Colonel Denning State Park
Colonel Denning State Park, in north central Cumberland County, is in Doubling Gap, so named by the “S” turn where Blue Mountain doubles back on itself. This feature may be seen from the Doubling Gap Vista in adjacent Tuscarora State Forest. The park has 273 acres of woodland and a 3.5-acre lake. Colonel Denning is a featured park, April, in the 2010 Pennsylvania State Parks Calendar. |
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Directions - Weather - Recreation - Winter Activities - Winter Report - Environmental Education - Calendar of Events - Accessibility - History - Nearby Attractions - Volunteers - Rules and Regs - In an Emergency - Contact Us - Downloadables and Maps
Park Advisories
| 12/18/2009 10:41:00 AM | The campground is closed for the season and will reopen April 2, 2010. NEW FOR 2010: Pets will be permitted on sites 1 through 12. |
| 8/5/2008 9:16:00 AM | Firewood Advisory: Invasive Beetles found in Firewood Threaten Forests! Before bringing firewood to a Pennsylvania State Park, please read the information in the linked page about a very real threat to forests in Pennsylvania and all of North America. Firewood Advisory |
Directions
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The park is eight miles north of Newville and nine miles south of Landisburg, along PA 233. |
Recreational Opportunities
Hiking - Picnicking - Swimming - Fishing - Hunting - Orienteering - Cross-country Skiing - Ice Skating - Organized Group Tenting - Camping
Hiking: 18 miles of trails
The 2.5-mile Flat Rock Trail rises to Flat Rock, a beautiful scenic vista of the Cumberland Valley. The one-mile, self-guiding Doubling Gap Trail is a moderate hike. The Hiking and Nature Trail Guide is available at the park office and has a map and detailed description of the hiking trails in the park and surrounding forest lands.
In addition to the 18 miles of hiking trails, the park is a trailhead for the 105-mile Tuscarora Trail.
Picnicking: This wooded park has over 200 picnic tables and a limited number of charcoal grills. There are two picnic pavilions that may be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee. Unreserved picnic pavilions are free on a first-come, first-served basis. Play equipment is near Picnic Pavilion #1.
Make a reservation
Swimming: The sand beach is open from late-May to mid-September, 8 a.m. to sunset. Swim at your own risk. Please read and follow posted rules for swimming.
Orienteering: There are three courses to challenge your map and compass skills: beginner, intermediate and advanced. Trail maps are available at the park office or the nature center.
Fishing: The 3.5-acre Doubling Gap Lake has trout fishing. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission limits, seasons and regulations apply.
For complete information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.
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.
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. The only exception is that law enforcement officers and individuals with a valid Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms may carry said firearm concealed on their person while they are within the park.
For complete information on hunting rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission Web site.
Camping: rustic sites Explore the campground map. Explore camping for more information.
Make a reservation |
Free Camping for Campground Hosts: one host position in the rustic campground
The campground host site includes 50-amp electric service. Hosts are required to stay a minimum of two weeks but park would prefer a one-month stay. Responsibilities include assisting with light maintenance and housekeeping from Friday through Sunday and those holidays occurring on Monday. Contact the park office for additional information and availability.
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 group of 20 people.
Winter Activities
Explore the Winter Report for current snow and ice depths.
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, a one-acre area is maintained and monitored for ice skating on Doubling Gap Lake. Skating is permitted from 8 a.m. until sunset.
Environmental Education
An environmental interpretor offers ecological and historical walks and programs, audiovisual programs, campfires, environmental education activities and youth programs during the summer season. A visitor center, exhibiting plants, animals and minerals found in the park, is open during the summer season. Explore the Calendar of Events for a listing of events from today forward. Explore environmental education and interpretation for more information. |
Access for People with Disabilities
If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit.
History
William Denning, (1737-1830) American Revolution veteran for whom the park is named, was never a colonel but he is deserving of a place in history for his manufacturing of wrought iron cannons. William Denning served his country as a sergeant from March 1778 to April 1780 in Nathaniel Irish’s Company of Artillery Artificers in Benjamin Flower’s Regiment. Denning was stationed just outside of Carlisle, Pa., at Washingtonburg Forge, now Carlisle Barracks. The forge provided armaments for the Continental Army, including cannons. It is at this forge that William Denning made wrought iron cannons in a process of welding gads (strips) of wrought iron in successive layers to produce a cannon lighter and better able to resist failure during firing than cast iron cannons.
Unfortunately, none of Denning’s cannons survive today. Historical documents help us imagine what Denning’s cannons looked like. It is not known when or who added the “colonel” to Sergeant William Denning’s name. After the Revolution, William Denning lived out his life near Newville, Pa, and is interred with his only son and daughter in the Big Spring Presbyterian Church cemetery in Newville. His monument reads “Blacksmith and Forger of Wrought Iron Cannon.”
The park became a state recreational area about 1930, under the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry, and was developed formally in 1936 through the efforts of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp S-111 in Perry County.
For more information on the CCC, explore the Civilian Conservation Corps Online Archive.
Nearby Attractions
Carlisle, Harrisburg, Gettysburg, York and Chambersburg are all within a one-hour drive of the park and accessible over major roadways.
For information on nearby attractions, contact: Cumberland Valley Visitor Bureau, www.visitcumberlandvalley.com.
Tuscarora State Forest: Over 91,000 acres of state forest lands are adjacent to, and northwest of the park. These lands are open to the public. There are many scenic and historical features throughout these areas. 717-536-3191
Scenic Views: There are three scenic views on nearby state forest lands that can be reached by vehicle. Contact the park office for the locations of vistas.
Hemlocks Natural Area: This stand of old growth hemlock is about 20 miles from the park near New Germantown, Perry County. Information can be obtained by contacting Tuscarora State Forest.
State Game Land 169: Several thousand acres of State Game Land 169 are within ten miles of the park. These lands are primarily managed for upland game animals and deer. These lands lie between PA Routes 641 and 997 about five miles southwest of the park. 877-877-9107
In an Emergency
Contact a park employee or dial 911.
For directions to the nearest hospital, look on bulletin boards or at the park office.
Nearest Hospital:
Carlisle Regional Medical Center
361 Alexander Spring Road
Carlisle, PA 17015
717-249-1212
For More Information Contact
Colonel Denning State Park
1599 Doubling Gap Rd.
Newville, PA 17241-9756
717-776-5272
Manager: Ryan Donovan
E-mail: coloneldenningsp@state.pa.us
An equal opportunity employer
Make online reservations or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, for state park information and reservations.
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