Blue Knob State Park
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| Blue Knob State Park, Pennsylvania | |
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| IUCN Category III (Natural Monument) | |
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| Location: | Bedford County, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Nearest city: | Everett, Pennsylvania |
| Coordinates: | |
| Area: | 5,874 acres (23.77 km²) |
| Established: | 1945 |
| Governing body: | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
Blue Knob State Park is a Pennsylvania State Park on 5,874 acres (23.77 km²) in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The average annual snowfall at the park is about 12 feet (3.66 m). The park is named for Blue Knob, the second highest mountain in Pennsylvania at 3,146 feet (958.9 m). It is the location of Blue Knob All Seasons Resort, the ski slope in Pennsylvania with the highest elevation. Blue Knob State Park is just off Interstate 99 on Pennsylvania Route 869 west of Pavia.
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[edit] History
[edit] German farmers
The earliest settlers to the Blue Knob area were of German descent. They cleared and farmed the land soon after the American Revolution. They also built several distilleries, a lumber mill and gristmill.
[edit] The lumber era
The logging boom that swept over most of the mountains and forests of Pennsylvania drastically altered the landscape surrounding Blue Knob State Park. The virgin forests of hemlock were clear cut. The timber was hauled away on trains that climbed the steep hillsides. A railroad that followed Bobs Creek used six switchbacks to ascend the mountain. Another railroad used five switchbacks to climb the hills near Wallacks Branch. These railroad grades are still used today to gain access to State Gamelands.
The lumber industry abandoned the lands once all the salable timber had been harvested. They left behind a wasteland of dried out tree tops that were ignited by passing steam locomotives. The land was scarred by immense wild fires. The wildlife that had once thrived in the area was also gone due to over-hunting and deforestation.
[edit] Parklands
The efforts of the National Park Service are largely responsible for the reforestation of Blue Knob State Park. Blue Knob National Recreation Demonstration Area was opened by the park service in 1935. The park was built by the men of the Works Projects Administration and the young men of the Civilian Conservation Corps. The WPA and CCC were established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Great Depression to provide work for the unemployed. Ownership of the park was transferred to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on September 26, 1945 and Blue Knob State Park was officially opened.
[edit] Recreation
[edit] The resort
Blue Knob All Seasons Resort is on Blue Knob the second highest mountain in Pennsylvania. The resort includes 36 trails on slopes for skiing, snow boarding and tubing, a golf course, trails for mountain biking and cross-country skiing. It is open year round. The lodge provides year round accommodations with tennis courts and a swimming pool.
[edit] Swimming
There is a swimming pool at the park that is separate from the pool at the resort. It opens Memorial Day weekend and closes Labor Day weekend. The hours of operation are 11:00 am until 7:00 pm. Lifeguards are provided.
[edit] Picnics
There are three picnic areas at Blue Knob State Park with over 200 picnic tables. Mowery Hollow and Burnt House picnic areas are open year round. Willow Springs picnic area opens the weekend before Memorial Day and closes the day after Thanksgiving.
[edit] Camping
Blue Knob State Park has a campground with 45 sites, 25 of which have a connections to an electrical supply. 43 sites will accommodate tents or campers. Two are the sites are walk-in only. The campground has running water, a sanitary dump station, modern restrooms and a playground.
A group of cabins, built and used by the CCC, is available for rent by large groups. The cabin area has a large dining hall and kitchen area and a showerhouse.
[edit] Hunting and fishing
Hunting is permitted on about 5,000 acres (20.23 km²) of Blue Knob State Park. The most common game species are turkey, squirrels and white-tailed deer. The hunting of groundhogs is prohibited. Hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania State Game Commission. The park is next to Pennsylvania State Game Land 26. There are parking lots and trails at Blue Knob State Park for those interested parking at the state park and hiking into the gamelands.
Bobs Creek is stocked with trout by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission in co-operation with the Pavia Sportmen Club Inc. There is also a population of native brook trout in Bobs Creek and its tributaries.
[edit] Nearby state parks
The following state parks are within 30 miles (48 km) of Blue Knob State Park:
- Canoe Creek State Park (Blair County)
- Laurel Mountain State Park (Westmoreland County)
- Laurel Ridge State Park (Cambria, Fayette, Somerset, and Westmoreland counties)
- Prince Gallitzin State Park (Cambria County)
- Shawnee State Park (Bedford County)
- Trough Creek State Park (Huntingdon County)
- Warriors Path State Park (Bedford County)
- Yellow Creek State Park (Indiana County)
[edit] References
- United States Geological Survey. Blue Knob State Park, USGS Blue Knob (PA) Topo Map. Topozone.com. Retrieved on December 18, 2006.
- Blue Knob State Park. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved on December 18, 2006.
- Map reference for Blue Knob State Park. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved on December 18, 2006.
