Colonel Denning State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Colonel Denning State Park
IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
Doubling Gap Lake
Colonel Denning State Park Location in Pennsylvania
Location	Lower Mifflin, Cumberland, Pennsylvania, United States
Area	273 acres (110 ha)
Elevation	1,132 ft (345 m)
Established	1936
Named for	William Denning
Governing body	Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Website	Colonel Denning State Park

Colonel Denning State Park is a fun place to visit in Pennsylvania. It covers 273 acres (about 110 hectares) and is located in Cumberland County. The park sits in a special spot called Doubling Gap, which is part of Blue Mountain.

At the park, you'll find Doubling Gap Lake, a small lake made by people. It's about 3.5 acres big. The park is also surrounded by the huge Tuscarora State Forest. This means there's lots of nature to explore!

Park History: Who Was Colonel Denning?

Colonel Denning State Park is named after a man named William Denning. It's a bit funny because he was never actually a "colonel"! He was a brave soldier during the American Revolutionary War. He also made cannons.

William Denning was a sergeant in the Continental Army. He served from 1778 to 1780. During this time, he was stationed near Carlisle. He became very good at making cannons that were lighter and easier to move. He did this by welding strips of iron together in layers. This made his cannons special!

After the war, Denning lived near Newville. You can find his grave in the cemetery of the Big Spring Presbyterian Church there.

Many of the buildings and areas in Colonel Denning State Park were built a long time ago. This happened in the 1930s during a tough time called the Great Depression. A group called the Civilian Conservation Corps helped build them. The park officially opened in 1936.

Fun Things to Do at the Park

Colonel Denning State Park offers many activities for visitors. You can enjoy the outdoors and see wildlife.

Hunting and Fishing

If you like hunting, the park allows it during certain seasons. Hunters must follow the rules set by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. You might see animals like squirrels, white-tailed deer, and turkeys. Hunting groundhogs is not allowed. You can also hunt in the nearby Tuscarora State Forest.

Doubling Gap Lake is a great spot for trout fishing. Make sure to check the fishing season dates set by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

Hiking Trails

The park has 18 miles (about 29 km) of hiking trails. It's also a starting point for the long Tuscarora Trail, which is 105 miles (about 169 km) long!

One popular trail is the Flat Rock trail. It's 4 miles (about 6.4 km) long and goes up to a high point of 1,987 feet (about 606 meters). When you reach Flat Rock, you can often feel a cool breeze, which is nice on a warm day. Sometimes, you might even spot black bears along this trail!

Swimming and Picnics

You can swim in Doubling Gap Lake, but be careful! There are no lifeguards, so you swim at your own risk.

If you want to have a meal outdoors, the park has over 200 picnic tables. It's a perfect place for a picnic with family and friends.

Camping Adventures

Camping season at Colonel Denning State Park usually starts when trout season begins and ends after deer season. There are 52 spots for tents and trailers. Each spot has a fire ring for campfires and a picnic table. Simple outdoor toilets are available at the campsite.

There's also a special camping shelter on the Flat Rock Trail. It's about 1.1 miles (1.8 km) up the mountain. This shelter was built by an Eagle Scout in 2000. It has a picnic table, a fire pit, and an outdoor toilet nearby.

Other Parks Nearby

There are several other state parks within 30 miles (about 48 km) of Colonel Denning State Park. You could visit:

• Big Spring State Forest Picnic Area (in Perry County)
• Caledonia State Park (in Adams and Franklin Counties)
• Fowlers Hollow State Park (in Perry County)
• Kings Gap Environmental Education and Training Center (in Cumberland County)
• Little Buffalo State Park (in Perry County)
• Mont Alto State Park (in Franklin County)
• Pine Grove Furnace State Park (in Cumberland County)