{{Short description|State park in Cameron and Potter counties, Pennsylvania}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox park | name = Sinnemahoning State Park | image = Sinnemahoning Creek (9244105167).jpg | image_caption = Sinnemahoning Creek | image_alt = Sinnemahoning Creek | image_size = 280 | location = [[Cameron County, Pennsylvania|Cameron]] and [[Potter County, Pennsylvania|Potter]] counties, [[Pennsylvania]], United States | coordinates = {{coord|41.47341|-78.05653|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coords_ref = <ref name="sinnesp"/> | area = {{convert|1910|acre|abbr=on}}<ref name="sinnesp"/> | elevation = {{convert|961|ft}} | established = 1962 | 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 = Sinnemahoning State Park | label_position = | map_caption = Location in Pennsylvania | relief = 1 | module = [[List of Pennsylvania state parks|Pennsylvania State Parks]] }} }} '''Sinnemahoning State Park''' is a {{convert|1910|acre|0|adj=on}} [[List of Pennsylvania state parks|Pennsylvania state park]] in [[Grove Township, Cameron County, Pennsylvania|Grove Township]], [[Cameron County, Pennsylvania|Cameron County]] and [[Wharton Township, Potter County, Pennsylvania|Wharton Township]], [[Potter County, Pennsylvania|Potter County]], [[Pennsylvania]], in the United States. The park is surrounded by [[Elk State Forest]] and is mountainous with deep valleys. The park is home to the rarely seen [[elk]] and [[bald eagle]]. Sinnemahoning State Park is on [[Pennsylvania Route 872]], {{convert|8|mi|km|spell=in}} north of the village of Sinnamahoning. In 1958, the park opened under the direction of the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry: it became a Pennsylvania State Park in 1962.
==History==
===Native Americans=== [[File:sinnemahoning tree.jpg|left|thumb|This unique arch tree, which is believed to be a Native American [[trail tree]], is a popular spot for park visitors.]] Native Americans began living in the Sinnemahoning State Park area 10,000 to 12,000 years ago. They followed the receding glaciers and found that the area supported a bountiful supply of fish, wildlife, berries and nuts. Archaeologists have found evidence of their presence in the bottomlands of the creeks. The word Sinnemahoning is derived from an American Indian word that means "Rocky Lick". A natural [[salt lick]] is said to have been near the mouth of Grove Run.<ref name="sinnehistory">{{cite web | url = http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/STATEPARKS/PARKS/sinnemahoning/sinnemahoning_history.aspx | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071122205511/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/sinnemahoning/sinnemahoning_history.aspx | url-status = dead | archive-date = November 22, 2007 | title = Sinnemahoning State Park: History of the Park | access-date = 2007-12-16 | publisher = [[Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources]]}}</ref>
===Lumber era=== The native population of Pennsylvania was forced out by disease and the American Revolutionary War {{citation needed|date=December 2014}}. The Sinnemahoning area was left largely unsettled and wild until the late 19th century when the logging boom that spread throughout the mountains of Pennsylvania arrived. Lumbermen cleared vast stands of [[old-growth forest]]. The logs were floated down [[Sinnemahoning Creek]] and its tributaries to the [[West Branch Susquehanna River]] and to the [[Susquehanna Boom]] at [[Williamsport, Pennsylvania|Williamsport]].<ref name="sinnehistory"/> The only thing the lumbermen left behind was the treetops. These tree tops were left to dry. The passing [[steam locomotive]]s on the railroads would ignite this dry brush causing massive [[wildfire]]s that swept through the mountains and valleys. The Sinnemahoning Creek area was left to waste. The forests struggled to regrow in the wake of the wildfire. The hills began to erode. The streams were dying and wildlife was scarcely found.<ref name="sinnehistory"/>
===George B. Stevenson Reservoir=== George B. Stevenson Reservoir is a {{convert|142|acre|adj=on}} manmade lake that was engineered by [[Gannett Fleming|Gannett Fleming Corddry & Carpenter, Inc.]] and constructed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1955 as part of the [[flood]] control project on the [[West Branch Susquehanna River]]. It is one of four such dams in the river basin. The other [[reservoir]]s are at [[Kettle Creek State Park]], [[Curwensville, Pennsylvania|Curwensville]] and [[Bald Eagle State Park]]. These four reservoirs and dams control a total of {{convert|1163|sqmi}} of drainage area and provides flood prevention for the cities and towns downstream.<ref name="sinnesp">{{cite web |url=https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/sinnemahoning-state-park |title=Sinnemahoning State Park |publisher=Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |access-date=2026-01-19}}</ref> The reservoir is named after the former State Senator of the same name, who while during his tenure as Mayor of [[Lock Haven, Pennsylvania|Lock Haven]], experienced the 1936 flood; subsequently, he remained dedicated to flood control during the rest of his political career.
