{{Short description|State park in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox park | name = Reeds Gap State Park | image = Reeds Gap State Park1.jpg | image_caption = Honey Creek as seen from a trail in the park. | image_alt = Creek | image_size = 280 | location = [[Armagh Township, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania]], United States | coordinates = {{coord|40.7232|-77.47504|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coords_ref = <ref name="reedsgapsp"/> | area = {{convert|220|acre|abbr=on}}<ref name="reedsgapsp"/> | elevation = {{convert|820|ft}} | established = 1938<ref name="reedsgapsp"/> | administrator = [[Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources]] | free_label = | free_data = | visitation_num = | visitation_year = | visitation_ref = | website = {{Official website}} | module = {{Infobox protected area | map = USA Pennsylvania#USA | label = Reeds Gap State Park | label_position = | map_caption = Location in Pennsylvania | relief = 1 | module = [[List of Pennsylvania state parks|Pennsylvania State Parks]] }} }} '''Reeds Gap State Park''' is a {{convert|220|acre|0}} [[List of Pennsylvania state parks|Pennsylvania state park]] in [[Armagh Township, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania|Armagh Township]], [[Mifflin County, Pennsylvania|Mifflin County]], [[Pennsylvania]] in the United States. The park is largely a wilderness area with large [[Eastern white pine|white pine]] and [[Eastern hemlock|hemlock]] trees. [[Honey Creek (Pennsylvania)|Honey Creek]] flows through the park, providing a habitat for [[trout]]. Reeds Gap State Park is {{convert|7|mi}} from [[U.S. Route 322]] near [[Milroy, Pennsylvania|Milroy]] in New Lancaster Valley and [[Bald Eagle State Forest]].
==History== Reeds Gap is a natural [[water gap]], a geologic formation caused by [[Honey Creek (Pennsylvania)|Honey Creek]] in a ridge, Hightop. This water gap was a natural gathering location for wild animals and it became a hunting ground for [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] and later the European [[settler]]s. These settlers named the area New Lancaster Valley. The gap became a gathering area for the homesteaders in the Mifflin County area. They gathered at the gap for bush meetings to listen to traveling [[Evangelism|evangelists]] and enjoy community fellowship. These meetings lasted until the 1920s.<ref name="reedsgapsp">{{cite web |url=https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/reeds-gap-state-park |title=Reeds Gap State Park |publisher=Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |access-date=2026-01-18}}</ref>
Edward and Nancy Reed built a [[sawmill]] along Honey Creek in the mid-19th century. At this time the area was part of the lumber boom that swept through the wooded mountains of Pennsylvania from the mid-to-late 19th century and early 20th century. The Reeds operated the sawmill on Honey Creek for many years, until it was torn down and moved to [[Virginia]] by their son John.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/scavengeradvanced/scavad15reedsgap.aspx | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040514192821/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/scavengeradvanced/scavad15reedsgap.aspx | url-status = dead | archive-date = May 14, 2004 | title = Reeds Gap State Park Scavenger Hunt | access-date = 2006-11-13 | publisher = [[Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources]] }}</ref> The trees were soon gone and the land was purchased by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on January 15, 1905. Parts of the land purchased by the state became Reeds Gap State Park and [[Poe Valley State Park]].<ref name="reedsgapsp"/>
==Recreation==
===Hunting and fishing=== Hunting is permitted on {{convert|96|acre}} of Reeds Gap State Park. Hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the [[Pennsylvania Game Commission]]. The common game species are [[ruffed grouse]], [[eastern gray squirrel|squirrels]], [[wild turkey|turkey]], [[white-tailed deer]], and [[American black bear|black bears]]. Honey Creek is [[fish stocking|stocked]] with [[trout]] by the [[Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission]]. There is a population of native trout in Honey Creek and its tributaries.<ref name="reedsgapsp"/>
===Swimming and picnics=== A swimming pool was built in 1965 to replace the dam in Honey Creek. It was shallow at both ends, reaching its greatest depth of five feet in the middle. Diving was prohibited. Lifeguards were stationed at the pool from 11:00 am until 7:00 pm. The main lifeguard post was located on the west side of the pool at its deepest point. The pool opened on [[Memorial Day]] weekend and closed [[Labor Day]] weekend. A much shallower "kiddie" pool was adjacent to the main pool. It was announced in March 2009 that both the adult pool and kid pool will not be reopening for the 2009 season, "amid mounting safety concerns and a long list of structural problems." The pool will be demolished, and not rebuilt.<ref name=reedsgapsp/> There are four wooded picnic areas at Reeds Gap State Park with 3 pavilions.<ref name="reedsgapsp"/>
===Hiking, cross-country skiing and camping=== There are 5 [[hiking]] trails at Reeds Gap State Park. Reeds Gap Spur Trail is the longest at {{convert|18|mi}}. It begins at the park office and crosses over Reeds Gap to Poe Valley State Park. The other trails are all under {{convert|2|mi}} and pass through the woods and follow the banks of Honey Creek. The trails are open to [[cross-country skiing]] during the winter months. Campers are limited to using tents in the rustic camping area.<ref name="reedsgapsp"/>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category|Reeds Gap State Park}} {{portal|Pennsylvania}} *[https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/reeds-gap-state-park Reeds Gap State Park] Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources * {{cite web|url= http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/ucmprd1/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_003168.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120813021433/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/ucmprd1/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_003168.pdf |url-status= dead |archive-date= August 13, 2012 |title=Reeds Gap State Park official map }} {{small|(368.6 KB)}}
{{Protected Areas of Pennsylvania}}
{{Gaps of the Appalachian Mountains}}
{{authority control}}
[[Category:State parks of Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Protected areas established in 1938]] [[Category:Parks in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Water gaps of Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Protected areas of Mifflin County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:1938 establishments in Pennsylvania]]