State parks offer camping, swimming, boating and more

The following is a summary of the region's state parks and the facilities at each site. A central reservation system for all state parks is in place; to inquire about availability of sites and to make reservations at state parks, call 888-727-2757.

Information, maps and pamphlets for individual state parks are available by contacting the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources's Bureau of State Parks, P.O. Box 8551, Harrisburg, PA 17105; 888-727-2757; www.dcnr.state.pa.us or by e-mail to parkinfo@state.pa.us .

Blue Knob: Located in Bedford County off Interstate 99. Class A campground has 45 sites (25 with electrical hookup), flush toilets, showers, dump station and water available throughout the campgrounds from spigots. Pilot program is available to allow pets at designated campsites. Information: 124 Park Road, Imler, PA 16655; 814-276-3576.

Clear Creek: Accessible off Route 949 in Jefferson County on the Clarion River. Campground has 53 Class B sites with pit toilets and dump station. Showers are available. Twenty-two rental cabins (reservations required) are available. Cabins and picnic area are accessible to the disabled. Information: RD1, Box 82, Sigel, PA 15860; 814-752-2368.

Cook Forest: Clarion, Jefferson and Forest counties along the Clarion River (accessible from Route 36). The park has a campground with 226 Class A campsites, hot showers at campground, flush toilets and dump station. All 24 cabins are available this summer (reservations required). A pilot program is available to allow pets at Class A sites 1-15. Information: P.O. Box 120, Cooksburg, PA 16217; 814-744-8407.

Keystone: Located off Route 981 near New Alexandria. The campground has 60 family sites, 60 boat mooring sites, a launch, nature center and sanitary facilities. Eleven family cabins are available. Beach swimming will not be permitted until Aug. 1. Information: 1150 Pittsburgh St., Derry, PA 15627; 724-668-2939.

Kooser: Located on Route 31 between Somerset and Donegal. Overnight camping is available at 47 Class A sites (14 with electrical hookups). Modern showers and flush toilets are available. Cabins are available year-round. The park also features picnicking facilities and hiking/biking trails. Swimming is now permitted; no lifeguards are on duty. Information: 943 Glades Pike, Somerset, PA 15501; 814-445-8673. bob

Laurel Hill: Located off Route 31 in western Somerset County. The park has a 63-acre lake, and contains Civilian Conservation Corps group cabins that are part of the National Register of Historic Places and are only available to nonprofit groups. The Class A campground has 264 sites (162 with electrical hookups) with hot showers, dump station and flush toilets. A lodge (sleeps 14) and eight cottages are availabe for rent. Reservations for campsites are strongly suggested. Information: 1454 Laurel Hill Park Road, Somerset, PA 15501; 814-445-7725.

Laurel Ridge: The park's approximately 13,000 acres are within Fayette, Westmoreland, Somerset and Cambria counties. The main feature of the park is the 70-mile hiking and backpacking trail from Ohiopyle to Johnstown. Camping is allowed on trail only at designated areas. Overnight camping reservation are required. Information: 1117 Jim Mountain Road, Rockwood, PA 15557; 724-455-3744 (information and reservations).

Laurel Summit: Located atop Laurel Mountain in Westmoreland County on Laurel Summit Road. A picnic pavilion and bathrooms are available. Information: P.O. Box 50, Rector, PA 15677; 724-238-6623.

Linn Run: Located off Route 381 in eastern Westmoreland County. There is no campground, but 10 cabins (with shower building) and a picnic pavilion are available for rent with reservations required. Linn Run Creek is stocked with brook trout. The park features hiking, fishing, picnic area and playground. Information: P.O. Box 50, Rector, PA 15677. Phone: 724-238-6623.

Maurice K. Goddard: Located in Mercer County, off Interstate 79 at Exit 130. The park includes hiking trails, picnicking and a paved bike trail around the 1,440-acre lake. The lake features fishing, boat mooring, boat rentals and allows for boats up to 20 horsepower. Environmental programs are available. Information: 684 Lake Wilhelm Road, Sandy Lake, PA 16145; 724-253-4833.

McConnell's Mill: Located in Lawrence County. The park features McConnell's Mill, a national historic site and one of two rolling mills still operating. Whitewater boating with rafts and canoes is available (no rentals). No camping or swimming, but picnicking, hiking, and climbing and rapelling (in designated areas) are available. Information: RD2, Box 16, Portersville, PA 16051; 724-368-8811 for park information.

