mountains; discover the white-tailed deer in the meadow outside your room. Just 16 miles from Penn State, yet a world apart! |
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...vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental, etc read more.... |
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| Related Links: |
| Pennsylvania State Parks -Whipple Dam - PA DCNR - This is an official Web site of the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks. Begin your ... modern camping and a historical interpretive program. Penn Roosevelt State Park (14 miles) has a small lake, ... | | Parks - ... day-time picnicking, shoreline fishing, and playfields. The wooded half offers peaceful trails. Penn Roosevelt State Park This park is located in the scenic Seven Mountains area of Pennsylvania. The ... | | The Tussey mOUnTaiNBACK 50 Mile Relay - Route: The Tussey mOUnTaiNBACK 50 Mile Relay. Mileage: 50.0. Hillage: One climb and one descent of over 900 ft., and numerous 500+ ft climbs make theTussey mOUnTaiNBACK 50 Mile Relay a very... | | Saturday, March 16th 2002 - Home] [ Up] Saturday, March 16th, 2002 Mid State Trail From Seven Mountains Scout Camp to Penn Roosevelt State Park. Map of Hike. Elevation Profile. OK, you're looking for a challenging hike to... | | Sunday, June 17th 2001 - Home] [ Up] Saturday, June 2nd 2001 Mid State Trail From Penn Roosevelt State Park to Detweiler Natural Area. Woah . . . this is probably the toughest 5 miles I've hiked. I intended to hike from... | | MST - Bald Mountain - Home] [ Up] [ Alan Seeger Place] [ Allegheny Front Trail] [ Ironstone Loop - Indian Steps] [ Jackson Trail] [ Jackson and Skyline Trails] [ James Cleveland Trail] [ Mount Nittany Vista] [ Mount... |
| Area Attractions: |
| For information on nearby attractions, contact the Central Pennsylvania Convention and Visitors Bureau, www.centralpacvb.org.
Greenwood Furnace State Park (12 miles) has a full range of recreational activities including swimming, camping, gift shop and historical interpretation programming.
Whipple Dam State Park (14 miles) is a day-use park that has a swimming beach and summer boat rental.
Rothrock State Forest has over 94,000 acres of land open for various recreational activities and includes these special areas.
The 150-acre Alan Seeger Natural Area (5 miles southwest) has some magnificent specimens of old growth eastern hemlock and an almost impenetrable growth of rhododendron that blooms in early July.
The 45-acre Detweiler Run Natural Area (5 miles west) is quite isolated and is characterized by old growth white pine and hemlock with heavy undergrowth of rhododendron of unusual size.
The 325-acre Bear Meadows Natural Area (10 miles west) consists largely of a swamp comparable to the glaciated areas found further north. Here are found specimens of trees and shrubs found in very few locations in Pennsylvania.
The 2-acre Big Flats Laurel Natural Area (11 miles west) is on a high mountain plateau and features several acres of our state flower, the mountain laurel. |
| Area Campgrounds | | Locust Campground
475 Locust Rd # A
Lewistown, PA
(717) 248-3973
| Bob Kearns Campgrounds
137 Kearns Rd
Spring Mills, PA
(814) 364-1339
| Idle Acres Camping Area
120 Idle Acres
MC Veytown, PA
(717) 899-6307
| Camp Blue Diamond
4013 Blue Diamond Rd
Petersburg, PA
(814) 667-2152
| Vacation Acres II
Poe Vly
Coburn, PA
(814) 349-5861
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| | Area Fishing Related Businesses | | Linda Morrison Live Bait
1914 N River Rd
Granville, PA
(717) 242-6799
| Dan Pierce Outdoor Shop
842 W 4th St
Lewistown, PA
(717) 242-0061
| Custom Tide & Flies
15 Mill Rd
Lewistown, PA
(717) 543-6077
| Felmlee Lures
600 Middle Rd
Lewistown, PA
(717) 248-5061
| Lewistown Fishing & Hunting
224 N Logan Blvd
Burnham, PA
(717) 248-8889
| Flyfisher's Paradise
2603 E College Ave
State College, PA
(814) 234-4189
| Harris Twp Game & Fish Assoc
417 Torrey Ln
Boalsburg, PA
(814) 466-6507
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| | Area Resorts and Lodging | | Tussey Mountain Ski Area
301 Bear Meadow Rd
Boalsburg, PA
(814) 466-6810
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| Directions: |
| The park is easily reached from US 322, one-half mile east of Potters Mills (where US 322 changes from two to four lanes) turn south onto Crowfield Road (six miles to park) or further east, turn south, (near the runaway truck ramp) onto Stone Creek Road (also six miles to park). Penn-Roosevelt can also be reached from Greenwood Furnace State Park. Turn onto Broad Mountain Road at the park office. Follow the Penn-Roosevelt signs (12 miles to the park). Obtain a copy of the Rothrock State Forest Public Use Map from Greenwood Furnace State Park or the Bureau of Forestry office in Huntingdon. The roads to the park are not plowed in the winter. |
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