Penn-Roosevelt State Park
c/o Greenwood Furnace
Huntingdon, PA 16652-9006
814-667-1800

This 41-acre park is in an isolated area of the Seven Mountains region known as the Stone Creek Kettle. While this Centre County park is small in size, it is surrounded by an 80,000-acre block of Rothrock State Forest. Penn-Roosevelt is a good base for those seeking low-density recreation on this vast expanse of public land.

Directions
The park is easily reached from US 322, one-half mile east of Potters Mills (where US 322 changes from two to four lanes) turn south onto Crowfield Road (six miles to park) or further east, turn south, (near the runaway truck ramp) onto Stone Creek Road (also six miles to park). Penn-Roosevelt can also be reached from Greenwood Furnace State Park. Turn onto Broad Mountain Road at the park office. Follow the Penn-Roosevelt signs (12 miles to the park). Obtain a copy of the Rothrock State Forest Public. Use Map from Greenwood Furnace State Park or the Bureau of Forestry office in Huntingdon. The roads to the park are not plowed in the winter.

Recreational Opportunities

Picnicking:
A picnic area is on the west side of the lake. Picnic tables and a reservable picnic pavilion are available on the eastern side. Call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS for reservations. Drinking water and restrooms are available year-round.

Camping: rustic sites, tents only
The 18 rustic campsites are for tents only. Some sites are walk-in for more privacy. Drinking water and non-flush toilets are available. Due to the isolated location, Penn-Roosevelt provides an excellent opportunity to get away from noise and electric lights. Park rangers routinely patrol the park and camping fees are paid through a self-registration/payment system. Please keep food and coolers in vehicles to discourage wild animals.

Hiking:
Many trails are on nearby state forest land. The Mid State Trail bisects the park and provides cross-country hiking in the Ridge and Valley Region of central Pennsylvania. This 261-mile ridge top route connects US 22 at Water Street, Huntington County and the West Rim Trail in the Tioga State Forest north of Blackwell, Tioga County. This trail passes through a diversity of forested areas from newly regenerated forest stands to mature and old growth timber areas. Scenic vistas dot the trail, which passes through Thickhead Wild Area, and Bear Meadows and Detweiler Run natural areas.

Wildlife Watching

Wildlife is abundant in the area. The alert observer may see white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey and many species of small game. Due to the small acreage, Penn-Roosevelt State Park is closed to hunting. However, the surrounding Rothrock State Forest is open to hunting. The camping area makes an excellent base for a fall hunting trip. Feeding wild animals such as bears, raccoons and skunks is prohibited. When wildlife loses its fear of people, dangerous situations can result.

Water Resources: 
The small, 3.5-acre lake at the confluence of Sassafras Run and Standing Stone Creek is not stocked, but there are wily native brook trout. The stream below the dam is stocked in the spring. Wading is permitted in the lake and stream; swimming is not. On quiet evenings, muskrats can be seen on the lake and an occasional duck, goose or eagle visits from time to time. Trapping is not permitted.

History

At the turn of the 20th century, large railroad logging operations were in progress in the Seven Mountains area with the hillsides and hollows receiving a “lumberman’s shave” typical of the day. During the summer, Reichley Brothers, a logging company, ran a 39-mile Sunday excursion train carrying up to 210 passengers, mostly from Lewistown. The trip began at Milroy, traveled to Poe Mills, to Thickhead Mountain, through the Stone Creek Kettle, and back to Milroy by way of Laurel Creek. One of the hardest climbs was at Stone Gap, just south of the main park area.

These logging company properties were later sold to the Commonwealth in large tracts, forming the bulk of the Rothrock State Forest. Many of the railroad grades were later used as a base for the state forest roads. Observant visitors can still find some of the grades.

Penn-Roosevelt State Park did not exist until June 5, 1933, when members of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) arrived to set up a work camp during the height of the Great Depression. The camp at Penn-Roosevelt was first known as Camp S-62, Stone Creek Kettle. The CCC of the 1930s was segregated and the camp at Stone Creek Kettle was one of only 12 Black camps in Pennsylvania. Corpsmembers lived at the camp and constructed recreational facilities, including a 195-foot log-crib dam that has since been stone-faced. They also built many of the surrounding forestry roads and trails. Two fireplaces, a unique stone bake oven and other ruins of the camp can still be found.

For many years, Penn-Roosevelt was a state forest picnic area and in 1983, it was officially designated as Penn-Roosevelt State Park.