National and State Parks - Recreational Areas
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Keystone State Park
State Park Information
State Park Overview
Keystone State Park is great for family vacations year-round. Camping, modern cabins, trails of all sorts - lake and
a swimming beach provide an ideal setting for a summer outing. The park is within easy driving distance from the Pittsburgh metropolitan area and its many attractions.
Keystone State Park is a multi-use park with overnight facilities and year-round recreational opportunities.
The 1,200-acre park is in Derry Township, Westmoreland County and
boasts a 78-acre lake constructed by the Keystone Coal and Coke Company in the early 1900s. The coal company purchased the land from the McClelland Family in 1909 and the original farmhouse remains in use in the park today. Keystone State Park opened in 1945.
Nature of the Area
Camping
Camping modern sites, some with electricity
The 100 tent and trailer sites are available from the first Friday of April to late December. Lakeside Campground has 40 sites and is adjacent to the lake. Hillside Campground has 60 sites and is in a more remote area of the park for those wishing more privacy. Both campgrounds have a modern bathhouse facility. A sanitary dump station is available. Shower facilities are not available after October 1st.
Trails
Bicycling Lake Side Trail is excellent for bikes of all types. This two-mile, level trail loops around the lake on park roads and walkways. Mountain bikes must stay on park roads or gravel walkways. All other trails are foot-traffic only.
Hiking 6 miles of trails
The park offers a variety of trails open year-round for hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. All trails have easy access with parking available at the trailheads.
Davis Run Trail is a 2.5-mile trail that meanders through wetlands and the upland forest area of Keystone Lake.
Lake Side Trail is a 2-mile loop around the lake on park roads and walkways.
McCune Run Trail is a short hike to a beaver pond and wetland area.
Pine Trail is a short loop trail through a red pine and white pine plantation.
Stone Lodge Trail is a 1.4 mile, steep loop that starts by the visitor center and winds through hardwoods up to ridge top conifers.
Picnicking
Boating
Boating electric motors only
A public boat launching ramp and mooring area are on the north shore by the breast of the dam.
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.
All watercraft must contain for each occupant a readily accessible U.S. Coast Guard approved Type I, II, III or V personal flotation device (PFD) in serviceable condition. Children under 13 years of age and all non-swimmers must wear the approved PFD when boating.
Swimming
A sand beach is open from late-May to mid-September, 8 a.m. to sunset. Swim at your own risk.
To keep this area clean and safe, no food, beverages, smoking or pets are allowed on the sand area of the beach, but only in adjacent, designated areas.
A food concession is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day when the beach is open and offers hot and cold food and a variety of sundry items.
Fishing and Hunting
Hunting and Firearms
About half of Keystone State Park is open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, turkey, squirrel, pheasant and grouse. Hunting on the lake and surrounding area is prohibited.
Hunting woodchucks -lso 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 owners car, trailer or camp.
Wildlife shall not be hunted, pursued, molested or intentionally disturbed except that hunting, trapping and the training of dogs is permitted within authorized hunting seasons and areas.