Kettle Creek State Park

Kettle Creek State Park consists of 1,793 acres along Kettle Creek in western Clinton County. The park is in a valley surrounded by mountainous terrain and wilderness. Many of the existing recreational facilities arose from a joint flood control project developed by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and the former Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources. Kettle Creek is a featured park, August, in the 2010 Pennsylvania State Parks Calendar.

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Directions - Weather  - Recreation  - Winter Activities  - Winter Report  - Accessibility  - History  - Nearby Attractions  - Volunteers  - Rules and Regs  - In an Emergency  - Contact Us  - Downloadables and Maps

Park Advisories

Directions

The park is along SR 4001, seven miles north of Westport and PA 120.

Recreational Opportunities

Hiking  - Trail Biking  - Horseback Riding  - Picnicking  - Swimming  - Boating  - Fishing  - Hunting  - Cross-country Skiing  - Sledding  - Snowmobiling  - Ice Fishing  - Camping

Boating: electric motors only
The 167-acre Kettle Creek Reservoir has a boat launch and boat mooring for 60 vessels at its northern end. An overnight mooring permit is required. Sailboards and sailboats are permitted. Overnight mooring for park campers is also available, free of charge.

Motorboats must display a boat registration from any state. Non-powered boats must display one of the following: boat registration from any state; launching 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.

Each vessel must have a Coast Guard approved wearable Type I, II, III, or V personal flotation device in serviceable condition for each occupant. Children under 13 years of age and all nonswimmers must wear the approved PFD when boating.

For complete information on boating rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.

Camping: modern campsites, some with elec.
The park has two camping areas open from early April through deer season in December. Both campgrounds overlook the waterfront and offer scenic views and a quiet setting.

The Lower Campground has 41 sites; 36 sites with electric hookups. The Upper Campground has 27 sites; 12 sites with electric hookups. Both areas have a variety of level, sunny/shaded sites that accommodate tents or trailers. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Non-flush toilets and water spigots are nearby. Water and sewer hookups are not available. A trailer sanitary dumping station is in the Lower Campground. Pets are permitted on designated sites in Upper Campground.

Explore the campground map.

Explore camping for more information.

Make a reservation

Horseback Riding: An equestrian trail, 22 miles in length, starts at Beaverdam Run and travels through the Sproul State Forest before returning to the trailhead. Overnight camping at the trailhead is by permit only. Contact the park office for information. Trail maps are available at the park office.

Trail Biking: The five-mile trail starts at the day use parking lot and travels onto state forest trails and roads before returning to the park. Trail maps are available at the park office.

Hiking: 2 miles of trails
Novice and experienced hikers will find an abundance of trails in the park area. Short day-hikes are possible on the many park trails. Backpackers can enjoy the 53-mile Donut Hole Trail with an access parking lot across from the Lower Campground. This trail connects onto several other trail systems. Trail maps are available at the park office.

Swimming: A 250-foot sandy beach area 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. The beach is at the northern end of the main reservoir. All children ten years of age or younger must be accompanied by a person at least 14 years of age.

Hunting and Firearms: Most of the park is open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, grouse, squirrel, bear and turkey.

The adjacent Sproul State Forest also permits hunting and trapping. The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers lands are managed in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Bureau of State Parks and Bureau of Forestry.

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 Com-mission 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.

Fishing: The 167-acre Kettle Creek Reservoir is noted for its trout and bass fishing. Also found in the lake are brown bullhead, sucker and panfish. The Lower Campground is beside the seven-acre Kettle Creek Lake, a very popular fishing area. Kettle Creek is noted for its excellent water quality that supports a healthy aquatic population. Mine drainage limits the fishing quality below the Lower Campground.

Many excellent native trout streams surround the park. Additional information on fishing is available at the park office.

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission laws and regulations apply in all areas. Fishing licenses are available nearby at several issuing agents.

For complete information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.

Picnicking: The picnic area is below the park office along Bearfield Run and Kettle Creek Reservoir. About 200 picnic tables with charcoal grills, hot coal disposal and water hydrants are scattered throughout this area. Sunny and shaded picnic sites are available. Restrooms are at the beach and across from the park office. Softball and volleyball areas are provided along with playground sets at several locations. Several large open fields provide excellent play areas for groups of all sizes. The Pine Grove Picnic Area is available for reservations. A large memorial picnic pavilion with electric hookup, overlooking the lake, is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Make a reservation

Winter Activities

The park is open throughout the winter. The day use area provides access to all trails and activities. Explore the Winter Report for current snow and ice depths.

Ice Fishing: The 167-acre Kettle Creek Reservoir is stocked with trout for the winter season.

Snowmobiling: Snowmobiles must stay on designated trails and have a current registration. Park trails connect to many miles of trails in the surrounding Sproul State Forest.

Cross-country Skiing: Cross-country skiing is permitted throughout the park.

Sledding and Tobogganing: The gentle slopes below the park office make for excellent tobogganing/sledding.

Environmental Education and Interpretation

During the summer months, Kettle Creek State Park shares an environmental interpretor with Ole Bull State Park. The history and environment of the area are topics for educational programs for park visitors of all ages. Children’s programs, guided walks and campfire programs are scheduled throughout the week. Program schedules are available at the park office. Special requests are welcome and may be directed to the park office.

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

Kettle Creek State Park is named after the popular trout stream that flows through the area. In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) developed the original park in what is now the Lower Campground.

For more information on the CCC, explore the Civilian Conservation Corps Online Archive.

In 1962, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers opened the Alvin R. Bush Dam for flood protection for the lower Susquehanna watershed. The area above the dam was developed for recreation and administered by the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks.

Nearby Attractions

For information on nearby attractions, contact the Clinton County Economic Partnership Tourist Agency, 888-388-6991, www.clintoncountyinfo.com/Tourism.htm.

Sproul State Forest: The 278,000-acre Sproul State Forest surrounds the park. The forest is in western Clinton and northern Centre counties. The multiple-use management system provides forest-based recreational opportunities such as hiking, backpack camping, snowmobiling pleasure driving, and horseback, ATV, and mountain bike riding. All areas of Sproul State Forest are open to hunting and fishing. Camping permits are required before setting up camp on state forest lands. 570-923-6011

Alvin R. Bush Dam: This flood control dam is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and creates 4.5 miles of natural, scenic shoreline. This is one of four dams in the flood control plan for the West Branch Basin of the Susquehanna River watershed. 570-923-1800

Kettle Creek Vista: Three miles west of the park, this vantage point provides a breathtaking view of the Kettle Creek Valley.

Pennsylvania Flaming Foliage Festival: In Renovo, Pa., the second full weekend in October.

Nearby Services

Services, including medical, are available at Renovo, 16 miles southeast along PA 120.

First Aid

Emergency first aid is available at the park office. In an emergency call 911.

Nearest Hospital:
Bucktail Medical Center
1001 Pine Street
South Renovo, PA 17764
570-923-1000

For More Information Contact:

Kettle Creek State Park
97 Kettle Creek Park Lane
Renovo, PA 17764-9708
570-923-6004
Manager: Mary Hirst

E-mail: kettlecreeksp@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.