Pennsylvania’s Trough Creek State Park
Pennsylvania’s Trough Creek State Park is a beautiful 541-acre state park located in Huntington County, Pennsylvania. Created in 1936, the park is surrounded on three sides by a section of the 96,975-acre Rothrock State Forest and by Raystown Lake on the other.
Some of the most popular features of the park are the Balanced Rock, the Suspension Bridge, Rainbow Falls, and the Ice Mine. Twelve miles of hiking trails and the Great Trough Creek are also attractive park features.
Ice Mine at Trough Creek State Park
The Ice Mine is an interesting feature, especially on a hot day. It is not a real mine, rather it’s a pit created by prospectors while looking for iron ore. None was found however, it has been said that when this phenomenon was first discovered, they used the mine for refrigeration.
Years later when the park was being created, they thought the ice mine may be an interesting attraction for the park and developed it with the structure that you see now.
Since the Ice Mine is literally just a hole in the ground approximately 10 feet deep with steps leading to the bottom, it takes only a few minutes to check it out.
This is a great place to pause for a rest after returning from Balanced Rock or other trails to cool down in the natural refrigerator.
It is amazing how it stays cold even into late summer, as it rarely get over 50 degrees. You can feel the cold air on your first step down into the mine. It is very refreshing on a hot summer day.
The present-day road leading to the Ice Mine was once a railroad bed prior to WWII. As you walk along the
Check out the following link for some interesting geological information about the Ice Mine at Pennsylvania’s Trough Creek State Park
http://www.gis.dcnr.state.pa.us/topo/ogf/OGF_IceMine.pdf
Balanced Rock & Rainbow Falls
Balanced Rock & Rainbow Falls are probably the two most popular attractions at Trough Creek State Park. Starting from Trough Creek Drive the Balanced Rock trail crosses over the Great Trough Creek via the Suspension Bridge.
At the end of the suspension bridge, there are markers carved into the boards directing you to the path you wish to take.
Immediately across the bridge take a right-hand turn and follow the trail alongside the creek to Rainbow Falls.
Continue up the trail climbing the CCC steps and then make a right hand turn at the intersection and follow the trail to the Balanced Rock. The steps are steep so use caution when climbing.
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Fishing at Trough Creek State Park
Fishing at Trough Creek offers both cold and warm water species such as trout, walleye, smallmouth bass, rock bass, suckers, and panfish.
There are several sections of the stream that are accessible just off the road with easy access and parking. Some of the access points also include picnic areas and restroom facilities which are particularly convenient when you have children with you. Keep in mind, only pit toilets are available.
In the summer months, the Great Trough Creek water level becomes lower making it a very gentle stream for children to learn how to fish.
I took our two youngest children, ages 4 and 8, fishing in the Trough Creek just the other day. They were able to easily wade in the stream with me while we were fishing.
In addition to the stream, Raystown Lake is just a short walk downstream to where the Great Trough Creek enters into a sheltered cove on the Lake.
For information regarding fishing and boating regulations, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission website at https://www.fishandboat.com/Pages/default.aspx
Hiking and Biking Trails at Trough Creek State Park
Twelve miles of hiking trails in Trough Creek State Park range from under 1/10 mile to 2.4 miles in length. The 29-mile Terrace Mountian trail also crosses through the park. Many of the trails are steep and narrow and can be a little difficult but the rewards are spectacular views.
Caution should be taken if you have small children. Some of the trails are very steep and some pass by sheer cliffs with spectacular views.
We have taken our children ages 4 and 8 to the park and have hiked on some of the trails such as Ledges, Copperas Rocks, and Rainbow Falls trails, without any problems.
I have to admit that I am not a fan of high places so I was a bit nervous in some areas however they did fine and enjoyed the hike. The views that you see are well worth the effort.
Additionally there are 3.5 miles of biking trails in the park.
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Outdoor Opportunities at Trough Creek State Park
Camping
Picnicking
Wildlife Watching
Biking
Hunting
Snowmobiling
Legend of “The Raven” by Edgar Allen Poe
There is a local legend that the poet Edgar Allen Poe may have visited the area and became inspired to write his famous poem published in 1845 called “The Raven” while observing the ravens that nest in the Raven Rock cliffs along the Great Trough Creek.
A park ranger told me the story of the legend that he has heard. He told me that by the time Poe made his visit to what is now Trough Creek State Park, the whole area had been mostly clear cut except for a few trees around the furnace where some homes were constructed for the workers of the furnace.
They clear cut the forest and used the logs to make charcoal for making pig iron which was desperately needed for the railroad industry. Poe observed the ravens nesting and flying among the bare cliffs which may have provided the inspiration for his poem.
It is difficult for me to imagine this place 170 plus years ago, barren with few trees as it is presently a very beautiful place. It is also difficult to imagine how people using only hand tools and horses could strip an entire area of all the tress in such a short amount of time.
If you stop at the ranger station at the park, they have several historical pictures and displays of that era in their conference room.
I have not been able to verify the accuracy of this legend. Its fun to think that this is a true legend as you are driving down the winding road toward Balanced Rock. From what I could find, however, it seems that it may be just a legend and the actual inspiration for “The Raven” was Edgar Allen Poe’s friend Charles Dickens’ pet raven named Grip.
Pennsylvania State Parks & State Forests Passport
Be sure to get your Pennsylvania State Parks & State Forests Passport stamped when you visit Pennsylvania’s Trough Creek State Park. The passport is a way to keep track of the 121 state parks and 20 state forest districts that you have visited in the Commonwealth.
Directions and Information
GPS DD: Lat. 40.31192 Long. -78.12984
From PA Route 26:
At the light at the intersection of PA Route 994 near Entriken, follow PA Route 994 for 5.2 miles. You will cross Raystown Lake, pass Raytown Resort, and Tatman Run. Keep going until you get to the intersection of PA Route 3031 and PA Route 300. Turn right on to PA Route 3031 for 1.8 miles. There will be a sign directing you to Trough Creek State Park.
Street Address
16362 Little Valley Road
James Creek, PA 16657-9302
Phone: 814-658-3847
Email troughcreeksp@pa.gov
Mailing Address
c/o Canoe Creek State Park
205 Canoe Creek Road
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648-9752
Maps of Trough Creek State Park
https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/TroughCreekStatePark/Pages/Maps.aspx
Conclusion
Have you ever visited Trough Creek State Park? If you have, let us know how you liked it and what your favorite part is.
If you have any recommendations or tips that you would like to share, please let us know in the comments.
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