Crooked Creek State Park
Crooked Creek State Park is a scenic 2,460-acre Pennsylvania state park centered around the 350-acre Crooked Creek Lake in Armstrong County. Rolling forested hills, quiet coves, and open meadows create a peaceful setting for boating, fishing, hiking, and wildlife watching throughout the year. The park is managed in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which operates the flood-control dam that forms the lake. Visitors will find a mix of developed recreation areas and more secluded natural spaces, including picnic groves, boat launches, and multi-use trails. The park is popular for warm-season paddling and angling, as well as fall foliage viewing and winter activities like cross-country skiing and ice fishing when conditions allow. Its proximity to the Pittsburgh region makes it a convenient day-trip destination while still offering a quiet, rural atmosphere.
Free
Visiting with Dogs
Leashed dogs allowed on most outdoor areas; no access to buildings or swim zones. Always clean up waste and follow posted rules.
Visitor Tips & Reviews
What Visitors Say
A quiet, scenic lake park loved for kayaking, fishing, wooded trails, and family picnics, with clean facilities, good wildlife viewing, and beautiful fall foliage away from heavy crowds.
Tips from Visitors
- Check water levels and trail conditions on the park website before you go, especially after heavy rain.
- Bring binoculars and a camera, Crooked Creek Lake is excellent for birdwatching and wildlife viewing at dawn and dusk.
- Use the designated boat launch and wear a life jacket; wind can pick up quickly on the open water.
- Pack insect repellent and sunscreen; many trails are partially shaded but bugs and sun can still be intense in summer.
- Carry a printed map or download an offline map, as cell service can be spotty in parts of the park.
- Respect quiet hours in campground areas and store food securely to avoid attracting wildlife to your site.
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
Explore these attractions near Crooked Creek State Park:
- Allegheny River (Kittanning Riverfront Park)Located in nearby Kittanning, the Allegheny River riverfront offers walking paths, fishing access, and views of the historic bridge and downtown. It complements a visit to Crooked Creek State Park with additional waterfront scenery and local dining options.8 miles away
- Armstrong TrailRunning along the Allegheny River on a former rail corridor, the Armstrong Trail offers miles of relatively flat biking and hiking with river views and historical sites. It is a good option for visitors who want a longer ride or walk after spending time at Crooked Creek Lake.12 miles away
- Butler-Freeport Community TrailThis rail-trail stretches for more than 20 miles between Butler and Freeport, providing a scenic route for biking, walking, and running along creeks and wooded hillsides. It is a popular regional trail that pairs well with a day of lake recreation at Crooked Creek State Park.25 miles away
- Keystone State ParkSouthwest of Crooked Creek, Keystone State Park offers a swimming beach, campground, and lakeside trails around Keystone Lake. It provides a different style of lakefront recreation and is a common alternative or second stop for visitors touring state parks near Pittsburgh.38 miles away
- Yellow Creek State ParkEast of Indiana, Yellow Creek State Park features a larger lake, swimming beach, and additional hiking trails, offering another option for water-based recreation in the region. Visitors sometimes combine trips to multiple state parks for a weekend of exploring western Pennsylvania’s lakes.45 miles away
Things to Do at Crooked Creek State Park
Camping at Crooked Creek State Park
No camping in Crooked Creek State Park; use nearby Corps areas or other state parks and private campgrounds instead.
Hiking Trails
Crooked Creek State Park offers easy to moderate day hikes with well-marked trails winding through hardwood forests and along the lake. Visitors enjoy peaceful scenery, frequent wildlife sightings, and several scenic overlooks and fishing spots. Trails can be muddy after rain, but are generally well maintained. It’s a family-friendly destination with picnic areas, varied loop options, and a relaxed, uncrowded atmosphere.
Lake Shore Loop Trail
EasyA mostly level loop that follows the shoreline of Crooked Creek Lake, offering frequent water views, birdwatching opportunities, and access to several small coves and picnic spots.
Vista Point Trail
ModerateShort, rolling trail leading to one of the best overlooks of Crooked Creek Lake, with mixed hardwood forest, seasonal wildflowers, and a few rocky sections near the viewpoint.
Ridgetop Loop
ModerateA longer loop that follows a wooded ridge above the lake, combining old forest roads and singletrack, with occasional glimpses of the water and several small stream crossings.
Hemlock Run Trail
ModerateShaded trail that follows a small creek drainage through hemlock and mixed hardwoods, with a few short, steep climbs and rocky footing in places.
