Laurel Hill State Park is located 8 miles (13 km) from Interstate 76 just off Pennsylvania Route 31 near Bakersville and on Pennsylvania Route 653 near Trent, Pennsylvania. Laurel Hill Lake is a 63-acre (25 ha) man-made lake with a dam that was constructed during the Great Depression by the young men of CCC camps SP-8-PA and SP-15-PA.
Official Visitor Map of Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (NST) in District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
Camping brochure for Laurel Hill State Park in Pennsylvania. Published by Pennsylvania State Parks.
Laurel Hill SP
https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/LaurelHillStatePark/Pages/default.aspx
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurel_Hill_State_Park
Laurel Hill State Park is located 8 miles (13 km) from Interstate 76 just off Pennsylvania Route 31 near Bakersville and on Pennsylvania Route 653 near Trent, Pennsylvania. Laurel Hill Lake is a 63-acre (25 ha) man-made lake with a dam that was constructed during the Great Depression by the young men of CCC camps SP-8-PA and SP-15-PA.
Laurel Hill
Laurel Hill
State Park
A Pennsylvania Recreational Guide for
Pennsylvania State Parks Mission
The primary purpose of Pennsylvania state parks is to provide
opportunities for enjoying healthful outdoor recreation and serve as
outdoor classrooms for environmental education. In meeting these
purposes, the conservation of the natural, scenic, aesthetic, and
historical values of parks should be given first consideration.
Stewardship responsibilities should be carried out in a way that
protects the natural outdoor experience for the enjoyment of current
and future generations.
visitPAparks
Printed on recycled paper
LAUREL HILL STATE PARK
2018
Photo by Stokes Clarke
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
Reservations
Make online reservations at
www.visitPAparks.com or call toll-free
888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757), 7:00 AM to
5:00 PM, Monday to Saturday.
The park offers a wide variety of
environmental education and recreational
programs. Through hands-on activities,
guided walks, and evening programs,
participants gain appreciation and
understanding of the park’s natural and
cultural resources, as well as enjoying the
recreational opportunities.
Curriculum-based environmental education
programs are available to schools and youth
groups. Teacher workshops are available.
Programs are offered February to October.
Contact the park office for a schedule of
programs.
A visitor center, open seasonally, is located
within the beige farmhouse at the entrance to
the campground.
so that it could be converted to better use.
In 1936, the National Park Service was
given the responsibility of the Recreational
Demonstration Areas. Laurel Hill was one of
five areas in Pennsylvania that was targeted
for restoration and reforestation, organized
group camping, and day picnicking.
Beginning in 1935, with cooperation of
the Pennsylvania Department of Forests
and Waters, men of the Works Progress
Administration and the Civilian Conservation
Corps (CCC) began building roads, trails,
bridges, and recreational facilities.
Two CCC camps, NP-5-PA and SP-15
arrived on July 1, 1935, and began building
camps for themselves (currently Group Camp
8 and Group Camp 5). The 200 young men in
each camp worked year round building park
facilities including group camps, picnic areas,
waterlines, roads, the beach house, and Laurel
Hill Lake. World War II ended the CCC.
In October of 1945, the Department of
the Interior transferred the project to the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and it
became Laurel Hill State Park.
The Laurel Hill Recreational
Demonstration Area Historic District includes
all CCC-constructed buildings and structures
that retain a significant degree of integrity.
The district contains 202 buildings on 1,352
acres of land, which is the largest collection
of CCC architecture in Pennsylvania
State Parks.
Directions
Laurel Hill State Park consists of 4,512 acres
of mountainous terrain in Somerset County.
The 63-acre Laurel Hill Lake is a focal
point of the park. Laurel Hill is surrounded
by thousands of acres of pristine state park
and state forest lands. A trail system invites
visitors to explore the park and observe the
diversity of plants and wildlife. The Jones
Mill Run Dam and the Hemlock Trail
Natural Area are two must-see destinations
on your visit.
From I-76, take Exit 110 (Somerset) and drive
west on PA 31 from Somerset for eight miles.
Turn left onto Trent Road and follow the
directional signs to Laurel Hill State Park.
The park may also be reached from
Exit 91 (Donegal) of I-76 by turning left on
PA 31 east and traveling 14 miles. Turn right
onto Trent Road and follow directional signs
to the park.
RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Spend the Day
PICNICKING: Five 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. Three picnic
areas have over 500 picnic tables.
Trent Picnic Area has a canoe/kayak
launch, large ball field, playground
equipment, and two picnic pavilions.
Beach Picnic Area has playground
equipment, a sand volleyball court, boat
rental, food concession, and three picnic
pavilions.
Old Mill Picnic Area, located at the upper
end of the lake by the boat mooring and
launching area, provides excellent
shoreline fishing.
SWIMMING: A 1,200-foot sand beach is
open from late-May to mid-September,
8:00 AM to sunset. Swim at your own
risk. Please read and follow posted rules.
