Canoe Creek

Brochure

brochure Canoe Creek - Brochure

Brochure of Canoe Creek State Park (SP) in Pennsylvania. Published by Pennsylvania State Parks.

Canoe Creek Canoe Creek 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. PAStateParks 2023 CANOE CREEK STATE PARK WILDLIFE WATCHING orioles, red-winged blackbirds, and brown thrashers frequent the fields and wetlands along Mary Ann’s Creek and along the lake shore. Birdwatchers can see many species of warblers along the woodlands of Mary Ann’s Creek and Canoe Creek corridors. An extensive cavitynesting trail, consisting of more than 100 nest boxes, is monitored and maintained throughout the park. Osprey and bald eagles are noteworthy spring and fall migrants, as are migrating ducks, swans, and warblers. Because of Canoe Creek State Park’s remarkable biodiversity and its variety of habitats, the park has been designated an Important Bird Area by the Audubon Society and is included on the Susquehanna River Birding and Wildlife Trail. The 961-acre Canoe Creek State Park is in the scenic and peaceful Canoe Creek Valley, 12 miles east of Altoona. This beautiful park, in the Ridge and Valley Province of southern Pennsylvania, features a picturesque 155-acre lake surrounded by wetlands, old fields, mature forests, and the historic Blair Limestone Kilns. Canoe Creek State Park is a modern park facility developed during the Project 70 expansion era of state parks and was dedicated in 1979. Today, the park offers many recreational opportunities including modern cabins for overnight lodging. Directions Common yellowthroat GPS DD: Lat 40.480445 Long. -78.290937 The fields, forests, marshes, streams, and lake within Canoe Creek State Park support approximately 200 species of birds and mammals. Along Marsh Trail, a boardwalk leads to a small observation blind which is ideal for observing lake wildlife. Wildlife checklists can be obtained at the education center or the park office. To reach Canoe Creek State Park, travel on US 22 to the small village of Canoe Creek (seven miles east of Hollidaysburg), turn north onto Turkey Valley Road for one half-mile to the park gate, located on the right. Reservations Make online reservations at www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757), 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Saturday. BIRDING: The park is a resting and feeding stopover for migrating birds and serves as summer nesting grounds for many breeding birds. Canoe Lake is a great place to see migrating waterfowl in spring and fall. Eastern bluebirds, indigo buntings, cedar waxwings, Baltimore RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES Spend the Day  PICNICKING: Scenic, shaded areas on the east and west sides of the lake provide many opportunities for picnics and gatherings. Many picnic tables, charcoal grills, and charcoal disposal units are adjacent to the picnic areas and beach area. A family-friendly playground with accompanying benches is between the beach and boat rental. In addition, three large picnic pavilions, each accommodating up to 96 people, are reservable for a fee. These pavilions may be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a rental fee. Each pavilion has a charcoal grill with an adjacent charcoal disposal unit. Unreserved picnic pavilions are free and may be used on a first-come, first-served basis.  BOATING: electric motors only; slow, no-wake speed The scenic 155-acre Canoe Lake provides ample opportunity for boating, wildlife watching, and fishing. The park provides modern boat launches on both sides of the lake. Shoreline boat mooring is available for a fee at East Shore Day Use Area. A boat rental facility is adjacent to the swimming area, and rents rowboats, paddleboats, kayaks, and canoes. Contact the park office for boat rental hours. Motorboats must display a boat registration from any state. Nonpowered boats must display one of the following: boat registration from any state; launch permit or mooring permit from Pennsylvania State Parks, available at most state park offices; launch use permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.  FISHING: Fed by two coldwater trout streams, the beautiful 155-acre Canoe Lake is stocked with game fish species such as walleye, muskellunge, and trout. Other species include bass, chain pickerel, perch, catfish, and a variety of panfish. Canoe Lake is in the Big Bass Program to promote young bass to grow to a larger size. With this program, the lake has special regulations. An ADA fishing deck is on the east side of the lake adjacent to Pavilion 3. Please dispose of monofilament line in monofilament recycling containers adjacent to fishing areas. