Ryerson Station State Park
Ryerson Station State Park is in Greene County in the southwestern corner of Pennsylvania, near the West Virginia border. The 1,164-acre park features the 62-acre Ronald J. Duke Lake that is named in memory of a former manager of Ryerson Station State Park. The lake is currently drawn down for dam safety issues. |
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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
| 10/30/2009 8:09:00 AM | PLEASE BE ADVISED THE SHOWER HOUSE IS NOW CLOSED FOR THE SEASON. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL THE PARK OFFICE AT 724-428-4254 |
| 9/3/2008 12:56:00 PM | Duke Lake at Ryerson Station State Park was drawn down on 7/28/05 due to concerns about the dam. As a result there is currently no lake, no boating and only limited trout fishing available at the park until the concerns can be addressed and the lake refilled. The limited trout fishing areas are in the stream above what once was the lake near the iron bridge, and below the breached dam. The park is still open for camping, hiking, and picniking year-round and when in season, the swimming pool is open. For additional information please call the park at 724-428-4254. |
| 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 on both sides of Bristoria Road, just off PA 21, three miles from Wind Ridge, Pa. These highways are accessible from either Washington or Waynesburg, Pa. |
Recreational Opportunities
Hiking - Picnicking - Swimming - Boating - Fishing - Hunting - Cross-country Skiing - Sledding - Snowmobiling - Ice Skating - Ice Fishing - Organized Group Tenting - Camping Cottages - Camping
Camping: rustic sites, some with elec.
A 46-site campground for tents or trailers lies on a ridge overlooking the park. Camping facilities are open year-round. Camping permits must be secured at the park office. Rustic toilets and a sanitary dump station are provided. Twenty-two sites have electric hookups requiring an additional fee.
Make a reservation
Free Camping for Campground Hosts: one host position in the rustic campgroundThe campground host site has amenities including 30-amp electric service. The host is required to assist park personnel for seven days a week with a four-week minimum stay of no more than eight weeks. Contact the park office for additional information and availability.
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Camping Cottages: Located in the campground, the two cottages sleep five people in single bunks and double/single bunks, and have wooden floors, windows, electric heat, porch, picnic table, fire ring and electric lights and outlets. Explore the campground map. Explore camping for more information.
Make a reservation |
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Organized Group Tenting: A rustic camping area is available for organized adult or youth groups from the second Friday in April through the end of September. The area can hold up to 80 people and provides rustic toilets, drinking water, fire rings, picnic tables and a pavilion. Reservations are required.
Explore organized group tenting for more information.
Picnicking: Picnic tables are available throughout the park, along with charcoal grills, drinking water and restrooms. Some of these facilities are ADA accessible. A small, children’s play area is in the main picnic area.
The park has five picnic pavilions. Three 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
Hunting and Firearms: About 900 acres are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs from the fall archery season through March 31 of the following year. Common game species are deer, grouse, squirrel and turkey. 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 to 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.
Fishing: The 62-acre Ronald J. Duke Lake is currently drawn down for dam safety issues. Efforts are ongoing to rebuild the dam.
North Fork of Dunkard Fork flows through the lakebed and offers fishing for trout and panfish. In the spring, the PA Fish and Boat Commission stocks the creek downstream from the breastwork of the old dam and upstream of the lakebed, near the iron bridge.
For complete information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.
Boating: There are currently no boating opportunities in the park.
Swimming: Weather permitting, a free pool is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day, unless posted otherwise. The pool complex is ADA accessible, including a lift for the pool.
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Hiking: 13 miles of trails |
Winter Activities
Explore the Winter Report for current snow and ice depths.
Ice Skating: An ice skating area is in the Maple Grove Day Use Area.
Sledding and Tobogganing: The hill next to the park office is suitable for sledding.
Ice Fishing: There are currently no ice fishing opportunities in the park.
Snowmobiling: Six miles of snowmobile trails are available for use by registered snowmobiles from the day following the last deer season in December until April 1, weather permitting.
Cross-country Skiing: Cross-country skiing is permitted on the ungroomed hiking trails and open areas throughout the park.
Environmental Education
A variety of programs are offered during the summer season. The park environmental educator usually offers evening programs on summer weekends, and guided hikes several times a week.
An environmental interpretive classroom is near 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
Kingdoms, nations and states have fought for the lands in and around Ryerson Station State Park.
The earliest known landholders were the Monongahela People. These American Indians disappeared right after European Colonists arrived in North America, leaving a huge territory that many fought to fill.
France and Great Britain fought for the Ohio River Valley in the French and Indian War, from 1689 to 1763. Unsatisfied with the peace treaty made with victorious British, American Indian tribes fought Pontiac’s Rebellion, which lasted three years.
To settle a land dispute between Pennsylvania and Maryland, Mason and Dixon surveyed the border between the states. In 1767, the surveyors were halted in Southwestern Pennsylvania by the Mingo Tribe who rightly feared that the white men were trying to steal their land.
Because European Settlers were invading Indian lands, angering the Indians, the British bought what became Southwestern Pennsylvania from the Iroquois League of Nations, in 1768. The Iroquois claimed the lands, but never lived there. The Mingo, Shawnee and Lenni Lenape tribes that inhabited the land were not at the parley and did not give up their claims. The American Indians fought for their lands, killing settlers.
The colonies of Virginia and Pennsylvania claimed the land. In 1774, Virginia built a fort at the confluence of the North and South forks of Dunkard Fork of Wheeling Creek.
A shelter from Indian raids, Ryerson’s Fort was used until at least 1784, maybe even 1793. It is unknown when Ryerson’s Fort came to be called Ryerson’s Station. The fort was one of many stations used by rangers who patrolled for raiding Indians.
The U.S. courts settled the land dispute between the states in 1784, making the land part of Pennsylvania.
The fighting between the settlers and Indians continued. In 1787, seven members of the Davis Family were killed at their home, which was near the current park office.
The American Indians moved west, but the fighting in Southwestern Pennsylvania did not end. In 1794, U.S. citizens took up arms against the government and its new tax in the Whiskey Rebellion. President George Washington brought the army to quell the insurrection, finally bringing peace.
The Park
As part of its plan to have a state park within 35 miles of every resident of Pennsylvania, the former Department of Forests and Waters began acquiring land for a park in 1958.
The dam was completed in 1960. In 1967 the campground was completed and Ryerson Station State Park opened to the public. The park was named for nearby Ryerson’s Fort. Duke Lake was named for Ronald J. Duke, a former park manager.
Nearby Attractions
For information on nearby attractions, contact Greene County.
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:
Southwest Medical Center
350 Bonar Avenue
Waynesburg, PA 15370
724-627-3101
For More Information Contact
Ryerson Station State Park
361 Bristoria Road
Wind Ridge, PA 15380-1258
724-428-4254
Manager: Alan Johnson
E-mail: ryersonstationsp@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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