Blue KnobState Park - Pennsylvania |
Blue Knob State Park is located in Kimmel, Lincoln, and Pavia townships in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. The average annual snowfall at the park is about 12 feet (370 cm). The park is named for Blue Knob, the second highest mountain in Pennsylvania at 3,146 feet (959 m). It is the location of Blue Knob All Seasons Resort, the ski slope in Pennsylvania with the highest elevation. Blue Knob State Park is just off Interstate 99 on Pennsylvania Route 869 west of Pavia.
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Blue Knob - Recreation Map
Recreation Map of Blue Knob State Park (SP) in Pennsylvania. Published by Pennsylvania State Parks.
Potomac Heritage - Visitor Map
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).
Pennsylvania - Tourism and Transportation Map
Official Tourism and Transportation Map of Pennsylvania. Published by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
brochures
Blue Knob - Brochure
Brochure of Blue Knob State Park (SP) in Pennsylvania. Published by Pennsylvania State Parks.
Blue Knob - Camping
Camping Map and Brochure of Blue Knob State Park (SP) in Pennsylvania. Published by Pennsylvania State Parks.
Blue Knob SP
https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/BlueKnobStatePark/Pages/default.aspx
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Knob_State_Park
Blue Knob State Park is located in Kimmel, Lincoln, and Pavia townships in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. The average annual snowfall at the park is about 12 feet (370 cm). The park is named for Blue Knob, the second highest mountain in Pennsylvania at 3,146 feet (959 m). It is the location of Blue Knob All Seasons Resort, the ski slope in Pennsylvania with the highest elevation. Blue Knob State Park is just off Interstate 99 on Pennsylvania Route 869 west of Pavia.
Stay the Night
Environmental Education and
Interpretation
Summer programs are conducted on Friday and Saturday
evenings at the Buck Hill Amphitheater and Sunday
afternoons in the park day use areas, unless otherwise posted.
Organized groups can arrange special programs through
the park office. Fall and spring programs are conducted for
schools and organizations upon request.
Wildlife Watching
Blue Knob State Park
Blue Knob State Park offers year-round wilderness
adventures on 6,128 acres of woodland. The park is in the
northwestern tip of Bedford County, west of I-99. Altoona,
Johnstown and Bedford are within 25 miles of this scenic
park.
The elevation of the park can cause air temperatures
to be several degrees cooler than the surrounding cities.
The annual snowfall averages about 12 feet. One of the
unique features of the park is the solitude it provides the
visitor. There are many opportunities to enjoy the quiet and
refreshing serenity of the mountains and streams.
Directions
From East or West: Take the Pennsylvania Turnpike
to Bedford, Exit 146. Go north on I-99 to Exit 7. Follow PA
869 west to Pavia, then follow signs through Pavia to the
park.
From North: Take I-99 south to Exit 23. Follow Old
US 220 south. Turn right onto PA 164 west, follow to the
town of Blue Knob. Turn left onto Blue Knob Road (LR
4035) follow five miles to northern entrance of the park.
From South: Take I-70 west to Breezewood, then US
30 west to Bedford, then north on I-99 to Exit 7. Follow PA
869 west to Pavia, then follow signs through Pavia to the
park.
Scenic Views
Blue Knob State Park is named for its majestic dome-shaped
mountain. At 3,146 feet above sea level, Blue Knob is the
second highest mountain in Pennsylvania, only 67 feet less
than Mount Davis in Somerset County. Situated on a spur of
the Allegheny Front and overlooking the scenic Ridge and
Valley Province to the east, Blue Knob has spectacular views.
Unique photographic opportunities are available during low
humidity weather and with changes of season.
A northeastern view from the second highest point in
Pennsylvania can be seen at the Expressway Chairlift on
leased park lands operated by the ski resort.
A southeastern view can be enjoyed at Chappells Field,
across from the campground. Included with this view is a
close-up of the western slope of Blue Knob Mountain.
A southern view can be enjoyed at the Willow Spring
Picnic Area.
A hike along the Mountain View Trail provides a
southwestern view along the Appalachian Plateau from the
Pavia Overlook.
Reservations
Make online reservations at www.visitPAparks.com or call
toll-free 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757), 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
Monday to Saturday, for state park information and
reservations.
Recreational Opportunities
The park is open sunrise to sunset. Some facilities close
at the end of the summer season, but other areas are open
year-round.
Swimming: Weather permitting, the swimming pool
is open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Memorial Day
weekend to Labor Day, unless posted otherwise. The
pool is only open on weekends for the first two weeks of
the summer season. Pool depth ranges from 2 to 5 feet.
Weekday and evening use is recommended. For visitor
safety, diving into the pool is prohibited.
areas and several walk-in areas. “No Hunting” areas are
posted. Permanent tree stands are prohibited on public lands.
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 car, trailer or leased campsite. 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.
Camping: modern sites, some with electric
The 50 tent and trailer sites are open from the second Friday
in April to mid-October. Sites are in open fields and wooded
areas. Most sites have electric hookups. Two sites are walk-in
only. Water, a sanitary dump station, modern restrooms and
playground equipment are available. A campground host is
usually in attendance during peak activity days.
Cabins: Three cabins and one house are available to rent.
The Fishers Haven and Bear Den cabins sleep four people.
The Directors Cabin sleeps six. The cabins are available
from the second Friday in April through the last weekend of
October. The Twin Fawn House sleeps eight an
Blue Knob State Park
This small tent and trailer area has modern campsites (electric,
walk-to, and pet-friendly) with a sanitary dump station,
amphitheater, play field, and ADA accessible restrooms with
warm showers. Walk-to campsites are a short walk from the
parking area. Pets are permitted on roads near pet sites and in
the pet walking area. Access the Lost Turkey Trail or
Chappells Field Trail from the campground.
CAMPING SEASON: This campground opens the second
Friday in April and closes in mid-October.
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 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.
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, check the site availability listing, and
then proceed to an available site.
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.
Campground Rules
CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT TIME: Check-in time is
3:00 PM. Campsites must be vacated by 3:00 PM.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: Alcoholic beverages are
prohibited in all Pennsylvania state parks.
PETS: Pets are permitted at designated campsites in this
campground. Please contact the park office for pet guidelines.
Pets are prohibited in swimming areas, buildings, and all
facilities not participating in the pet program. Guide dogs and
service dogs are not considered pets.
QUIET HOURS: Campers must not disturb the sleep of
others between 9:00 PM and 8:00 AM.
NOISE: Operation of electric generators that create excessive
noise is prohibited.
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PEOPLE PER SITE: Site
occupancy is limited to one family unit (persons living under
one household) or five unrelated people per site.
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 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.
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.
Modern Camping
Blue Knob
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
grills. Gas and propane camp stoves are permitted. Fires must
be attended at all times and extinguished before leaving a
campsite. Properly dispose of hot coals.
• Firewood is not provided. Cutting live or standings trees and
the operation of chainsaws are prohibited.
• Firewood Advisory: Firewood may contain non-native
insects and plant diseases. Bringing firewood into the park