Hillman State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hillman State Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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![]() A marsh at Hillman State Park
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Location | Hanover, Washington, Pennsylvania, United States |
Area | 3,600 acres (15 km2) |
Elevation | 1,063 ft (324 m) |
Established | 1969 |
Governing body | Pennsylvania Game Commission |
Website | Hillman State Park |
Hillman State Park is a huge park in Pennsylvania, covering about 3,600 acres. That's like 2,700 football fields! It's located in Hanover Township, Washington County, and is about 25 miles west of the big city of Pittsburgh.
This park first opened its doors in the late 1960s. Since the early 1980s, it has been looked after by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. While hunting is allowed, the park is also a great place for many other outdoor activities. You can go hiking, try cross-country skiing in winter, or even go horseback riding. There's also a special field for flying radio-controlled aircraft and cool mountain bike trails.
Hillman State Park is mostly undeveloped, meaning it's a wild and natural place. You can find it north of U.S. Route 22 and east of Pennsylvania Route 18. It's close to the small village of Bavington and the town of Burgettstown. A part of the park is even called Pennsylvania State Game Lands 117.
Nature at Hillman State Park
Hillman State Park is part of a special natural area called the Appalachian mixed mesophytic forests ecoregion. This means it has a mix of different types of trees and plants that grow in this part of the world.
The park is considered a "wild area." It connects the Kings Creek and Raccoon Creek watersheds. A watershed is like a big bowl where all the rain and snowmelt drain into a common river or stream. This park helps link these two important water systems within the larger Raccoon Creek Valley Natural Area. It's a vital spot for nature and wildlife!
Nearby Parks to Explore
If you love exploring state parks, there are a few others not too far from Hillman State Park. These parks are all within about 30 miles:
- Beaver Creek State Park in Ohio
- Point State Park in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
- Raccoon Creek State Park in Beaver County, Pennsylvania
- Tomlinson Run State Park in West Virginia