Bendigo State Park

Bendigo State Park is a protected area in a valley along the East Branch Clarion River with mixed hardwood forests of beech, birch, cherry, and maple. The grounds feature multiple picnic areas and recreational spaces spread throughout the property.

This state park was established in 1959 and named after William Thompson Bendigo, an Irish tavern keeper and prizefighter who settled in northwestern Pennsylvania. The creation reflected a broader effort to preserve green spaces in the region.

The park reflects a period in the 1920s when Johnsonburg borough first opened the land for public use. Visitors today can sense this connection to early community development in the way the space is organized and maintained.

Visitors will find more than 150 picnic tables spread throughout the grounds, making it convenient for families and groups. A swimming pool operates during warmer months and makes the location ideal for a day trip when temperatures rise.

The property divides clearly into two parts: a smaller section with developed facilities and paths, while the larger portion remains as dense, undeveloped forest. This balance allows visitors to enjoy both organized recreation and quiet walks through nature.