Blue Knob State Park

About Blue Knob State Park

Blue Knob State Park offers year-round wilderness adventures in a wooded area of 5,874 acres. Altoona, Johnstown and Bedford are 25 miles from this picturesque park, and the park is located on the western edge of the city of Bedford, Pennsylvania, about 30 miles north of New York City.

Air temperatures are several degrees cooler than in surrounding cities, and the annual snowfall limit is about 1.50 m.

There are many ways to enjoy the peace and refreshing tranquility of a mountain stream, but a unique feature of the park is the solitude it offers its visitors.

The first settlers arrived in Blue Knob soon after the American Revolution, and the park's first permanent residents date back to the early 17th century.

Pennsylvania Germans moved to eastern Pennsylvania and cleared and farmed land in the young town of Pavia. The early industry housed several distilleries in 1812, a timber and timber company in 1795 and a railway company in 1797. In the late 19th century, South Fork forestry cleared hemlock forest and transported timber by steam train up steep slopes. But the timber companies closed because the railway could not run due to severe winter weather.

The old railway line is now followed by National Road 26 and the Lost Turkey Trail is followed by a track called Bob. The steam train follows the Wallace junction for five hairpin bends and then needs six hairpins and one bend to get down the rugged slopes.

In 1935, the National Park Service created the Blue Knob National Recreation Area to provide recreation for the people of Altoona and Johnstown. The building authority employed local workers to build huts, hiking trails and roads.

During the construction of the NP-7 camp, young men helped to create recreational facilities throughout the park. In October 1939, the first National Park Service park ranger, Mrs. E.R. "Betsy" Smith, arrived.

Of the 45 open tent and trailer sites, twenty - five of them had electricity connections, and two of the construction sites were only accessible to the purest. The sites are located in open fields and forests, with the exception of a small section in the center of Blue Knob State Park.

In addition to open tent and trailer sites, there are a number of other camping facilities available at the campsites, such as campsites.

Unless otherwise stated, the hosts of the campsite are usually not reachable - on peak days, these places are available during the day. The swimming pool is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm and the depth of the pools is 2.50 metres. In fine weather, it is also open on weekends and public holidays and in the summer months.

Evenings are recommended on weekdays, weekdays and evenings at weekends and public holidays, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the summer months.

For safety reasons, it is not allowed to enter the pool, but the swimming pool, indoor swimming pool, fire pit and burning house are open all year round. Nearly 200 picnic tables are spread over three areas open for picnics at the Blue Knob State Park picnic area and parking lot.

Seven picnic pavilions can be reserved for $11 per month in advance, and there is one unreserved picnic pavilion, but first-time visitors are served first. The Lost Turkey Trail, established in 1977 by the Youth Protection Corps, is a 26-mile trail that runs from the Blue Knob State Park parking lot to the southern end of the park.

Many people use this part of the trail as a day hike, but mountain bikers are designated, and the trail markings are a kilometer apart. Hikers should get a permit for the Lost Turkey Trail from the parking lot of Blue Knob State Park.

The Chappell Field Trail is a good challenge for beginners, and for advanced riders the Three Springs Trail is a moderate tour, but it is also open for horse riding.

For experienced mountain bikers, the trails are also available for horse riding, but it is recommended to consider other participants. Horse riding and hiking is available to all riders in the Blue Knob State Park parking lot.

Horse riding is allowed on the right side of the Parkstraße, and the trail is located at the entrance of the campground near the Chappell field.

All groups that undertake the hike must sign a special use agreement, and caution is required when walking through the precincts due to the high number of deer and elk and other wildlife.
The network of trails includes 8 km of hiking trails and roads, and snowmobile routes are open daily during the hunting season until the end of December.

Snowmobiles are not allowed on the trails, so stay on designated trails and other roads or vehicles are not allowed on the grounds of the National Park.

Most of the park's trails are suitable for experienced skiers, but for beginners, the Chappell Field Trail and enclosed campgrounds are recommended. Weather conditions on the trail are usually ideal, and skiers should use professional equipment such as mountain skis. For medium skis we recommend the Blue Knob Trail, a 1.5 km long trail from the parking lot to the campsite at the foot of a steep hill.

Unless otherwise stated, all summer programs are held in the Park Office, except winter and spring programs. Special programs can be organized by organized groups through the Park Office, and fall or spring programs for school organizations are available upon request.

Take I-99 North at Exit 7, then follow signs to Pavia Park and follow PA-869 West to Paviania.

Take I / 99 North to Exit 5 and then PA 869 for a short distance west of the park to Exit 6.

Turn left onto Blue Knob Road (LR 4035) and follow the road toward the town of BlueKnob and turn right onto PA-164 West. Turn right onto PA 164 West, follow this road for three miles to the north entrance to the park, then turn left at the exit and drive to the entrance to Blueknob State Park.

Take I-70 to West Breezewood, follow PA-869 west to Pavia, then follow signs to Pavianas and follow signs through the park.