Raccoon Creek State Park

Raccoon Creek State Park has continued to develop from the park’s beginning as a Recreational Demonstration Area operated by the National Park Service in the 1930s, to one of the largest and most beautiful state parks in Pennsylvania. Facilities at the park are a mix from the early Civilian Conservation Corps camp to modern facilities. In addition to recreational areas, there are large tracts of undeveloped land. The 7,572-acre park features the beautiful 101-acre Raccoon Lake.

Explore

Directions - Weather  - Recreation  - Stay the Night  - Winter Report  - Environmental Education  - Calendar of Events  - Accessibility  - History  - Wildlife Watching  - Nearby Attractions  - Volunteers  - Rules and Regs  - In an Emergency  - Contact Us  - Downloadables and Maps

Park Advisories

Directions

Raccoon Creek State Park is in southern Beaver County. Access the park from the west on US 22 and US 30, or from the north and south on PA 18, which passes directly through the park.

Recreational Opportunities

Hiking  - Trail Biking  - Horseback Riding  - Picnicking  - Swimming  - Boating  - Fishing  - Hunting  - Wildlife Watching  - Cross-country Skiing  - Winter Activities  - Organized Group Cabin Camps  - Organized Group Tenting  - Backpacking  - Cabins  - Camping

Picnicking: About 400 picnic tables are available throughout the park. All picnic areas have grills, drinking water and restrooms.

Fishing: The 101-acre Raccoon Lake has bluegill, sunfish, bullhead catfish, yellow perch, walleye, muskellunge, crappie, sauger, largemouth and smallmouth bass. Cold-water fish like brook and rainbow trout are stocked and found both in the lake and in feeder streams. There is an accessible fishing pier on Raccoon Lake. The twelve-acre Upper Lake provides catch and release fishing year-round. 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 800-foot, accessible sand/turf beach is open from late-May to mid-September, 8 a.m. to sunset. Please read and follow posted rules for swimming. Swim at your on risk. A bathhouse and a food refreshment stand are nearby.

Hunting and Firearms: Over 6,000 acres are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, turkey, rabbit, grouse, pheasant and squirrel. Early and late goose hunting may occur.

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.

Boating: electric motors only The 101-acre Raccoon Lake has two boat launches and 42 mooring spaces. A boat rental has canoes, rowboats, kayaks. Non-powered boats must display one of the following: boat registration; launching permit or mooring permit from Pennsylvania State Parks, available at most state park offices; launching permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Motorboats must display a current boat registration. For complete information on boating rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.

Hiking Trails: 44 miles
The park offers a wide variety of hiking options to meet the needs of the casual day hiker as well as the overnight backpacker looking for a challenge within a wilderness setting. Explore trails for complete trail descriptions.

Horseback Riding: 16 miles
Multi-use trails and roads provide horseback riders with an extensive bridle trail system. The equestrian trailhead parking lot is along PA 168 on the western border of the park. Access to the trail system is from the parking lot via the Appaloosa Spur Trail. All equestrian trails are blazed in yellow. Explore trails for complete trail descriptions.

Trail Biking: 17 miles
Multi-use trails and roads are for trail biking. A variety of terrain features offer everything from steep and rolling hills to level service roads. Explore trails for complete trail descriptions.

Cross-country Skiing: Most trails are open to cross-country skiing, however it is recommended to avoid trails rated ‘difficult.’ A designated 2.2-mile cross-country skiing trail can be accessed from its trailhead in the Main Picnic Area. Explore trails for complete trail descriptions. Explore the Winter Report for current snow and ice depths.

Winter Activities: The park is open year-round. Ice fishing and ice skating are permitted on the lake. Sledding is also permitted. There are various wintertime special events. Spectacular ice formations may be seen at the Frankfort Mineral Springs in the winter. Designated roads and trails are open for cross-country skiing. Explore the Winter Report for current snow and ice depths.

Stay the Night

Camping: modern sites, some with electric
The 172 modern tent and trailer campsites are open from the second Friday in April to mid-October. Rustic sites are available from mid-October to mid-April. Access is not guaranteed during severe winter storms. The wooded campground offers a selection of secluded or adjoining sites, a playground, five central washhouses with hot showers and a sanitary dump station. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Campsites B, 1, 2, 3 and F21 are ADA accessible. All sites in C and F loops are designated for pet camping.

Explore the campground map.

Pets are allowed in designated campsites. Explore pets in campgrounds for more information.

Explore camping for more information.

Make a reservation

Backpacking: 19.5 miles There are five Adirondack shelters and tenting sites in each of the Pioneer and Sioux backpacking areas. These shelter and tent sites are for backpacking only and can be reserved through the park office. Explore trails for complete trail descriptions. In order to better serve you, please participate in our survey about backpacking trails.

Cabins: The ten modern cabins contain a furnished living area, kitchen/dining area, toilet/shower room and two or three-bedrooms. The cabins have electric heat and are available for rent year-round. Cabin 10 is ADA accessible.

Explore cabins for more information.

Explore the cabin map.

Make a reservation

Lakeside Lodge: Lakeside Lodge at Raccoon Creek State Park is a three-bedroom cottage that sleeps ten people. The lodge can be rented by the week during the summer season and with a two-night minimum during the off-season. The lodge has a full kitchen, dining room, one and one-half bathrooms, living room with a fireplace, laundry facilities, and central heat and air conditioning. It also has a large patio area with an outdoor gas grill. Renters must bring their own linens. Pets are prohibited in the lodge. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the park.

