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Ryerson Station State Park
Ryerson Station State Park is in Greene County in the southwestern corner of Pennsylvania, near the West Virginia border. The 1,164-acre park features the 52-acre Ronald J. Duke Lake that is named in memory of a former manager of Ryerson Station State Park. |
Explore
Directions - Weather - Recreation - Winter Activities - 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
| 10/15/2008 2:05:00 PM | Please be advised that the showerhouse, which is located at the swimming pool area, is now closed for the season to keep pipes from freezing. The showerhouse, which is not part of the campground facility, will reopen mid-May 2009. If you have any questions, please call the park office at 724-428-4254. |
| 9/3/2008 12:56:00 PM | Duke Lake at Ryerson Station State Park was drawn down on 7/28/05 due to concerns about the dam. As a result there is currently no lake, no boating and only limited trout fishing available at the park until the concerns can be addressed and the lake refilled. The limited trout fishing areas are in the stream above what once was the lake near the iron bridge, and below the breached dam. The park is still open for camping, hiking, and picniking year-round and when in season, the swimming pool is open. For additional information please call the park at 724-428-4254. |
| 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 on both sides of Bristoria Road, just off of PA 21, three miles from Wind Ridge, PA. These highways are accessible from either Washington or Waynesburg, PA. |
Recreational Opportunities
Hiking - Picnicking - Swimming - Boating - Fishing - Hunting - Cross-country Skiing - Sledding - Snowmobiling - Ice Fishing - Organized Group Tenting - Camping Cottages - Camping
Camping: rustic sites, some with elec.
A 48-site campground for tents or trailers lies on a ridge overlooking the park. Camping facilities are open the second Friday in April and close at the end of deer season in mid-December. Camping permits must be secured at the park office. Rustic toilets and a sanitary dump station are provided. Sixteen sites have electric hookups requiring an additional fee.
Make a reservation
Free Camping for Campground Hosts: one host position in the rustic campgroundThe campground host site has amenities including 30-amp electric service. The host is required to assist park personnel for seven days a week with a four-week minimum stay of no more than eight weeks. Contact the park office for additional information and availability.
Camping Cottages: The two cottages sleep five people in single bunks and double/single bunks, and have wooden floors, windows, skylights, porch, picnic table, fire ring, electric lights and outlets, and a small baseboard heater.
Explore the campground map.
Explore camping for more information.
Make a reservation
Organized Group Tenting: A rustic camping area is available for organized adult or youth groups from the second Friday in April to September 30. The area can hold up to 80 people and provides rustic toilets, drinking water, fire rings, picnic tables and a pavilion. Advanced reservations are required.
Explore organized group tenting for more information.
Picnicking: Over 275 picnic tables are available throughout the park along with grills, drinking water and comfort facilities. Some of these facilities are accessible. A small, children’s play area is in the main picnic area. The park has five picnic pavilions. Three 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.
Make a reservation
Hunting and Firearms: About 1,000 acres are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, grouse, squirrel and turkey. 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 to 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 must 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 52-acre Ronald J. Duke Lake has trout, warm-water game fish and panfish. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission stocks the lake with trout in spring and late fall. An accessible fishing area is by the park office.
For complete information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.
Boating: electric motors only
The 52-acre Ronald J. Duke Lake has a launching ramp just off of Bristoria Road, near the park office. A limited number of mooring sites can be rented on a seasonal basis. Gasoline motors are prohibited.
Motorboats must display a boat registration from any state. Non-powered boats must display one of the following: boat registration from any state; launching permit or mooring permit from Pennsylvania State Parks that are available at most state park offices; launch use permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
For complete information on boating rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.
Swimming: A free pool is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day, unless posted otherwise. The pool complex is accessible, including a lift for the pool. A food concession is near the pool area.
Hiking: 11 miles of trails
The trails invite you to explore the park on foot during spring, summer, fall and on cross-country skis in winter. The trails traverse many habitats, like mature forests, wet valley bottoms, evergreen plantations and fields in ecological succession.
Winter Activities
Explore the Winter Report for current snow and ice depths.
Sledding and Tobogganing: Throughout the park are five acres of sledding slopes.
Ice Fishing: Except for the ice skating area, all of the 52-acre Duke Lake is open for ice fishing. Ice thickness is not monitored. Be sure to check the ice thickness and carry safety equipment.
Snowmobiling: Six miles of snowmobile trails are available for use by registered snowmobiles from the day following the last deer season in December until April 1, weather permitting.
Cross-country Skiing: Although no specific trails are designated, cross-country skiing is permitted on the hiking trail system and open areas throughout the park.
Environmental Education
A variety of programs are offered during the summer season.
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
The park name originated from the nearby Fort Ryerson that was constructed in 1792 at the order of Virginia authorities to be used principally as a place of refuge from Indian raids.
Land was acquired for this park in 1958. The lake was formed in 1960 with the construction of a dam across the North Fork of the Dunkard Fork of Wheeling Creek and later renamed Ronald J. Duke Lake. In 1967, Ryerson Station State Park was opened to the public.
Nearby Attractions
For information on nearby attractions, contact Greene County.
In an Emergency
Contact a park employee or dial 911.
For directions to the nearest hospital, look on bulletin boards or at the park office.
Nearest Hospital:
Southwest Medical Center
350 Bonar Avenue
Waynesburg, PA 15370
724-627-3101
For More Information Contact
Ryerson Station State Park
361 Bristoria Road
Wind Ridge, PA 15380-1258
724-428-4254
Manager: Sean Benson
E-mail: ryersonstationsp@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.
