{{Short description|State park in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox park | name = Colonel Denning State Park | image = Colonel Denning State Park Lake.jpg | image_caption = Doubling Gap Lake | image_size = 280 | image_alt = Lake | location = [[Cumberland County, Pennsylvania]], United States | coordinates = {{coord|40.28083|-77.41837|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coords_ref = <ref name="cdsp"/> | area = {{convert|273|acre|abbr=on}}<ref name="cdsp"/> | elevation = {{convert|1132|ft|m|abbr=on}} | established = 1936<ref name="cdsp"/> | administrator = [[Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources]] | free_label = Named for | free_data = William Denning | visitation_num = | visitation_year = | visitation_ref = | website = {{Official website}} | module = {{Infobox protected area | map = USA Pennsylvania#USA | label = Colonel Denning State Park | label_position = | map_caption = Location in Pennsylvania | relief = 1 | module = [[List of Pennsylvania state parks|Pennsylvania State Parks]] }} }} '''Colonel Denning State Park''' is a {{convert|273|acre|adj=on}} [[List of Pennsylvania state parks|Pennsylvania state park]] in [[Lower Mifflin Township, Pennsylvania|Lower Mifflin Township]], [[Cumberland County, Pennsylvania|Cumberland County]], [[Pennsylvania]] in the United States. The park is in the Doubling Gap of [[Blue Mountain (Pennsylvania)|Blue Mountain]] on [[Pennsylvania Route 233]] between [[Newville, Pennsylvania|Newville]] and [[Landisburg, Pennsylvania|Landisburg]]. Doubling Gap Lake is a man-made lake covering {{convert|3.5|acre}}. Colonel Denning State Park is surrounded by [[Tuscarora State Forest]].
==History== Colonel Denning State Park is named in honor of William Denning who was, oddly, never a [[colonel]]. He was a [[veteran]] of the [[American Revolution|American Revolutionary War]] and a manufacturer of [[wrought iron]] [[cannon]]s.
Denning was a [[sergeant]] in the [[Continental Army]] from March 1778 until April 1780. He was stationed near [[Carlisle, Pennsylvania|Carlisle]] at Washingtonburg Forge, now the [[Carlisle Barracks]]. While stationed there, Denning explored and mastered the technique of creating lighter and more easily transported cannons. He did this by welding strips of wrought iron together in layers and building the cannon with the layers. Denning lived out his life following the Revolution near Newville. His grave can be found in the [[cemetery]] of Big Spring [[Presbyterian]] Church in Newville.<ref name="cdsp">{{cite web |url=https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/colonel-denning-state-park |title=Colonel Denning State Park |publisher=Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |access-date=2025-12-26}}</ref>
Many of the facilities at Colonel Denning State Park were constructed during the [[Great Depression]] in the 1930s by the [[Civilian Conservation Corps]]. It was formally opened in 1936.<ref name="cdsp"/>
==Recreation== Colonel Denning State Park is open to [[hunting]]. Hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the [[Pennsylvania Game Commission]]. The common game species are [[eastern gray squirrel|squirrel]]s, [[white-tailed deer]], and [[wild turkey|turkeys]]. The hunting of [[groundhog]]s is prohibited. Hunting is also permitted in the nearby [[Tuscarora State Forest]]. Doubling Gap Lake is open for [[trout]] fishing during the trout season established by the [[Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission]].<ref name="cdsp"/>
There are {{convert|18|mi}} of hiking trails at Colonel Denning State Park and the park serves as a trailhead for the [[Tuscarora Trail]] ({{convert|105|mi}}). Visitors are permitted to swim at their own risk in Doubling Gap Lake; [[lifeguard]]s are not provided.
There are over 200 [[picnic table]]s available at Colonel Denning State Park.<ref name="cdsp" /> Flat Rock trail is a {{convert|4|mi|adj=on}} out-and-back hike reaching a peak elevation of {{convert|1987|ft}} at Flat Rock. At the rock, a cool breeze is welcome to hikers in the summertime. Occasionally, black bears are seen along the trail.
The camping season at Colonel Denning State Park begins with the start of trout season and ends at the conclusion of deer season. There are 52 tent and trailer sites. Each site is equipped with a fire ring and picnic table. [[Outhouse]]s are available at the campsite.<ref name="cdsp"/> On Flat Rock Trail {{convert|1.1|mi}} up the mountain, a camping shelter was built as an [[Eagle Scout Project]] in 2000. A picnic table and fire pit accommodate the shelter along with an outhouse located a few hundred feet away.
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category|Colonel Denning State Park}} {{Portal|Pennsylvania}} *[https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/colonel-denning-state-park Colonel Denning State Park] Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources * {{cite web|url= http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/ucmprd1/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_004794.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002819/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/ucmprd1/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_004794.pdf |url-status= dead |archive-date= March 4, 2016 |title=Colonel Denning State Park official map }} {{small|(785 KB)}}
{{Protected Areas of Pennsylvania}} {{Cumberland County, Pennsylvania}}
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[[Category:State parks of Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Parks in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Campgrounds in Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Protected areas established in 1936]] [[Category:1936 establishments in Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Civilian Conservation Corps in Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Protected areas of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania]]