Moraine: The 3,225-acre lake is the main feature in this park located in Butler County. Eleven cabins are open, each with its own dock. Camping is available only for organized youth groups. Swimming, picnicking, boat rentals (724-368-9955), two marinas, fishing, sailing and wind surfing are available. Also, pontoon tours on the lake are available, call for schedule at 724-368-9185. A seven-mile bike trail is available (bike rentals, 724-368-9011). Information: 225 Pleasant Valley Road, Portersville, PA 16051; 724-368-8811.

Ohiopyle: Located off Route 381 in southeastern Fayette County. The approximately 19,000-acre park features 219 Class A campsites, hot showers, flush toilets and dump station. Other features include scenic waterfalls, bike trails and river adventures along the 28-mile Youghiogheny River Gorge. Now available are three 12-by-14 wall tent platforms which include electricity, indoor/outdoor carpeting, five single mattresses, covered picnic tables and fire ring with grill. Four cottages and five group camping areas -- for organized groups only -- are available. Reservations are required and strongly advised for weekend and group tent camping. Information: P.O. Box 105, Ohiopyle, PA 15470; 724-329-8591.

Point State Park: Located at the convergence of the Monongahela, Allegheny and Ohio rivers in downtown Pittsburgh. Features include a large fountain, Fort Pitt Museum and the original blockhouse from the first fort built there in 1750. Information: 101 Commonwealth Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15222; 412-471-0235.

Prince Gallitzin: Off Route 53 in northern Cambria County. The park features 419 Class A campsites (85 with electrical hookup), showers, flush toilets and dump station. Hiking trails, picnicking and two beaches are available. Boats up to 20 horsepower are permitted on the 1,600-acre lake. Wheelchair-accessible fishing pier is available at the lake. Ten cabins are available for rent. Pets are permitted at Red Oak campsites. Information: 966 Marina Road, Patton, PA 16668; 814-674-1000.

Pymatuning: Anchored by Pymatuning Reservoir in Crawford County, the park contains 657 Class A campsites (about half have electrical hookups.) Twenty cabins are available year-round, six are accessible to the disabled; reservations required. Five swimming beaches are open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Fishing, boating, picnicking, hiking, hunting (during appropriate seasons), sheltered pavilions and boat rentals are available. Boats up to 10 horsepower are permitted on the lake. A pilot program allows pets at campsites 111-237 at Tuttle campgound only. Information: 2660 WIlliamsfield Road, Jamestown, PA 16134; 724-932-3141.

Raccoon Creek: Located off Route 18 and Route 30 in southern Beaver County, the park features 172 Class A campsites, hot showers, dump station and flush toilets. Ten modern cabins are available (seven are two-bedroom cabins that sleep six, and three are three-bedroom cabins that sleep eight). In addition, the three-bedroom Lakeside Lodge sleeps 10 and has a fireplace. Reservations for sites and cabins are required. One cabin is accessible to the disabled. Boating, fishing, swimming, picnicking, organized group tenting and camping, wildflower reserve, nature trails, and nature center and programs are available. There are 44 miles of hiking trails. One trail is a 20-mile overnight loop trail for backpackers. Permits for the loop can be purchased in advance; call the park office. Information: 3000 State Route 18, Hookstown, PA 15050; 724-899-2200.

Ryerson Station: This 1,164-acre park with a 62-acre lake is located about a mile south of Route 21 on Bristoria Road west of Waynesburg in Greene County. The natural bass lake is stocked with trout by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. The park features 10 miles of hiking trails, an organized group camp for tenting, a family campground with 48 Class B sites (16 with electricity) and two cottages, a nature center, a playground and fishing area with access for the disabled, free swimming pools for adults and children, and drink vending machines. Reservations suggested. Information: 361 Bristoria Road, Wind Ridge, PA 15380; 724-428-4254.

Shawnee: The park, off Route 30 in western Bedford County, features 293 Class A campsites (at least 50 with electrical hookups), hot showers, water, dump station and flush toilets. Two campsites are accessible to the disabled. Picnicking and hiking are also available. Reservations are suggested but not required. A pilot program is available to allow pets at campsites in Section G only. The beach is open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Information: 132 State Park Road, Schellsburg, PA 15559; 814-733-4218.

Yellow Creek: Located 11 miles east of Indiana just off Route 422, the 720-acre lake accommodates sailboats, canoes, pontoon boats, rowboats and motorboats up to 20 horsepower. Boat rental services, now operated by the park and Indiana University of Pennsylvania, will accept reservations. Food concession stands and picnic facilities are located in the beach area, with launch sites on the north and south shores of the lake. Environmental programs are available. Camping cottages are available. Information: 170 Route 259 Highway, Penn Run, PA 15765; 724-357-7913.