Canoe Creek State Park
RR 2 Box 560
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648-9752
814-695-6807

Canoe Creek State Park, 12 miles east of Altoona, is a modern day use facility developed during the Project 70 expansion era of state parks and was dedicated in 1979. The vast openness of this 958-acre park is exemplified with a panoramic view when cresting the hill on Canoe Creek Road. 

A 155-acre lake provides excellent year-round fishing, a popular swimming area and enjoyment for small pleasure boaters. Fields and woodlots are managed to provide diversified habitat for small game species and a variety of wildlife.

Canoe Creek’s proximity to nearby communities allows local residents to take a short pleasure drive and enjoy an evening of fishing, picnicking or walking.

Directions

To reach Canoe Creek State Park, travel on US 22, until you arrive at the small village of Canoe Creek (seven miles east of Hollidaysburg), turn north on the Turkey Valley Road for one half mile to Canoe Creek Road, on the right.

Reservations

To reserve a cabin or a picnic pavilion, call 888-PA-PARKS, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon. - Sat. Cabins and picnic pavilions can be reserved from 11 months to two days in advance.

Recreational Opportunities

Modern Cabins

Eight modern cabins overlook the lake. They are within walking distance of the swimming area and are available for year-round rental. The rental period in the summer is one week. During the remainder of the year, they may be rented for a minimum of two days.

Fishing

The 155-acre Canoe Lake is stocked with walleye, muskellunge, bass, trout, chain pickerel, catfish, crappies and other panfish. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission laws apply. Ice fishing is a popular winter activity during the extended trout season. The ice thickness is not monitored. For your safety, be sure the ice is four inches thick and carry safety equipment.

Swimming

The sand beach is open from late-May to mid-September, 8 a.m. to sunset. Lifeguards are on duty from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, unless otherwise posted. Please read and follow posted rules for swimming when lifeguards are off-duty.

The sand beach is 350 feet long and has a grass sunning area and sand play areas. The bathhouse has showers and dressing booths.

A snack bar by the swimming beach carries a variety of fast food and drink items.

Picnicking

Areas on the east and west sides of the park provide numerous picnic tables. Picnic areas also contain charcoal grills and charcoal disposal units. Three picnic pavilions are available for rental. 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.

Biking

The one-mile Bike Trail runs between US 22 and Mattern Road, passing through the day use area.

Horseback Riding

A bridle trail loops around the northern part of the park. Riding horse rentals are not available in the area.

Hiking

8 miles of trails The trails pass through forests, fields, shrubby areas, historic areas and along the lake shore. Please wear fluorescent orange when hiking during hunting seasons.

Hunting and Firearms

About 550 acres are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, pheasant and rabbit.

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 accessible hunting information.

Use extreme caution with firearms at all times. The park is used by other visitors during hunting seasons. Firearms and archery equipment 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 must be kept in the owner's car, trailer or camp.

Boating

electric motors only 
The 155-acre Canoe Lake has boat launching areas are on both sides of the lake. Boat mooring spaces are available along the eastern shoreline. On the west side of the park, the boat rental has rowboats, paddleboats, kayaks and canoes.

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.

Winter Activities

Cross-country Skiing

All hiking, bridle and biking trails are available for skiing.

Ice Fishing

This is a popular winter activity during the extended trout season. The ice thickness is not monitored. For your safety, be sure the ice is four inches thick and carry safety equipment.

Ice Skating

There are two ponds just north of the Beaver Dam Road Boat Launch.

Ice boating

Iceboats must have a launch permit.

Environmental Education and Interpretation

Canoe Creek State 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 park office.

Programs are offered year-round. For more detailed information contact the park office. An interpretive center highlights the historical and natural resources of the park. Near the modern cabins, the center is open seasonally and at other times by group appointment.

Natural History

Old fields, wetlands, a lake and a limestone deep mine are interspersed with deciduous woodlots, which provide excellent habitat for over 200 species of birds and mammals.

The old church sanctuary is the home of the largest nursery colony of little brown bats in Pennsylvania. On warm summer evenings, visitors watch the bats exit or enjoy education programs at the church. 

A deep limestone mine is a hibernaculum (where animals hibernate) for more than 20,000 bats of six species, including the endangered Indiana bat.

Look inside the church through a video link. The video operates seasonally.

The park is a stopover place during bird migrations and serves as a summer nesting site for others. Canoe Creek Lake is great for seeing migrating waterfowl. Bluebird, indigo bunting, cedar waxwing, oriole, red-winged blackbird and brown thrasher frequent the wetlands along Mary Ann’s Creek. Osprey and bald eagle are noteworthy spring and fall migrants.

History

Geologic formations in and around the park are rich in limestone. This limestone was extracted and used for many purposes, including supplying a raw material for the once thriving iron and steel industry of Pennsylvania. The park has several old quarry operations. 

Two calcining plants (limekilns), the Hartman kilns site and the Blair Limestone Company kilns site, operated in the park during the early 1900s. The Blair Limestone Company Kiln remnants are the focus of historical and interpretive programs and displays. This company was a subsidiary of Jones and Laughlin Steel Company of Pittsburgh, PA. 

The preservation and interpretation of this industrial limekiln site is part of the Path of Progress heritage tour route in southwestern Pennsylvania.