Raccoon Creek State Park

Hiking   -  Mountain Biking   -  Horseback Riding   -  Picnicking   -  Swimming   -  Boating   -  Fishing   -  Hunting   -  Recreation Hall   -  Education   -  Cross-country Skiing   -  Ice Fishing   -  Ice Skating   -  Snowmobiling   -  Organized Group Cabin Camps   -  Organized Group Tenting   -  Backpacking   -  Lakeside Lodge   -  Cabins   -  Camping

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Picnicking: About 400 picnic tables are available throughout the park. All picnic areas have grills, drinking water and restrooms.

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Swimming: The 500-foot, ADA accessible sand/turf beach is open from late-May to mid-September, 8 a.m. to sunset. Please read and follow posted rules for swimming. Swim at your own risk. A bathhouse and a food refreshment stand are nearby.

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Boating: electric motors only
The 101-acre Raccoon Lake has two boat launches and 48 mooring spaces. A boat rental has canoes, rowboats and kayaks.

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.

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Fishing: The 101-acre Raccoon Lake has bluegill, sunfish, bullhead catfish, yellow perch, walleye, muskellunge, crappie, sauger, largemouth and smallmouth bass. Cold-water fish like brook and rainbow trout are stocked and found both in the lake and in feeder streams. There is an ADA accessible fishing pier on Raccoon Lake. The twelve-acre Upper Lake provides catch and release fishing year-round. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission laws apply.

Complete information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania is available from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.

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Hunting: Over 6,000 acres are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, turkey, rabbit, grouse, pheasant and squirrel. Early and late goose hunting may occur.

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.

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Hiking: 44 miles
The park offers a wide variety of hiking options to meet the needs of the casual day hiker as well as the overnight backpacker looking for a challenge within a wilderness setting. Explore trails for complete trail descriptions.

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Mountain Biking: 17 miles
Multi-use trails and roads are for trail biking. A variety of terrain features offer everything from steep and rolling hills to level service roads. Explore trails for complete trail descriptions.

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Horseback Riding: 16 miles of equestrian trails
Multi-use trails and roads provide horseback riders with an extensive bridle trail system. The equestrian trailhead parking lot is along PA 168 on the western border of the park. Access to the trail system is from the parking lot via the Appaloosa Spur Trail. There are no horse rentals. Explore trails for complete trail descriptions.

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Recreation Hall: The large, ADA accessible Recreation Hall in the Modern Cabin Area can be rented for group meetings or family reunions. The facility is a large hall with modern bathrooms, kitchen and fireplace. It is ADA accessible with parking and recreational facilities. Reservations for the hall can be made, for a fee, at the park office.

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Stay the Night

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Camping: flush toilets, warm showers, some electric hook-ups
The 172 modern tent and trailer campsites are open from the second Friday in April to mid-October. The wooded campground offers a selection of secluded or adjoining sites, a playground, five central washhouses with hot showers and a sanitary dump station. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Campsites B, 1, 2, 3 and F21 are ADA accessible. All sites in C and F loops are designated for pet camping.

Explore the campground map.

Camping: rustic sites
Sioux Rustic campground is open year-round, water and pit-latrines are available. Access is not guaranteed during severe winter storms.

Explore camping for more information.

Make a reservation.

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Free Camping for Campground Hosts: one host positions
The modern campground host site has amenities that include 20, 30 or 50-amp electric service. The host is required to assist park personnel perform daily campground duties and provide information to campers Fridays through Mondays and holidays/special events. There is a three-week minimum stay requirement and a six-week maximum limit. Contact the park office for additional information or availability.

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Backpacking: 19.5 miles
There are five Adirondack shelters and tenting sites in each of the Pioneer and Sioux backpacking areas. These shelter and tent sites are for backpacking only and can be reserved through the park office or online. Explore trails for complete trail descriptions.

Make a reservation.

