{{Short description|State park in Pennsylvania, United States}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}} {{Infobox park | name = Prince Gallitzin State Park | image = Phot princegallitzin2.jpg | image_caption = | image_alt = Lake | image_size = 280 | location = [[Cambria County, Pennsylvania]], United States | coordinates = {{coord|40.65124|-78.55522|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coords_ref = <ref name="pgsp"/> | area = {{convert|6466.98|acre|abbr=on}}<ref name="forrey"/> | elevation = {{convert|1539|ft}} | established = 1965 | administrator = [[Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources]] | free_label = Named for | free_data = [[Demetrius Gallitzin]] | visitation_num = | visitation_year = | visitation_ref = | website = {{Official website}} | module = {{Infobox protected area | map = USA Pennsylvania#USA | label = Prince Gallitzin State Park | label_position = | map_caption = Location in Pennsylvania | relief = 1 | module = [[List of Pennsylvania state parks|Pennsylvania State Parks]] }} }} '''Prince Gallitzin State Park''' is a {{convert|6,467|acre|adj=on}} [[List of Pennsylvania state parks|Pennsylvania state park]] with acreage in both [[Chest Township, Cambria County, Pennsylvania|Chest]] and [[White Township, Cambria County, Pennsylvania|White]] [[Pennsylvania township|Townships]] in [[Cambria County, Pennsylvania|Cambria County]] of West Central [[Pennsylvania]] in the United States, near both [[Gallitzin, Pennsylvania|Gallitzin Borough]], & [[Gallitzin Township, Cambria County, Pennsylvania|Gallitzin Township]] in the greater [[Altoona, Pennsylvania]] area. The park is home to [[Glendale Lake]] a {{convert|1635|acre}} man-made lake. It has a large [[campground]] with campsites on the lake shore. Prince Gallitzin State Park was named in honor of Prince [[Demetrius Gallitzin]], a [[Russian people|Russian]] nobleman turned [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] missionary [[Priesthood (Catholic Church)|priest]] who founded the nearby town of [[Loretto, Pennsylvania|Loretto]]. The park is just off [[Pennsylvania Route 253|Pennsylvania Routes 253]] and [[Pennsylvania Route 53|53]] just east of [[Patton, Pennsylvania|Patton]].
==History== ===Namesake=== {{Main|Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin}} Demetris Gallitzin was born on December 22, 1770, at [[The Hague]] in the Netherlands. His name is a form of [[Golitsyn family|Galitzine]], the Russian princely family in which he was born. His father, [[Dmitri Alekseyevich Golitsyn|Dimitri Alexeievich Galitzine]] (1728–1803), Russian ambassador to the Netherlands, was an intimate friend of [[Voltaire]] and a follower of [[Diderot]]; so, too, for many years was his mother, Countess [[Adelheid Amalie Gallitzin]] (1748-1806), until a severe illness in 1786 led her back to the [[Catholic Church]], in which she had been raised.<ref name="pgsp"/>
At the age of 17, Demetrius was received into the [[Catholic Church]]. He then served as an [[aide-de-camp]] to the commander of the Austrian troops in [[Duchy of Brabant|Brabant]]; but, following the assassination of the king of Sweden, he, like all other foreigners, was dismissed from the service.<ref name="pgsp"/>
Gallitzin left Europe for the United States in 1792 where he landed in [[Baltimore, Maryland|Baltimore]]. It was soon after his arrival that he decided to enter the priesthood. He was ordained in March 1795 and was one of the first Catholic priests ordained in America. After several years serving as a [[missionary]] in southern Pennsylvania and [[Maryland]], Father Gallitzin founded the settlement of [[Loretto, Pennsylvania]], in what is now [[Cambria County, Pennsylvania]] in 1799. Loretto was an expansion of a smaller settlement established by Michael McGuire in 1788. When McGuire died in 1793, he donated "McGuire's Settlement" to the Catholic Church in America for the establishment of a Catholic community. [[File:Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin.jpg|right|thumb|Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin - founder of Loretto, Pennsylvania, and namesake of Prince Gallitzin State Park]]
With Gallitzin's leadership, Loretto became the first English-speaking Catholic settlement in the United States west of the Allegheny Front. In addition to McGuire's patrimony, Gallitzin is believed to have spent $150,000 (USD) of his own funds later, to purchase some additional {{convert|20000|acre}}, which it is said he gave or sold at low prices to newly arriving Catholic settlers. Father Gallitzin worked to build Loretto by establishing a [[gristmill]], [[Tanning (leather)|tannery]], and [[sawmill]] in the town. He also was instrumental in the education of the children of the area and served as a [[Physician|doctor]], [[banker]] and [[lawyer]] for many of the citizens of Loretto.<ref name="pgsp"/>
