Moraine State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Moraine State Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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Hot air balloons and a sailboat on Lake Arthur in Butler County, Pennsylvania
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 Moraine State Park
Location in Pennsylvania
Moraine State Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Butler County, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Area | 16,725 acres (67.68 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,253 ft (382 m) |
| Established | 1970 |
| Named for | moraine |
| Governing body | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
| Website | Moraine State Park |
Moraine State Park is a large state park in Butler County, Pennsylvania. It covers about 16,725 acres of land. The park is home to a big, man-made lake called Lake Arthur. This lake was created by building a dam across Muddy Creek. Lake Arthur is 3,225 acres and is a popular spot for many fun activities.
People visit Moraine State Park for hiking, biking, camping, and picnicking. You can also go hunting in certain areas. The park hosts the yearly Regatta at Lake Arthur in August, which is a big boat race event. Moraine State Park was also the location for the National Scout Jamboree in 1973 and 1977. The park is easy to reach, located where Interstate 79 and U.S. Route 422 meet. It also borders the Jennings Environmental Education Center to the north. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has named Moraine State Park as one of "25 Must-See Pennsylvania State Parks."
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History of Moraine State Park
Moraine State Park gets its name from moraines. These are hills and ridges made of gravel, sand, and clay left behind by huge glaciers. These glaciers covered much of North America during the Last glacial period, which was a very long time ago. As the ice melted and moved back, it left behind these deposits, creating the gently rolling hills you see in the park today.
Early Inhabitants and Settlers
The Erie people were the main Native American tribe in this area. However, the Iroquois tribe became very powerful in the 1600s and took control of the land. Later, in the 1700s, English settlers started to arrive. Even George Washington traveled through the park area when he was a young colonel. He was trying to tell the French that the English claimed this land. It's believed he stayed in the park area twice.
You can still visit a historic cabin behind the Davis Hollow Marina. This cabin was built before the American Revolution. It is now the headquarters for the Pennsylvania Chapter of the North Country Trail Association. Visitors can even book an overnight stay there! Other nearby historic places include the Old Stone House, which was once a tavern and trading post. It is now a museum run by Slippery Rock University. McConnell's Mill State Park also has an old grist mill that is a popular attraction.
From Barren Land to Beautiful Park
For a long time, the land in the park area was used for farming. But the soil was shallow because of the glacial deposits underneath, making farming hard. People also mined natural resources like sand, gravel, limestone, clay, and coal. Later, wells were drilled to get oil and natural gas from deep underground. When these mines and wells were no longer used, the land was left barren and damaged. The topsoil washed away, leaving a scarred landscape.
The park's amazing comeback started with Frank W. Preston. He was a geologist and naturalist who moved nearby in 1926. He noticed the unique moraines in the Muddy Creek Valley, even though the land was damaged. Preston helped create the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. This group bought the land that would become Moraine State Park. Their goal was to bring back the natural beauty of the glacial landscape and protect open spaces. They also planned to dam Muddy Creek to create Lake Arthur.
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy worked with the state to restore the land. They sealed old mines and capped over 400 oil and gas wells. The land that had been stripped away was filled in and shaped to look natural again. Special fertilizer was used to help thousands of trees, shrubs, and grasses grow. Lake Arthur was finished in 1970, and Moraine State Park officially opened on May 23, 1970.
Park Environment
Moraine State Park is part of 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.
Fun Activities at Moraine State Park
Hunting Opportunities
Hunting is allowed on about 13,600 acres of Moraine State Park. Hunters must follow the rules set by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Some common animals you might find here include ruffed grouse, waterfowl, squirrels, pheasants, bear, turkey, white-tailed deer, and rabbits. However, hunting groundhogs is not allowed in the park.
Enjoying Lake Arthur
Lake Arthur is open all year for fun activities. It is home to the Lake Arthur Sailing Club and hosts the yearly Regatta at Lake Arthur. Besides sailing, the lake is a great place for fishing. It also has two swimming beaches. Since the mid-1990s, Osprey and bald eagles have built nests in the trees along Lake Arthur, which is a wonderful sight!
You can use boats with up to 20 horsepower on Lake Arthur. However, powered boats are not allowed in the Game Propagation Area. Sailing is very popular, with races and regattas happening all summer. You can rent sailboats, rowboats, kayaks, motorboats, canoes, and pontoon boats in the Crescent Bay Area. There are also two places to refuel power boats. Many people keep their boats at the park's two marinas: Davis Hollow and Watts Bay. All boats need to be registered or have a launch permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. In winter, the lake is open for ice boating, but ice boats also need a state park launch permit.
