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Sinnemahoning State Park
Surrounded by Elk State Forest, Sinnemahoning is on the First Fork of the Sinnemahoning Creek and has picturesque views of the surrounding mountains and deep valleys. There is an abundance of wildlife, including nesting bald eagles, elk, and many birds and butterflies. Sinnemahoning is a featured park, September, in the 2009 Pennsylvania State Parks Calendar. |
Explore
Directions - Weather - Lake Recreation - Recreation - Winter Report - Education Program - Calendar of Events - Accessibility - History - Wildlife Watching - George B. Stevenson Dam - Nearby Attractions - Volunteers - Rules and Regs - In an Emergency - Contact Us - Downloadables and Maps
Park Advisories
| 11/19/2008 6:12:00 PM | The lake elevation at the George B. Stevenson Reservoir is finally back to normal pool elevation of 921.50 msl.
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| 11/19/2008 6:11:00 PM | Major construction to renovate six park bridges began mid-summer 2008 and will continue through the 2009 operating season. Areas affected by this construction are Brook's Run, Norcross, Mill Run, Grange Hall Hollow, and Logue Run Bridges. Please be advised that the roadway from the boat launch parking area to Goss Road and the roadway between 40 Maples Picnic area to the first bridge above the campground (Logue Run) will be closed for the duration of this project. Areas will still be accessible by foot for local anglers along the First Fork. During this time, campers and visitors will need to access the campground from the entrance along Rt 872. For questions, additional information or updates, please call the park office at (814) 647-8401, or E-mail sinnemahoningsp@state.pa.us . Thank you for your cooperation and understanding during this temporary inconvenience.
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| 11/13/2008 2:48:00 PM | Noxious Weed Mile A Minute Found in Cameron and Potter Counties. Mile a minute (polygonum perfoliatum) is a PA regulated Noxious Weed and although common in the Southeastern part of the State it has not reached the Northern counties until now. Mile a minute has been discovered in Cameron and Potter Counties in the area of Sinnemahonning State Park. A collaborative control program is being implemented by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and other state and local stakeholders to determine the extent of the infestation. Help us limit the spread of mile a minute. Please follow the link to read more about the infestation and how you can help. sinnemahoning_mam.rtf |
| 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 1,910-acre Sinnemahoning State Park is in Cameron and Potter counties, eight miles north on PA 872 from its junction with PA 120 in Sinnemahoning, or 35 miles south from the junction of PA 872 with US 6 in Coudersport. |
Lake Recreational Opportunities
Boating: electric motors only 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. Inflatable rafts are permitted provided that they have two or more buoyant chambers and are at least seven feet in length. For complete information on boating rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site. |
Fishing: The 142-acre George B. Stevenson Reservoir has fishing for cold-water and warm-water species, including brook, rainbow and brown trout, smallmouth and largemouth bass, sunfish, bluegill, pickerel, perch, crappie, catfish and tiger muskellunge. Nearby creeks and runs also provide good angling. Some feeder streams in the park contain native brook trout. There is a delayed harvest-artificial lures only special regulation area from mouth of Baily Run south 2.1 miles on First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek.
For complete information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.
Ice Fishing: Conditions permitting, all areas of the lake are open for ice fishing except within 50 feet of the trash boom by the dam. Explore the Winter Report for current ice depths.
Warning: EXTREME CAUTION must be taken during ice related activities. Dangerous ice conditions like unsafe or weak ice or air pockets may exist due to rapidly rising or falling lake levels.
Recreational Opportunities
Hiking - Picnicking - Boating - Fishing - Hunting - Wildlife Watching - Snowmobiling - Ice Fishing - Cabin - Camping
Hiking: 5 miles of trails
Several trails offer a chance to observe some of the more remote areas of the park. The Red Spruce Trail is about one mile long and runs from the campground to the Forty Maples Picnic Area. For one-third of its length it passes through a mixed hardwood forest, then traverses an old field converted to a spruce plantation. Venomous snakes (rattlesnakes) may be encountered in this area. Low Lands Trail was originally part of the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad. It is an easy hike through thick spruce, grassy openings, vernal ponds, streamside bottoms and ends at the Wildlife Viewing Area at the north end of the park. There are lots of opportunities along this trail to spot grassland birds, osprey, elk and butterflies.
Camping: modern sites, some with electric
The 35-site campground is 3.5 miles north of the park office and is open from the second weekend in April to late December. The campground has a modern washhouse with hot water, flush toilets and showers, a sanitary dump station with potable water, and playground equipment. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring and can accommodate a variety of camping equipment from tents to the larger recreational vehicles and motor homes.
