Yellow Creek State Park, a Pennsylvania park located near Blairsville, Indiana and Johnstown

YELLOW CREEK STATE PARK

YELLOW CREEK STATE PARK
170 Route 259 Highway
Penn Run, Pennsylvania 15765

Phone: 724-357-7913
Toll Free: 888-727-2757
Reservations: 888-727-2757
Email:

Yellow Creek State Park
© All works belong to Melanie L. Wallace

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.

History of the Area

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.

Cottages

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.

Swimming

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

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.

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Nearby Parks

State Forest Lands

Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site

Johnstown Flood National Memorial

Picnicking

Picnic tables and parking for over 4,000 people are available near the beach. 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. A limited number of charcoal grills are installed and visitors are urged to provide their own grills. Open ground fires are not permitted in the park. Three modern restrooms are provided in the picnic area. 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.

There are two smaller picnic areas. One is on the north shore near the North Boat Launch and the other is near the park office.

Trails

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 the Damsite Trail begins.

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.

Cross-country Skiing and Snowshoeing:

While no special area or trail system has been developed for these winter sports, the park does contain abandoned roads, trails and open fields and forested areas which are suitable for both the novice and experienced cross-country skier or snowshoer. We welcome those who wish to explore the park on either skis or snowshoes.

Nature Programs

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.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews

September 4 Best Place for Family Fun by mama bear

We take our family here every year. We stay in one of the six cabins located right on the waters edge. Kayaking is wonderful and so is cooking over our campfire. The kids go fishing off the dock and are never disappointed. They always catch fish there. This is a peaceful park that we highly recommend.

June 8 Hidden Treasure

Yellow Creek is a beautiful park that is hidden away. The trails are nice to walk with you family but are not to long for kids. The beach is kept clean so you never have to worry if you take your family swimming. Picnic areas are nice and the play ground is always fun for the kids. Fishing is up and down but it is like that at most places.