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission regulations and laws apply.  SWIMMING: Families enjoy the large sand swimming beach, open from late May to late September, unless otherwise posted. An available lap lane is marked by buoys. Swimming hours are from 8:00 AM to sunset. Please follow posted rules for swimming. Swim at your own risk. The modern shower house includes showers and dressing booths. A food concession stand at the swimming beach offers a variety of snack food and drinks and provides a dining terrace overlooking the lake. DISC GOLF: A nine-basket disc golf course winds through the day use area. Each basket is served by two tees to challenge players of varying skill. Players should yield to other park visitors in the area. For more information and maps, please visit the park office or check the disc golf bulletin board between parking areas 3 and 4. BIKING: A wide, stream-side, one-mile bike trail begins at the park boundary at US 22 and leads into the scenic day-use area in the park. Bikes are prohibited on hiking and equestrian trails. Cyclists can also enjoy rail-trail biking along the nearby Frankstown Branch of the Juniata River on the 17.2-mile Lower Trail. Parking is available at the East Day Use Area. E-bikes are permitted but must follow all e-bike guidelines. www.dcnr.pa.gov/Pages/EBikePolicy.aspx LEARN, EXPERIENCE, CONNECT Environmental education programs are available year round and explore a wide variety of ecological and environmental topics. Gain a better understanding of the park’s natural, cultural, and historical resources through guided outdoor recreation, hands-on activities, walks, special events, and other programs. The Terry Wentz Education Center is open year round and provides exhibits and information on the park history and wildlife as well as the park’s environmental education programs. Call ahead for education center hours. Curriculum-based environmental education programs are available to schools and organized groups. Call the park office to schedule a group program. A variety of professional development workshops are offered for teachers. Contact the park office or explore the online calendar of events, https://events.dcnr.pa.gov, for more information on programs and other learning experiences. HISTORY HORSEBACK RIDING: Scenic equestrian trails loop through the northern section of the park. These popular horse trails wind their way through fields and forests and provide ample opportunity for park exploration. Mattern, Hartman, and parts of Moore’s Hill trails can be reached from the parking lot at the end of Mattern Road. Horse rentals are not available in the area. Horseback riding is permitted only on designated trails and all roads. Parking for horse trailers is allowed in a designated area adjacent to the park road near the main parking areas. The historic Blair Limestone Company Kiln remnants at Canoe Creek State Park showcase the processing of limestone during the early 1900s. The Petersburg spur of the Pennsylvania Railroad traveled through what is now Canoe Creek State Park to connect the lime kilns with the outside world. Limestone was an important raw material for the iron and steel industry that was booming in Pennsylvania at the time. The Blair Limestone Company was a subsidiary of Jones and Laughlin Steel Company of Pittsburgh, to which it provided quicklime for making steel. These lime kiln remnants are the focus of historical programs and displays. The remains of the Calcium Products Company kilns, locally known as the Hartman Kilns, are also found in the park. The park has several old quarries located around Moore’s Hill. HIKING: See HIKING section on reverse side.  HUNTING AND FIREARMS: Around 550 acres of Canoe Creek State Park are open to hunting, trapping, and the training of dogs during established seasons. Large areas of forest and field provide ample opportunity for hunting and trapping. Common game species are white-tailed deer, pheasant, and rabbit. Many hiking trails wind through hunting areas, so please hunt responsibly. Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day through 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 ADA accessible hunting information. 