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State Park Location Maps:
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State Park Event Calendar:
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Nearby Parks:
Laurel Hill State Park
Laurel Summit State Park
Linn Run State Park
Laurel Mountain State Park
Laural Ridge State Park
Ohiopyle State Park
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| State Park Overview: |
 | In the heart of the Laurel Highlands at an altitude of 2,600 feet, Kooser State Park attracts visitors year-round to its 250 acres of forest and the beautiful trout stream that flows the full length of the park. The park?s original design character was stamped by the Civilian Conservation Corps projects of the 1930s that established the existing lake and most of its use areas, its architecture and site details. The park design stresses rustic values in site and building materials and in their application: native stone, rough sawn and stained wood surfaces, log and timber members. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
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One of our favorite state parks!
At Kooser, you can experience a true outdoor experience without any commerciallism. We visit again and again.
(name not given)
30-Jun-2008
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| Camping: |
| Camping: modern sites, some with electric
There are 47 tent and trailer campsites open the second Friday in April through mid-October. Accessible sites and a sanitary dumping station are available. Fourteen (14) campsites have electric hookups. |
| Trails: |
| Hiking: 1 mile of trails
The Kincora Trail is a popular trail named in honor of an Irish priest. Many short trails are in the day use area and cross-country ski trails are also available for hiking.
Cross-country Skiing: The 1.5-mile Kooser Trail is very popular due to the heavy snowfalls of the area. It is a well-marked trail and classified as ?easiest.?
There is also a 20-mile cross-country ski touring concession adjacent to the PA 653 parking area of nearby Laurel Ridge State Park. A fee required for visitors to use this trail. |
| Picnicking: |
| Many picnic tables and the Mighty Oak Picnic Pavilion are available for year-round picnics. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| Fishing:
The four-acre Kooser Lake provides good fishing for trout, bass and bluegill. No boating is permitted. Night fishing is not permitted. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission laws apply.
Hunting:
Because of the park?s small size, hunting is not permitted in the park. Hunters frequently camp in the park and walk to the Forbes State Forest lands that are adjacent to the park. Common game species are deer, turkey and grouse. |
| History of the Area: |
| Kooser State Park derives its name from John Kooser, who in 1867, settled in the western end of the park near what is now known as Kooser Spring. The early settlers told of an American Indian battle that was fought nearby. A number of war arrows and spearheads have been found in the area. A contingent of Washington?s Army, known as Coxes Army, crossed Laurel Summit near here during the Whiskey Rebellion.
The land for Kooser State Park was acquired by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1922. In the late 1920s, the Van Dyke Area was used for summer tenting by people who would camp from early spring until late fall. In 1933, a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp was established in the western end of the park. The ?CCC Boys? built new roads, fireplaces, cabins and a lake. In 1945, a tornado hit the area and did a tremendous amount of damage to Kooser?s wooded areas.
For more information on the CCC, visit the Civilian Conservation Corps Online Archive.
In 1955, the present tent and trailer area was developed. Water was piped from Kooser Spring throughout the park and the original dam was rebuilt with a modern earth and concrete breast and an all-sand beach.
In 2002, portions of the park closed for improvements. Growing Greener money was used to add modern restrooms to the campground and make improvements to the day use area. |
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| Area Accommodations |
| Cottages and Cabins | |  | The Country Willow House - Bedford, PA
We invite you to be our guests for a relaxing stay where the atmosphere is homey, romantic, and welcoming. We hope you will feel at home at The Country Willow House! Situated on a peaceful and secluded property just minutes from historic downtown Bedford, Pennsylvania.
