Yellow Creek State Park

The 2,981-acre Yellow Creek State Park is in Indiana County along one of the first “highways” in the state, the Kittanning Path. This trail was used by the Delaware and Shawnee nations and by early settlers. Today, visitors enjoy the sand beach, picnicking and the educational programs. The 720-acre Yellow Creek Lake is a destination for boaters and anglers. The lake and park are an important rest stop for migrating birds. The park is named for Yellow and Little Yellow creeks, which create the lake. The creeks have lots of yellow clay in the banks and bottoms.

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Directions - Weather  - Recreation  - Winter Activities  - Winter Report  - Environmental Education  - Accessibility  - History  - Calendar of Events  - Nearby Attractions  - Volunteers  - Rules and Regs  - Photos - In an Emergency  - Contact Us  - Maps and Downloadables

Park Advisories

Directions

Yellow Creek State Park is along PA 422 between the towns of Ebensburg and Indiana.

Recreational Opportunities

Hiking  Mountain Biking  - Picnicking  - Swimming  - Boating  - Fishing  - Hunting  - Cross-country Skiing  - Sledding  - Snowmobiling  - Ice Fishing  - Ice Skating  - Yurts  - Camping Cottages 

Hiking: 5 miles of trails
Laurel Run Trail is a 0.5-mile loop which starts at the park office. This easy hike is especially beautiful in the spring when wildflowers abound. Ridgetop Trail is a challenging 2-mile trail. It begins in the beach/day-use area and winds through a variety of habitats. Damsite Trail is a 2.5-mile trail that offers a view of the Yellow Creek dam. To get to this trail, follow PA 259 south from the park office. After taking a right turn at the stop sign, turn onto Hoffman Road, the second road to your right. This road ends at a small parking area where Damsite Trail begins.

Mountain Biking: Mountain Biking: The mountain bike trails on the north and south shores are for hikers and bikers. The trails are easy riding with some challenging sections, which have alternate routes to bypass the obstacles.

Picnicking: The beach/day use area has parking for over 4,000 people. Picnic tables, modern restrooms and a limited number of charcoal grills are scattered throughout the area. Visitors are urged to provide their own grills. Open ground fires are not permitted in the park. Pets are permitted in the day use area and must be controlled and attended at all times and on a leash or otherwise safely restrained. Three 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. There is a small picnic area on the north shore near the North Boat Launch and another is near the park office.

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Yurts: These four Mongolian-style tents are round, on a wooden deck and sleep five people in single bunks and double/single bunks. Yurts have a cooking stove, refrigerator, countertop, table, chairs, electric heat and outlets, fire ring and picnic table. Restrooms are nearby.

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Pets are not permitted in the cottage/yurt area.

Camping Cottages: Six 13’ by 15’ cottages are along the lakeshore near McFeaters Cove. Each cottage sleeps five people in single bunks and double/single bunks. The cottages have wooden floors, windows, porch, picnic table, fire ring, and electric lights and outlets. Restrooms are nearby.

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Boating: up to 20 hp motors permitted
The 720-acre Yellow Creek Lake has boat launching ramps on the north shore, the south shore, in the beach/day-use area and also a small launch in Grampaps Cove. A boat rental in the beach/day use area offers motorboats, canoes, rowboats, paddleboats, pontoon boats and small sailboats.

Overnight mooring of boats is permitted in the park by special permit only. For your safety, please be certain that required U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices are on board for all passengers.

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.

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

Boat Rental: Located in the main day-use area, the boat rental is open from Memorial Day through the end of September. The hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends. It rents pontoon boats, motorboats, canoes, peddle boats, sailboats, and kayaks. Boats are rented first-come, first-served, and can be rented by the hour or by the day. Weekly rates are available for our overnight guests. The concession is operated by Yellow Creek State Park with staffing provided by Indiana University of Pennsylvania. For more information, contact the park office 724-357-7913.

Swimming: The 800-foot 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. A large, modern bathhouse and a snack bar are in the beach area. Pets are not permitted on the beach.

Hunting and Firearms: Most of Yellow Creek State Park is open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, pheasant, rabbit, squirrel, bear, turkey and waterfowl.

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 720-acre Yellow Creek Lake is well stocked with most warm-water game fish and panfish. These include smallmouth and largemouth bass, walleye, muskellunge, northern pike, tiger muskellunge, yellow perch, bluegill and catfish. There is an ADA accessible fishing pier on the north shore. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission big bass regulations are in effect on Yellow Creek Lake.

Laurel Run, Yellow Creek and Little Yellow Creek are stocked with brown and brook trout and provide excellent trout fishing. The breast of Dragonfly Pond is usable by many people with disabilities, and is also for children 12 years and younger. Access ramps and benches are provided. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission laws apply. Fishing is not permitted in the swimming area, from boat launching docks or in the boat mooring area. For complete information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.

Visit the U. S. Geological Survey Web site for the water level of Yellow Creek near Homer City . http://waterdata.usgs.gov/pa/nwis/uv/?site_no=03042280&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060,00010

Winter Activities

Explore the Winter Report for current snow and ice depths.

Ice Fishing: Sunfish, perch and pike are caught most frequently through the ice at Yellow Creek. Wooden devices for ice rescue are located around all ice use access areas. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission laws apply and anglers must display a valid fishing license.

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

Sledding and Tobogganing: An area is maintained opposite the south boat launch for sledding and tobogganing. If you decide that another hill looks more inviting or challenging, please be alert for old fences that may still be in the area.

Snowmobiling: Registered snowmobiles are allowed in one area that is about 350 acres in size. This designated area consists of forests and open fields. The access to this trail area is from the beach/day use area.

Ice Skating: The lake near the boat rental building in the beach/day use area is available for ice skating. There are facilities here for a warming fire and winter picnics.

Iceboating: Iceboating is permitted on the lake provided the boat displays a launch permit. Iceboats are not available for rental.

Cross-country Skiing and Snowshoeing: While no special area or trail system has been developed for these winter sports, the park has many opportunities for cross-country skiers and snowshoers of all levels of experience. Trails, open fields, forested areas and abandoned roads may all be used for exploring the park in winter.

Environmental Education and Interpretation

Educational programs are offered to the public from April 1st to October 31st. A schedule of activities is available at the park office. The Environmental Learning Classroom is near Dragonfly Pond. Curriculum-based environmental education programs are available to schools and youth groups. Teacher workshops are available. Group programs must be arranged in advance. 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.

Park History

As part of its plan to have a state park within 25 miles of every resident of Pennsylvania, the former Department of Forests and Waters began acquiring land for a park in 1963. An earth and rock dam, creating a 720-acre lake, was completed in 1969. The park was dedicated on July 4, 1976. An additional 159 acres of developed land were purchased in 1982.

Nearby Attractions

For information on nearby attractions, contact the Indiana County Tourist Bureau, www.visitindianacountypa.org.

State game lands 273 and 248 provide areas for public hunting and general recreation.

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:
Indiana Regional Medical Center
835 Hospital Road
Indiana, PA 15701
724-357-7000

For More Information Contact

Yellow Creek State Park
170 Route 259 Highway
Penn Run, PA 15765-5941
724-357-7913
Manager: Kenneth Bisbee

E-mail: yellowcreeksp@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.