Patterson State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Patterson State Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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The larger of the CCC-built picnic pavilions in the park
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 Patterson State Park
Location in Pennsylvania
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| Location | Summit, Potter, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Area | 10 acres (4.0 ha) |
| Elevation | 2,480 ft (760 m) |
| Established | 1925 |
| Governing body | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
| Website | Patterson State Park |
Patterson State Park is a small but fun state park in Pennsylvania. It covers about 10 acres (4.0 ha) in Summit Township, Potter County. You can find it on Pennsylvania Route 44 near Sweden Valley. The park is known for its two old-fashioned picnic pavilions.
Park History
Patterson State Park started as a picnic area between 1922 and 1925. It was first called "Patterson Picnic Area" by the Pennsylvania Department of Forestry.
During the Great Depression, a tough time in the country's history, a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) helped build things. From 1935 to 1941, young men from the CCC built the two picnic pavilions you see in the park today.
In 1950, Patterson State Park officially became part of the Pennsylvania State Parks system. People think the park was named after a family called Patterson who lived nearby. However, there are no official records showing that anyone named Patterson owned the land.
Since 2000, Patterson State Park has been managed with a group of other parks. This group includes eight state parks in Potter and Tioga counties.
Fun Activities at the Park
Patterson State Park is a great spot for outdoor adventures. It's surrounded by the huge Susquehannock State Forest. This makes it a perfect starting point for many activities.
Visitors often use the park to begin their journeys for:
The famous Susquehannock Trail System passes right through the park. This trail is a long loop, about 85-mile (137 km) long, mostly within the state forest. It's perfect for long hikes or bike rides.
There's also a mountain bike trail that starts at Denton Hill State Park. It runs for about 15 miles (24 km) and goes through Patterson State Park on its way to Cherry Springs State Park. If you love biking, this trail is a must-try!
You can even camp overnight in tents at Patterson State Park. It's a fun way to enjoy nature and the quiet surroundings.
Nearby Parks to Explore
If you're looking for more outdoor fun, several other state parks are close to Patterson State Park. All of these parks are within 30 miles (48 km):
- Bucktail State Park Natural Area (Cameron and Clinton Counties)
- Cherry Springs State Park (Potter County)
- Colton Point State Park (Tioga County)
- Denton Hill State Park (Potter County)
- Hyner Run State Park (Clinton County)
- Hyner View State Park (Clinton County)
- Kettle Creek State Park (Clinton County)
- Leonard Harrison State Park (Tioga County)
- Lyman Run State Park (Potter County)
- Ole Bull State Park (Potter County)
- Prouty Place State Park (Potter County)
- Sinnemahoning State Park (Cameron and Potter Counties)
- Sizerville State Park (Cameron and Potter Counties)