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Modern Cabins: The ten modern cabins contain a furnished living area, kitchen/dining area, toilet/shower room and two or three-bedrooms. The cabins have electric heat and are available for rent year-round. Cabin 10 is ADA accessible. Cabin users must bring their own cooking and eating utensils and bed and bath linens. Pets are prohibited in the cabins.

Explore the cabin map.

Explore cabins for more information.

Make a reservation.

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Lakeside Lodge: This three-bedroom cottage that sleeps ten people. The lodge can be rented by the week during the summer season and with a two-night minimum during the off-season. The lodge has a full kitchen, dining room, one and one-half bathrooms, living room with a fireplace, laundry facilities, and central heat and air conditioning. It also has a large patio area with an outdoor gas grill. Renters must bring their own linens. Pets are prohibited in the lodge. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the park.

Items the renters need to bring with them are bed linens, pillows, blankets, towels, dish soap, laundry detergent and first aid kit. Optional items to consider bringing are a bow saw, matches, lawn chairs, cell phone, TV w/antenna, and radio.

Make a reservation.

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Organized Group Tenting: There are two main rustic group tenting areas in the western side of the park. The Sioux group tenting area is divided into two sites: area A, 20 people; area B, 60 people. The more remote Pioneer group tenting area is divided into four sites: Apache, 60 people; Blackfeet, 20 people; Cherokee; 60 people; Mohawk, 40 people. Potable water and vault latrines or portable restrooms are available. Access is not guaranteed during severe winter storms.

Explore organized group tenting for more information.

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Organized Group Cabin Camps: These three camps are rented from mid-April to mid-October at a nominal fee to nonprofit, organized adult and youth groups like scout, YMCA, school, church or other organizations. The camps contain rustic lodges, dining halls, cabins and utility buildings. Camp #1 holds 30 campers. Camp #2 holds 130 campers. Camp #3 holds 80 campers. Reservations are made at the park office for long or short rental periods.

Explore organized group cabins for more information.

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Winter Activities

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Explore the Winter Report for the current snow and ice depths.

There are various wintertime special events. Spectacular ice formations may be seen at the Frankfort Mineral Springs in the winter.

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Cross-country Skiing: Most trails are open to cross-country skiing, however it is recommended to avoid trails rated ‘difficult.’ A designated 2.2-mile cross-country skiing trail is located between the beach access road and the roadside east picnic area.

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Ice Fishing: Ice fishing is permitted on the 101-acre Raccoon Lake as conditions permit.

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Ice Skating: Ice skating is permitted on the 101-acre Raccoon Lake as conditions permit.

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Snowmobiling: Snowmobiling is permitted on four miles of Nichol and Pioneer Camp roads, conditions permitting. Parking is available in a lot off PA 168 and Nichol Road. Please use caution because these roads are also open to hunters with disabilities.

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Environmental Education and Interpretation

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The park offers a wide variety of environmental education and interpretive programs. Through hands-on activities, guided walks and evening programs, participants gain appreciation, understanding and develop a sense of stewardship toward natural and cultural resources.

Curriculum-based environmental education programs are available to schools and youth groups. Teacher workshops are available. Group programs must be arranged in advance and may be scheduled by calling the Wildflower Reserve Interpretive Center. The Wildflower Reserve Interpretive Center has exhibits and brochures on natural history and historic areas of the park Programs are offered year-round. For more detailed information contact the Wildflower Reserve Interpretive Center. 724-899-3611

Explore the Calendar of Events for a listing of events from today forward.

Explore environmental education and interpretation for more information.

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Access for People with Disabilities

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If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit.

 

Many opportunities exist at Raccoon Creek State Park to see a variety of wildlife. When observing wildlife, remember to maintain a safe distance and never feed wild animals. For birders, the Audubon Trail in the Wildflower Reserve is great for warblers. Waterfowl are abundant around Raccoon Lake and Wetland Trail. In winter, it is common to see large flocks of turkeys near the campground and roadside picnic areas. Deer and raccoon are common throughout the park. Most of the larger stream valleys have active beaver, muskrat and mink. In the more remote western side of the park you may encounter the elusive red fox, skunk and opossum.

