# Ole Bull State Park > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Ole_Bull_State_Park > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Ole_Bull_State_Park.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ole_Bull_State_Park > Source revision: 1340128730 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) State park in Pennsylvania, United States Ole Bull State Park Kettle Creek flowing through Ole Bull State Park Interactive map of Ole Bull State Park Location Potter County, Pennsylvania, United States Coordinates 41°32′14″N 77°42′56″W / 41.53712°N 77.71544°W / 41.53712; -77.71544[1] Area 132 acres (53 ha)[1] Elevation 1,417 feet (432 m) Established 1925 Administrator Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Named for Ole Borneman Bull Website Official website Ole Bull State Park Ole Bull State Park Location in Pennsylvania Show map of Pennsylvania Ole Bull State Park Ole Bull State Park (the United States) Show map of the United States Pennsylvania State Parks **Ole Bull State Park** is a 132-acre (53 ha) [Pennsylvania state park](/source/List_of_Pennsylvania_state_parks) in [Stewardson Township](/source/Stewardson_Township%2C_Pennsylvania), [Potter County](/source/Potter_County%2C_Pennsylvania), [Pennsylvania](/source/Pennsylvania) in the United States. The park is located on [Pennsylvania Route 144](/source/Pennsylvania_Route_144), 26 miles (42 km) north of [Renovo](/source/Renovo%2C_Pennsylvania) and 18 miles (29 km) south of [Galeton](/source/Galeton%2C_Pennsylvania). Ole Bull State Park is in the [Kettle Creek](/source/Kettle_Creek_(Pennsylvania)) Valley, and is surrounded by [Susquehannock State Forest](/source/Susquehannock_State_Forest). The woods surrounding the park are called the Black Forest because of its once dense tree cover. ## History ### New Norway Ole Bull Ole Bull State Park is named for [Ole Borneman Bull](/source/Ole_Bull). Ole Bull was a famous [Norwegian](/source/Norway) [violinist](/source/Violin). He visited the United States several times and played with great success. While visiting the United States, Bull became interested in founding a colony for his fellow countrymen. In 1852, he purchased 120,000 acres (49,000 ha) of land for $10,000 in Pennsylvania and founded the colony, which was called New Norway. He established four communities, New Bergen (now known as Carter Camp), [Oleona](/source/Oleona%2C_Pennsylvania), New Norway, and Valhalla in the Kettle Creek area. Ole Bull began work on a "castle", which he named Nordenskjold. The castle and the communities were abandoned in less than a year. The problems encountered by the Norwegian pioneers were mainly based on the inexperience of the farmers in dealing with clearing the land of its many trees. Efforts to settle the area were parodied in the 1853 Norwegian folk song [Oleanna](/source/Oleanna_(song)), which was translated into English and popularized by Pete Seeger in 1955. The Norwegians, however, did not give up. They migrated west into [Minnesota](/source/Minnesota) and the [Dakotas](/source/Dakotas). The settlement may have failed, but Ole Bull was not forgotten. The citizens of [Norway](/source/Norway) paid for the construction of a monument to honor Ole Bull. The statue was placed in the park on the 150th anniversary of New Norway in 2002.[2] ### Lumber Era The [Kettle Creek](/source/Kettle_Creek_(Pennsylvania)) area was part of the massive [lumbering](/source/Lumbering) operation that occurred in most of north central Pennsylvania in the 1880s and 1890s. The lumbering industry harvested the old-growth [white pine](/source/Eastern_white_pine) and [hemlock](/source/Tsuga). Two [railroads](/source/Railroad) were built on the banks of Kettle Creek to haul the timber to [sawmills](/source/Sawmill) in the Cross Fork area. The [old-growth forest](/source/Old-growth_forest) was soon gone. The land was no longer useful to the lumber industry and it fell into disuse. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania purchased much of the land and Ole Bull State Park was opened in 1925.[1] ### Civilian Conservation Corps Many of the facilities at Ole Bull State Park were constructed during the [Great Depression](/source/Great_Depression) by the [Civilian Conservation Corps](/source/Civilian_Conservation_Corps) founded by American President [Franklin D. Roosevelt](/source/Franklin_D._Roosevelt). The CCC created many jobs for the out of work industrial workers from throughout the United States. Ole Bull State Park is home to many examples of the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps throughout North Central Pennsylvania. They built [outhouses](/source/Outhouse), [pavilions](/source/Pavilion), and the camping areas. The CCC also built the original dam in the swimming area.[1] ## Recreation ### Hunting and fishing Hunting is permitted on 25 acres (10 ha) of Ole Bull State Park. Hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania State Game Commission. The common game species are [ruffed grouse](/source/Ruffed_grouse), [squirrels](/source/Eastern_gray_squirrel), [turkey](/source/Wild_turkey), [white-tailed deer](/source/White-tailed_deer), and [black bears](/source/American_black_bear). Many more acres of forested woodlands are available for hunting on the grounds of the adjacent [Susquehannock State Forest](/source/Susquehannock_State_Forest).[1] The water quality of [Kettle Creek](/source/Kettle_Creek_(Pennsylvania)) and [Ole Bull Run](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ole_Bull_Run&action=edit&redlink=1) is very good. The waters offer fishing for [brook](/source/Brook_trout), [rainbow](/source/Rainbow_trout) and [brown trout](/source/Brown_trout). There is a special fishing area of children and people with disabilities near the dam on Kettle Creek. Fishing is prohibited between the wires at the dam basin and in the swimming area.[1] ### Swimming and camping Camping at the park Swimming is permitted at the 150-foot (46 m) sandy beach on Kettle Creek during the months of May through mid-September. Swim at your own risk. Lifeguards are not provided. Pets are not permitted at the beach.[1][3] Camping is permitted year round at Ole Bull State Park. There are two camping areas on the banks of Kettle Creek. Some of the sites are sunny and some are shaded. There are 24 electric hookups at one campsite and 21 at the other. All campsites have a level gravel pad for setting up campers. They also feature a fire ring and a [picnic table](/source/Picnic_table). Modern restrooms, water hydrants and a sanitary dump station are available at Ole Bull State Park.