Gallitzin died at Loretto on May 6, 1840, and was buried near St. Michael's church in Loretto. Father Gallitzin has been honored in the places names of several locations in Pennsylvania, including [[Gallitzin, Pennsylvania|Gallitzin]], [[Gallitzin Springs]] and [http://www.demetriusgallitzin.org/Prince%20Gallitzin%20Springs/Prnce%20Gallitzin%20Spring.htm Prince Gallitzin Spring]. Locally he is sometimes referred to as "the priest who may have been a tzar". On June 6, 2005, it was announced that Gallitzin had been named a [[Servant of God]] by the [[Congregation for the Causes of Saints]], the first step on the path toward possible future [[Saint#Catholicism|sainthood]].<ref name="pgsp"/>
===Establishment of the park=== Establishing a park near Patton was first discussed during the [[Great Depression]] of the 1930s. The [[National Park Service]] discussed plans for opening a Recreation Demonstration Area just to the east of Patton on Beaverdam Run, a tributary of [[Clearfield Creek]]. The project was proposed and approved but was never put into place.<ref name="pgsp">{{cite web |url=https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/prince-gallitzin-state-park |title=Prince Gallitzin State Park |publisher=Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |access-date=January 16, 2026}}</ref>
The subject of building a park came up again in 1955. The Patton Chamber of Commerce proposed building a dam in the Killbuck area. They met with [[Maurice K. Goddard]] who was at the time the secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters, a forerunner to the [[Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources]]. The idea was approved and on April 4, 1957, Governor [[George M. Leader]] announced plans for the construction of the park. The park was funded by monies gained from [[oil]] and [[natural gas]] leases. Central to the park plans was the building of Glendale Dam and the formation of Glendale Lake. Groundbreaking at the park was held on May 3, 1958, and the lake began to fill on December 2, 1960. The park was finally dedicated on May 29, 1965, by Governor [[William Scranton]].<ref name="pgsp"/>
==Climate== {{Weather box |location = Prince Gallitzin State Park, Pennsylvania (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1982–present) |single line = Y |collapsed = y |Jan record high F = 68 |Feb record high F = 78 |Mar record high F = 83 |Apr record high F = 92 |May record high F = 92 |Jun record high F = 94 |Jul record high F = 101 |Aug record high F = 97 |Sep record high F = 93 |Oct record high F = 86 |Nov record high F = 81 |Dec record high F = 71 |year record high F = 101
|Jan avg record high F = 59.0 |Feb avg record high F = 60.0 |Mar avg record high F = 68.7 |Apr avg record high F = 80.3 |May avg record high F = 86.3 |Jun avg record high F = 89.1 |Jul avg record high F = 90.8 |Aug avg record high F = 89.4 |Sep avg record high F = 87.1 |Oct avg record high F = 78.7 |Nov avg record high F = 70.7 |Dec avg record high F = 60.6 |year avg record high F = 92.1
|Jan high F = 34.0 |Feb high F = 37.0 |Mar high F = 46.1 |Apr high F = 60.1 |May high F = 70.2 |Jun high F = 77.9 |Jul high F = 82.1 |Aug high F = 80.5 |Sep high F = 73.5 |Oct high F = 61.6 |Nov high F = 49.1 |Dec high F = 38.4 |year high F = 59.2 |Jan mean F = 24.9 |Feb mean F = 27.0 |Mar mean F = 35.2 |Apr mean F = 47.1 |May mean F = 57.4 |Jun mean F = 65.8 |Jul mean F = 69.8 |Aug mean F = 68.4 |Sep mean F = 61.2 |Oct mean F = 49.7 |Nov mean F = 39.2 |Dec mean F = 30.1 |year mean F = 48.0 |Jan low F = 15.9 |Feb low F = 17.1 |Mar low F = 24.3 |Apr low F = 34.0 |May low F = 44.6 |Jun low F = 53.6 |Jul low F = 57.5 |Aug low F = 56.3 |Sep low F = 49.0 |Oct low F = 37.7 |Nov low F = 29.3 |Dec low F = 21.8 |year low F = 36.8
|Jan avg record low F = -6.4 |Feb avg record low F = -1.8 |Mar avg record low F = 4.0 |Apr avg record low F = 19.1 |May avg record low F = 29.5 |Jun avg record low F = 38.4 |Jul avg record low F = 45.5 |Aug avg record low F = 44.2 |Sep avg record low F = 35.2 |Oct avg record low F = 24.6 |Nov avg record low F = 13.7 |Dec avg record low F = 4.7 |year avg record low F = -8.7
