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Pennsylvania
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Pennsylvania State Parks

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Pennsylvania
North-Central Region
S B Elliott State Park
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S B ELLIOTT STATE PARK
S B ELLIOTT STATE PARK
Penfield, Pennsylvania   15849

Phone: 814-765-0630
Toll Free: 888-727-2757
Reservations: 888-727-2757
Email: park email button icon
The 318-acre S. B. Elliott State Park is in the heart of the Moshannon State Forest. This entirely wooded park offers picturesque areas of forest and swamp meadows and typical second growth mixed hardwood and oak timber.
History of the Area
This mountaintop was once covered in giant white pine and hemlock trees. At the turn of the century, the Central Pennsylvania Lumber Company and the Goodyear Lumber Company built railroads and roads to harvest the timber.

This logging devastated the area, entirely wiping out the magnificent stands of pine and hemlock. The logging companies swiftly departed, allowing the forests to regrow. The devastated land was eventually sold to the Commonwealth, usually at tax sales. This accumulation of land eventually became Moshannan State Forest.

Now about a century later, many of the logging roads and railroad grades can be seen in the maturing stands of oak and maple.

The Honorable Simon B. Elliott was a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature and a member of the old State Forestry Reservation Commission, a precursor to the Department of Forestry. This early conservationist promoted the idea of creating a nursery to raise trees for planting in the surrounding area.

In 1911, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania established the Clearfield Forest Tree Nursery in a mountain pasture atop Penfield Mountain. This nursery was later renamed for District Forester William F. Dague who was in charge of its operation from its start in 1911 until 1947. The Dague Nursery was closed in 1978, but its buildings and facilities are still in use as the Moshannon State Forest maintenance headquarters and the seed orchards still supply seeds for the other state nurseries.

In 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) established Camp S-116 on land along the edge of the nursery and built the cabins, pavilions, roads, trails and many of the other buildings that exist today.

In that same year, 1933, the former Department of Forests and Waters erected a plaque dedicating Simon B. Elliott State Park. The plaque is on a stone in the pines along the northern edge of the park.
Cabins
Six rustic cabins, of CCC origin, are available for rent. Minimal furnishings include: single bunk beds, chairs, table, a modern stove, refrigerator, electric lights and fireplace.
Camping
Camping: rustic sites

A 25-site camping area, across from the log cabin park office, offers modern restrooms but no showers and a sanitary dump station. The maximum stay in this area is 14 days during the summer season and 21 days in spring and fall. The restroom and site seven are accessible. The campground is open from the second Friday in April to late December. All sites are first-come, first-served.


Location
S B Elliott State Park is located near Clearfield, Du Bois

Picnicking
Picnicking amidst towering pines and oak trees, with ample parking, tables and picnic pavilions, is a treat for the whole family. Drinking water, garbage and recycling containers and composting restrooms are available throughout the park.
Trails
Hiking: 3 miles of trails

Hiking trails take visitors to various places on the mountaintop while backpack hikers can get on the Quehanna Trail by way of the Central Pennsylvania Lumber Company Trail. The Quehanna Trail system offers over 75 miles of hiking in various combinations from one overnight to seven overnights without retracing your steps by way of its northern and southern loops and connecting trails. This trail also connects onto the Susquehannock Trail system above the community of Sinnemahoning.

Snowmobiling:

During the winter months, the main parking lot is plowed to allow registered snowmobiles to unload and operate on the roads and trails in the Moshannon State Forest. A map of the roads and trails open to snowmobiling is available at the park office. Snowmobiles may be operated on designated trails and roads from the day following the last deer season in December until April 1, weather permitting.
Birding
The park offers birdwatching opportunities with diverse species like warblers, thrushes and vireos. Birders can explore various habitats including hardwood forest and wetlands. The park's location also makes it a stopover for migratory birds during spring and fall seasons.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
November 7 my grandpa by d.e. dague
park review stars; one to five my grandpa was William f. Dague i grew up hikeing all over ellot park one o one and the nursery i never got to meet him he past 4 yrs before i was born but i have heard ll sorts of neat stories about him
December 24 beautiful landscape even in the snow by Bryan
park review stars; one to five go hunting around the park each year love the area it is awesome
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Area Campgrounds
Curwensville Lake Recreation Area
1256 Lake Drive
Curwensville, PA
Woodland Campground
314 Egypt Road
Woodland, PA
Area Fishing Related Businesses
P & L Miller's Bait Shop
RR 2 Box 190
Parker, PA
(724) 399-2849
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
S. B. Elliott State Park is in Clearfield County off of PA 153 just north of Exit 111 of I-80, nine miles north of the community of Clearfield.

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Pennsylvania
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Pennsylvania State Parks

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