Web Site: http://www.countrywillowhouse.com |
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| | Note to Park related businesses:
List your vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental or any other park related activity, park related attraction or park related service on Google or StateParks.com. (more).... |
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| Related Links: |
| Kooser State Park - Date of last update: **/**/** Kooser State Park. SITE IDENTIFICATION. Site Name: Kooser State Park Site Location: Along Rt. 31, 9mi. frm Donegal,10mi. frm Somerset, County: Somerset Municipality... | | Parks - ... metropolitan area and its many attractions. Kooser State Park This park is stamped with the ... beach and camping provide relaxing scenery. Kooser State Park is bounded by Forbes State Forest ... |
| Area Attractions: |
| For more information on the many nearby attractions contact: Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau, 800-333-5661, www.laurelhighlands.org orthe Somerset Chamber of Commerce, 814-445-6431.
Forbes State Forest: The 51,000-acre Forbes State Forest provides hunting, fishing, hiking, general recreation and the highest point in Pennsylvania, Mount Davis--3,213 feet. 724-238-1200.
Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail: This 70-mile backpacking trail goes from Ohiopyle State PArk to the Conemaugh River. The PA 31 parking area and shelter are near Kooser State Park. |
| Area Campgrounds | | Pine Oaks Camp Ground
124 Summer Camp Rd
Friedens, PA
(814) 445-4093
| Woodland Campsites Inc
291 Gilmour Rd
Somerset, PA
(814) 445-8860
| Pioneer Park Campground
273 Trent Rd
Somerset, PA
(814) 445-6348
| Donegal Campground
106 Yeckel Dr
Donegal, PA
(724) 593-7717
| Laurel Highlands Camplands Inc
1045 Clubhouse Dr
Donegal, PA
(724) 593-6325
| Mountain Pines Resort
1562 Indian Creek Valley Rd
Champion, PA
(724) 455-3300
| Rivers Edge Family Campground
1101 Riveredge Rd
Connellsville, PA
(724) 628-4880
| Hideaway Campground
166 Indian Creek Valley Rd
Normalville, PA
(724) 455-7700
| Mill Run Campground
839 Mill Run Rd
Mill Run, PA
(724) 455-2929
| Yogi Bear's Jellystone Camp
839 Mill Run Rd
Mill Run, PA
(724) 455-9644
| Posey Corner Campground
132 Middlecreek Rd
Rockwood, PA
(814) 926-2040
| Lost Mountain Campground
195 Lost Mountain LN
Rockwood, PA
(814) 352-7310
| Scottyland Camping Resort Ctr
1618 Barron Church Rd
Rockwood, PA
(814) 926-3149
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| | Area Fishing Related Businesses | | Big Ten Tackle
412 Thompson St
Latrobe, PA
(724) 537-8809
| PV's Fishing Lures & Tackle
1544 Ligonier St
Latrobe, PA
(724) 539-2191
| Possum Hollow Rod & Gun Club
RR 1
Latrobe, PA
(724) 423-9279
| B & G Bait & Sport Shop
118 Indian Creek Valley Rd
Normalville, PA
(724) 455-7282
| Red's Bait Shop
Route 31
Acme, PA
(724) 423-4902
| Laurel Hill Trout Fishing Pond
4360 Route 31
Somerset, PA
(724) 593-7101
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| | Area Resorts and Lodging | | Seven Springs Mountain Resort
777 Water Wheel Dr
Champion, PA
(814) 352-7782
| Laurel Highlands Lodge
212 Snyder Rd
Donegal, PA
(724) 593-7223
| Roaring Run Resort PS
RR 1 Box 531
Champion, PA
(724) 593-8847
| Laurel Hill Trout Lodge
4360 Route 31
Somerset, PA
(724) 593-7101
| Barron's at the Springs
843 Blue Hole Rd
Champion, PA
(814) 352-7884
| Latrobe Country Club Guest House
RR 6
Latrobe, PA
(724) 537-6111
| Roaring Run Resort
194 Tannery Rd
Champion, PA
(724) 593-7837
| Kettler Forlines Resort Homes
9068 Woodridge
Champion, PA
(814) 352-7771
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| Directions: |
| Kooser State Park is on PA 31 midway between the Donegal and Somerset turnpike exits, at the eastern foothills of Laurel Mountain Summit. Kooser State Park is a one hour drive from Johnstown, Pa. or Pittsburgh, Pa. |
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