|Jan record low F = −28 |Feb record low F = −22 |Mar record low F = -12 |Apr record low F = 10 |May record low F = 23 |Jun record low F = 28 |Jul record low F = 33 |Aug record low F = 31 |Sep record low F = 28 |Oct record low F = 9 |Nov record low F = 6 |Dec record low F = −19 |year record low F = -28 |precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation inch = 2.82 |Feb precipitation inch = 2.46 |Mar precipitation inch = 3.27 |Apr precipitation inch = 3.66 |May precipitation inch = 3.73 |Jun precipitation inch = 3.86 |Jul precipitation inch = 3.91 |Aug precipitation inch = 3.92 |Sep precipitation inch = 4.05 |Oct precipitation inch = 3.15 |Nov precipitation inch = 2.90 |Dec precipitation inch = 2.93 |year precipitation inch = 40.66 |Jan snow inch = 15.4 |Feb snow inch = 14.6 |Mar snow inch = 7.6 |Apr snow inch = 1.6 |May snow inch = 0.0 |Jun snow inch = 0.0 |Jul snow inch = 0.0 |Aug snow inch = 0.0 |Sep snow inch = 0.0 |Oct snow inch = 0.4 |Nov snow inch = 1.8 |Dec snow inch = 8.5 |year snow inch = 49.9 |unit precipitation days = 0.01 in |Jan precipitation days = 15.9 |Feb precipitation days = 12.5 |Mar precipitation days = 12.4 |Apr precipitation days = 13.9 |May precipitation days = 15.0 |Jun precipitation days = 13.0 |Jul precipitation days = 12.2 |Aug precipitation days = 11.6 |Sep precipitation days = 11.9 |Oct precipitation days = 12.4 |Nov precipitation days = 11.5 |Dec precipitation days = 14.0 |year precipitation days = 156.3 |unit snow days = 0.1 in |Jan snow days = 8.4 |Feb snow days = 7.1 |Mar snow days = 4.2 |Apr snow days = 1.1 |May snow days = 0.0 |Jun snow days = 0.0 |Jul snow days = 0.0 |Aug snow days = 0.0 |Sep snow days = 0.0 |Oct snow days = 0.2 |Nov snow days = 1.6 |Dec snow days = 5.1 |year snow days = 27.7
|Jan snow depth inch = 9.0 |Feb snow depth inch = 9.3 |Mar snow depth inch = 6.1 |Apr snow depth inch = 1.0 |May snow depth inch = 0.0 |Jun snow depth inch = 0.0 |Jul snow depth inch = 0.0 |Aug snow depth inch = 0.0 |Sep snow depth inch = 0.0 |Oct snow depth inch = 0.2 |Nov snow depth inch = 2.1 |Dec snow depth inch = 4.6 |year snow depth inch = 14.5
|source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name = NOAA> {{cite web |url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=ctp |title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date = August 7, 2021 }} </ref><ref name = NCEI> {{cite web |url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00367167&format=pdf |title = Station: Prince Gallitzin SP, PA |work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020) |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date = August 7, 2021}}</ref> }}
==Recreation== [[File:Prince Gallitzin State Park Ice Fishing.jpg|thumb|Ice fishing on Glendale Lake at Prince Gallitzin State Park]] Prince Gallitzin is the home to several different types of outdoor recreation. Glendale Lake is open to [[Human swimming|swimming]], [[fishing]] and [[boating]]. There are 12 miles (19.31supkm) of trails open for [[hiking]] and in some locations [[Equestrianism|equestrian]], [[mountain bike|mountain biking]], and [[snowmobile|snowmobiling]]. There are over 1,000 [[picnic table]]s at the park. Visitors interested in staying over night can use one of 437 campsites or rent one of the 10 [[Cottage#Cottages in Canada and the U.S.|cabin]]s at Prince Gallitzin State Park.<ref name="pgsp"/>
===Glendale Lake=== Glendale Lake is a major boating destination along the Allegheny Front. Boats up to 20 [[horsepower]] are permitted on the lake. Nine boat launches and two [[marina]]s are at Glendale Lake. Services provided at the marinas include boat rental, boat repair, and fuel sales. All boats must have a current registration from any state or a launch permit from the [[Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission]]. Glendale Lake is a warm-water fishery. The common game fish are [[pike (fish)|pike]], [[muskellunge]], [[bass (fish)|bass]], [[perch]], [[crappie]], and [[bluegill]]. [[Bow fishing]] is permitted at Prince Gallitzin State Park. The beach at Glendale Lake is open from late May until mid-September. [[Lifeguard]]s are not posted, so swimming is at one's own risk.<ref name="pgsp"/>
===Hunting=== [[Hunting]] is permitted at Prince Gallitzin State Park. Hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the [[Pennsylvania Game Commission]]. The common game species are [[eastern gray squirrel|squirrel]]s, [[wild turkey|turkey]], [[white-tailed deer]], [[ruffed grouse]], and [[eastern cottontail|rabbits]]. The hunting of [[groundhog]]s is prohibited.<ref name="pgsp"/>
