Mt. Pisgah State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mt. Pisgah State Park |
|
|---|---|
|
IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
|
|
.jpg)
Stephen Foster Lake at Mt. Pisgah State Park
|
|
 Mt. Pisgah State Park
Location in Pennsylvania
|
|
| Location | Bradford, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Area | 1,302 acres (5.27 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,224 ft (373 m) |
| Established | 1979 |
| Governing body | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
| Website | Mt. Pisgah State Park |
Mt. Pisgah State Park is a fun place to visit in Bradford County, Pennsylvania. It covers about 1,302-acre (527 ha) of land. The park is located near the base of Mt. Pisgah. It's almost exactly halfway between the towns of Troy and Towanda.
A stream called Mill Creek flows through the park. This creek was dammed to create Stephen Foster Lake. This is a 75-acre (30 ha) lake where you can enjoy many water activities. The park is also next to Mt. Pisgah County Park and State Game Land 289.
| Top - 0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
Park History
The area where Mt. Pisgah State Park is now was first settled a long time ago. This happened in the early 1800s. The first settlers came from New England. They cleared the land to create farms. They cut down many tall pine and hardwood trees.
You can still see some of the old farm boundaries today. They are marked by piles of tree stumps. These stumps were stacked into fence rows. The land was mostly used for farming for many years.
In 1969, the state of Pennsylvania bought the land. Stephen Foster Lake was created in 1977. It was named after a famous composer who used to live nearby. The lake was formed by building a dam on Mill Creek. Finally, Mt. Pisgah State Park opened to visitors in 1979.
Fun Activities at the Park
Stephen Foster Lake Activities
Stephen Foster Lake is a great spot for water fun! You can go boating and fishing here. In winter, when it's cold enough, you can even go ice fishing and ice skating.
- Boating: You can use electric-powered boats or boats without motors. All boats must be properly registered. Boats that use gas engines are not allowed on the lake. There's a boat launch on the north side of the lake. You'll find a dock, restrooms, and a place to rent boats there.
- Fishing: The lake is full of fish like perch, bass, crappie, and bluegill.
- Ice Activities: If the ice on the lake is at least 4 inches (10 cm) thick, you can go ice fishing and ice skating. Park staff check the ice thickness at the boat launch and fishing dock to make sure it's safe.
Hunting in the Park
About 1,100 acres (450 ha) of Mt. Pisgah State Park is open for hunting. Hunters need to follow the rules set by the Pennsylvania State Game Commission.
Common animals you might hunt here include ruffed grouse, squirrels, turkeys, white-tailed deer, and rabbits. However, hunting groundhogs is not allowed. You can also hunt in the nearby State Game Land 289.
Swimming Pool Fun
The park has a swimming pool that's open during the warmer months.
- Opening Times: The pool opens on weekends starting from Memorial Day weekend. It then opens daily from mid-June until mid-August, when schools are out for summer break.
- Late Season: From mid-August until Labor Day weekend, the pool is open only on weekends. It closes for the season after Labor Day weekend.
- Hours: The pool is open from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
- Safety: Lifeguards are always on duty when the pool is open to keep everyone safe.
Picnic Areas
The picnic area is a nice place to relax and eat. It overlooks Stephen Foster Lake and is partly shaded by trees. You can choose to sit in a sunny spot or a shady one.
Near the picnic area, there's a sand volleyball court. There's also a horseshoe pit for some friendly competition.
Other State Parks Nearby
If you enjoy Mt. Pisgah State Park, here are some other state parks not too far away (within 30 miles (48 km)):
