A Recreational Guide for Ravensburg State Park Hiking: 1 mile of trails McCalls Dam State Park Sand Bridge State Park Ravensburg, McCalls Dam Raven Trail nearly runs the length of the The park lies in a cozy, steep-walled gorge park, parallel to Rauchtown Run. Several other The sound of White Deer Creek pervades the Rapid Run’s lovely murmur and the sounds of and Sand Bridge State carved by Rauchtown Run through the side of trails provide steep access to rocky outcrops or quiet, remote McCalls Dam Park. Majestic pines, birds fi ll this lovely picnic spot. The three rustic Nippenose Mountain. A northern hardwood forest access to longer hiking trails on state forest land, hemlocks, maples and oaks reach for the sky around picnic pavilions hug the side of Seven Notch blankets the bottomland along this spring-fed including the 261-mile Mid State backpacking trail. the small picnic area. Bald Eagle State Forest sur- Mountain, conveniently along PA 192. stream. Talus (rock) covered slopes and interesting rounds the 8-acre McCalls Dam State Park. rock formations are interspersed among a stunted Proper attire and good physical conditioning are Directions recommended for your comfort and safety. oak forest growing on the steep mountainsides Sand Bridge is in Union County on PA 192, 14 and ridges. This pretty valley is especially beautiful History Directions miles west of Lewisburg. when the mountain laurel blooms in late June and McCalls Dam State Park is in the extreme east The park was named for ravens that once roosted during the fall foliage of early October. end of Centre County. It can be reached by travel- Recreational Opportunities on the rock ledges at the southern end of the park. The 215,000-acre Tiadaghton State Forest ing McCalls Dam state forest road, which links Sand Bridge State Park participates in a carry- Ravens are still seen around the park and can be nearly surrounds Ravensburg State Park’s 78 acres. PA 192 at R. B. Winter State Park and PA 880 at in/carry-out trash disposal program for small distinguished from crows because ravens are larger The state forest has hunting, fi shing and wildlife parks. There are no trash collection or recycling than crows and make a deeper, groan-like call. Eastville. watching. A short drive away is Bald Eagle State facilities. Visitors are asked to limit the amount of Forest and the Mt. Logan and Rosecrans Bog The forest of Ravensburg State Park has under- disposable items brought to the park and to take natural areas. gone little change in the last 100 years. It is unlikely all trash, garbage, and recyclables home. that extensive logging ever occurred in the area due Picnicking: Sand Bridge is a convenient picnic to the steep, rocky terrain and the isolation of the Directions spot with picnic tables, charcoal grills, water and area. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) con- rustic restrooms. Three picnic pavilions are free on Ravensburg State Park is in central Pennsylvania, structed Ravensburg State Park on state forest land. a fi rst-come, fi rst-served basis. Clinton County, on PA 880, eight miles southeast CCC Camp S-127 built picnic pavilions, latrines, of Jersey Shore, or four miles north of Carroll, waterlines, fountains, bridges, trails and a dam on Fishing: Rapid Run is an excellent cold-water Exit 192 (old Exit 28) on I-80. Rauchtown Run. fi shery. It is stocked annually with brook and brown trout. Recreational Opportunities Ravensburg State Park still has a pleasing rustic character due to the rugged land and the CCC era Camping: tents-only, rustic campsites Department of Conservation structures of native stone, rough-sawn logs and & Natural Resources The forested campground is open from the fi rst stained wood. Friday in May through the last Sunday in Septem- Recreational Opportunities ber. Each of the 21 sites has a picnic table and a McCalls Dam State Park participates in a carry- fi re ring. Geologic Formations in/carry-out trash disposal program for small parks. Picnicking: Within the three picnic areas are The most outstanding geologic feature in the picnic tables, picnic pavilions, charcoal grills, a There are no trash collection or recycling facilities. park is Castle Rocks. Tall erosional spires of sand- playfi eld, a playground and horseshoe pits. Most Visitors are asked to limit the amount of dispos- picnic tables are shaded. Four picnic pavilions stone are silhouetted against the sky, like the towers able items brought to the park and to take all trash, may be reserved up to 11 months in advance for of an ancient castle. You can see Castle Rocks from garbage, and recyclables home. a fee. Unreserved picnic pavilions are free on a Mid State Trail in the southern end of the park. Pri- Picnicking: The small picnic area next to White fi rst-come, fi rst-served basis. Call toll-free 888-PA- marily frost action has caused the sandstone blocks Deer Creek has tables, a few charcoal grills and a PARKS for reservations. to break away at weak places in the sandstone, leav- rustic restroom. ing behind isolated pillars. Additional information History Hunting: Because of its small size, hunting is History prohibited at Ravensburg State Park. Hunting is on the geological features are found in the “Trail of No one knows how the area became known as permitted on surrounding Tiadaghton State Forest Geology Guide” available at the park offi ce. In 1850, an early settler built a dam on White Sand Bridge. land. Deer Creek to provide power to his large sawmill The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania purchased For More Information Contact: Fishing: Rauchtown Run and its tributaries and shingle mill. Sixteen years later the dam was re- the land in 1905 and it became a part of White Local Services Ravensburg, Sand Bridge and McCalls provide excellent cold water fi shing for native paired and used as the second of a series of splash Deer State Forest District. In the 1930s, the Dam State Parks brown and brook trout. Warm water fi shing is Food, picnicking supplies and gasoline can be dams, used to fl oat white pine logs to the Susque- Civilian Conservation Corps built the pavilions c/o R. B. Winter State Park within easy driving distance and includes the west found at several stores in Oval and Antes Fort, hanna River and the extensive sawmills at Watson- and restrooms. In 1978, the Pennsylvania Bureau 17215 Buffalo Road branch of the Susquehanna River, Bald Eagle about fi ve miles north of the park. A public pay town. Although the dam is gone, Johnny McCall of State Parks took over administration of Sand Miffl inburg, PA 17844-9656 Creek and Blanchard Lake. phone is at the park offi ce. and his dam will always be remembered because of Bridge State Park. McCalls Dam State Park. 570-966-1455 In an Emergency In an Emergency Dial 911 e-mail: [email protected] Access for People with Disabilities Contact a park employee or dial 911. For direc- Nearest Hospital to McCalls Dam and Sand An Equal Opportunity Employer tions to the nearest hospital, look on bulletin boards ËThis symbol indicates facilities and activities that Bridge State Parks: www.visitPAparks.com or at the park offi ce. are accessible. This publication text is available in Evangelical Community Hospital Nearest Hospital to Ravensburg State Park: alternative formats. One Hospital Drive Information and Reservations Jersey Shore Hospital Make online reservations at: www.visitPAparks. If you need an accommodation to participate in Lewisburg, PA 17837 1020 Thompson Street park activities due to a disability, please contact the 570-522-2000 com or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS, 7 a.m. to 5 Jersey Shore, PA 17740 p.m. Monday to Saturday, for state park informa- Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks: 570-398-0100 tion and reservations. 888-PA-PARKS (voice) 711 (AT&T Relay Services) 6000-mp-dcnr1/128 7/06 Printed on recycled paper.