{{Short description|State park in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox park | name = Tuscarora State Park | image = Tuscarora State Park.jpg | image_caption = | image_alt = View | image_size = 280 | location = [[Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania]], United States | coordinates = {{coord|40.8092|-76.02063|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coords_ref = <ref name="tuscsp"/> | area = {{convert|1618|acre|abbr=on}}<ref name="tuscsp"/> | elevation = {{convert|1079|ft}} | established = 1971 | 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 = Tuscarora State Park | label_position = | map_caption = Location in Pennsylvania | relief = 1 | module = [[List of Pennsylvania state parks|Pennsylvania State Parks]] }} }} '''Tuscarora State Park''' is a [[List of Pennsylvania state parks|Pennsylvania state park]] on {{convert|1618|acre}} in [[Rush Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania|Rush]], [[Ryan Township, Pennsylvania|Ryan]], [[Schuylkill Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania|Schuylkill]] Townships, [[Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania|Schuylkill County]], [[Pennsylvania]] in the United States. The most prominent features of the park are Locust Mountain and [[Tuscarora Lake]]. The park is named for the [[Tuscarora (tribe)|Tuscarora Indians]], who lived in the area, following the [[Tuscarora War]] in [[North Carolina]], until they were forced out by the colonial settlers of Pennsylvania. Tuscarora State Park is {{convert|2|mi|km}} west of [[Tamaqua, Pennsylvania|Tamaqua]] just off of [[Pennsylvania Route 54]].
==History== Tuscarora State Park is located in Locust Valley. This land was covered by an [[old-growth forest]] of [[eastern white pine]], [[American chestnut]], [[Tsuga canadensis|eastern hemlock]], [[ash tree|ash]], [[hickory]], [[elm]], [[oak]] and [[cherry]] trees. The land was controlled at various times by the [[Susquehannock]], [[Lenape]] and at the time of the arrival of colonial settlers, the [[Iroquois]] League of Five Nations.<ref name="tllsphistory">{{cite web | url = http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/tuscarora/index.htm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110928163123/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/tuscarora/index.htm | url-status = dead | archive-date = September 28, 2011 | title = Tuscarora State Park: History | access-date = 2011-11-20 | publisher = Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources}}</ref>
[[Anthracite coal]] was discovered in Schuylkill County. The forests of the Locust Valley were harvested to provide lumber for supports in the coal mines and the various buildings and homes erected by the coal mining companies. Hemlock was used to produce leather goods in the [[Tanning (leather)|tanneries]] that were built in the area. The massive destruction of the forests left the Locust Valley an area of shrubby land that was susceptible to flooding, erosion and wild fires. Some of the land was cleared and farmed.<ref name="tllsphistory"/>
The area in and around Tuscarora and [[Locust Lake State Park]]s was purchased by the Marchalonis family. They constructed Locust Lake and allowed the forests and the area to grow back. They sold their land to the state of Pennsylvania in 1966 and the parks were opened soon afterwards.<ref name="tllsphistory"/>
==Recreation==
===Trails=== The park has seven hiking trails that wander through [[deciduous]] forests, [[meadow]]s and fields. The trails are all reclaimed logging roads, making them quite wide, and are not marked with identifying blazes.<ref name="tuscsp">{{cite web |url=https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/tuscarora-state-park |title=Tuscarora State Park |publisher=Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |access-date=2026-01-22}}</ref>
