Kooser State Park

In the heart of the Laurel Highlands at an altitude of 2,600 feet, Kooser State Park attracts visitors year-round to its 250 acres of forest and the beautiful trout stream that flows the full length of the park. The park’s original design character was stamped by the Civilian Conservation Corps projects of the 1930s that established the existing lake and most of its use areas, its architecture and site details. The park design stresses rustic values in site and building materials and in their application: native stone, rough sawn and stained wood surfaces, log and timber members.

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

Park Advisories

Directions

Kooser State Park is on PA 31 midway between the Donegal and Somerset turnpike exits, at the eastern foothills of Laurel Mountain Summit. Kooser State Park is a one hour drive from Johnstown, Pa. or Pittsburgh, Pa.

Recreational Opportunities

Hiking  - Picnicking  - Swimming  - Fishing  - Hunting  - Cross-country Skiing  - Cabins  - Camping

Picnicking: Many picnic tables and the Mighty Oak Picnic Pavilion are available for year-round picnics.

Make a reservation

Hiking: 1 mile of trails
The Kincora Trail is a popular trail named in honor of an Irish priest. Many short trails are in the day use area and cross-country ski trails are also available for hiking.

Swimming: A 350-foot swimming 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. A soda and juice machine concession and a dressing area are near the beach. The beach has an accessible ramp to the lake and an accessible restroom.

Fishing: The four-acre Kooser Lake provides good fishing for trout, bass and bluegill. No boating is permitted. Night fishing is prohibited. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission laws apply.

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

Hunting: Because of the park's small size, hunting is not permitted in the park. Hunters frequently camp in the park and walk to the Forbes State Forest lands that are adjacent to the park. Common game species are deer, turkey and grouse.

Cross-country Skiing: The 1.5-mile Kooser Trail is very popular due to the heavy snowfalls of the area. It is a well-marked trail and classified as "easiest." Explore the Winter Report for current snow and ice depths.

There is also a 20-mile cross-country ski touring concession adjacent to the PA 653 parking area of nearby Laurel Ridge State Park. Fee required on this trail. View conditions and snow depth on the live Web cam.

Stay the Night

Camping: flush toilets and hot showers
There are 47 tent and trailer campsites open the second Friday in April through mid-October. Accessible sites and a sanitary dumping station are available. Fourteen (14) campsites have electric hookups. Pets are permitted on designated sites.

Explore the campground map.

Explore camping for more information.

Make a reservation

Cabins: There are nine rustic rental cabins available for use year-round. A nearby modern showerhouse is available. Summer rentals are on a weekly basis. The cabins have mattresses, refrigerator, stove and hot water. Renters must bring all cooking and sleeping supplies. One cabin is accessible. Explore the campground map. Explore cabins for more information. The cabins are operated by a concessionaire after deer season in December to March 28. State park rates are not guaranteed during concession operated period. Contact the concessionaire at 412-720-4074. koosercabins.com

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

Kooser State Park derives its name from John Kooser ,who in 1867 settled in the western end of the park near what is now known as Kooser Spring. The early settlers told of an American Indian battle that was fought nearby. A number of war arrows and spearheads have been found in the area. A contingent of Washington’s Army, known as Coxes Army, crossed Laurel Summit near here during the Whiskey Rebellion.

The land for Kooser State Park was acquired by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1922. In the late 1920s, the Van Dyke Area was used for summer tenting by people who would camp from early spring until late fall. In 1933, a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp was established in the western end of the park. The "CCC Boys" built new roads, fireplaces, cabins and a lake. In 1945, a tornado hit the area and did a tremendous amount of damage to Kooser's wooded areas.

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

In 1955, the present tent and trailer area was developed. Water was piped from Kooser Spring throughout the park and the original dam was rebuilt with a modern earth and concrete breast and an all-sand beach.

In 2002, Growing Greener money was used to add modern restrooms to the campground, cabin colony and make improvements to the day use area.

Friends of Laurel Hill State Park Complex

The Friends of Laurel Hill State Park Complex is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, protecting and enhancing the Laurel Hill State Park Complex. It as an affiliate chapter of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forestry Foundation, and is a qualified 501(c)(3) organization, which means that your contribution is tax deductible. Any money that you donate to the Friends will benefit the Laurel Hill State Park Complex directly. The Friends coordinate a wide variety of volunteer activities that benefit the parks. www.friendsoflhsp.org/

Nearby Attractions

For more information on the many nearby attractions contact: Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau, 800-333-5661, www.laurelhighlands.org or
the Somerset Chamber of Commerce, 814-445-6431, www.somersetcntypachamber.org/

Forbes State Forest: The 51,000-acre Forbes State Forest provides hunting, fishing, hiking, general recreation and the highest point in Pennsylvania, Mount Davis--3,213 feet. 724-238-1200.

Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail: This 70-mile backpacking trail goes from Ohiopyle State Park to the Conemaugh River. The PA 31 parking area and shelter are near Kooser State Park.

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is a segment of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. An enterprise of many partners, the evolving trail network celebrates the heritage of the Potomac and upper Ohio river basins and offers opportunities for hiking, bicycling, boating, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. National Park Service Passport Stamps for the trail are available at the Laurel Ridge State Park Office and at the visitor center in Ohiopyle. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/pohe.

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:
Somerset Hospital
225 South Center Avenue
Somerset, PA 15501
814-443-5000

For More Information Contact:

Kooser State Park
943 Glades Pike
Somerset, PA 15501-5808
814-445-8673
Manager: Michael Mumau

E-mail: koosersp@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.