Take a visit to Canoe Creek State Park
Jim Loose of Hollidaysburg talks about why he visits Canoe Creek State Park most day of the year.
Brian Whipkey, Erie Times-News
In the heart of Pennsylvania, you’ll find a state park that has a little bit of everything you’d want to enjoy the outdoors.
Canoe Creek State Park, located near Hollidaysburg in Blair County, is a place to enjoy a round of disc golf, take a hike, spend some time on the lake fishing or spend the night in a rustic cabin.
During my visit there, I met Jim Loose who lives a short distance from the facility. He said he’s at the park most days to go for a walk or do some fly fishing for trout. “I come out about everyday to walk two or three miles. It keeps me loosened up,” he said about being out in summer and winter months. It’s a popular place for dog walkers as well as those who prefer to get their exercise on the lake with a kayak.
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“The facilities are fantastic. The administration and workers are very cordial and they do an absolutely great job of keeping the facility top notch.” He said, noting that he likes the park because it’s close to his home and the fishing opportunities are good. “I don’t catch many fish, but I do enjoy it.”
The park is situated on 961 acres, and the focal point is the 155-acre lake that flows around wetlands, old fields, and mature forests. The lake is popular for fishing year round, and boats propelled by electric motors are permitted. The East Shore Day Use Area has moorings for various types of watercraft.
Between the lake and streams you can fish for walleye, trout, muskellunge, bass, chain pickerel, perch, catfish, crappie and panfish.
The park has a total of 12 miles of hiking trails split between nine trails. Several are under a mile long, but the Moore’s Hill Loop spans 3.2 miles and is labeled as the most difficult. The trail has steep switchbacks and it travels on the circumference of Moore’s Hill. You can can enjoy a variety of wildlife habitat environments along the trails including fields, wetlands and forested areas.
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Canoe Creek is a good place to watch for wildlife and migrating birds. There are fields, wetlands and a limestone deep mine on the grounds. With the variety of habitat, the park has been designated as an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society.
If you would like to spend more than a day at the park, there are eight cabin rentals that can sleep six people that have electric heat, modern conveniences, bathroom and kitchen. They are situated on a hill that provides a view of the lake.
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I enjoyed my brief stop at Canoe Creek. From people playing disc golf to others riding bikes or relaxing in the picnic area, it’s clear Canoe Creek is a good place to take a break from the stresses of everyday life.
Contact info:
205 Canoe Creek Road, Hollidaysburg, PA
Phone: 814-695-6807
Email: canoecreeksp@pa.gov
Brian Whipkey is the outdoors columnist for USA TODAY Network sites in Pennsylvania. Contact him at bwhipkey@gannett.com and sign up for our weekly Go Outdoors PA newsletter email on your website’s homepage under your login name. Follow him on social media @whipkeyoutdoors.
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