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Ole Bull State Park
Ole Bull State Park consists of 132 acres along the Kettle Creek Valley in Potter County. This area is called the Black Forest because of its once dense tree cover, mountainous terrain and wilderness habitat. |
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Directions - Weather - Recreation - Winter Report - Environmental Education - Calendar of Events - Accessibility - History - Nearby Attractions - Volunteers - Rules and Regs - In an Emergency - Contact Us - Downloadables and Maps
Park Advisories
| 8/11/2008 10:55:00 AM | Ole Bull State Park’s beach will continue to operate under the “Open-Swim” policy. Lifeguards will not be on duty, however the beach will continue to be patrolled by park staff. Swimming is permitted at the designated beach, within the buoy line from 8:00am to sunset daily. Visitors are urged to be vigilant when their children are swimming. Please follow posted rules and regulations. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact the park office. |
| 8/5/2008 9:16:00 AM | Firewood Advisory: Invasive Beetles found in Firewood Threaten Forests! Before bringing firewood to a Pennsylvania State Park, please read the information in the linked page about a very real threat to forests in Pennsylvania and all of North America. Firewood Advisory |
Directions
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The park is along PA 144, 18 miles south of Galeton and 26 miles north of Renovo. |
Recreational Opportunities
Hiking - Picnicking - Swimming - Fishing - Hunting - Winter Sports - Cabin - Camping
Camping: flush toilets and hot showers
Camping is permitted year-round. Two camping areas along Kettle Creek provide sunny and shaded sites. All sites include a picnic table, fire ring and level gravel pad. There are 24 sites with electric hookups in Area 2. Area 1 has 19 sites with electricity. Water hydrants, modern restrooms and a sanitary dump station are available. Pets are not permitted in the campground.
Explore the campground map.
Explore camping for more information.
Make a reservation
Free Camping for Campground Hosts: one host position in the modern campgroundThe campground host site has amenities that include 50-amp electric service. The host is required to assist park personnel for 40 hours per week with a minimum stay of two weeks. Contact the park office for additional information and availability.
Hunting and Firearms: About 25 acres are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, turkey, grouse, bear and squirrel. Hunting is permitted in the surrounding Susquehannock State Forest.
Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day through March 31 in designated hunting areas. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Game Commission rules and regulations apply. Contact the park office for accessible hunting information.
Use extreme caution with firearms at all times. The park is used by other visitors during hunting seasons. Firearms and archery equipment may be uncased and ready for use only in authorized hunting areas during hunting seasons. In areas not open to hunting or during non-hunting seasons, firearms and archery equipment shall be kept in the owner's car, trailer or camp.
For complete information on hunting rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission Web site.
Fishing: The excellent water quality along Kettle Creek provides good fishing. Both Kettle Creek and Ole Bull Run offer fishing for brook, brown and rainbow trout. A special regulation area for children and people with disabilities is located below the dam breast to the fordway. Fishing is prohibited between the wires at the dam basin and swimming area. Fishing licenses are required and are available nearby at several issuing agents. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission laws apply.
For complete information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.
Swimming: The beach is in Camping Area 1 across from the picnic area. The 150-foot sandy beach along Kettle Creek is open from late-May to mid-September, 8 a.m. to sunset. Swim at your own risk. Please read and follow posted rules for swimming. Parking for the beach area is provided at the picnic area parking lot. Pets are not permitted in the beach area. All children ten years of age or younger must be accompanied by a person at least 14 years of age.
Picnicking: The picnic area lies along Kettle Creek and has four picnic pavilions, picnic tables, fireplaces, drinking water, restrooms and playground equipment. Picnic pavilions may be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee. Unreserved picnic pavilions are free on a first-come, first-served basis. The Stone Pavilion has electricity available when reserved.
Make a reservation
Ole Bull Cabin: This one and one-half story log cabin can be rented year-round. Rental information can be obtained at the park office. The cabin has a modern, accessible kitchen, two baths and sleeps 12 people in three bedrooms. Pets are prohibited. The cabin has an accessible bathroom and an access ramp.
Explore cabins for more information.
Make a reservation
Hiking: 5 miles of trails
The Daugherty Loop Trail combines old logging and railroad grades to form a one hour walk through the Black Forest of Pennsylvania. Ole Bull Trail leads to the historic foundation remains of Ole Bull's "home site" and a panoramic view of the park area. The Beaver Dam Nature Trail provides an introduction to the habitats along Kettle Creek. This 0.75-mile trail starts at the concrete fordway and has a flat trail surface.