Items the renters need to bring with them are bed linens, pillows, blankets, towels, dish soap, laundry detergent and first aid kit. Optional items to consider bringing are a bow saw, matches, lawn chairs, cell phone, TV w/antenna, and radio.

The lodge offers easy access to hiking, swimming, boating, hunting, fishing and other recreational year-round activities. Pets are prohibited in the Lodge. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the park.

Explore cabins for more information.

Make a reservation

Recreation Hall: The large, accessible Recreation Hall in the Modern Cabin Area can be rented for group meetings or family reunions. The facility is a large hall with modern bathrooms, kitchen and fireplace. It is accessible with parking and recreational facilities. Reservations for the hall can be made, for a fee, at the park office.

Organized Group Tenting: These three camps are rented from mid-April to mid-October at a nominal fee to nonprofit, organized adult and youth groups like scout, YMCA, school, church, or other organizations. The camps contain rustic lodges, dining halls, cabins and utility buildings. Camp #1 holds 30 campers. Camp #2 holds 130 campers. Camp #3 holds 80 campers. Reservations are made at the park office for long or short rental periods.

Explore organized group tenting for more information.

Organized Group Cabin Camps: These three camps are rented from mid-April to mid-October at a nominal fee to nonprofit, organized adult and youth groups like scout, YMCA, school, church, or other organizations. The camps contain rustic lodges, dining halls, cabins and utility buildings. Camp # 1 holds 30 campers. Camp #2 holds 130 campers. Camp #3 holds 80 campers. Reservations are made at the park office for long or short rental periods.

Explore organized group camps for more information.

Environmental Education and Interpretation

The park offers a wide variety of environmental education and interpretive programs. Through hands-on activities, guided walks and evening programs, participants gain appreciation, understanding and develop a sense of stewardship toward natural and cultural resources. Curriculum-based environmental education programs are available to schools and youth groups. Teacher workshops are available. Group programs must be arranged in advance and may be scheduled by calling the Wildflower Reserve Interpretive Center. 724-899-3611 The Wildflower Reserve Interpretive Center has exhibits and brochures on natural history and historic areas of the park Programs are offered year-round. For more detailed information contact the Wildflower Reserve Interpretive Center. 724-899-3611

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)

Watching Wildlife

Many opportunities exist at Raccoon Creek State Park to see a variety of wildlife. When observing wildlife, remember to maintain a safe distance and never feed wild animals. For birders, the Audubon Trail in the Wildflower Reserve is great for warblers. Waterfowl are abundant around Raccoon Lake and Wetland Trail. In winter, it is common to see large flocks of turkeys near the campground and roadside picnic areas. Deer and raccoon are common throughout the park. Most of the larger stream valleys have active beaver, muskrat and mink. In the more remote western side of the park you may encounter the elusive red fox, skunk and opossum.

Raccoon Creek State Park Wildflower Reserve

The 314-acre Wildflower Reserve contains one of the most diverse stands of wildflowers in western Pennsylvania. Over 700 species of plants have been identified in the Reserve.

Trails lead through a variety of habitats like, oak-hickory forest, pine plantations, woodland meadows and flood plain forest along Raccoon Creek. Peak wildflower blooms occur in late April and August.

Because of its uniqueness and to preserve the many wildflower species, the Reserve is closed to all activities other than hiking on designated trails. Pets are prohibited in the Reserve.

Detailed trail information can be found in the “Wildflower Reserve Trail Map,” available at the Wildflower Reserve Interpretive Center and the park office. The Wildflower Reserve is open 8 a.m. to sunset.

History

In the 1930s, the National Park Service created the Raccoon Creek National Recreation Demonstration Area. Men from the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) built the recreation facilities of the park and did conservation work on park lands.

For more information on the CCC, explore the Civilian Conservation Corps Online Archive.

In 1945, the planned transfer of land finally took place, creating Raccoon Creek State Park. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania continued to develop facilities, including Raccoon Creek Lake in 1948, swimming and picnicking areas in 1950, a campground in 1956 and a cabin colony in the 1980s.

Historic Areas

Frankfort Mineral Springs is south of the park office. This once famous resort complex of the late 1800s attracted visitors who believed in the healing qualities of the mineral water. The springs can be viewed by hiking the short Mineral Springs Trail from the parking lot on PA 18.

King's Creek Cemetery, on the park’s southwestern boundary off of PA 168, is the final resting-place of many of the first settlers of the area.

Nearby Attractions

For information on nearby attractions, contact: Beaver County Recreation and Tourism Department, 724-891-7030. www.visitbeavercounty.com

Hillman State Park provides hunting and a radio-controlled model airplane field.

State game lands 189 and 117 provide hunting and general recreation. 724-238-9523

In an Emergency

In an emergency, contact a park employee or call 911.
Look for directions to the nearest hopsital at the park office or on bulletin boards.

Nearest Hospital:
Aliquippa Community Hospital
2500 Hospital Drive
Aliquippa, PA 15001
724-857-1212

For More Information Contact

Raccoon Creek State Park
3000 State Route 18
Hookstown, PA 15050-9416
724-899-2200
Manager: Al Wasilewski

E-mail: raccooncreeksp@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.

Home · Contact · FAQ