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. Stay the Night  MODERN CABINS: Eight modern cabins, available for rent year round, are in a lovely setting on the hill above the lake. Each cabin sleeps six guests in two bedrooms; one bedroom has two sets of bunk beds and the other has a double bed. The cabins also have a living room, dining room, modern bathroom, kitchen (stove, refrigerator, microwave, coffee pot), electric heat, air conditioning, outside fire ring, and picnic table. Up to two dogs are permitted in cabins 7 and 8. The cabins are within walking distance of the swimming beach, hiking trails, the historic limestone kilns, and the Terry Wentz Education Center. In the summer, cabin rentals are weekly from Friday to Friday. Throughout the remainder of the year, a two-night minimum stay is required. Model of limestone kilns FRIENDS OF CANOE CREEK Canoe Creek State Park is proud to work with the Friends of Canoe Creek, a non-profit group working through the PA Parks and Forests Foundation. The Friends works with the park to support the park’s goals and mission through fundraising and support of environmental education. www.friendsofcanoecreek.com Black-eyed Susan INFORMATION AND RESERVATIONS Canoe Creek State Park 205 Canoe Creek Road Hollidaysburg, PA 16648-9752 814-695-6807 CanoeCreekSP@pa.gov An Equal Opportunity Employer Make online reservations at www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757), 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Saturday. @Canoecreeksp Enjoy the Winter CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: All hiking, equestrian, and biking trails are available for cross-country skiing. ICE SAFETY: Ice thickness is not monitored. For your safety, make sure ice is at least 4” thick for a single angler or skater, 7” thick for a small group, or 6” thick for iceboating. Always carry safety equipment. ICE SKATING: Ice skating is permitted on the lake and the two ponds in the East Shore Day Use Area. The ice is not groomed for ice skating conditions. ICEBOATING: Iceboats must have a launch permit. ICE FISHING: Ice fishing is a popular winter activity during the extended trout season. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission regulations and laws apply. BAT VIEWING: Canoe Creek State Park hosts a winter hibernation site and summer maternity site for bats including state and federally endangered species. Due to its important bat habitat, the park is a Pennsylvania Important Mammal Area. The Frank Felbaum Bat Sanctuary hosts a nursery colony of little brown, Indiana, and big brown bats. Historically an important bat colony due to its numbers, it has attracted both park visitors and biologists over the years. On warm summer evenings, visitors attend bat programs and watch the emergence of hundreds of bats. A gated limestone mine serves as a monitored hibernation site for several species.  Access for People with Disabilities This symbol indicates facilities and activities that are Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible for people with disabilities. This publication text is available in alternative formats. If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit. In an Emergency Nearby Attractions Information on nearby attractions is available from the Explore Altoona Visitors Bureau. 800-842-5866. www.ExploreAltoona.com Within an hour’s drive of the park are the world-famous Horseshoe Curve, Blue Knob Ski Area, Pennsylvania State University, Railroaders Memorial Museum, Lower Rail Trail, Lincoln Caverns, State Game Lands 166, and Rothrock and Gallitzin state forests. Protect and Preserve Our Parks Please make your visit safe and enjoyable. Obey all posted rules and regulations and respect fellow visitors and the resources of the park. • Be prepared and bring the proper equipment. Natural areas may possess hazards. Your personal safety and that of your family are your responsibility. • Alcoholic beverages are prohibited. • Because uncontrolled pets may chase wildlife or frighten visitors, pets must be physically controlled, attended at all times, and on a leash, caged, or crated. Electronic fences and leashes are prohibited. Pets are prohibited in swimming areas. Call 911 and contact a park employee. Directions to the nearest hospital are posted on bulletin boards and at the park