[1] ### Picnics and trails View from the overlook on the Castle Vista Trail The picnic area is on the bank of Kettle Creek across from the swimming area. There are four [pavilions](/source/Pavilion), many picnic tables, a playground, fireplaces, a restroom and water hydrants. There is electricity at the Stone Pavilion. These pavilion must be reserved in order to have access to the electricity.[1] Ole Bull State Park is a [trailhead](/source/Trailhead) for the 85 miles (137 km) [Susquehannock Trail System](/source/Susquehannock_Trail_System). It also 2 miles (3.2 km) of self-contained trails. The Daugherty Loop Trail uses old logging roads and a railroad grade to pass through the Black Forest of Pennsylvania. The Beaver Dam Nature Trail follows Kettle Creek for 0.75-mile (1.21 km). The Ole Bull Trail leads to the remains of Ole Bull's "castle", Nordjenskald. This area is the site of a panoramic view of the park. In the winter months cross country skiing, snow shoes and snow mobiles are permitted.[1] ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-obsp_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-obsp_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-obsp_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-obsp_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-obsp_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-obsp_1-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-obsp_1-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-obsp_1-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-obsp_1-8) [***j***](#cite_ref-obsp_1-9) ["Ole Bull State Park"](https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/ole-bull-state-park). Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved January 13, 2026. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-newnorway_2-0)** ["Remembering Ole Bull's dream"](http://www.norway.org/News/archive/2002/200204bull.htm). Norway: The Official Site in the United States. Retrieved November 11, 2006. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Attractions"](https://web.archive.org/web/20060610091153/http://www.pottercountypa.org/listings/index.cfm?catID=1&hit=1). Potter County Visitors Association. Archived from the original on June 10, 2006. Retrieved November 7, 2006. ## External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Ole Bull State Park](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Ole_Bull_State_Park). - [Pennsylvania portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Pennsylvania) - [Ole Bull State Park](https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/ole-bull-state-park) Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - ["Ole Bull State Park official map"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235949/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/ucmprd1/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_003473.pdf) (PDF). Archived from [the original](http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/ucmprd1/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_003473.pdf) (PDF) on March 3, 2016. (176.7 KB) - [2002 Ole Bull monument](https://wanderingwithgillian.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/ole-bull-monument-071010.jpg) v t e Protected areas of Pennsylvania Federal National Battlefields and Military Parks Fort Necessity Gettysburg National Fish Hatcheries Allegheny National Forests Allegheny National Historic Sites and Historical Parks Allegheny Portage Railroad Edgar Allan Poe Eisenhower First State Friendship Hill Grey Towers Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church Hopewell Furnace Independence Steamtown Valley Forge National Memorials Benjamin Franklin Flight 93 Johnstown Flood Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Monuments Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Recreation Areas Allegheny Delaware Water Gap National Trails Appalachian Lewis and Clark North Country Potomac Heritage National Wild and Scenic Rivers Allegheny River Clarion River Lower Delaware Middle Delaware Upper Delaware National Wildlife Refuge Cherry Valley Erie John Heinz Ohio River Islands Other National Historic Landmarks (Philadelphia) National Natural Landmarks National Register of Historic Places Wilderness Areas 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. 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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 Abernathy Field Station Asbury Woods Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center Boyce Park Nature Center Briar Bush Nature Center Carbon County Environmental Education Center Churchville Nature Center Endless Mountains Nature Center Fern Hollow Nature Center Frick Environmental Center Great Valley Nature Center Harrison Hills Park Environmental Education Center Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Honey Hollow Environmental Education Center Jarrett Nature Center John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove Lacawac Lancaster Environmental Center Latodami Nature Center at North Park McKaig Nature Education Center McKeever Environmental Learning Center Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center Myrick Conservation Center Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art Nurture Nature Center Peace Valley Nature Center Pocono Environmental Education Center Pool Wildlife Sanctuary Powdermill Nature Reserve Richard Nixon Park Nature Center Riverbend Environmental Education Center Shaver's Creek Environmental Center Silver Lake Nature Center South Park Nature Center Strawberry Hill Nature Center Tom Ridge Environmental Center Trexler Environmental Center Trexler Nature Preserve Tyler Arboretum Welkinweir Whites' Woods Nature Center Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve at Saint Vincent College Woodbourne Forest and Wildlife Preserve Woodcock Creek Nature Center Category Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Philadelphia Pittsburgh Commons Authority control databases International VIAF WorldCat National United States --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ole Bull State Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ole_Bull_State_Park) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ole_Bull_State_Park?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.