===Trails=== [[File:Prince Gallitzin from Water Tower.jpg|thumb|View of a portion of the lake and surrounding woodlands from the observation deck on top of a water tower.]] The trailhead for most of the hiking trails is located near the campground along [[Crooked Run (Cambria County, Pennsylvania)|Crooked Run]].<ref name="pgsp"/> *'''Crooked Run Trail''' - is an easy {{convert|1.5|mi|adj=on}} hiking trail. It passes along Crooked Run through a [[tsuga|hemlock]] and [[hardwood]] forest. The trail is a loop near where Crooked Run enters Glendale Lake. The parts of the trail nearest the lake pass through a [[marsh]]. The trail is therefore wet in places and there are some exposed roots.<ref name="pgsp"/> *'''Turkey Ridge Trail''' - is an easy to moderate {{convert|1.2|mi|adj=on}} hiking trail. The trail offers the chance to see a variety of [[bird]] and animal species as it passes through several different [[habitat (ecology)|habitats]].<ref name="pgsp"/> *'''Exercise Trail''' - is an easy {{convert|1|mi|adj=on}} hiking trail. The mowed grass trail has 20 exercise stations spread along the course of the path as it passes through an open field.<ref name="pgsp"/> *'''Peninsula Area Trail''' - is an easy to moderate trail that varies in length depending on where one enters the trail. The [[peninsula]] is covered with mature [[Secondary forest|second growth oak forest]]. There is little [[undergrowth]] in the forest. This makes Glendale Lake visible from most locations on the peninsula.<ref name="pgsp"/> *'''Deer Trail''' - is an easy {{convert|0.7|mi|adj=on}} hiking trail. Deer Trail passes by a food plot kept by the [[Pennsylvania Game Commission]] near [[Pennsylvania State Game Lands|State Game Land 108]]. Deer Trail provides access to hunters and hikers to the game land.<ref name="pgsp"/> *'''Footprint Trail''' - is an easy to moderate {{convert|0.8|mi|adj=on}} hiking trail. The trail climbs a small hill overlooking Glendale Lake. Several benches are located on the trail for resting and birdwatching.<ref name="pgsp"/> *'''Forest Trail''' - is an easy {{convert|0.4|mi|m|adj=on}} hiking trail. Visitors will most likely be encountered by chattering [[American Red Squirrel|red squirrel]]s as they hike through their habitat of [[beech]], hemlock, and [[maple]] trees.<ref name="pgsp"/> *'''Lakeshore Trail''' - is an easy {{convert|1.75|mi|adj=on}} hiking trail in a forest along the shores of Glendale Lake.<ref name="pgsp"/> *'''Poems Trail''' - is an easy {{convert|0.6|mi|m|adj=on}} hiking trail. There are many [[poem]]s on trailmakers spread along the course of the trail. Each poem is about a different aspect of nature inspired by the natural surroundings of Prince Gallitzin State Park.<ref name="pgsp"/> *'''Point Trail''' - is a moderate {{convert|2.3|mi|adj=on}} hiking trail. There are many exposed roots and several windblown trees along the trail. The trail follows the shore of Glendale Lake before climbing a small hill.<ref name="pgsp"/>
=== Horseback Riding === The park is a popular horseback riding destination with about 22 miles of pleasant and easy trails. Horse trails are in the north, east, and southeast of the park and are most easily accessed from Beaver Valley Marina upper parking lot.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Horseback Riding at Prince Gallitzin State Park |url=https://www.dcnr.pa.gov:443/StateParks/FindAPark/PrinceGallitzinStatePark/Pages/HorsebackRiding.aspx |access-date=2023-07-09 |website=Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources |language=en-US}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist|refs= <ref name="forrey">{{cite web |url=http://paconservationheritage.org/wp-content/uploads/2015-history-of-state-parks-forrey.pdf |title=History of Pennsylvania’s State Parks 1984 to 2015 |first=William C. |last=Forrey |publisher=Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |page=73 |date=2017 |access-date=2026-01-16}}</ref> }}
==External links== {{commons category|Prince Gallitzin State Park}} {{portal|Pennsylvania}} *[https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/prince-gallitzin-state-park Prince Gallitzin State Park] Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources * {{cite web |url=http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/ucmprd1/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_003281.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222155439/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/ucmprd1/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_003281.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |title=Prince Gallitzin State Park — official map}} {{small|(536.0 KB)}}
{{Protected areas of Pennsylvania}}
{{authority control}}
[[Category:State parks of Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Laurel Highlands]] [[Category:Parks in Cambria County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Protected areas of Cambria County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Protected areas established in 1965]] [[Category:1965 establishments in Pennsylvania]]