Laurel Hill State Park

40°00′48″N 79°15′32″W / 40.01333°N 79.25889°W / 40.01333; -79.25889Area3,935 acres (15.92 km²)Elevation2,316 ft (706 m)^[1]EstablishedOctober 1945Governing bodyPennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural ResourcesWebsiteLaurel Hill State Park Location4 mi. W of New Centerville and PA 281, Somerset, PennsylvaniaArea1,352 acres (547 ha)Built1935-1942Built byCivilian Conservation Corps, Camps NP-5-PA and SP-15-PAArchitectural styleRustic styleMPSEmergency Conservation Work (ECW) Architecture in Pennsylvania State Parks: 1933-1942, TRNRHP reference No.87000738^[2]Added to NRHPMay 18, 1987

Laurel Hill State Park is a 3,935-acre (1,592 ha) Pennsylvania state park in Jefferson and Middlecreek Townships, Somerset County, Pennsylvania in the United States. Laurel Hill Lake is a 63-acre (25 ha) man-made lake with a dam that was constructed during the Great Depression by the young men of CCC camps NP-5-PA (first called SP-8-PA) and SP-15-PA. Laurel Hill State Park is 8 miles (13 km) from Interstate 76 just off Pennsylvania Route 31 near Bakersville and on Pennsylvania Route 653 near Trent.

The lumber boom that swept through the forests of Pennsylvania did not reach the Laurel Hill Valley until 1886. Due to its steep stream valleys and terrain, the area was among the last in Pennsylvania to be clearcut.^[3][4] Logs were hauled by steam locomotives to sawmills where they were cut into lumber. Smaller logs were used to reinforce the mine shafts of the many coal mines throughout southwestern Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The bark of the hemlock tree was used as a source of tannin at the tanneries of the area. Logging companies left behind a wasteland of dried treetops and brambles, which would ignite from passing locomotives and cause forest fires.^[4][5] From 1886 to 1940, most of Laurel Hill was stripped of its old-growth forests. One stand of old growth trees, now called the Hemlock Trail Natural Area, remains at Laurel Hill State Park.^[3][4]

Beginning in 1935, the Federal Emergency Relief Administration began purchasing poor quality land with recreational potential as part of the Recreational Demonstration Area (RDA) program. The RDA program was transferred to the National Park Service in 1936. Laurel Hill was one of five RDAs in Pennsylvania targeted for restoration, reforestation, and recreational use.^[4][6] Laurel Hill was designated a "vacation area" designed to provide low cost outdoor experiences for families and groups.^[6]

The National Park Service, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters (today the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources), employed men of the Works Progress Administration and Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) to work at Laurel Hill. Men from the first CCC camps arrived on July 1, 1935, and began building their own housing.^[3][4][7] These camps were NP-5-PA (first called SP-8-PA)^[8][9] and SP-15-PA.^[10] Each camp consisted of 200 men who worked year round. They cleared brush from streams, planted trees, and built roads, trails, bridges, and recreational facilities including large group camping facilities, cabins, and picnic areas.^[3][4][7] They constructed the dam to create Laurel Hill Lake.^[7]

In October 1945, the United States Department of the Interior transferred ownership of the area to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Laurel Hill State Park officially opened.^[3][4] The park now has a thriving second growth forest that is home to a variety of wildlife.

The Laurel Hill RDA was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987, as a national historic district. The district includes 198 contributing buildings and 4 contributing structures. It is the largest collection of CCC architecture in Pennsylvania's state parks.^[2][7]

Laurel Hill State Park maintains 15 miles of trails with varying levels of hiking difficulty.

• Hemlock Trail is a 1.2 mile (1.9 km) trail that loops through the six-acre Hemlock Trail Natural Area, which contains a stand of old growth eastern hemlock trees. When Laurel Hill was logged, the only virgin trees left untouched were on steep ground above the Laurel Hill Creek that was apparently too difficult for the loggers to reach. The Hemlock Trail is accessible from one end at the sharp bend on Buck Run Road, and from the other at the head of the lake.^[3][11][12]

• Beltz Trail is a 2.75 mile (4.4 km) trail that follows an old road grade and provides access to trails throughout the park and Forbes State Forest.^[11]
• Bobcat Trail is a 1 mile (1.6 km) rugged hiking trail with opportunities to view wildlife and mountain laurel.^[11]
• Copper Kettle Trail is a 1.25 mile (2 km), ADA accessible bike path along the western shoreline of Laurel Hill Lake that provides access to the beach and areas for picnicking and fishing.^[11]
• Lake Trail is a 1.75 mile (2.8 km) trail that follows steep terrain along Laurel Hill Creek and the eastern shore of Laurel Hill Lake.^[11]
• Martz Trail is a 1 mile (1.6 km) trail that passes through different forest ecosystems containing a variety of tree species.^[11]
• Pumphouse Trail is an 1.6 mile trail to the Jones Mill Run Dam, built by the CCC.^[11]
• Ridge Trail is a 1.5 mile (2.4 km) trail often used as a wildlife corridor, providing the best opportunity to spot wildlife.^[11]
• Shay Trail is a 0.5 mile (0.8 km) trail named for the Shay locomotives that were used when the land was logged in the early 1900s. It connects Ridge, Tram Road, and Pumphouse trails.^[11]
• Tram Road Trail is a 1.7 mile (2.7 km) that follows the general course of the logging railroad of the early 1900s.^[11]
• Waterline Trail is a 0.6 mile (0.96 km) uphill grade that passes by geological features including fossils.^[11]

