Ravensburg State Park

Geobox Protected Area
name = Ravensburg State Park
native_name =
other_name =
other_name1 =
category_local = Pennsylvania State Park
category_iucn = III


image_caption = The dam on Rauchtown Run in Ravensburg State Park was built by the CCC.
etymology_type = Named for
etymology = Ravens that nest on the cliffs at the park
country = United States
state = Pennsylvania
region_type = County
region = Clinton
district_type = Township
district = Crawford
city =
city1 =
location =
lat_d = 41
lat_m = 06
lat_s = 36
lat_NS = N
long_d = 77
long_m = 14
long_s = 35
long_EW = W
location_note = cite web | url=Gnis3|1184715 | title=Ravensburg State Park | date = August 2 1979 | work=Geographic Names Information System | publisher=United States Geological Survey | accessdate=2007-12-20]
elevation_imperial = 1030
elevation_round = 1
elevation_note =
area_unit = acre
area_imperial = 78
area_round = 1
area_note =
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biome =
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geology =
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plant =
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established_type =
established = 1933
established_note =
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management_body = Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
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free_type = Nearest city
free = Williamsport, Pennsylvania
free1_type =
free1 =


map_caption = Location of Ravensburg State Park in Pennsylvania
map_locator = Pennsylvania
map_first =
website = [http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/Parks/ravensburg.aspx Ravensburg State Park]

Ravensburg State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Crawford Township in Clinton County, Pennsylvania in the United States. It is in a gorge carved by Rauchtown Run through the side of Nippenose Mountain. Ravensburg State Park is 78 acres (0.32 km²) of wooded land that is almost entirely surrounded by Tiadaghton State Forest. This state park is on Pennsylvania Route 880, 8 miles (13 km) north of Carroll and 8 miles (13 km) south-east of Jersey Shore. The nearest city is Williamsport.

History

Ravensburg State Park gets its name from the ravens that were known for roosting on the rock ledges at the southern end of the park (near the south entrance). Ravens can be seen in the vicinity of this park to this day, making the name logical despite that fact that there is no community nearby that goes by the name Ravensburg. The nearest community to Ravensburg State Park is the unincorporated village of Rauchtown.cite web
url = http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/Parks/ravensburg.aspx
title = Ravensburg State Park
accessdate = 2006-10-11
publisher = Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources ]

The forest surrounding and within Ravensburg State Park has not changed much in the past 100 years. It is also unlikely that much timber has even been harvested in this area due to the extremely rocky surroundings and the narrow gorge in which Ravensburg State Park lies.cite web
url = http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/stateforests/tiadparks.aspx
title = State Parks near the Tiadaghton State Forest
accessdate = 2006-10-11
publisher = Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources ]

Ravensburg State Park was constructed during the Great Depression in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps founded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The CCC created many jobs for the out of work industrial workers of Williamsport, Jersey Shore and Lock Haven. Ravensburg State Park is just one of many examples of the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps throughout North Central Pennsylvania. The CCC built a small dam on Rauchtown Run that is still being used as a swimming hole by the visitors to Ravensburg State Park. The CCC also built pavilions, latrines, bridges, trails, waterlines and fountains at Ravensburg, some of which are still being used as of 2007. [cite web
url = http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/history/historycccyears.aspx
title = Pennsylvania State Parks: The CCC Years
accessdate = 2006-11-28
publisher = Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources ]

The Emergency Conservation Work architecture in the 1933-1942 time period has earned the park a listing on the National Register of Historic Places, along with other Pennsylvania state parks developed in this time period. [cite web |url=http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/historic/registerlist.aspx|title=Pennsylvania State Parks - Historic Places| accessdate = 2006-10-11
publisher = Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources ]

Geology

Over the years Rauchtown Run has made its way through the mountains on its way to the West Branch Susquehanna River near Jersey Shore, via Antes Creek. The years of water flow have created the gorge in which the park is located. Tall erosional spires of sandstone have created a formation known as Castle Rocks. The rocks can be seen from the Mid State Trail and are said to resemble the towers of an ancient castle. The frost action, brought on by the cold winters of Pennsylvania, has led to the creation of this rock formation. [cite web | url = http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/topogeo/parkguides/Pg11.PDF | title = Pennsylvania Trail of Geology: Ravensburg | accessdate = 2007-12-20 | author = Geyer, Alan R. | coauthors = Denise W. Royer | publisher = Pennsylvania Geological Survey]

Recreation

Camping

Bring your tents to Ravensburg because that is the only type of camping available. The campground is downstream from the dam. Each campground has a fire ring as well as a picnic table.

Picnics

Ravensburg is popular for picnicking by families and church groups. There are three picnic areas on the grounds of Ravensburg State Park. Each area has picnic tables and pavilions and charcoal grills. There is a centrally located playfield with a playground and several horseshoe pits.

Hunting

Because Ravensburg State Park is just 78 acres in size, hunting is prohibited with the confines of the park. However, there are convert|215000|acre|km2|0 of hunting area available in the surrounding Tiadaghton State Forest.

Hiking

There is one mile (1.6 km) of hiking trail available. Raven Trail, on the banks of Rauchtown Run, provides easy access to the creek for fishing. There are several side trails that lead to scenic rocky outcrops or to other hiking trails on state forest land. The convert|306|mi|km|0|sing=on Mid State backpacking trail is accessible from Ravensburg State Park.

Fishing

Avid fishermen will find native brook trout and brown trout living in Rauchtown Run. This provides for cold water fishing in Rauchtown Run as well as its tributaries.

Nearby state parks

The following state parks are within convert|30|mi|km|0 of Ravensburg State Park: [cite map |scale = 1:65,000| publisher= Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Planning and Research, Geographic Information Division | url= ftp://ftp.dot.state.pa.us/public/pdf/BPR_pdf_files/Maps/GHS/Roadnames/clinton_GHSN.PDF | title= 2007 General Highway Map Clinton County Pennsylvania | accessdate= 2007-07-27 "Note: shows Ravensburg State Park"] cite web
last = Michels
first = Chris
year = 1997
url = http://www2.nau.edu/~cvm/latlongdist.html
title = Latitude/Longitude Distance Calculation
publisher = Northern Arizona University
accessdate = 2008-04-23]
*Bald Eagle State Park (Centre County)
*Bucktail State Park Natural Area (Cameron and Clinton Counties)
*Hyner Run State Park (Clinton County)
*Hyner View State Park (Clinton County)
*Little Pine State Park (Lycoming County)
*McCalls Dam State Park (Centre County)
*Milton State Park (Northumberland County)
*R. B. Winter State Park (Union County)
*Reeds Gap State Park (Mifflin County)
*Sand Bridge State Park (Union County)
*Shikellamy State Park (Union and Northumberland Counties)
*Susquehanna State Park (Lycoming County)
*Upper Pine Bottom State Park (Lycoming County)

References

External links

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