{{Short description|State park in Bedford County, Pennsylvania}} {{distinguish|Warriors' Path State Park}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox park | name = Warriors Path State Park | image = Warriors Path State Park.jpg | image_caption = | image_alt = Scenery | image_size = 280 | location = [[Liberty Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania]], United States | coordinates = {{coord|40.19287|-78.24906|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coords_ref = <ref name="wpsp"/> | area = {{convert|349|acre|abbr=on}}<ref name="wpsp"/> | elevation = {{convert|883|ft}} | established = 1965<ref name="wpsp"/> | 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 = Warriors Path State Park | label_position = | map_caption = Location in Pennsylvania | relief = 1 | module = [[List of Pennsylvania state parks|Pennsylvania State Parks]] }} }} '''Warriors Path State Park''' is a [[List of Pennsylvania state parks|Pennsylvania state park]] on {{convert|349|acre}} in [[Liberty Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania|Liberty Township]], [[Bedford County, Pennsylvania|Bedford County]], [[Pennsylvania]], in the United States. It is named for the [[Great Indian Warpath]] that was used by the [[Iroquois]] in war raids with the [[Cherokee]] and other tribes. Warriors Path State Park is surrounded on three sides by the [[Raystown Branch Juniata River]]. The park is a seasonal day use park. The park can be accessed by foot from the main gate when the gate is closed November through mid-April.
The land for the park was acquired in three main parcels between 1959 and 1964. A stone with a bronze marker remembers the gift by Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Bussard of one parcel, stating that the land will "be maintained and used as a park forever". {{convert|282|acre}} were originally purchased from the Nimchishin family in 1959. Mr. Nimchishin lived on the remaining {{convert|37|acre}} until his death, but sold that land to the state in 1987 and it became part of the park.
==Raystown Branch of the Juniata River== The Raystown Branch of the Juniata River is accessed from the park for [[fishing]] and [[boating]]. The river is home to [[smallmouth bass|smallmouth]] and [[rock bass]], [[carp]], [[longnose sucker|sucker]], [[eel]], [[catfish]], [[walleye]], and [[muskellunge]]. The waters of the river are usually too shallow for [[motorboat]]ing during the summer months, but Raystown Branch is ideal for [[canoe]]s, [[raft]]s and other small boats. All boats must have a current registration with any state. Backflow from the river has created a [[fresh water]] [[swamp]] that provides habitat for [[wood duck]]s, [[northern river otter|river otter]] and [[mallard]]s.<ref name="wpsp">{{cite web |url=https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/warriors-path-state-park |title=Warriors Path State Park |publisher=Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |access-date=2026-01-22}}</ref>
==Trails== The trails of Warriors Path State Park are open to [[hiking]] and [[cross-country skiing]]. The trails also provide access to the woods for hunters during [[hunting]] season. All hikers and skiers are asked to wear [[Safety orange|blaze orange]] during the hunting seasons.<ref name="wpsp"/>
==Hunting== [[Hunting]] is permitted at Warriors Path State Park. Hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania State Game Commission. The common game species are [[ruffed grouse]], [[Eastern gray squirrel|squirrel]]s, [[Wild turkey|turkey]], [[white-tailed deer]], [[Common pheasant|pheasant]], and [[Eastern cottontail|rabbits]]. The hunting of [[groundhog]]s is prohibited.<ref name="wpsp"/>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category|Warriors Path State Park (Pennsylvania)|Warriors Path State Park}} {{portal|Pennsylvania}} *[https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/warriors-path-state-park Warriors Path State Park] Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources * {{cite web|url= http://www.docs.dcnr.pa.gov/cs/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_002987.pdf |title=Warriors Path State Park official map }} {{small|(490.6 KB)}}
{{Protected Areas of Pennsylvania}}
{{authority control}}
[[Category:State parks of Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Parks in Bedford County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Protected areas of Bedford County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Protected areas established in 1965]] [[Category:1965 establishments in Pennsylvania]]