Kooser State Park

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


image_caption =
etymology_type =
etymology =
country = United States
state = Pennsylvania
region_type = County
region = Somerset
district_type = Township
district = Jefferson
city =
location =
lat_d = 40
lat_m = 03
lat_s = 37
lat_NS = N
long_d = 79
long_m = 13
long_s = 48
long_EW = W
location_note = cite web
url=Gnis3|1192721
title=Kooser State Park
date = August 2 1979
work=Geographic Names Information System
publisher=United States Geological Survey
accessdate=2008-04-02]
elevation_imperial = 2313
elevation_round = 1
elevation_note =
area_unit = acre
area_imperial = 250
area_round = 1
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lowest =
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biome =
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geology =
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established_type =
established = 1922
management_body = Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
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visitation =
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free_type = Nearest city
free = Somerset, Pennsylvania
free1_type =
free1 =


map_caption = Location of Kooser State Park in Pennsylvania
map_locator = Pennsylvania
map_first = yes
website = [http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/kooser.aspx Kooser State Park]

Kooser State Park is a convert|250|acre|km2|2|adj=on Pennsylvania State Park in Jefferson Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The park, which borders Forbes State Forest, was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, who also built the convert|4|acre|km2|2|adj=on Kooser Lake by damming Kooser Run. Kooser State Park is on Pennsylvania Route 31 a one hour drive from Pittsburgh. The park is surrounded by Forbes State Forest.

History

The earliest settlers to the Kooser Run area told of an American Indian battle that took place near Kooser Run. A large number of war arrows and spearheads have since been found in the area. The area was also crossed by participants in the Whiskey Rebellion. The park is named for John Kooser. He settled near Kooser Spring in what is now the western edge of Kooser State Park.cite web
url = http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/kooser.aspx Kooser State Park
title = Kooser State Park
accessdate = 2006-12-18
publisher = Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources]

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania purchased the land for Kooser State Park in 1922. The land had been stripped of its virgin forest during the lumber era that swept through Pennsylvania during the late 1800 and early 1900s. The forests slowly grew back with the help of the Civilian Conservation Corps. The CCC established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Great Depression built a camp on the western edge of Kooser State Park. The young men of the CCC built the dam on Kooser Run creating Kooser Lake. They also built roads, outdoor fireplaces and cabins. Much of their work can still be seen today at Kooser State Park. They used the materials at hand to create the buildings and facilities of the park. The cabins are made from logs plucked from the nearby forests. They used native stone to create the fireplaces. All repairs made to the park facilities today are made with the rustic nature of the park in mind.cite web
url = http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/history/historycccyears.aspx
title = Pennsylvania State Parks: The CCC Years
accessdate = 2006-12-18
publisher = Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources ]

Recreation

Cabins and camping

There are nine cabins, built by the CCC available for rent year-round. The cabins are primarily used by skiers after deer season until late March. The cabins are rustic. A modern showerhouse is nearby. All of the cabins are furnished with mattresses, chairs, table, stove, microwave, refrigerator, hot and cold running water, and electric lights.

The campground at Kooser State Park is open the second Friday in April and closes in mid-October. There are 47 sites that are open to tents or campers. 14 of the campsites have electric hook ups.

Trails

The trails of Kooser State Park are used for hiking and cross country skiing. Kooser Trail is convert|1.5|mi|2. It is very popular with cross country skiers because of the heavy amounts of yearly snowfall. Kincora Trail is convert|1|mi|2 is used by hikers and is named in honor of Father Kincora a Roman Catholic priest from Ireland. Hunting is not permitted at Kooser State Park, but the trails are used by hunters who rent cabins at the park to reach the woods of Forbes State Forest.

Kooser Lake

Kooser Lake is a convert|4|acre|km2|2|adj=on man made lake built during the Great Depression by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The swimming beach is open from Memorial Day weekend until the middle of September. There are no lifeguards. Swim at your own risk. Boatings is not permitted on Kooser Lake. It is open to fishing for trout, bass and bluegill.

Nearby state parks

The following state parks are within convert|30|mi|0 of Kooser 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/somerset_GHSN.PDF
title= 2007 General Highway Map Somerset County Pennsylvania
accessdate= 2006-07-27 "Note: shows Kooser 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]
*Casselman River State Park (Maryland)
*Keystone State Park (Westmoreland County)
*Laurel Hill State Park (Somerset County)
*Laurel Mountain State Park (Westmoreland County)
*Laurel Ridge State Park (Cambria, Fayette, Somerset, and Westmoreland counties)
*Laurel Summit State Park (Westmoreland County)
*Linn Run State Park (Westmoreland County)
*New Germany State Park (Maryland)
*Ohiopyle State Park (Fayette County)

References

External links

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