Swimming is only permitted within the
designated buoy areas. Maximum depth is
five feet. The beach has an ADA accessible
ramp to the lake, an ADA accessible beach
wheelchair, an ADA canoe/kayak launch,
and an ADA accessible restroom. A food
concession is available from Memorial Day to
Labor Day.
HIKING AND MOUNTAIN BIKING: see
other side
HUNTING AND FIREARMS: Over
2,200 acres are open to hunting, trapping,
and the training of dogs during established
seasons. Common game species are rabbit,
squirrel, grouse, turkey, deer, black bear,
Canada goose, and raccoon. Mo
Laurel Hill State Park
Campground Rules
Protect and Preserve Our Parks
This large campground has modern campsites (electric, nonelectric, full-hookup, walk-to, pull-thru, and pet-friendly) and
a camping cottage colony. Walk to sites are access by trail
from the parking area. The campground has a visitor center,
amphitheater, firewood and ice concession, sanitary dump
station, coin-operated laundry, and restrooms with warm
showers.
Eight ADA accessible camping cottages surround an
accessible restroom with showers. Camping cottages sleep
five people in single bunk beds and double/single bunk beds.
They have a dining table and chairs, porch, electric heat,
lights, and outlets.
CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT TIME: Check-in time is
3:00 PM. Campsites must be vacated by 3:00 PM. Camping
cottages must be vacated by 10:00 AM.
Please make your visit safe and enjoyable. Obey all posted
rules and regulations and respect fellow visitors and the
resources of the park.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: Alcoholic beverages are
prohibited in all Pennsylvania state parks.
• Be prepared and bring the proper equipment. Natural areas
may possess hazards. Your personal safety and that of your
family are your responsibility.
CAMPING SEASON: The campground opens in early April
and closes in late October.
QUIET HOURS: Campers must not disturb the sleep of
others between 9:00 PM and 8:00 AM.
RESERVATIONS: Most campsites in Pennsylvania state
parks can be reserved 11 months in advance to noon of the day
of arrival. Campers without a reservation arriving after noon
should check at the contact station or near the campground
entrance for instructions.
Reservations can be made using MasterCard, VISA,
American Express, and Discover credit cards; personal,
traveler’s, and cashier’s checks; or a Pennsylvania State Parks
Gift Card. To receive a confirmed reservation, full payment
must be received within ten days of making the reservation.
For reservations, call the Pennsylvania State Parks
Reservation Center at 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757),
Monday to Saturday,7:00 AM to 5:00 PM or visit
http://pennsylvaniastateparks.reserveamerica.com.
NOISE: Operation of electric generators that create excessive
noise is prohibited.
CAMPSITE ISSUING: Advance reservations are available
for almost all campsites. Unreserved sites are available on a
first-come, first-served basis. If an employee is not available,
read posted instructions and check the site availability listing.
The appropriate fee must be paid to a park employee or
deposited in a supplied honor system envelope before setting
up on a campsite.
CHANGES AND CANCELLATIONS: Cancellations,
changes, or transfers to reservations will be assessed a fee and
can be made prior to arrival by the Pennsylvania State Parks
Reservation Center.
Any cancellation, change, or transfer made upon arrival
must be processed through the state park. For complete
information on fees, cancellations, changes, transfers, and
discount policies, view the Reservation Cancellation/Change
Policy at the website above in the "Reservations" section.
PETS: Pets are permitted only at campsites 6 to 97 in this
campground. Please contact the park office or contact station
for pet guidelines.
Pets are prohibited in swimming areas, buildings, and all
overnight facilities not participating in the pet program. Guide
dogs and service dogs are not considered pets.
OCCUPANCY: Site occupancy is limited to one family unit
(persons living under one household) or five unrelated people
per site. Occupants must include at least one person 18 years
of age or older at all times.
MOTOR VEHICLES: Park only in designated areas. Only
one vehicle is permitted at a campsite in addition to a camping
unit. If permitted, additional vehicles can park on the camping
spur for a fee or in the second car parking area at no charge.
VISITORS: Visitors are welcome on campsites from
8:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
MAXIMUM/MAXIMUM CAMPING PERIOD: Campers
may stay in a state park campground up to 14 consecutive
nights from Memorial Day to Labor Day. If reserving a
Saturday during the summer season, a two-night minimum
stay is required. Campers may camp up to 21 consecutive
nights during the remainder of the year.
HUNTING: Use extreme caution with firearms at all times.
Other visitors use the park during hunting seasons. Firearms
and archery equipment used for hunting 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 shall be
kept in the owner's vehicle or enclosed trailer. Exceptions
include: law enforcement officers and individuals with a valid
Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms are authorized to
carry a firearm concealed on their person while they are within
a state park.
Modern Camping
Laurel Hill
State Park
• Please camp only in designated areas and minimize your
impact on the campsite.
• Prevent wild fires. Fires are only permitted in fire rings or
gri