Hunting is permitted on about 2,100 acres (850 ha) of Laurel Hill State Park. The most common game species are rabbits, pheasant, raccoon, squirrels, turkey and white-tailed deer. The hunting of groundhogs is prohibited. Hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Game Commission.^[3] Each September Laurel Hill State Park is open for Canada goose hunting. The goose hunt is part of a statewide effort to limit the "resident goose" population. Biologists have attributed high fecal coliform counts at some parks to geese droppings. The fecal matter pollutes the water and beaches of the parks.^[13]

Laurel Hill Creek and Jones Mill Run are stocked with trout and also have a good population of native brook trout. Laurel Hill Lake is a fishery for trout, catfish, sunfish, perch, crappie, bluegill, and bass.^[3]

Gasoline powered boats are prohibited on Laurel Hill Lake. Non powered and electric powered boats must have current registration with any state.^[3]

The beach at Laurel Hill State Park is open daily from late May until the middle of September. The beach opens at 8:00 am and closes at sunset.^[3]

Laurel Hill State Park has three picnic areas. Picnic area #1 has a playground, a ballfield and horseshoe pits. Picnic area #3 is near the beach and also has a playground. Picnic area #4 is near the boat launch and mooring area. There is no picnic area #2.^[3]

There is a 10 miles (16 km) snowmobile trail system in the park that leads to 60 miles (97 km) of trails in Forbes State Forest. Laurel Hill Lake is open for ice fishing and ice boating. Laurel Hill State Park has 20 miles (32 km) of trails open to cross-country skiing.^[3]

Laurel Hill State Park has several options for visitors that are interested in spending the night or several nights at the park.^[3]

The campground has 262 sites for tent or trailer camping. 149 of these sites have an electrical connections. The campground has modern washhouses with flush toilets, showers, drinking water, and two sanitary dump stations. There is one walled tent that is available for rent, which sleeps up to six people and has a refrigerator and bunk beds.^[3]

There are eight cottages available to rent at Laurel Hill State Park. Each cottage has electric lights, outlets, and electric heater. They sleep up to five people and have wooden floors, glass windows and a screened-in porch. The yard areas have a picnic table and a fire ring.^[3]

There is a large area for organized group tenting that is open year-round. Groups are expected to follow the following rules and regulations.^[3]

• 1. All groups must submit a roster to the park office.
• 2. Fires are to be built in the designated fire areas only.
• 3. Standing timber must not be cut.
• 4. Trailers are not permitted in the group tenting area.

The cabins built and used by the CCC are still used today by large, non-profit groups. The six group cabin areas are open from mid-April until mid-October. These camping facilities each have a centrally located shower house with flush toilets and large dining hall with kitchen.^[3]

Laurel Hill Lodge is a modern two-story lodge with a large fireplace and cathedral ceilings. It has a private deck that overlooks the park and Laurel Mountain. The lodge is equipped for winter recreation. It has racks for skis and snowboards and for drying gloves and boots. There are five bedrooms that can sleep up to 14 people. There are 3 bathrooms, 1.5 kitchens, a recreation room and laundry facilities.^[3]

There are two Boy Scout camps run by Westmoreland-Fayette Council within the state park: Camp Conestoga and Camp Buck Run.^[14]

The following state parks are within 30 miles (48 km) of Laurel Hill State Park:^[15][16][17]

• Casselman River State Park (Maryland)
• Keystone State Park (Westmoreland County)
• Kooser State Park (Somerset County)
• Laurel Mountain State Park (Westmoreland County)
• Laurel Ridge State Park (Cambria, Fayette, Somerset, and Westmoreland counties)
• Laurel Summit State Park (Westmoreland County)
• Linn Run State Park (Westmoreland County)
• New Germany State Park (Maryland)
• Ohiopyle State Park (Fayette County)