The Moraine Preservation Fund runs a passenger boat that offers tours and dinner cruises on Lake Arthur. This group also has a gift shop and has helped bring back many bird species. They also offer environmental education programs and have helped the park get more land.
A part of the lake near Barber's Point is famous for windsurfing. This area often has good winds and not too much boat traffic. All windsurfers need a launch permit, and you can even take lessons.
Lake Arthur is a "warm water fishery." This means it has fish that prefer warmer water. You can find native fish like largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, and channel catfish. The fish commission also adds fish like walleye, muskellunge, and striped bass to the lake. All anglers must follow the rules of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. In winter, Lake Arthur is also open for ice fishing.
There are two beaches at Moraine State Park where you can swim. They are open daily from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Pleasant Valley Beach on the south shore is a 1,200-foot long grass and sand beach. It has a paved path into the water and a sand volleyball court nearby. Lakeview Beach on the north shore is a 550-foot long sand beach. Both beaches have bathhouses with showers and snack stands.
Exploring the Trails
The trails at Moraine State Park are great for hiking. Some trails are also open for horseback riding, cross-country skiing, bicycles, and mountain bikes. The famous North Country Trail, which stretches from New York to North Dakota, passes through the park. The Butler chapter of the North Country Trail Association takes care of the Davis Hollow Cabin, a historic settler's cabin where hikers can stop to sleep and eat.
- Hilltop Trail is a "moderate" hiking trail, 3.0 miles long. It has green markers. The trail starts and ends near the Bear Run Boat Launch. It can be bumpy and grassy in some parts, then gets steeper. You'll see different stages of forest growth, bluebird houses, and old spring house ruins. This trail is on the South Shore.
- Sunken Garden Trail is a "moderate" hiking trail, 3.0 miles long. It has pink markers. This loop trail starts and ends near the Pleasant Valley Boat Launch. It goes through a large wetland, a group of White Pine trees, a small pond, and along the edge of Lake Arthur. It is on the South Shore.
- Pleasant Valley Trail is an "easy" hiking trail, 2.6 miles long. It has yellow markers. This trail goes over hills and through valleys on the South Shore of Lake Arthur.
- Wyggeston Trail is a "moderate" to "difficult" hiking trail, 4.5 miles long. It has orange markers. The trail starts west of Pennsylvania Route 528 on Christley Road and ends at Old Route 422. It's a rough and rocky trail that goes through a less developed part of the park. You can see old house foundations, stone fences, and a historic oil pump house.
- Glacier Ridge Trail is a "difficult" hiking trail, 14 miles long. It is part of the North Country Trail and has blue markers. Glacier Ridge Trail connects Moraine State Park with the Jennings Environmental Education Center on the North Shore.
- Five Points Trail is an "easy" hiking trail, 1.5 miles long. It has light green markers and is near Lakeview Beach and the cabins on the North Shore.
Historic Cemeteries
Because Lake Arthur is a man-made lake, the government bought several properties to create it. Some of these properties included old burial grounds. Snyder Cemetery is one of the well-known burial plots in the area. Other cemeteries include Davis Cemetery, Shaffer Cemetery, McCandless Cemetery, Robertson Cemetery, and Horse Cemetery.
Staying Overnight at the Park
If you want to stay overnight at Moraine State Park, you have a few choices. Hikers on the North Country Trail can use a special shelter by making a reservation. Large groups, like Boy Scouts, can use one of two big group tenting areas. These areas have picnic tables, cooking grills, and fresh water, but no showers. There are also eleven modern cabins available to rent at Moraine State Park. These cabins are heated with electricity and can sleep up to six people in two bedrooms. They also have modern bathrooms, kitchens, a dining/living area, and a dock on Lake Arthur. Remember to bring your own bed linens, towels, cooking gear, and dishes.
Winter Fun
Moraine State Park is open all year, and it's a busy place even in winter! The Pleasant Valley and Sunken Garden Trails are part of a larger network of trails perfect for cross-country skiing. There are also about 20 miles of trails open for snowmobiling. Sledding is very popular on the south shore near the Pleasant View Picnic Area. A section of Lake Arthur, close to the Pleasant Valley Day Use Area, is kept clear for ice skating.
Nearby State Parks
Other state parks close to Moraine State Park include:
- Jennings Environmental Education Center (Butler County)
- McConnells Mill State Park (Lawrence County)
