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Kettle Creek State Park facts for kids

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Kettle Creek State Park
IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
Kettle Creek State Park vista.jpg
Kettle Creek Lake vista
at Kettle Creek State Park
Kettle Creek State Park is located in Pennsylvania
Kettle Creek State Park
Kettle Creek State Park
Location in Pennsylvania
Location Leidy, Clinton, Pennsylvania, United States
Area 1,793 acres (7.26 km2)
Elevation 1,115 ft (340 m)
Established 1954
Named for Kettle Creek
Governing body Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Website Kettle Creek State Park

Kettle Creek State Park is a large park in Pennsylvania, covering about 1,793 acres. It is located in a beautiful valley, surrounded by mountains and wild nature. The park is home to the Alvin R. Bush Dam, which was built in 1961. This dam helps control floods in the West Branch Susquehanna River area.

Many parts of the park, like picnic areas and campgrounds, were built a long time ago. Young men from the Civilian Conservation Corps helped create these facilities during the Great Depression. Kettle Creek State Park is about 7 miles (10 km) north of Westport. It is mostly surrounded by the huge Sproul State Forest.

Kettle Creek Lake: Fun on the Water

Alvin R. Bush Dam, Pennsylvania
Alvin R. Bush Dam

The Alvin R. Bush Dam is a big structure made of earth and rock. It stands about 165 feet (50 m) tall and stretches 1,350 feet (410 m) across. This dam creates the Kettle Creek Reservoir, also known as Kettle Creek Lake. The lake can hold a lot of water – about 75,000 acre-feet! It covers 167 acres (68 ha) and is 2.2 miles (3.5 km) long. The dam helps control water flow from about 226 square miles (585 km²) of the Kettle Creek area.

You can enjoy many activities on Kettle Creek Lake. You can go boating, but only with electric motors. Gas-powered motors are not allowed. Sailboats, rowboats, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboats are all welcome. Remember, all boats must be properly registered. Swimming is not allowed in the lake.

Wildlife: Spotting Elk and Eagles

You might be lucky enough to see elk when you visit Kettle Creek State Park! These large animals are often seen in the park area.

Several bald eagles also make their homes near the park. During the summer, it's common to see these amazing birds flying over the lake. They often dive down to catch fish, which is a really cool sight!

Fishing and Hunting Adventures

Kettle Creek Lake is a great place for fishing. You can catch different types of fish here, including trout, bass, bullhead, sucker, and panfish. The smaller streams that flow into Kettle Creek are also excellent for trout fishing. However, some parts of the creek downstream from the dam have been affected by pollution from old mines.

Most of Kettle Creek State Park is open for hunting. Hunters need to follow the rules set by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Common animals you might hunt include black bears, eastern gray squirrels, ruffed grouse, white-tailed deer, elk, and wild turkey. However, hunting groundhogs is not allowed.

Exploring the Trails

The trails at Kettle Creek State Park are perfect for many outdoor activities. You can go hiking, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, and mountain biking.

  • There's a 22-mile (35 km) trail especially for horseback riding. It starts and ends in the park and goes through the Sproul State Forest.
  • A 5-mile (8 km) mountain biking trail also loops through Sproul State Forest, beginning and ending in the park.
  • Kettle Creek State Park is also a starting point for the 53-mile (85 km) Donut Hole Trail.
  • There are several other shorter trails within the park boundaries for you to explore.

Camping and Picnicking Fun

Kettle Creek State Park has two campgrounds for overnight stays:

  • The Lower Campground has 44 campsites, all with electric hook-ups.
  • The Upper Campground has 27 sites, with 12 of them having electric hook-ups. One of the campgrounds does not have water spigots or flush toilets.

The picnic area is a great spot for a meal outdoors. It has 50 picnic tables, each with a charcoal grill and access to water. Some tables are in sunny spots, while others are shaded. The picnic area also includes a softball field, a volleyball court, and a playground for kids.

Nearby State Parks to Discover

If you enjoy Kettle Creek State Park, you might like to visit these other state parks, all within 30 miles (48 km):

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