==Recreation== [[File:Sinnemahoningfall.jpg|thumb|The creek below the reservoir is known for its colorful fall foliage displays.]] The reservoir is open to some recreational boating, [[fishing]] and [[ice fishing]]. Gas powered motors are prohibited on George B. Stevenson Reservoir. Motorized boats must be powered by electric motors only. [[Sailboats]], [[rowboat]]s, [[canoes]], [[kayaks]], and paddleboats are permitted on the waters of the lake. All boats must be properly registered with any state. Common game fish at the park, in the lake and streams, are [[brook trout|brook]], [[rainbow trout|rainbow]] and [[brown trout]], [[catfish]], [[crappie]], [[tiger muskellunge]], [[smallmouth bass|smallmouth]] and [[largemouth bass]], [[Centrarchidae|sunfish]], [[bluegill]], [[perch]] and [[American pickerel|pickerel]]. There is a native population of brook trout in some of the small streams of Sinnemahoning State Park. The reservoir is open to ice fishing during the winter months when the lake is frozen.<ref name="sinnesp"/>
===Hunting=== There are {{convert|1400|acre|0}} of woods open to hunting. Hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the [[Pennsylvania Game Commission]]. The common game species are [[American black bear|black bear]]s, [[eastern gray squirrel]]s, [[ruffed grouse]], [[waterfowl]], [[white-tailed deer]], and [[Wild turkey|turkeys]]. The hunting of [[groundhog]]s is prohibited. Hunters also use the park to gain access to Elk State Forest.<ref name="sinnesp"/>
===Trails=== The trails of Sinnemahoning State Park are open to [[hiking]], [[cross-country skiing]] and [[snowmobile|snowmobiling]].<ref name="sinnesp"/>
* '''Red Spruce Trail''' is about {{convert|1|mi|km|spell=in}} long and goes from the camping area to the Forty Maples Picnic Area. It passes through a [[spruce]] plantation and a mixed hardwood forest. Hikers should be cautious of the [[venomous snake]]s that live in the area.<ref name="sinnesp"/> * '''Low Lands Trail''' is a level trail that follows a railbed that was part of the [[Philadelphia and Erie Railroad]]. It passes [[vernal pool]]s, thick stands of spruce trees, and creek beds. The Low Lands Trail ends at the Wildlife Viewing area. Hikers on the trail may get the chance to see [[osprey]], [[butterfly|butterflies]], elk, and grassland birds.<ref name="sinnesp"/>
===Camping and picnicking=== The modern campground has 35 sites with a washhouse that is equipped with showers and flush toilets. The camp sites can accommodate [[tent]]s, campers and [[RV]]s. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. The Brooks Run Ranger cabin is a two-story house available for rent. It sleeps up to twelve people with four bedrooms, a living room, kitchen and a fireplace. Sinnemahoning State Park has three picnic area.<ref name="sinnesp"/>
===Wildlife Center=== The park's visitor center and office opened in 2011 in the northern section of the park. Known as the '''Wildlife Center at Sinnemahoning''', the building features interpretive exhibits and opportunities to view wildlife.
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category|Sinnemahoning State Park}} {{portal|Pennsylvania}} *[https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/sinnemahoning-state-park Sinnemahoning State Park] Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources * {{cite web|url=http://elibrary.dcnr.pa.gov/GetDocument?docId=1737237&DocName=SINN_ParkMap.pdf|title=Sinnemahoning State Park official map}}
{{Protected areas of Pennsylvania}}
{{authority control}}
[[Category:State parks of Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Parks in Cameron County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Parks in Potter County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Campgrounds in Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Nature centers in Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Protected areas of Potter County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Protected areas established in 1962]] [[Category:1962 establishments in Pennsylvania]]