Raccoon Creek

Raccoon Creek SP https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/RaccoonCreekStatePark/Pages/default.aspx https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raccoon_Creek_State_Park Raccoon Creek State Park is located on Raccoon Creek in Hanover and Independence townships in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. The park offers numerous activities such as hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, camping, swimming, fishing, and boating, the last three at the 101-acre (41 ha) "Raccoon Lake."

Raccoon Creek Raccoon Creek State Park A Pennsylvania Recreational Guide for WELCOME 1. Take a hike! The park has 44 miles of trails to choose from. Pennsylvania State Parks Mission 2. Catch some sun at the beach and stop by the concession for ice cream! The primary purpose of Pennsylvania state parks is to provide opportunities for enjoying healthful outdoor recreation and serve as 3. Explore the 101-acre Raccoon Lake by kayak, canoe, row boat, or hydrobike. outdoor classrooms for environmental education. In meeting these purposes, the conservation of the natural, scenic, aesthetic and 4. Enjoy a stroll through the Wildflower Reserve. historical values of parks should be given first consideration. Stewardship responsibilities should be carried out in a way that 5. Set up camp in the modern campground. protects the natural outdoor experience for the enjoyment of current and future generations. Esther Allen Trail: 0.12 mile, green blazes, easiest hiking This short trail connects Old Wagon Road with Jennings Trail. It is named in honor of Esther Allen, who volunteered her time 40 11 0 102 0 1040 1060 1080 1100 112 0 0 0 n Creek Cr. 860 Old Field Trail 10. Take advantage of the almost 7,000 acres open to hunting for small game, deer, and turkey. The creation and development of Raccoon Creek State Park is directly linked to President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal plan to stimulate the economy in the 1930s and to start the nation on a sound conservation program. Raccoon Creek was chosen as one of five Recreational Demonstration Areas (RDA) in Pennsylvania developed under the federal Emergency Conservation Work act. RDA sites were developed on primarily deforested, non-sustainable, and over-used agricultural lands with the goal of reclaiming the area to a natural state. Another goal was to provide outdoor recreation for large urban populations. Only 25 miles from Pittsburgh, the area that is now Raccoon Creek State Park was an ideal choice. Land acquisitions began in 1934 and by 1935 the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) along with local men under the Works Progress Administration began developing the area for the National Park Service. Projects included three organized group camps, picnic areas, roads, trails, the dam for the upper lake, the establishment of nurseries for reforestation, and the quarrying of stone for bridges and culverts. Between 1935 and 1941, over 700 men from the CCC worked at Raccoon Creek. The men were housed in two camps, SP-6 and SP-16. Local experienced men, commonly referred to as LEMs, provided day labor and training in trades such as carpentry and masonry for the younger men. The park remained with the National Park Service until September 1945, when it was transferred to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The history of this RDA is appreciated today in the forests, group camps, stone work, roads, and stories of the men who built Raccoon Creek State Park. PIONEER HISTORY Before the footsteps of early settlers, herds of elk, white-tailed deer, and even woodland bison roamed the forests and meadows. Streams teemed with fish and fur-bearing animals, such as mink, fox, and beaver. In the rock crevices, cougars and wolves made their dens and hunted beneath old growth stands of hemlock, white pine, and oak. In the early to mid-1700s, the Shawnee inhabited villages along the banks of the Ohio River. The Delaware, also known as Lenape, moved into western Pennsylvania after being pushed westward by settlers in the expanding east. An American Indian trail became today’s PA 168 following the western boundary of the park. During exploration of the Ohio Valley, the French contended that the explorer of a river was entitled to all lands watered by its tributaries. They defended their claim to the Ohio River region by their discovery of the Mississippi River in the late 1680s. The English insisted that the various independent American Indian nations owned the lands. The English had strong alliances with the American Indians and these tribes and lands were under the protection of the British Crown. The rivalry between the two countries eventually sparked the French and Indian War from 1754-1763. With defeat of the French and later defeat of the American Indians during Pontiac’s Rebellion of 1763, the lands south of the Ohio River became relatively free of conflict. Settlers began homesteading in this area in the early 1770s. Levi Dungan became the first settler in what became Beaver County. He claimed 1,000 acres within present day Raccoon Creek State Park and established his homestead at the head of Kings Creek in 1772. Hostilities between the American Indians and the settlers led to many tragedies in the region. Most attacks occurred at the settlements of Levi Dungan and Matthew Dillow, located in modern-day Hillman State Park. KING’S CREEK CEMETERY The cemetery on the park’s southwestern boundary, off of PA 168, is the final resting place of many of the first sett

Raccoon Creek State Park On a plateau above Raccoon Lake, the campground has modern campsites (electric, non-electric, tent only, and petfriendly) divided into multiple loops. Loops A, B, E, and F have paved parking areas. Loop D allows tent camping only. Pets are permitted only in loops C and F. The campground has an amphitheater, playground, sanitary dump station, trail to the beach, and modern restrooms with warm showers. ADA accessible campsites are located by accessible restrooms. CAMPING SEASON: The campground opens in mid-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 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. 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 on in loop C and F in this campground. Please contact the park office or contact station for pet guidelines. Pets are prohibited in swimming areas and all overnight 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 persons per site. MOTOR VEHICLES: Only one car per campsite is allowed unless otherwise posted. Park only in designated areas. 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 for up to 14 consecutive nights from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Campers may camp for 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 Raccoon Creek 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 from other areas may accidentally spread pest insects and diseases that threaten park resources and the health of our fore

RACCOON CREEK STATE PARK CABINS Cam 3000 State Route 18 Hookstown, PA 15050-1605 724-899-2200 N l Tra i Co n n e c to r No p Trail To Monaca .1 To East Liverpool, Ohio 18 151 30 LEGEND Modern Cabin N Trash (Sleeps 6) 18 168 Trail Park Office Paved Road Modern Cabin (Sleeps 8) One-way Road ADA Accessible Parking GPS DD: Lat. 40.50966 Long. -80.44594 30 Frankfort Springs 4 18 3 5 Raccoon Lake 1 RACCOON CREEK STATE PARK To PA TPK (PA 576) Exit 2, I-376 Exit 1, Pittsburgh Intl. Arpt., Pittsburgh To Florence, US 22 2 6 7 8 9 Recreational Field 10 To Park Office, Raccoon Lake, PA 18 Bath Bedroom Bedroom Kitchen “Great” Room “Cathedral”-Type Ceiling 2-bedroom Modern Cabin Floor Plan (Sleeps 6) Make online reservations at www.visitPAparks.com or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757). 100 0 Recreation Hall Extra Vehicle/ Visitor Parking 100 200 300 400 FEET Rev. 11/13