National and State Parks - Recreational Areas

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Yellow Creek State Park
State Park Information

State Park Overview

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.

Picnicking
Picnic tables and parking for over 4,000 people are available - 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 - the North Boat Launch and the other is - 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 -t 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.

Swimming

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 -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.

History of the Area