Laurel Hill

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