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
Free Camping for Campground Hosts: one host position in the modern campgroundThe campground host site has amenities including 50-amp electric service. The host is required to work 40 hours per week with a two-week minimum stay. The host will be required to assist park personnel with performing daily campground duties; provide information to the public and assist with the pet camping program Contact the park office for additional information and availability.
Modern Cabin: The Brooks Run Ranger Cabin is a two-story house with four bedrooms, living room with a fireplace, sunporch and play equipment. The house sleeps 12 people.
Make a reservation
Hunting and Firearms: About 1,400 acres are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, grouse, squirrel, bear, turkey and waterfowl.
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 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.
Picnicking: There are three picnic areas. Two picnic pavilions are available in the Forty Maples Picnic Area and may be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee. Unreserved picnic pavilions are free on a first-come, first-served basis. Feeding wild animals such as bears, raccoons and skunks is strongly discouraged. When wildlife looses its fear of people, these animals become pests and dangerous situations can result.
Make a reservation
Snowmobiling: The park trail consists of 1.1-mile of joint-use road and 3.1 miles of trail for a total of 4.2 miles. The trail is clearly delineated by signs and orange blaze markers. Explore the Winter Report for current snow depths.
The park trail joins the trails of the Elk State Forest at the Brooks Run Road, making a 25-mile trail system (park and forestry). All state forest trails are groomed weekly.
Snowmobiles may be operated on designated trails and roads from the day following the last deer season in December until April 1, weather permitting. Snowmobiles are prohibited from operating on frozen water surfaces and shorelines. All snowmobiles must be registered.
Environmental Interpretative Program
Environmental interpretive pontoon boat rides are offered from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Please contact the park office for a current schedule of pontoon boat programs. Other programs are also occasionally offered on topics like wildlife viewing and elk. 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)
George B. Stevenson Dam
In 1955, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania constructed the George B. Stevenson Dam on the First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek as a unit of the general comprehensive plan for flood control along the West Branch Susquehanna River Basin. This plan consists of four reservoirs: George B. Stevenson, Alvin R. Bush (Kettle Creek State Park), Curwensville and Foster Joseph Sayers (Bald Eagle State Park). Coordinated operation of the four reservoirs controls a total of 1,163 square miles of drainage area. By controlling the runoff from these areas, these reservoirs provide significant flood prevention to the towns downstream.
In order to achieve best results from the system, all four dams are regulated during floods in accordance with instructions issued by the Baltimore District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Statistics of George B. Stevenson Dam
- Rolled, earth-fill structure 1,918 feet long
- Maximum height of 166 feet
- Top width of 30 feet and a maximum width of 940 feet at the base
- A 16-foot diameter reinforced concrete tunnel carries the flow of the creek through the right (west) abutment of the dam
- The 211-foot high reinforced concrete control tower houses the two, 37-ton sluice gates and operating equipment
- The conservation pool is maintained at elevation 921 feet above mean sea level (m.s.l.)
- The reservoir has a flood control storage capacity of 75,800 acre-feet (24.7 billion gallons), a surface area of 1,470 acres, and a length of 8 miles.
- The flood control storage of the reservoir is equal to 5.85 inches of runoff from the 243-square mile drainage area above the dam.
Nearby Attractions
For information on nearby attractions, contact: Potter County Visitors Association, 888-POTTER2, www.pottercountypa.org.
Elk State Forest: Principally in Elk and Cameron Counties, the 200,000 acres of forest land are open to hunting, fishing and general recreation. Within Elk State Forest is a portion of the Quehanna Wild Area, which is south of Sinnemahoning. The Quehanna Trail System provides access for primitive-type forest recreation limited to day use activities and backpack hiking. 814-486-3353
Bucktail State Park Natural Area: This 75-mile scenic drive follows PA 120 between Emporium and Lock Haven. Along the way is Cameron County’s Little Museum at Sterling Run and the Bucktail Regiment Monument at Driftwood. This scenic drive follows the route taken by the Bucktail Regiment on their way to Harrisburg for the American Civil War.
Old Austin Dam Site: Along PA 872 north of Austin is the site of the Austin Dam, which broke in 1911, destroying much of the town. Pennsylvania Flaming Foliage Festival: In Renovo, PA, the festival is second full weekend in October, 570-923-2411.
Elk Viewing: Elk may be seen in the areas between Sinnemahoning State Park, PA 555 (Benezette) and PA 120 near St. Marys.
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:
Charles Cole Memorial Hospital
1001 East Second Street
Coudersport, PA 16915
814-274-9300
For More Information Contact
Sinnemahoning State Park
8288 First Fork Road
Austin, PA 16720-9302
814-647-8401
Manager: Lisa Bainey
E-mail: sinnemahoningsp@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.
