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Brochure of Colonel Denning State Park (SP) in Pennsylvania. Published by Pennsylvania State Parks.
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A Pennsylvania Recreational Guide for
Colonel Denning State Park
Colonel Denning State Park
Colonel Denning State Park, in north-central Cumberland
County, has 273 acres of woodland and a 3.5-acre lake. The
park serves as a gateway to the 96,000-acre Tuscarora State
Forest, which surrounds the park. These scenic and historic
public lands are located in Doubling Gap, so named by the
“S” turn where Blue Mountain doubles back on itself.
playground equipment. Two picnic pavilions may be reserved
up to 11 months in advance for a fee by calling
888-PA-PARKS. Unreserved picnic pavilions are free on a
first-come, first-served basis.
Directions
The park is nine miles north of Newville and eight miles
south of Landisburg, along PA 233.
CAMPING: The 49-site tent and trailer campground is open
from the opening day of trout season to the day after deer
season in December. Sites are near a showerhouse with flush
toilets and a sanitary dump station. Each site has a picnic
table and fire ring.
Recreational Opportunities
SWIMMING: The 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 for swimming. A food
concession near the beach may be open during the
summer season.
HIKING: 18 miles of trails
The park is the trailhead for the 2.5-mile Flat Rock Trail
which leads to the top of Blue Mountain in Tuscarora State
Forest. This steep and rocky trail is worth the effort; it
culminates at Flat Rock, a natural rock outcrop that provides
a beautiful scenic vista of the Cumberland Valley.
The one-mile Doubling Gap Nature Trail is self-guided
on mostly level ground. Beginning and ending at Doubling
Gap Lake, the trail has several interpretive waysides to
explain the natural history found around a mountain stream.
Rocky in places, the one-mile Rattlesnake Trail winds
through a mixed oak forest on the foothills of Blue Mountain.
Due to the park’s proximity to the Tuscarora State Forest,
hikers will find several miles of additional trails, including
access to the 105-mile Tuscarora Trail, which is the
northern portion of a 220-mile bypass of the Appalachian
Trail. For maps and detailed descriptions, consult the “Hiking
and Nature Trail Guide” located at the park office.
Tell us about your hike at: www.explorepatrails.com
For More Information Contact:
Colonel Denning State Park
1599 Doubling Gap Road
Newville, PA 17241-9756
717-776-5272
email: coloneldenningsp@pa.gov
GPS DD: Lat. 40.280743 Long. -77.418227
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Information and 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, for state park
information and reservations.
www.visitPAparks.com
Printed on recycled paper
HORSEBACK RIDING: As a gateway to the Tuscarora
State Forest, the park provides access to one horseback riding
trail and a parking lot for horse trailers. Follow Old Doubling
Gap Road to gain access to the state forest from the park.
visitPAparks
2017
PICNICKING: Numerous picnic tables and charcoal
grills are scattered throughout the park and located near
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.
BOATING: Non-motorized canoes and kayaks may be used
on Doubling Gap Lake except for the period of time between
the opening day of trout season until the Friday before
Memorial Day. Boats must be carried in from the nearby
parking lot and launched in the designated area located at the
west end of the beach.
Non-powered boats must display one of the following: boat
registration from any state; launch 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.
ORIENTEERING: There are three courses to challenge your
map and compass skills. Courses begin near Pavilion #1. Trail
maps are available at the park office or the nature center.
FISHING: The 3.5-acre Doubling Gap Lake has trout
fishing. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission regulations
and laws apply.
HUNTING AND FIREARMS: Many acres are open to
hunting, trapping, and the training of dogs during established
seasons. Common game species are deer, squirrel, and turkey.
Hunting is also permitted on the adjacent Tuscarora
State Forest.
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.
ORGANIZED GROUP TENTING: Qualified adult and
youth groups may reserve the organized group tenting area
for overnight use. This space includes five tent pads, picnic
tables, lantern holders, and a large fire ring. The organized
group campsite can accommodate a maximum size of
20 people.
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: While there is no formal
cross-country skiing trail system, skiing is permitted on
existing roads and trails and in all areas of the park. Terrain is
moderately hilly to mountainous.
