Prince Gallitzin State Park
At Prince Gallitzin State Park, the forested hills of the Allegheny Plateau cradle sprawling Glendale Lake. Vistas offer scenic views of the 1,635-acre lake with its 26 miles of shoreline, which is a favorite of anglers and boaters. Campers flock to the large campground and also enjoy hiking and other outdoor activities. The varied habitats of the park make it a home for many types of wildlife, and a rest stop in the spring and fall migrations.
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Hiking - Biking - Mountain Biking - Horseback Riding - Picnicking - Swimming - Boating - Fishing - Hunting - Education - Cross-country Skiing - Snowmobiling - Ice Fishing - Iceboating - Organized Group Tenting - Cabins - Camping Cottages - Camping Picnicking: Picnic tables are available throughout the park. Many picnic tables are adjacent to the swimming area in Muskrat Beaches 1, 2 and 3. Four 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.
Make a reservation.
Boating: up to 20 hp motors permitted Motorboats must display a current boat registration. Non-powered boats must display one of the following: boat registration; launching permit or mooring permit from Pennsylvania State Parks, available at most state park offices; launching permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Complete information on boating rules and regulations in Pennsylvania is available from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site. Visit the U. S. Geological Survey Web site for the water level of Glendale Lake. http://waterdata.usgs.gov/pa/nwis/uv/?site_no=01541340&PARAmeter_cd=00062
Complete information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania is available from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.
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. Complete information on hunting rules and regulations in Pennsylvania is available from the Pennsylvania Game Commission Web site. Hiking: 32.65 miles of trails Biking: 2.3 miles of trails Mountain Biking: 20 miles of trails For more information on mountain biking, contact the park office or www.theAlleghenies.com. Follow the link to Mountain Biking, Choose a Tour, Killbuck Run tour. The Web site has maps, que sheets and additional information. Horseback Riding: All equestrian trails can be accessed from the Beaverdam Boat Launch. A riding stable adjacent to park property on Marina Road offers rides of varying degrees of difficulty and length on park property. Stay the Night
Explore the campground map. Explore camping for more information.
Make a reservation. Free Camping for Campground Hosts: 7 host positions
Make a reservation.
Explore the cabin map. Explore cabins for more information.
Make a reservation. Organized Group Tenting: A rustic tenting area may be reserved by organized adult and youth groups from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. There are picnic tables, restrooms and drinking water. A shower house is within easy walking distance. Explore organized group tenting for more information. Winter ActivitiesExplore the Winter Report for the current snow and ice depths. Cross-country Skiing: Seven miles of marked trails are available for this popular wintertime activity. Snowmobiling: Registered snowmobiles may use the 20-mile trail network. Snowmobiles may be operated on designated trails and roads from the day following the last deer season in December until April 1, weather permitting. Ice Fishing: The 1,635-acre Glendale Lake is popular for ice fishing. Common species caught through the ice are perch, walleye, pike and crappies. Ice thickness is not monitored. For your safety, be sure the ice is four inches thick and carry safety equipment. Iceboating: Iceboats must display a state park launch permit. Environmental Education and InterpretationAn environmental education specialist offers a wide variety of environmental education and interpretive programs seasonally. Through hands-on activities, guided walks and programs, participants gain appreciation, understanding and develop a sense of stewardship toward the natural and cultural resources of the park. Recreational programming includes interpretive kayak and pontoon boat tours of Lake Glendale. Curriculum-based environmental education field learning experiences are available for K – 12 school groups, youth organizations and homeschool associations. Explore the Calendar of Events for a listing of events from today forward. Explore environmental education and interpretation for more information. Wind Turbine: The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) installed small-scale wind turbines to show how alternative energy can reduce pollution and lessen our dependence on fossil fuels. For hundreds of years, traditional windmills harnessed wind energy to pump water or grind grain. Today's modern equivalent – the wind turbine – uses wind energy to generate electricity which has far less impact on the environment than energy generation based on fossil fuels. To see how much energy is generated by the park's small-scale wind turbine, and how much energy is used daily, weekly and monthly visit the wind turbine page. Access for People with Disabilities