office. • Do your part to keep wildlife wild! Enjoy wildlife from a safe distance and do not feed or approach wild animals. NEAREST HOSPITAL UPMC Altoona 620 Howard Avenue Altoona, PA 16601 • Please recycle. Place trash accumulated during your stay in proper receptacles or take it home with you. • Soliciting and posting signs is prohibited without approval from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. HIKING: 14 miles Beaver Pond Trail 0.9 mile | Easiest hiking | Out-and-back trail | Orange blazes Recreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, benches old Blair Limestone Company quarry and limekilns before intersecting Mattern Trail along Mary Ann’s Creek. Limestone Trail 1.2 miles | Easiest hiking | Out-and-back trail | Red blazes Recreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, picnic tables This easy trail takes visitors around the ponds located on the east side of the lake, through thickets and fields, and along gentle slopes. It is a great trail for birding and lake views. The loop trail traverses both field and forest, taking visitors almost to the ridge of Moore’s Hill for scenic views and through diverse habitats on this multi-use trail. This scenic trail is a visitor favorite. It follows the old railroad grade to the Blair Limestone Company kilns and along the beautiful corridor of Mary Ann’s Creek. Several bridges provide opportunities for creek crossings. This is a great trail for woodland birds and wildflowers. Deer Trail 0.5 mile | Most difficult hiking | Connector trail | White blazes Recreations permitted: hiking, equestrian Challenging hikers with a steep climb from Canoe Creek almost to the ridge of Moore’s Hill, this steep trail connects Moore’s Hill Trail to Mattern Trail. The trail travels through dense hardwoods with opportunities to see birds and other wildlife. Moore’s Hill Trail 2.8 miles | Most difficult hiking | Loop trail | Blue blazes Recreations permitted: hiking Visitors enjoy a more challenging hike as the trail follows along the circumference of Moore’s Hill and provides steep switchbacks before descending through scenic forest trails to meet Canoe Creek and the fields of lower Moore’s Hill. Lakeside Trail 0.9 mile | Easiest hiking | Connector trail | Orange blazes Recreations permitted: hiking A visitor favorite, Lakeside Trail provides a scenic, winding, ADA accessible boardwalk along the lakefront, with benches and an observation blind for wildlife viewing. The trail continues along Marsh Road into the hardwood forest along the lake shore. This trail connects Marsh Road to Mattern Trail or Moore’s Hill Trail. Fisherman’s Path 1.4 miles | More difficult hiking | Out-and-back trail | Green blazes Recreations permitted: hiking Visitors enjoy lake views as this trail meanders along the east shore day use area, through woods, and along Brumbaugh Dam. Anglers can enjoy the many lakeside fishing opportunities. The beautiful and winding hiking trails of Canoe Creek State Park allow hikers to explore forests, fields, wetlands, historic sites, and the lakeshore. Hiking trails range from easy to difficult and provide ample opportunity for wildlife watching. On a clear day, visitors can even catch a glimpse of Blue Knob State Park, over 20 miles away. Information on trails, wildlife, and geocaching can be obtained at the education center or the park office. Hikers should be prepared for trail conditions and changing weather conditions. Since Canoe Creek State Park is a multi-use park, hikers should wear fluorescent orange when hiking during hunting seasons. Mattern Trail 2.3 miles | More difficult hiking | Loop trail | Pink blazes Recreations permitted: hiking, backpacking, equestrian Hartman Trail 1.8 miles | More difficult hiking | Loop Trail | Green blazes Recreations permitted: hiking Lower Trail 0.1 mile in the park, 17.1 miles total | Easiest hiking | Point-to-point trail | No blazes Recreations permitted: hiking, biking, cross-country skiing recommended Hartman Trail challenges hikers to climb the slope of Moore’s Hill to the ridge where the trail becomes a narrow rocky path through scenic woodlands, overlooking Scotch Valley, and then back down over the Stretching from the eastern side of the park to Alexandria, this rail trail follows the Frankstown Branch of the Juniata River and provides yearround recreational opportunities. Smith Hillside Trail 1.3 miles | Most difficult hiking | Loop trail | Orange blazes Recreations permitted: hiking This narrow trail ascends the slope on Smith Hillside, meandering along the top of the ravine before descending through the woods and winding along Mary Ann’s Creek. Sugarloaf Trail 1.1 miles | More difficult hiking | Loop trail | Yellow blazes Recreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: benches Winding around Sugarloaf Hill, the trail provides scenic lake views, as well as a gentle to steep hike through the woods. 