SINNEMAHONING STATE PARK
Surrounded by Elk State Forest, Sinnemahoning is on the First Fork of the Sinnemahoning Creek and has picturesque views of the surrounding mountains and deep valleys. There is an abundance of wildlife, including nesting bald eagles, elk, and many birds and butterflies.
Camping: modern sites, some with electric
The 35-site campground is 3.5 miles north of the park office and is open from the second weekend in April to late December. The campground has a modern washhouse with hot water, flush toilets and showers, a sanitary dump station with potable water, and playground equipment. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring and can accommodate a variety of camping equipment from tents to the larger recreational vehicles and motor homes.
Boating: electric motors only
The 142-acre George B. Stevenson Reservoir has a boat launch and mooring space for 45 boats. A mooring permit is required and may be obtained at the park office.
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. Inflatable rafts are permitted provided that they have two or more buoyant chambers and are at least seven feet in length.
Sinnemahoning State Park is
There are three picnic areas. Two picnic pavilions are available in the Forty Maples Picnic Area and may be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee. Unreserved picnic pavilions are free on a first-come, first-served basis. Feeding wild animals such as bears, raccoons and skunks is strongly discouraged. When wildlife looses its fear of people, these animals become pests and dangerous situations can result.
Hiking: 5 miles of trails
Several trails offer a chance to observe some of the more remote areas of the park. The Red Spruce Trail is about one mile long and runs from the campground to the Forty Maples Picnic Area. For one-third of its length it passes through a mixed hardwood forest, then traverses an old field converted to a spruce plantation. Venomous snakes (rattlesnakes) may be encountered in this area. Low Lands Trail was originally part of the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad. It is an easy hike through thick spruce, grassy openings, vernal ponds, streamside bottoms and ends at the Wildlife Viewing Area at the north end of the park. There are lots of opportunities along this trail to spot grassland birds, osprey, elk and butterflies.
Snowmobiling:
The park trail consists of 1.1-mile of joint-use road and 3.1 miles of trail for a total of 4.2 miles. The trail is clearly delineated by signs and orange blaze markers. The park trail joins the trails of the Elk State Forest at the Brooks Run Road, making a 25-mile trail system (park and forestry). All state forest trails are groomed weekly.
Snowmobiles may be operated on designated trails and roads from the day following the last deer season in December until April 1, weather permitting. Snowmobiles are prohibited from operating on frozen water surfaces and shorelines. All snowmobiles must be registered.
Environmental interpretive pontoon boat rides are offered from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Please contact the park office for a current schedule of pontoon boat programs. Other programs are also occasionally offered on topics like wildlife viewing and elk.
For information on nearby attractions, contact: Potter County Visitors Association, 888-POTTER2.
Elk State Forest: Principally in Elk and Cameron Counties, the 200,000 acres of forest land are open to hunting, fishing and general recreation. Within Elk State Forest is a portion of the Quehanna Wild Area, which is south of Sinnemahoning. The Quehanna Trail System provides access for primitive-type forest recreation limited to day use activities and backpack hiking. 814-486-3353
Bucktail State Park: This 75-mile scenic drive follows PA 120 between Emporium and Lock Haven. Along the way is Cameron County?s Little Museum at Sterling Run and the Bucktail Regiment Monument at Driftwood. This scenic drive follows the route taken by the Bucktail Regiment on their way to Harrisburg for the American Civil War.
Old Austin Dam Site: Along PA 872 north of Austin is the site of the Austin Dam, which broke in 1911, destroying much of the town. Pennsylvania Flaming Foliage Festival: In Renovo, PA, the festival is second full weekend in October, 570-923-2411.
Elk Viewing: Elk may be seen in the areas between Sinnemahoning State Park, PA 555 (Benezette) and PA 120 near St. Marys.
The 1,910-acre Sinnemahoning State Park is in Cameron and Potter counties, eight miles north on PA 872 from its junction with PA 120 in Sinnemahoning, or 35 miles south from the junction of PA 872 with US 6 in Coudersport.
Every time we visit, we can marvel at the tranquility of this park. We love to spend time on our own, but can count on diverse educational programs held by the staff. We appreciate the efforts of everyone involved in maintaining this sweet place!
Share Your Sinnemahoning State Park Photos (click here)