In an EmergencyContact a park employee or dial 911. Nearest Hospital The diverse habitats of Prince Gallitzin State Park provide great opportunities for viewing wildlife. Please observe wildlife from a distance and do not feed wildlife. The 1,635-acre Glendale Lake, with its 26 miles of shoreline, is home to many species of fish, birds and animals. Wyerough Branch and the upper reaches of Slatelick and Mudlick branches are covered in wetland plants and are a good places to see ducks, herons and rails. In the spring and fall,waterfowl stop at the lake to rest on their migrations north and south. The forests of the park are excellent for seeing many species of birds, especially warblers and vireos. The fields in the park are excellent for seeing butterflies. Prince Gallitzin State Park, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, has begun to enhance the Headache Hill area to improve wildlife diversity and create wildlife viewing areas. Feeding wildlife is prohibited. When animals become dependent on humans for food, this brings animals and humans into close contact which can lead to potentially dangerous situations. Human food is often of little nutritional value to animals and can make animals sick and unhealthy. Prince GallitzinPrince Gallitzin State Park is named for Father Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin. Born in Holland (Netherlands) on December 22, 1770, he was the only son of Prince Dimitri Alexievitch Gallitzin, Russian Ambassador to Holland, and his wife Amalia Von Schmettau Gallitzin. In 1792, young Gallitzin arrived in the United States and became intrigued at the contrast between the terrible social and political state of France and the civil and religious liberty that had become fundamental principles in the social structure of the new country. He determined to devote his life to being a Catholic priest and entered the Sulpician Seminary in Baltimore. On March 18, 1795, Gallitzin was ordained as one of the earliest people in the United States upon whom the full orders of the priesthood were conferred. He became a naturalized citizen of the United States and was first assigned to the Conewago mission near the Susquehanna River and south of present day Harrisburg. Prince Gallitzin, the son of Russian nobility, played an important role in the settling of central and northern Cambria County. There were a large number of widely scattered farms throughout the region. Father Gallitzin was responsible for establishing the first Catholic Church between the Susquehanna and the Mississippi (St. Michael’s Parish) and the town of Loretto. He arranged the construction of a gristmill, tannery and sawmill. He taught children and for many settlers was their doctor, lawyer and banker. Father Gallitzin never returned to his homeland and died in Loretto on May 6, 1840. His contributions are remembered in several place names in Cambria County, including the town of Gallitzin, Gallitzin Springs, as well as Prince Gallitzin State Park. Father Gallitzin, for all his great deeds and hard work helping the settlers of the region, will forever be known as the “Apostle of the Alleghenies.” Park HistoryIn the 1930s, much of the area that is now Prince Gallitzin State Park was forested and laced with trout streams and beaver dams. The Pennsylvania Game Commission owned much of the land. The local economy was depressed and the population of the area was declining. It was in this atmosphere that the idea of a park was conceived. In 1935, during the Great Depression, the National Park Service proposed to establish several Recreation Demonstration Areas in Pennsylvania. A project was proposed and approved for this area, but was never implemented. The project proposal map is on file in the park office and has an uncanny resemblance to Prince Gallitzin State Park. In 1955, the Patton Chamber of Commerce and the Patton Sportsmen proposed a 30-acre dam in the Killbuck Area. In March of that same year, Dr. Maurice K. Goddard, Secretary of the Department of Forests and Waters, met with the Patton Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Goddard approved of the idea and from that beginning, the original concept rapidly expanded. On April 4, 1957, Governor George M. Leader announced plans for “Pennsylvania’s largest and most complete state park” and land acquisition began. The park was to have a 1,760-acre lake and “provide the people of this State with the finest recreation facilities.” Money derived from the Oil and Gas Lease Fund, recently authorized by the state legislature, was to pay for the proposed two million dollar project. Secretary Goddard said, “No other areas that I have seen in the Commonwealth has this unique combination of characteristics. I predict we will be able to fulfill the desires of the Legislature much beyond their expectations in the development of this outstanding park.” The park was one of Pennsylvania’s largest parks at the time. From July 8 to July 15, 1967, the park hosted the National Campers and Hikers Association convention. There were 26,500 people camped in the fields around Headache Hill. The convention brought national awareness to the park and Pennsylvania. In April of 1970, Crooked Run Campground opened, the docks at Beaver Valley Marina opened, and the first seasonal park naturalist conducted lectures and walks. Further improvements like the addition of hiking trails, cabins and upgrades to facilities continue to make Prince Gallitzin one of the finest recreational facilities in Pennsylvania. Dam Data
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Becoming a Conservation Volunteer is easy.