960 CANOE CREEK STATE PARK 1000 To State Game Lands 166, 1.9 Mi. To Tyrone BUS 220 d 40 1000 R o ad k Cree oe n Ca 2 Ha 11 2 11 0 60 12 12 00 40 20 13 960 1080 1040 Ro ad 40 1080 1120 40 0 1000 80 10 0 104 10 00 22 960 To Alexandria, 16 Mi. 0 nia y l le Va ta d a Ro rin Ro . Rd l We l l e r ad 88 win g S p Ju To Hollidaysburg, 6.6 Mi. CANOE Fl o ek Cre Cemetery Lo w er Fran 22 am Low CREEK er Tra il Branch n ow kst To Huntingdon, 19.8 Mi. 11 ta Junia 920 3. Education Center 40.486163, -78.283682 3/8 MILE 116 D 1040 920 960 1/4 20 ad Ro g in w gs Flo prin . S Rd 2. Beach Area 40.483123, -78.282874 Valle y 1/2 KILOMETER 1080 960 Paved Trail y ath Fisherman’s P Multi-use Trail: Hiking and as Specified 1. Park Office 40.480445, -78.290937 Brumbaugh Dam d Hiking Trail rke R oa GPS Coordinates Decimal Degree Lat. Long. Tra il 33 1000 rl Tu 1000 TRAIL INFORMATION f Cemetery Frank Felbaum Bat Sanctuary 1/8 3/8 10 ga Park Entrance 0 Beaver k Su ee Ca no e e Cr 960 ad Cano Ro k Cree 1/4 R iv er Lo ey New 1/8 00 ll Va 0 12 920 960 32 Horseback Riding a 116 0 y rke Pa t h 1000 oa Bicycling i M ) 10 Sugarloaf Trail 1080 EY Trail Intersection Number 920 Trai l Pond ad 34 an’s erm h s Fi 920 1040 Y KE er Pond Trail Beav Creek Canoe Tr a il #3 1000 LL Be av er Trai l Hill Moore’s 920 00 960 10 i de ke s La East Shore Day Use Area LAKE 960 VA W r ce 3 CANOE 31 8 0 East Shore Sand Volleyball 1 R 0 ne La Da m Ball Field 920 Tu TU 108 ern Trail Matt Trail il ud db Be 2 Ro To Hollidaysburg, 6.4 Mi. 1 1 ay S p ill w 960 Lim est one 0 4 Tr ai arr y 2 ad Ro 4 1200 Qu 1 6 5 o (N e nt an Pik e 3 rn tte Ma 1040 2 1 5 35 en int Hu nt ing do n 0 108 r 920 R 1 3 8 6 oad 13 Trai l 0 120 ide Lakes 92 0 116 7 CONTOURS ARE ON 40 FT. INTERVALS 1120 1080 96 Ice Skating Roa d La ke sid e 00 State Park Archery Hunting 0 100 a M Trail rn tte 10 First Aid 5 Marsh 920 av e State Park Hunting 14 960 96 0 Swimming Beach a tm 12 4 1040 1000 Beaver State Park No Hunting te rn Tra il Scenic View S il Re Parking Horse Trailers m Disc Golfing M at 0 104 n Parking Unpaved r Ha Trail Parking Paved Modern Cabins ’s ore Mo Tr a H illside T rail Picnic Pavilion ith Parking ADA Accessible ll Hi l Picnicking Playground Water Tower 22 a Tr 15 ai Tr Food Concession 1120 11 23 l ai Tr 60 11 21 Gate 20 11 00 Unpaved Road Amphitheater 0 116 12 Blair Limestone Company Kilns Paved Road Water 1200 1000 10 Mattern L l Trai Wildlife Viewing Blind Shower House/Restrooms Quar ry ide lls Modern Restrooms l Hil i l ra eT ’s ore ton Mo im e s Hi Hand-carry Boat Launch and Mooring Wayside 0 th Education Center 6 S mi Boat Launch and Mooring Public Phone 2 96 00 0 80 10 Trail . Tr 124 de Boat Rental 00 10 40 10 80 10 20 11 60 Blue Symbols Mean ADA Accessible 12 0 116 0 120 11 Fishing Pier l si 1120 Park Office Trail u rg H il To Mar tinsb 25 S m it h 1080 36 1240 H a r t m an 1040 866 24 0 132 0 128 Q uarr y . Clappertown 3 Da m 0 1000 N 00 96 10 00 960 10 Royer Rd. o u n t ain 17 d Roa Trail 104 r D am a ve . R iver Rd Bra n c h cke k Tp PA To M 36 ey wn Trail 16 rn tte Ma 0 8 12 1280 1320 H ill Lo Hollidaysburg a V all Cre Williamsburg ek an rtm Mo ore ’s sto oe Tr a il J un ot Sc nk Lower Hartman Kilns Site 1240 il Tra er ra F nsville nca u D y Rd. a l le 22 J u n i at Moore’s Hill Trail Mary Ann’s Creek Frankstown Exit 28 rk V ey 1160 De Tu ua n c y . h lle Ca n tow n Rd 36 220 Va Cr ee k 1120 22 866 e 1040 Be . Rd rry Rd. Roa Exit 32 0 1080 andria To Alex Ro ks BUS ad 220 Fra Exit 31 CANOE CREEK ttle 100 960 i ata 99 764 22 Ke Q To Pa tto n 36 Elberta 1000 don ng nti Hu To Altoona h cotc d no Ca S Roa ey Vall ng 0 96 00 10 0 104 gs Rd . Rev. 10/5/23

also available

National Parks
USFS NW
Alaska
Arizona
California
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Minnesota
Montana
Nevada
New Mexico
North Carolina
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Washington
Wyoming
Lake Tahoe - COMING SOON! 🎈
Yellowstone
Yosemite