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 © Melanie Wallace
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Nearby Parks:
Yellow Creek State Park Dam
State Forest Lands
Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site
Johnstown Flood National Memorial
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| State Park Overview: |
 | Yellow Creek State Park is in Indiana County along one of the first ?highways? in the state, the Kittanning Path. This trail was used by the Delaware and Shawnee nations and by early settlers. Today, US 422 roughly follows the old Kittanning Path, and provides the main access to the park from Indiana and Ebensburg. The park is named for Yellow and Little Yellow creeks, which create the lake. The creeks have lots of yellow clay in the banks and bottoms. |
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| Trails: |
| Hiking: 5 miles of trails
Laurel Run Trail is a 0.5-mile loop which starts at the park office. This easy hike is especially beautiful in the spring when wildflowers abound. Ridgetop Trail is a challenging 2-mile trail. It begins in the beach/day-use area and winds through a variety of habitats. Damsite Trail is a 2.5-mile trail that offers a view of the Yellow Creek dam. To get to this trail, follow PA 259 south from the park office. After taking a right turn at the stop sign, turn onto Hoffman Road, the second road to your right. This road ends at a small parking area where the Damsite Trail begins.
Sledding and Tobogganing:
An area is maintained opposite the south boat launch for sledding and tobogganing. If you decide that another hill looks more inviting or challenging, please be alert for old fences that may still be in the area.
Snowmobiling:
Registered snowmobiles are allowed in one area that is about 350 acres in size. This designated area consists of forests and open fields. The access to this trail area is from the beach/day use area.
Cross-country Skiing and Snowshoeing:
While no special area or trail system has been developed for these winter sports, the park does contain abandoned roads, trails and open fields and forested areas which are suitable for both the novice and experienced cross-country skier or snowshoer. We welcome those who wish to explore the park on either skis or snowshoes. |
| Trail Accessories: |
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| Picnicking: |
| Picnic tables and parking for over 4,000 people are available near the beach. Three picnic pavilions may be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee. Unreserved picnic pavilions are free on a first-come, first-served basis. A limited number of charcoal grills are installed and visitors are urged to provide their own grills. Open ground fires are not permitted in the park. Three modern restrooms are provided in the picnic area. Pets are permitted in the day use area and must be controlled and attended at all times and on a leash or otherwise safely restrained.
There are two smaller picnic areas. One is on the north shore near the North Boat Launch and the other is near the park office. |
| Boating: |
| Boating: up to 20 hp motors permitted
The 720-acre Yellow Creek Lake has boat launching ramps at the north shore, the south shore, at the beach/day-use area and a small launch in Grampap?s Cove. A boat rental in the beach/day use area offers motorboats, canoes, rowboats, paddleboats, pontoon boats and small sailboats.
Overnight mooring of boats is permitted in the park by special permit only. For your safety, please be certain that required U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices are on board for all passengers.
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. |
| Boating Accessories: |
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| Swimming: |
| The 800-foot beach is open from late-May to mid-September, 8 a.m. to sunset. Lifeguards are on duty from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, unless otherwise posted. Please read and follow posted rules for swimming when lifeguards are off-duty. A large, modern bathhouse, lifeguard/first aid building and a snack bar are in the beach area. Pets are not permitted on the beach. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| Fishing:
The 720-acre Yellow Creek Lake is well stocked with most warm-water game fish and panfish typically found throughout the Commonwealth. These include smallmouth and largemouth bass, walleye, muskellunge, northern pike, tiger muskellunge, yellow perch, bluegill and catfish. There is an accessible fishing pier on the north shore. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission big bass regulations are in effect on Yellow Creek Lake.
Laurel Run, Yellow Creek and Little Yellow Creek are stocked with brown and brook trout and provide excellent trout fishing. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission laws apply. Fishing is not permitted in the swimming area, from boat launching docks or in the boat mooring area.
The breast of Dragonfly Pond is usable by many people with disabilities, and is also for children 12 years and younger. Access ramps and benches are provided.
Ice Fishing:
Sunfish, perch and pike are caught most frequently through the ice at Yellow Creek. Wooden devices for ice rescue are located around all ice use access areas. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission laws apply and fishermen must display a valid fishing license.
Hunting and Firearms:
Most of Yellow Creek State Park is open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, pheasant, rabbit, squirrel, bear, turkey and waterfowl.
Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day to March 31 in designated hunting areas. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Game Commission 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 owner's car, trailer or camp. |
| Fishing and Hunting Accessories: |
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| History of the Area: |
| Beginning in 1963, the 2,981 acres of park land were purchased by the General State Authority and by the Department of Forests and Waters through the Project 70 park expansion program. An earth and rock dam, creating a 720-acre lake was completed in 1969. Day use areas were dedicated to public use in 1976. An additional 159 acres of developed land were purchased in 1982. |
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| Area Accommodations |
| Cottages and Cabins | |  | The Country Willow House - Bedford, PA
We invite you to be our guests for a relaxing stay where the atmosphere is homey, romantic, and welcoming. We hope you will feel at home at The Country Willow House! Situated on a peaceful and secluded property just minutes from historic downtown Bedford, Pennsylvania.
Web Site: http://www.countrywillowhouse.com |
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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: |
| Yellow Creek State Park - Date of last update: **/**/** Yellow Creek State Park. SITE IDENTIFICATION. Site Name: Yellow Creek State Park Site Location: Pa. Route 259 off Pa. 422 County: Indiana Municipality Brush Valley... | | Downey Diving - Yellow Creek State Park - Yellow Creek State Park. Weather. How to Get There. Local Contacts. What To See. Rates. Contact Us. Yellow Creek State Park is located in Indiana County along one of the first "highways" in the... | | Running Calendar 2002 - Pittsburgh, PA Monday July 1, 2002 News Sports Lifestyle Classifieds About Us Take me to... Search Local News Nation/World Sports Obituaries Lifestyle A E Business Health Science Opinion Photo ... | | Parks - ... enjoy boating, fishing or picnicking, this park is sure to please. Yellow Creek State Park The rolling terrain at Yellow Creek State Park provides easy walking trails for visitors of all ages. The ... |
| Nature Programs: |
| Educational programs are offered to the public from April 1st to October 31st. A schedule of activities is available at the park office. The Environmental Learning Classroom is near Dragonfly Pond.
Curriculum-based environmental education programs are available to schools and youth groups. Teacher workshops are available. Group programs must be arranged in advance. |
| Area Campgrounds | | Woodland Park
220 Campground Rd
Ebensburg, PA
(814) 472-9857
| L & M Campgrounds
2743 Campground Rd
Penn Run, PA
(724) 479-3264
| Mirror Lake Campground
114 Trout Run Dr
New Florence, PA
(724) 235-9983
| Wheel-In Campground
113 Wheelin Camp Ground
Shelocta, PA
(724) 354-3693
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| | Area Fishing Related Businesses | | Hornick's Sporting Goods Inc
316 Broad St
Johnstown, PA
(814) 535-7724
| Keystone Bait & Tackle
1096 State Route 210
Shelocta, PA
(724) 354-4422
| Indiana Angler
218 Grandview Ave
Indiana, PA
(724) 463-2011
| Keystone Precision Lures
6221 Tanoma Rd
Indiana, PA
(724) 349-4911
| Renosky Lure Co
90 Christy Park Dr
Indiana, PA
(724) 463-2122
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| Directions: |
| Yellow Creek State Park is along PA 422 between the towns of Ebensburg and Indiana. |
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