Federal

NPS National Historical Parks & National Historic Sites	Allegheny Portage Railroad NHS Edgar Allan Poe NHS Eisenhower NHS First State NHP Friendship Hill NHS Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church NHS Hopewell Furnace NHS Independence NHP Steamtown NHS Valley Forge NHP
National Memorials	Benjamin Franklin Flight 93 Johnstown Flood Thaddeus Kosciuszko
National Battlefields and National Military Parks	Fort Necessity NB Gettysburg NMP
National Trails	Appalachian Trail
National Forests	Allegheny
USFS National Historic Sites	Grey Towers
National Wildlife Refuges	Cherry Valley Erie John Heinz Ohio River Islands
Wilderness areas	Allegheny Islands Hickory Creek
Other protected areas	Allegheny National Recreation Area Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Lackawanna Heritage Valley National and State Heritage Area Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River Middle Delaware National Scenic River Susquehanna National Heritage Area Tionesta Scenic Area Tionesta Wild Area Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River

State

Natural Areas	Alan Seeger Algerine Swamp Anders Run Bark Cabin Bear Meadows Bear Run Beartown Woods Big Flat Laurel Black Ash Swamp Bruce Lake Buckhorn Carbaugh Run Charles F. Lewis Cranberry Swamp David R. Johnson Detweiler Run Devil’s Elbow East Branch Swamp Forrest H. Dutlinger Frank E. Masland Halfway Run Hemlocks The Hook Hoverter and Sholl Box Huckleberry Jakey Hollow Johnson Run Joyce Kilmer Kettle Creek Gorge Lebo Red Pine Little Juniata Little Mud Pond Swamp Little Tinicum Island Lower Jerry Run Marion Brooks M.K. Goddard/Wykoff Run Meeting of the Pines Miller Run Mt. Cydonia Ponds Mt. Davis Mt. Logan Pennel Run Pine Creek Gorge Pine Lake Pine Ridge Pine Tree Trail Reynolds Spring Roaring Run Rocky Ridge Rosencrans Bog Ruth Zimmerman Sheets Island Archipelago Snyder-Middleswarth Spruce Swamp Stillwater Sweet Root Tall Timbers Tamarack Run Tamarack Swamp Torbert Island
State Parks	Allegheny Islands Archbald Pothole Bald Eagle Beltzville Bendigo Benjamin Rush Big Elk Creek Big Pocono Big Spring Black Moshannon Blue Knob Boyd Big Tree Buchanan's Birthplace Bucktail Caledonia Canoe Creek Chapman Cherry Springs Clear Creek Codorus Colonel Denning Colton Point Cook Forest Cowans Gap Delaware Canal Denton Hill Elk Erie Bluffs Evansburg Fort Washington Fowlers Hollow Frances Slocum French Creek Gifford Pinchot Gouldsboro Greenwood Furnace Hickory Run Hillman Hills Creek Hyner Run Hyner View Jacobsburg Jennings Joseph E. Ibberson Kettle Creek Keystone Kings Gap Kinzua Bridge Kooser Lackawanna Laurel Hill Laurel Mountain Laurel Ridge Laurel Summit Lehigh Gorge Leonard Harrison Linn Run Little Buffalo Little Pine Locust Lake Lyman Run Marsh Creek Maurice K. Goddard McCalls Dam McConnells Mill Memorial Lake Milton Mont Alto Moraine Mt. Pisgah Nescopeck Neshaminy Nockamixon Nolde Forest Norristown Farm Ohiopyle Oil Creek Ole Bull Parker Dam Patterson Penn-Roosevelt Pine Grove Furnace Poe Paddy Poe Valley Point Presque Isle Prince Gallitzin Promised Land Prompton Prouty Place Pymatuning R. B. Winter Raccoon Creek Ralph Stover Ravensburg Reeds Gap Ricketts Glen Ridley Creek Ryerson Station Salt Springs Samuel S. Lewis Sand Bridge Shawnee Shikellamy Simon B. Elliott Sinnemahoning Sizerville Susquehanna Susquehanna Riverlands Susquehannock Swatara Tobyhanna Trough Creek Tuscarora Tyler Upper Pine Bottom Varden Vosburg Neck Warriors Path Washington Crossing Whipple Dam White Clay Creek Worlds End Yellow Creek
State Forests	Bald Eagle Buchanan Clear Creek Cornplanter Delaware Elk Forbes Gallitzin Loyalsock Michaux Moshannon Pinchot Rothrock Sproul Susquehannock Tiadaghton Tioga Tuscarora Weiser William Penn
Scenic Rivers	Bear Run French Creek Lehigh River LeTort Spring Run Lick Run Lower Brandywine Octoraro Creek Pine Creek Schuylkill River Stony Creek Tucquan Creek Tulpehocken Creek Yellow Breeches Creek
State Game Lands	12 13 14 24 25 26 28 29 30 31 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 179 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 309 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 326 327 328 329 330 331 332 333 335
Wild areas	Algerine Asaph Burns Run Clear Shade Hammersley James C. Nelson Kettle Creek Russell P. Letterman Martin Hill McIntyre Penns Creek Quebec Run Quehanna Russell P. Letterman Square Timber Stairway Thickhead Mountain Trough Creek Wolf Run
Other	Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail Mohn Mill Ponds Wild Plant Sanctuary Stone Valley Recreation Area

Local and private