ICE SKATING: When ice conditions permit, an area of
the lake is available for ice skating on Doubling Gap Lake.
Skating is permitted from 8:00 AM until sunset.
Ice thickness is not monitored. For your safety, make
sure ice is at least 4” thick for a single skater and 7” thick for
a small group. Always carry safety equipment.
Environmental Education and
Interpretation
During the summer season, the park naturalist offers natural
history walks, youth, and campfire programs. A nature center
exhibits plants, animals, and minerals found in the park.
History
Although never a colonel, William Denning (1737-1830)
served as a Revolutionary War sergeant from March 1778 to
April 1780 in Nathaniel Irish’s Company of Artillery Artificers
in Benjamin Flower’s Regiment. Stationed just outside of
Carlisle at Washingtonburg Forge (now Carlisle Barracks),
Denning earned his place in history making wrought iron
cannons for the Continental Army. Unfortunately, none of
Denning’s cannons survive today. After the Revolution,
William Denning lived out his life near Newville and is interred
with his only son and daughter in the Big Spring Presbyterian
Church cemetery in Newville. His monument reads “The
patriotic blacksmith and forger of wrought iron cannon during
the Revolutionary War.” It is not known when or who added
the “Colonel” to Sergeant William Denning’s name.
Colonel Denning State Park became a state recreational area
around 1930, under the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry. It was
developed formally in 1936 through the efforts of the Civilian
Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp S-111 in Perry County.
Nearby Attractions
Information on nearby attractions is available from the
Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau, 888-513-5130.
www.visitcumberlandvalley.com
The park is surrounded by 96,000 acres of Tuscarora
State Forest. These lands are open to the public and
offer many recreational opportunities like hiking, biking,
camping, hunting, horseback riding, picnicking, and
sightseeing. 717-536-3191
Located between PA Routes 641 and 997, about 10 miles
southwest of the park, several thousand acres of State Game
Lands 169 are primarily managed for upland game animals
and deer. 877-877-9107
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.
• Please camp only in designated areas and try to minimize
your impact on the campsite.
• Firewood Advisory: Firewood may contain non-native
insects and plant diseases. Bringing firewood into the park
from other areas may accidentally spread pest insects and
diseases that threaten park resources and the health of our
forests. Campers should use local firewood. Do not take
wood home and do not leave firewood - Burn It!
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
Call 911 and contact a park employee. Directions to the
nearest hospital are posted on bulletin boards and at the
park office.
NEAREST HOSPITAL
Carlisle Regional Medical Center
361 Alexander Spring Road
Carlisle, PA 17015
717-249-1212
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Park Office
Blue Symbol Means
ADA Accessible
1080
Sanitary Dump
Station
Public Phone
880
Ice Skating
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Food Concession
Orienteering
Picnic Area
Paved Trail
Picnic Pavilion
Hiking Trail
Vista
Multi-use Trail: Hiking,
Mountain Biking,
Horseback Riding
1000
State Park Hunting
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CONTOURS ARE ON
40 FT. INTERVALS
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1040
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1200
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Joint Use Road:
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Mountain Biking/Hiking
Fishing Pier
Camping
840
Cross-country Skiing
Recommended
One-way Road
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Tu
840
Parking ADA Accessible
Unpaved Road
Swimming Area
Rustic Restrooms
Self-guiding Trail
Snowmobiling
Playground
Nature Center
920
To Newville, 8 Mi. &
I-81 (Exit-37), 12 Mi.
1280
1240
1280
Water
233
1320
1200
960
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To
Landisburg, 7 Mi.
1360
Private Land
1240
Modern Restrooms
Snowmobile
Trailer Parking
1520
1480
1440
81
10
Elk
Road
1400
233
1040
or
1600
1560
1320
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To
Fowlers
Hollow
State Park,
15 Mi. via Tuscarora
and Fowlers Hollow
Trails
Hill
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MO UNTAIN
1280
1200 11
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1400
1360
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Newville
1320
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1600
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274
Landisburg
1560
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1520
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1560
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