*'''Log Trail''' is an "easy" {{convert|0.3|mi|m|adj=on}} long hiking trail. This former logging road connects Laurel and Edge trails as it makes its way through a [[Secondary forest|second growth forest]].<ref name="tuscsp"/> *'''Locust Mountain Trail''' is a "moderate" {{convert|0.4|mi|m|adj=on}} hiking trail. This trail ascends Locust Mountain from Crow Trail and passes through a second growth forest.<ref name="tuscsp"/> *'''Laurel Trail''' is an "easy" {{convert|0.4|mi|m|adj=on}} grassy road that was built to gain access to the trees that died from severe [[gypsy moth]] caterpillar damage during the 1980s.<ref name="tuscsp"/> *'''Lake View Trail''' is an "easy" {{convert|1|mi|adj=on}} trail that parallels Tuscarora Lake. This trail is sometimes used as a service road by park employees and park concessionaires.<ref name="tuscsp"/> *'''Hill Trail''' is a "moderate" {{convert|0.3|mi|m|adj=on}} short, but steep trail that parallels a [[electric power transmission|power line]] and provides easy and direct access to the picnic area and beach from the park office.<ref name="tuscsp"/> *'''Edge Trail''' is an "easy" {{convert|0.3|mi|m|adj=on}} grassy trail. It forms a boundary between the forest and [[farmer]]'s fields.<ref name="tuscsp"/> *'''Crow Trail''' is an "easy" {{convert|1.4|mi|adj=on}} old dirt road. It passes through second growth forests, [[pine]] and [[larch]] plantations, grassy fields and an overgrown meadow.<ref name="tuscsp"/>
[[File:TSP Tilted.jpg|thumb|Ferns and trees in the park]]
===Tuscarora Lake=== Tuscarora Lake is a warm water fishery containing [[bass (fish)|bass]], [[muskellunge]], [[walleye]], [[American pickerel|pickerel]], [[catfish]], [[yellow perch]], [[trout]] and [[Centrarchidae|sunfish]]. Night fishing and [[ice fishing]] are permitted. The rules and regulations of the [[Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission]] apply. All boats must be either row boats or powerboats with electric motors. They must have a launch permit from the fish commission or valid registration from any state. [[Rowboat]]s, [[canoe]]s and pedal boats are available to rent.<ref name="tsplsp">{{cite web |url = http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/Parks/printables/tuscaroralocustlakertf.rtf |title = Tuscarora-Locust Lake State Parks |access-date = 2007-02-13 |publisher = [[Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources]] |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070204055159/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/Parks/printables/tuscaroralocustlakertf.rtf |archive-date = February 4, 2007 }}</ref>
The lake is open for [[Human swimming|swimming]] beginning on [[Memorial Day]] weekend and ending [[Labor Day]] weekend. Beginning in 2008 lifeguards will not be posted at the beach.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.timesleader.com/news/ap?articleID=384046 | title = Pa. state parks going without life guards at beaches in 2008 | access-date = 2008-02-19 | publisher = [[Times Leader]] | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081007235840/http://www.timesleader.com/news/ap?articleID=384046 | archive-date = 2008-10-07 }}</ref> The maximum depth of the lake in the swimming area is 5.5 feet (1.67 m).<ref name="tsplsp"/>
===Hunting=== [[Hunting]] is permitted on about {{convert|1100|acre|0}} of Tuscarora State Park. The hunting of [[groundhog]]s is prohibited. Hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the [[Pennsylvania Game Commission]]. The primary game species are [[eastern gray squirrel|squirrels]], [[white-tailed deer]], [[eastern cottontail|rabbits]], [[common pheasant|pheasant]], [[woodcock]]s, [[dove]]s, [[wild turkey|turkey]], and [[ruffed grouse]].<ref name="tuscsp"/>
===Overnight area=== Tuscarora has an overnight area with camping cottages and yurts.
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category|Tuscarora State Park}} {{portal|Pennsylvania}} *[https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/tuscarora-state-park Tuscarora State Park] Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources * {{cite web|url= http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/ucmprd2/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_003027.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130124003736/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/ucmprd2/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_003027.pdf |url-status= dead |archive-date= January 24, 2013 |title=Tuscarora State Park official map }} {{small|(507.7 KB)}} {{Protected areas of Pennsylvania}}
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[[Category:State parks of Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Parks in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Campgrounds in Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Protected areas of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Protected areas established in 1971]] [[Category:1971 establishments in Pennsylvania]]