Keystone State Park (Pennsylvania) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Keystone State Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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Canoes at Keystone State Park
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 Keystone State Park
Location in Pennsylvania
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| Location | Derry, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Area | 1,200 acres (4.9 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,096 ft (334 m) |
| Established | 1945 |
| Visitors | 285,113 |
| Governing body | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
| Website | Keystone State Park |
Keystone State Park is a fun place to visit in Pennsylvania, USA! It's a huge park, about 1,200 acres (that's like 900 football fields!). The park is in Derry Township, in Westmoreland County.
The best part of the park is Keystone Lake, which is 78 acres big. This lake was made a long time ago, in the early 1900s, by a company called Keystone Coal and Coke Company. The park opened in 1945 and was named after that company. Besides the lake, you can find lots of picnic spots and miles of trails for hiking. Keystone State Park is located near New Alexandria, just off U.S. Route 22.
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Fun Activities at Keystone State Park
Keystone State Park is a great spot for outdoor adventures! You can go camping or even rent a cozy cabin any time of the year.
Camping Adventures
The park has two different places where you can set up your tent or park your camper:
- Lakeside Campground: This campground is right by Keystone Lake. It has 40 spots for tents or campers.
- Hillside Campground: This one is a bit more tucked away in a quiet part of the park. It has 60 spots for tents or campers.
Both campgrounds offer some spots with electricity. They also have modern bathrooms and places to empty your camper's waste.
Cozy Cabins for Rent
If you prefer a comfy bed, there are 11 modern cabins available. These cabins are located near the lake's dam and between the two campgrounds. Each cabin can sleep up to six people in two bedrooms. They have a modern bathroom and a kitchen with a stove, microwave, and refrigerator. Outside, you'll find picnic tables, grills, and fire rings for cooking and campfires.
Hunting in the Park
About half of Keystone State Park is open for hunting. Some of the animals you might find here include eastern cottontail rabbits, common pheasants, eastern gray squirrels, wild turkeys, ruffed grouse, and white-tailed deer. However, hunting groundhogs is not allowed. Hunters must always follow the rules set by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Exploring Keystone Lake
Keystone Lake is a 78-acre lake that was made by people. It's a home for many different kinds of fish, both those that like warm water and those that like cold water.
Fishing Fun
You can try to catch fish like carp, northern pike, tiger muskellunge, largemouth bass, black crappie, yellow perch, and bullhead catfish. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission also adds trout to the lake before trout season starts in April. When the weather is cold enough, you can even go ice fishing on the lake!
Boating on the Lake
To keep the lake clean and quiet, boats with gas engines are not allowed. You can use boats that don't have motors (like canoes or kayaks) or boats with electric motors. Just make sure your boat has a current registration from any state or a special launch permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
Swimming at the Beach
There's a beach on Keystone Lake where you can go swimming! The swimming season usually starts on Memorial Day weekend and ends on Labor Day weekend. The beach is open every day from 8:00 AM until sunset. Just remember, there are no Lifeguards on duty, so swim safely!
Images for kids
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The park is a popular canoeing location.
