Moraine State Park
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| Moraine State Park, Pennsylvania, USA | |
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| IUCN Category III (Natural Monument) | |
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| Location: | Brady, Clay, Franklin, Muddy Creek, and Worth Townships, Butler County, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Nearest city: | Butler, Pennsylvania |
| Coordinates: | |
| Area: | 16,725 acres (67.68 km²) |
| Established: | 1970 |
| Governing body: | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
Moraine State Park is a Pennsylvania state park on 16,725 acres (67.68 km²) in Brady, Clay, Franklin, Muddy Creek Township, and Worth Townships in Butler County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. A main feature of the park is its man-made lake, Lake Arthur, which is 3,225 acres (13.05 km²) and is used for recreational purposes. The surrounding park is used for hiking, bicycling, group camping, picnicking, and hunting. Moraine State Park hosts the annual Regatta at Lake Arthur in August. The park served as the location of the 1973 and 1977 National Scout Jamborees. Moraine State Park is at the intersection of Interstate 79 and U.S. Route 422. Muddy Creek flows through the park (and forms Lake Arthur) andthe park shares a border with Jennings Environmental Education Center to the north.
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[edit] Hunting
Hunting is permitted on 13,600 acres (55.04 km²) of Moraine State Park. Hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The common game species are ruffed grouse, waterfowl, squirrels, pheasants, black bear, turkey, white-tailed deer, and rabbits. The hunting of groundhogs is not permitted at the park.
[edit] Lake Arthur
Lake Arthur is open for year round recreational enjoyment. It is the home of the Lake Arthur Sailing Club and the Regatta at Lake Arthur. In addition to sailing the lake is a popular fishing destination and it has two swimming beaches. Osprey and bald eagles have made nests in the tree tops along the Lake Augusta since the mid-1990s.
[edit] Boating and windsurfing
All boats up to 20 horsepower are permitted on the waters of Lake Arthur with certain restrictions in the "game propagation area". Sailing is an especially popular activity. Races and regattas are held at various times over the course of the summers. Sailboats, rowboats, kayaks, motorboats, canoes, and pontoon boats are available to rent in the Crescent Bay Area. There are two fueling points for power boats. These marinas also have docking facilities and sell boating supplies and groceries. All boats must have a current registration from any state or a launch permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. The lake is open to ice boating during the winter months. Ice boats must display a state park launch permit.
A section of the lake near Barber Point is very popular for windsurfing. This is due to the higher than normal winds and relatively low boat traffic. All windsurfers are required to have a launch permit. Windsurfing lessons are available.
[edit] Fishing
Lake Arthur is a warm water fishery. The native fish species are largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie and channel catfish. The fish commission stocks a population of walleye, muskellunge, and striped bass. All anglers are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Lake Arthur is open during the winter months for ice fishing.
[edit] Swimming
Two beaches at Moraine State Park are open from swimming daily, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend from 11:00am until 7:00pm. Pleasant Valley Beach on the south shore is a 1,200 foot (365 m) grass and sand beach. It has a paved path that leads into the water and a sand volleyball court is nearby. Lakeview Beach on the north shore is a 550 feet (168 m) long sand beach. Each beach has a bathhouse with showers and a snack stand.
[edit] Trails
The trails at Moraine State Park are all open to hiking. Some are also open to equestrian, cross-country skiing, bicycles and mountain bikes. The North Country Trail which begins near Lake Champlain in New York passes through the park on its way to Lake Sakakawea in North Dakota.
- Hilltop Trail is a "moderate" hiking trail, 3.0 miles (4.8 km) long. It is marked with green blazes. The trail begins and ends near the Bear Run Boat Launch. The trail is flat and grassy in sections before rising to steeper areas. It passes through different stages of forest regeneration, past bluebird houses and the remnants of a spring house.
- Sunken Garden Trail is a "moderate" hiking trail, 3.0 miles (4.8 km) long. It is marked with pink blazes. The loop trail begins and ends near the Pleasant Valley Boat Launch. The trail passes through a stand of white pines, a small pond and along the edge of Lake Arthur.
- Pleasant Valley Trail is an "easy" hiking trail, 2.6 miles (4.2 km) long. It is marked with yellow blazes. Pleasant Trail passes over hills and through valleys on the south shore of Lake Arthur.
- Wyggeston Trail is a "moderate" to "difficult" hiking trail, 4.5 miles (7.2 km) long. It is marked with orange blazes. The trail begins just west of Pennsylvania Route 528 on Christley Road and ends at Old Route 422. The trail is rough and rocky and passes through an undeveloped part of the park that includes historic remnants of an old house foundation, stone fences, and a historic oil pump house.
- Glacier Ridge Trail is a "difficult" hiking trail, 14 miles (23 km) long. It is part of the North Country Trail and is marked with blue blazes. Glacier Ridge Trail connects Moraine State Park with the Jennings Environmental Education Center.
- Five Points Trail is an "easy" hiking trail, 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long. It is marked with light green blazes and is near Lakeview Beach and the cabins.
[edit] Staying overnight
Guests interested in staying overnight at Moraine State Park have three options. A limited number of guests may use a shelter on the North Country Trail that is available on a first come first served basis. Organized large groups, such as Boy Scouts can use one of two large group tenting area. Both areas lack showers, but they do have picnic tables, cooking grills and fresh water. There are eleven modern cabins available to rent at Moraine State Park. The are heated with electricity and sleep up to six people in two bedrooms. The cabins also have modern bathrooms, kitchens, a dining/living area and a dock on Lake Arthur. Renters need to bring their own bed linens, towels, cookware and tableware.
[edit] Winter recreation
Moraine State Park is open year round and it stays busy with visitors during the winter months. Pleasant Valley and Sunken Garden Trails are part of a larger network of trails open for cross country skiing. There are approximately 20 miles of trails open to snow mobiling. Sledding is a very popular activity on the south shore near the Pleasant View Picnic Area. A section of Lake Arthur, near the Pleasant Valley Day Use Area is maintained for ice skating.
[edit] Nearby state parks
The following state parks are within 30 miles (48 km) of Moraine State Park:
- Jennings Environmental Education Center (Butler County)
- McConnells Mill State Park (Lawrence County)
[edit] References
- Moraine State Park. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved on 2005-08-25.
- Moraine State Park - Trails. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved on 2005-01-21.
- United States Geological Survey. Moraine State Park, USGS Portersville (PA) Topo Map. TopoZone. Retrieved on 2006-12-31.
- Map ref for Moraine State Park. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved on 2006-12-31.
- Moraine State Park History. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved on 2006-12-31.
- Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Planning and Research, Geographic Information Division. "2006 General Highway Map Butler County Pennsylvania". Retrieved on 2007-02-21. Note: shows Moraine State Park