Raccoon Creek State Park Wildflower Reserve

The 314-acre Wildflower Reserve contains one of the most diverse stands of wildflowers in western Pennsylvania. Over 700 species of plants have been identified in the Reserve.

Trails lead through a variety of habitats like, oak-hickory forest, pine plantations, woodland meadows and flood plain forest along Raccoon Creek. Peak wildflower blooms occur in late April and August.

Because of its uniqueness and to preserve the many wildflower species, the Reserve is closed to all activities other than hiking on designated trails. Pets are prohibited in the Reserve.

Detailed trail information can be found in the Wildflower Reserve Trail Map, available at the Wildflower Reserve Interpretive Center and the park office. The Wildflower Reserve is open 8 a.m. to sunset.

In the 1930s, the National Park Service created the Raccoon Creek National Recreation Demonstration Area. Men from the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) built the recreation facilities of the park and did conservation work on park lands.

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

In 1945, the planned transfer of land finally took place, creating Raccoon Creek State Park. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania continued to develop facilities, including Raccoon Creek Lake in 1948, swimming and picnicking areas in 1950, a campground in 1956 and a cabin colony in the 1980s.

Historic Areas

Frankfort Mineral Springs is south of the park office. This once famous resort complex of the late 1800s attracted visitors who believed in the healing qualities of the mineral water. The springs can be viewed by hiking the short Mineral Springs Trail from the parking lot on PA 18.

King's Creek Cemetery, on the park's southwestern boundary off of PA 168, is the final resting-place of many of the first settlers of the area.

 

Keep in Touch

Add yourself to the DCNR's online community to receive info on this park, or parks in general.

Volunteering

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.

Becoming a Conservation Volunteer is easy.

• Sign up to be a Conservation Volunteer
  OR
• Contact your local state park directly and ask for the Conservation Volunteer coordinator - you'll be hooked up with an interesting and appropriate project in Pennsylvania's natural resources.
   

Scouts and organized groups can earn free camping by completing service projects.

Join a Friends Group

The Friends of Raccoon Creek State Park is a non-profit group that works to further the goals of Raccoon Creek State Park. www.friendsofraccoon.org

Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation

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. www.paparksandforests.org

Make a Donation

To 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 Programs

We love when young people ask us how to get involved!

DiscoverE has programs for young people ages 4 to 17, provided by Pennsylvania State Park educators. By combining recreation and education, we hope to motivate children to learn more and return often, leading to a lifetime of outdoor enjoyment and conservation leadership. 

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

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. Take conservation personally.

Come Work with Us

Pennsylvania 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 Think

Contact this park with compliments, concerns and issues about the park.

Raccoon Creek State Park

Nearby Attractions

Information on nearby attractions is available from the  Beaver County Recreation and Tourism Department. www.visitbeavercounty.com

Hillman State Park provides hunting and a radio-controlled model airplane field.

State game lands 189 and 117 provide hunting and general recreation. 724-238-9523

Maps and Downloadables

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.

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:
For Windows users, right click on the link then left click on "Save target as" to download the file to your computer. For Mac users, hold down the "Options" button and click on the link, then select "Save" to download the file to your computer.

Recreational Guide

Raccoon Creek State Park Map (.pdf) (2,073 kb, 5/12)
Raccoon Creek State Park Recreational Guide (.pdf) (402 kb, 3/11)
    large print version of the guide text (.rtf)

Interactive GIS Map

The 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 Map

Raccoon Creek State Park Campground Map (.pdf)  (1,351 kb, 2/13)
    large print version of the brochure (.rtf)

Cabin Map

Raccoon Creek State Park cabin map (.pdf) (42 kb, 3/11)

Directions Map

Raccoon Creek State Park Directions Map (.pdf) (204 kb, 3/11)

Common Birds Brochure

Common Birds of Raccoon Creek State Park (.pdf) (373 kb, 3/11)

Wildflower Reserve Trail Map Brochure

Wildflower Reserve Trail Map (.pdf) (399 kb, 11/11)