- Hills Creek State Park
Geobox Protected Area
name = Hills Creek State Park
native_name =
other_name =
other_name1 =
category_local = Pennsylvania State Park
category_iucn = III
image_caption = A view of Hills Creek Lake from the main parking area near the park office.
etymology_type = Named for
etymology = Hills Creek
country = United States
state = Pennsylvania
region_type = County
region = Tioga
district_type = Township
district = Charleston
city =
city1 =
location =
lat_d = 41
lat_m = 48
lat_s = 48
lat_NS = N
long_d = 77
long_m = 10
long_s = 00
long_EW = W
location_note = cite web
url=Gnis3|1200591
title=Hills Creek State Park
date =April 1 1989
work=Geographic Names Information System
publisher=United States Geological Survey
accessdate=2008-03-08]
elevation_imperial = 1614
elevation_round = 1
elevation_note =
area_unit = acre
area_imperial = 407
area_round = 1
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established_type =
established = 1953
established1_type =
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management_body = Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
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visitation =
visitation_year =
free_type = Nearest city
free =Wellsboro, Pennsylvania
free1_type =
free1 =
map_caption = Location of Hills Creek State Park in Pennsylvania
map_locator = Pennsylvania
website = [http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/STATEPARKS/PARKS/hillscreek.aspx Hills Creek State Park]Hills Creek State Park is a convert|407|acre|km2|2|adj=on Pennsylvania state park in Charleston Township, Tioga County,
Pennsylvania in the United States. Hills Creek Lake, a convert|137|acre|km2|2|adj=on man-made lake, is the focal point of the park. It is open for year-round recreation. Hills Creek State Park is in theAllegheny Plateau region of Pennsylvania, just north ofU.S. Route 6 near theboroughs of Wellsboro and Mansfield.History
Hills Creek State Park was opened for public use in 1953. The land had previously been used as a pigment mine for the
paint industry. The park is named forHills Creek which runs through it and is dammed to make Hills Creek Lake. Hills Creek gets its name from Captain William Hill, one of the first settlers in the area around 1820.cite web
url = http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/Parks/hillscreek.aspx
title = Hills Creek State Park
accessdate = 2006-10-24
publisher =Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources ]Hills Creek Lake
Hills Creek Lake is a convert|137|acre|km2|2|adj=on impoundment lake. An earthen dam was built by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania across Hills Creek in the early 1950s. The dam is convert|34|ft|0 high, and convert|422|ft|0 long.
Before the dam was built much of the area that is now under water was flooded by beaver dams.
Beaver s are still abundant in Hills Creek State Park.Hills Creek Lake is classified as a warm water fishery. The waters are the home to many species of fish, including
walleye ,yellow perch , largemouth andsmallmouth bass ,bluegill ,crappie , andmuskellunge . The lake is one of the stops on the Bass Masters tour. Anglers on the tour have reeled in some largemouth bass that weighed in at over eight pounds.Ice fishing takes place on Hills Creek Lake during the winter months. Ice fishermen have brought in mostlyyellow perch and bluegill as well as the occasionalwalleye .Swim at your own risk in Hills Creek Lake. A sandy beach is open from around
Memorial Day until just afterLabor Day . A bathhouse and snack bar are also open for the public during the summer months. It should be noted that there are nolifeguards at the beach and swimmers are encouraged to use safe practices at all times.Gas powered motors are prohibited on Hills Creek Lake. 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 the state.Camping
Hills Creek State Park has a 102-site camping area. The campsites feature several different types of scenery, ranging from open grassy areas to forested areas highlighted by immense hemlock trees. All of the campsites are within walking distance of warm showers, restrooms and water fountains. Three
cottage s are available to rent by interested parties. The cottages can sleep up to five people in single and double bunks. The cottages have wooden floors, a porch that is heated by electricity, glass windows, picnic tables, and a fire ring. All cottages have electric lights and outlets.There are ten cabins at Hills Creek State Park. The cabins are furnished and have a kitchen/dining area. The cabins also have a shower and two bedrooms. There are no linens or kitchen utensils. Renters should bring their own.
Yurt s are available for rent. Each yurt, built on a wooden deck, sleeps four people in two bunk beds. They also have a cooking stove,refrigerator , countertop, table and chairs, electric heat and outlets, a fire ring and picnic table and are near a water pump.An campsite for large groups is on a
peninsula in Hills Creek Lake. The 40 person capacity area is equipped with picnic tables, a pavilion, fire ring, water and flush toilets. Campers may use the showers near the RV campsite. This campground, on the peninsula, is among some of the largest hemlock,beech ,maple andash tree s in the park.Wildlife
Hills Creek State Park is home to a variety of wild creatures. There is an active
beaver colony near the shores of the lake. Other water loving animals such as themuskrat ,wood duck andgreat blue heron can be seen in and around the waters of Hills Creek Lake.Birds of prey like theosprey andbald eagle can be seen soaring the skies to Hills Creek State Park. Woodland creatures also make a home in this park. Black bear, turkey andWhite-tailed deer can be seen on occasion.Ruffed grouse ,rabbit s, andgroundhog s are commonly seen. The sharp eyed bird watcher may even spy apileated woodpecker . Hills Creek Lake is a stop over for migratingwaterfowl like theloon ,bufflehead andmerganser .Nearby state parks
The following state parks are within convert|30|mi|0 of Hills Creek 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/tioga_GHSN.PDF
title= 2007 General Highway Map Tioga County Pennsylvania
accessdate= 2007-07-28 "Note: shows Hills Creek 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 = 2008-04-20]
*Colton Point State Park (Tioga County)
*Leonard Harrison State Park (Tioga County)
*Mt. Pisgah State Park (Bradford County)
*Pinnacle State Park and Golf Course (New York )References
External links
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