Clear Creek State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clear Creek State Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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View of the eponymous stream from a hiking trail bridge
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 Clear Creek State Park
Location in Pennsylvania
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| Location | Jefferson, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Area | 1,211.19 acres (4.9015 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,302 ft (397 m) |
| Established | 1922 |
| Named for | Clear Creek |
| Governing body | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
| Website | Clear Creek State Park |
Clear Creek State Park is a fun place to visit in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania. It covers about 1,211 acres (490 ha) (that's over 490 hectares!). This Pennsylvania state park first opened its campsites to the public in 1922. Many of the buildings and areas you see today were built a long time ago. They were created during the Great Depression by a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps, or CCC. The park is located about 12 miles (19 km) from Brookville. It sits right where Clear Creek flows into the Clarion River.
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Fun Activities
Clear Creek State Park offers many cool things to do outdoors.
Hiking and Exploring
You can explore over 25 miles (40 km) of hiking trails here. Some trails go deep into the nearby Clear Creek State Forest. One special trail leads to a spot called Bear Town Rocks. This is a group of huge boulders in the middle of the forest. If you climb to the top, you get an amazing view of the whole area! The park also has lots of places for picnics.
Hunting and Fishing
A big part of Clear Creek State Park, about 1,200 acres (490 ha), is open for hunting. Hunters can park at the park to reach the surrounding Kitanning State Forest. Some common animals hunted here include white-tailed deer, black bears, turkeys, and squirrels. However, hunting groundhogs is not allowed. Everyone who hunts must follow the rules set by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
If you like to fish, Clear Creek is a great spot. It has both native and stocked brook trout. The Clarion River also has some trout, panfish, and smallmouth bass. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission even stocks some of the smaller streams that flow into Clear Creek and the Clarion River with trout.
Canoeing on the Clarion River
The Clarion River is very popular for canoeing. Many people start their canoe trips at Clear Creek State Park. The trip to Cook Forest State Park takes about 4.5 hours and covers 10 miles (16 km). You can rent canoes from different companies in the area if you don't have your own.
Places to Stay
If you want to stay longer than a day, Clear Creek State Park has places to rent.
Cabins and Yurts
You can rent rustic cabins and Mongolian-style yurts. There are 22 rustic cabins that were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. You can rent these cabins by the week. They are available from the start of trout season in April until the end of deer season in December. The cabins are kept warm with either a wood stove or a propane heater. The two yurts have electric heat.
Both the cabins and yurts are simple but comfortable. They have single bunk beds, tables, chairs, an electric stove, a refrigerator, and lights. There is a central shower area for everyone to use. You can also find frost-free water spigots for drinking water.
Campground
The campground is open during the same time as the cabins and yurts. It has 53 spots for trailers and tents. This rustic campground is located in the woods. It has outhouses and a place to dump waste from RVs. Near the campground, there's a 9-hole disc golf course and a concrete basketball court for some extra fun!
Nearby State Parks
Here are some other state parks within 30 miles (48 km) of Clear Creek State Park:
