Kettle Creek State Park
🏆 Official Guide: Kettle Creek State Park — 1,793 acres surrounding the 167-acre Kettle Creek Reservoir in Clinton County, Pennsylvania, surrounded by Sproul State Forest — featuring 71 campsites (44 lower + 27 upper, many electric), a 250-ft sandy swimming beach, trout + bass fishing (reservoir + native trout streams), boating (electric motors, kayaks, canoes), 53-mile Donut Hole Trail access, a 5-mile mountain bike loop, and hunting across most of the park.
Kettle Creek State Park sits in a beautiful valley in the Pennsylvania Wilds, centered around the 167-acre Kettle Creek Reservoir created by the Alvin R. Bush Dam. Surrounded by the vast Sproul State Forest, the park offers a classic Pennsylvania outdoor experience — excellent trout fishing, two spacious campgrounds, a sandy swimming beach, and trail access to some of the most remote terrain in the eastern United States.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Clinton County, PA — Sproul State Forest |
| Size | 1,793 acres — 167-acre reservoir |
| Dam | Alvin R. Bush Dam |
| Beach | 250 ft sandy — late May to mid-September |
| Boating | Electric motors, kayaks, canoes, sailboats |
Camping
| Campground | Details |
|---|---|
| Lower | 44 sites — most w/ electric — near reservoir |
| Upper | 27 sites — some electric — reservoir overlook |
| Season | Early April – December (deer season) |
| Amenities | Picnic tables, fire rings, dump station (Lower) |
| Reservations | Up to 11 months in advance |
Activities
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| Fishing | Reservoir: trout, bass, panfish — nearby native trout streams |
| Ice Fishing | Winter — reservoir |
| Swimming | 250-ft sandy beach — late May to mid-Sep |
| Hiking | 53-mi Donut Hole Trail access + Butler Trail (scenic vista) |
| Mountain Biking | 5-mi loop + Sproul State Forest trails |
| Hunting | Most of park — deer, bear, turkey, grouse, squirrel |
| Boating | Electric motors + non-motorized — boat launch + overnight mooring |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a gas-powered boat?
No — only electric motors and non-motorized watercraft (kayaks, canoes, sailboats) are permitted on the 167-acre reservoir. A public boat launch and overnight mooring are available.
Is hunting allowed?
Yes — most of Kettle Creek State Park is open to hunting per Pennsylvania Game Commission regulations. Common game includes white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, and gray squirrels. Groundhog hunting is prohibited.
