YELLOW CREEK STATE PARK
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, US 422 roughly follows the old Kittanning Path, and provides the main access to the park from Indiana and Ebensburg. 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.
Beginning in 1963, the 2,981 acres of park land were purchased by the General State Authority and by the Department of Forests and Waters through the Project 70 park expansion program. An earth and rock dam, creating a 720-acre lake was completed in 1969. Day use areas were dedicated to public use in 1976. An additional 159 acres of developed land were purchased in 1982.
Five 13? by 15? cottages are along the lakeshore near McFeather?s 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.
The 800-foot 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. A large, modern bathhouse, lifeguard/first aid building and a snack bar are in the beach area. Pets are not permitted on the beach.
Boating: up to 20 hp motors permitted
The 720-acre Yellow Creek Lake has boat launching ramps at the north shore, the south shore, at the beach/day-use area and a small launch in Grampap?s 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.