Meadow & Wetland Loop
EasyGentle loop through open meadows and wetland edges, good for wildlife viewing and wildflowers; mostly mowed path and wide trail with minimal roots or rocks.
South Shore Connector Trail
Easy–ModerateConnector-style trail that links picnic areas and boat launches along the south shore, with rolling terrain, partial lake views, and mixed forest.
North Country Spur at Crooked Creek
Moderate–HardA spur section of a longer regional trail that passes near the park, offering more remote, backcountry-style hiking with sustained ups and downs and fewer amenities.
Campground Loop Trail
EasyShort loop starting near the campground, ideal for families and evening walks, with gentle grades through mixed woods and occasional views toward the lake.
Directions
From Pittsburgh, take PA-28 North toward Kittanning. Continue on PA-28/US-422 around Kittanning and take the exit for PA-66 South toward Ford City. Follow PA-66 South for several miles, then turn left onto Crooked Creek Dam Road at the signs for Crooked Creek State Park and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dam. Continue on Crooked Creek Dam Road for approximately 2 miles to reach the main day-use and lake access areas. From the east, use US-422 West toward Kittanning, connect to PA-66 South, and follow the same local directions. GPS users can enter the park address or “Crooked Creek State Park, Ford City, PA” for turn-by-turn navigation.
Contact & Info
Frequently Asked Questions
What activities can I do at Crooked Creek State Park?
Visitors commonly enjoy hiking, boating, fishing, picnicking, wildlife watching, and winter activities when conditions allow. The park has several miles of trails of varying difficulty, a large lake for motorized and non‑motorized boating, multiple fishing access points, and several picnic areas with tables and grills. Many reviews mention that it’s a good place for family outings, casual walks, and spending a full day outdoors without feeling crowded, especially on weekdays and outside of major holidays.
Is Crooked Creek State Park good for families with kids?
Yes. Families frequently review the park as kid‑friendly. There are open grassy areas, easy walking paths, and designated picnic spots where children can play. Some trails are short and relatively flat, making them manageable for younger kids. The lake shoreline in developed areas is generally accessible but parents should closely supervise children near the water because there are no lifeguards. Many families use the park for birthday picnics, casual fishing with kids, and simple nature walks to look for birds, frogs, and other wildlife.
What should I know about boating and fishing at the park?
Crooked Creek Lake is a central attraction, and visitors often come specifically to boat and fish. Anglers report catching species such as bass, panfish, and catfish, with better success early and late in the day or during cooler months. A valid state fishing license is required. Boaters mention that the lake is usually not as crowded as larger reservoirs, which makes it appealing for kayaks, canoes, and small motorboats. You must follow posted regulations on horsepower limits, no‑wake zones, and life‑jacket requirements. Launch areas and parking can fill on peak summer weekends, so arriving earlier in the day is recommended.
What are the hiking trails like and are they well marked?
Reviews describe the trails as generally well maintained, with a mix of easy lakeside paths and moderate forested routes that include some hills and roots. Many visitors appreciate the variety: some trails are short loops suitable for casual walkers, while others offer longer, more secluded routes for those wanting a quieter hike. Trail blazes and signs are present but can be spaced out in a few sections, so people recommend taking a photo of the trail map at the kiosk or downloading a map beforehand. After heavy rain, certain low‑lying areas can be muddy, so waterproof footwear is helpful in wet seasons.
How crowded does Crooked Creek State Park get and when is the best time to visit?
Crowd levels vary by season and day of the week. Many visitors note that weekends in late spring, summer, and early fall can be busy around the main picnic areas, boat launches, and popular viewpoints, especially on holiday weekends. However, even on busier days, some trails and more remote spots remain relatively quiet. Weekdays are often described as peaceful, with plenty of parking and less boat traffic on the lake. Early morning and late afternoon are favored times for those seeking calmer conditions, better wildlife viewing, and more comfortable temperatures in summer.
What facilities and amenities are available, and are there any common complaints?
The park typically offers parking areas, restrooms or vault toilets at key locations, picnic tables, pavilions that may be reservable, boat launches, and marked trails. Visitors often appreciate the overall cleanliness and the amount of open space. Common complaints in reviews include limited restroom availability in some sections of the park, occasional litter in high‑use areas after busy weekends, and uneven or pothole‑prone sections of access roads or parking lots. Cell service can be spotty depending on your carrier, so people recommend downloading maps and confirming directions before arriving.