Scouts and organized groups can earn free camping by completing service projects. Join a Friends GroupFriends of Prince Gallitzin State Park The Friends of Prince Gallitzin State Park formed in January, 2007, to provide already active volunteers at the park additional ways to contribute to the conservation and preservation of the park and its resources. The mission of the Friends of Prince Gallitzin State Park is to endeavor to preserve and enhance the natural and built resources of Prince Gallitzin State Park, while promoting education and recreation for all visitors now and in the future. The Friends of Prince Gallitzin State Park formed as a chapter of the PA Parks and Forests Foundation (PPFF). PPFF is a private, non-profit organization that works to develop resources which compliment the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). PPFF’s mission is to enhance Pennsylvania’s parks and forests, protect Pennsylvania’s natural resources, and support conservation and environmental programs. Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation
Make a DonationTo a park - find this park's address below To a park's friends group - see above To a park or the Bureau of State Parks - Pennsylvania Parks and Forestry Foundation www.paparksandforests.org Through a purchase at a park gift shop Thank you for your support! Education ProgramsWe love when young people ask us how to get involved!
In Watershed Education, teachers and students assess water quality of a local stream on a quarterly basis and develop strategies to solve local water quality problems. ECO Camp - Exploring Careers Outdoors - is a week-long residential camp for a cross-section of high school youth from across Pennsylvania, sponsored by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). Participate in action-packed, hands on activities and recreational adventures in Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests that expose youth to conservation, recreation and careers in natural resources. Learn how people make a living working in the outdoors. Explore education for more information on these and other programs. Explore the Calendar of Events to find a program near you. iConservePA
Come Work with UsPennsylvania State Parks and the Department of Conservation and Natrual Resources offer a wide range of civil service and non-civil service jobs, from foresters, to rangers, to engineers, to educators, to botanists and so much more. Learn what is currently available. Tell us What You ThinkContact this park with compliments, concerns and issues about the park. Prince Gallitzin State Park Nearby AttractionsInformation on nearby attractions is available from the Johnstown and Cambria County Convention and Visitors Bureau. www.visitjohnstownpa.com Rock Run Recreation Area: This 6,000-acre park has over 50 miles of trails for dirt bikes and four-wheelers. www.rockrunrecreation.com Maps and Downloadables
You must have the free Adobe Reader to view the maps and brochures that are in pdf format (.pdf). Alternate versions of the text of the brochures are in rich text and text formats. Click on the files to view them. To download (.rtf) files: Recreational GuidePrince Gallitzin State Park Map (.pdf) (2,456 kb, 5/12) Interactive GIS MapThe Interactive GIS Map uses Geographic Information Systems to create a map that does not need to be downloaded and features driving directions, searchable park amenities and customizable maps. Please note that the background maps are maintained by a variety of public sources and driving directions usually go to the nearest large road. Campground MapCrooked Run Campground Map (.pdf) (2,380 kb, 3/13) Cabin MapPrince Gallitzin State Park cabin map (.pdf) (49 kb, 3/11) Hospital MapNearest hospitals to Prince Gallitzin State Park (.pdf) (317 kb, 3/11) Directions MapPrince Gallitzin State Park Directions Map (.pdf) (191 kb, 3/11) Bird ChecklistPrince Gallitzin State Park Bird Checklist (.pdf) (2,060 kb, 3/11)  Prince Gallitzin State Park is in northern Cambria County and is reached by PA 36 and 53 and US 22 and 219. From US 219, at Carrolltown, turn onto SR 4015. At Patton, take US 36 east to Glendale Lake Road. From US 22, Cresson Exit, follow PA 53 north. From PA 53, turn at either Frugality or Flinton. At Frugality, following State Park Drive/Marina Road will take you into the major day use areas of the park. From Flinton, Beaver Valley Road will also take you into the park and is a more direct route to the campground. From I-99, Exit 32, follow PA 36 west, turn right at Ashville onto PA 53 north. DD: 40.651 N 78.555 W Driving Directions: The Interactive GIS Map has turn-by-turn driving directions to the park office from the Park Information Window. Please note that the background maps are maintained by a variety of public sources and driving directions usually go to the nearest large road. Prince Gallitzin State Park
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Like to spend time in the outdoors, meet friendly people and help make Pennsylvania State Parks great? Volunteering at a park might be for you.
Believing that each generation is responsible for leaving behind a better legacy of good conservation, the Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation (PPFF) was created in 1999 to give supporters and users of Pennsylvania's parks and forests a positive way to contribute to the conservation of our publicly-owned properties. The Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation welcomes the support of individuals and businesses who share a commitment to conserving, protecting, and enhancing the natural, scenic, and recreational areas of this commonwealth. 
Do you take conservation personally? iConservePA is a Web site managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources whose vision is to inspire citizens to value their natural resources, engage in conservation practices and experience the outdoors. 
Below are many of the maps and publications for this park. You can read them or download them and might need special software (all free) to view the publications.