The 85-mile Susquehannock Trail System passes through Ole Bull State Park. A picnic area parking lot serves as a trailhead for overnight hikers. A trail register is located at the park office for hikers who leave their vehicles overnight. Please read posted regulations.
Winter Sports: The park provides parking, restrooms and picnic and camping facilities throughout the winter. In addition to a groomed cross-country skiing trail, cross-country skiers and snowshoers are allowed throughout the park. A snowmobile trailhead provides access to the many miles of state forest trails. Snowmobiles are permitted on marked trails only. ATV's are not permitted. Contact the park office or district forest office for trail maps. Explore the Winter Report for current snow and ice depths.
Environmental Education and Interpretation
During the summer months, the park has an environmental interpretor who presents programs on the history and natural resources of the area. The programs include guided walks, children's programs and evening campfire programs. Please contact the park office for special request educational programs.
Explore the Calendar of Events for a listing of events from today forward.
Explore environmental education and interpretation for more information.
Access for People with Disabilities
If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks:
888-PA-PARKS (voice)
888-537-7294 (TTY)
711 (AT&T Relay Services)
History
Ole Bull State Park is named for Ole Bornemann Bull, the famous Norwegian violinist who toured the United States in the 1850s. In 1852, Ole Bull purchased a large tract of land in Potter County and attempted to develop a series of Norwegian settlements.
He began construction of a "home" at what now is called Ole Bull Vista. He never finished this large, wooden cabin. After a year of severe hardships, the majority of the colony disbanded and moved west into Michigan and Wisconsin. A complete history of Ole Bull is available at the park office.
The lumbering industry followed Ole Bull into this area. By the turn of the 20th century, two railroads, one on each side of Kettle Creek, were hauling logs to sawmills in the Cross Fork area. By 1920, the Commonwealth purchased vast tracts of land no longer useful to the lumber companies. In 1925, Ole Bull State Park was opened as a picnic area on a one-half acre tract of cleared land.
Formed in the 1930s to alleviate the severity of the Great Depression, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built the original dam for the swimming area and constructed facilities like latrines, pavilions and camping areas.
For more information on the CCC, explore the Civilian Conservation Corps Online Archive.
In 2002, the 150th anniversary of the founding of Ole Bull's colony, a monument was erected to honor Ole Bull. The monument was a gift from the citizens of Norway in recognition of Ole Bull's talent, foresight and patriotism.
Nearby Services
The nearest gas station, store and gift shop are one-mile north of the park along PA 144 at Oleana. Cross Fork is eight miles south along PA 144 with a variety of services available.
Service garages, shopping areas, laundry facilities and restaurants are along PA 144 north or south in Germania, Galeton, Tamarack and Renovo.
Nearby Attractions
For information on nearby attractions, contact: Potter County Visitors Association, 888-POTTER2, www.pottercountypa.org.
Susquehannock State Forest: This 262,415-acre state forest surrounds Ole Bull State Park and offers hiking, including the Susquehannock and Black Forest trail systems and snowmobile trails. 814-274-3600
Denton Hill Ski Area: Along US 6, ten miles west of Galeton. 814-435-2115
Kettle Creek State Park: 20 miles southwest and offers a 160-acre lake, fishing, swimming, camping, picnicking, and hiking. 570-923-6004
Lyman Run State Park: 25 miles northeast and offers fishing, camping facilities ATV and hiking trailheads. 814-435-5010
Pennsylvania Grand Canyon: Off of US 6 at Ansonia, 20 miles east of Galeton, located in Leonard Harrison and Colton Point state parks. 570-724-3061
Pennsylvania Lumber Museum: Along US 6, ten miles west of Galeton. 814-435-2652
First Aid
Emergency first aid may be available at the park office.
Nearest Hospital:
Charles Cole Memorial Hospital
1001 East Second Street
Coudersport, PA 16915-9762
814-274-9300
For More Information Contact:
Ole Bull State Park
31 Valhalla Lane
Cross Fork, PA 17729-9701
814-435-5000
Manager: Mary Hirst
E-mail: olebullsp@state.pa.us
An equal opportunity employer
Make online reservations or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, for state park information and reservations.
