Kooser State Park

Kooser State Park spans 250 acres of forested land featuring a four-acre man-made lake, hiking trails, rustic cabins, and camping facilities surrounded by the larger Forbes State Forest.

Established in 1922 and developed during the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the park was built on land where Native American tribes once traveled and early settler John Kooser established his homestead.

The park's historic cabin district, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987, represents Depression-era conservation efforts and showcases rustic architecture built from locally sourced logs and stones.

The park operates year-round with 47 campsites available from mid-April to mid-October, rental cabins equipped with basic amenities, and trails suitable for hiking in summer and cross-country skiing in winter.

Kooser Lake was created by damming Kooser Run during the Great Depression, and while fishing remains popular with trout, bass, and bluegill, swimming has been prohibited since 2012 due to algae concerns.

Location: Pennsylvania

Inception: 1922

Website: https://dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/KooserStatePark

GPS coordinates: 40.06030,-79.23000

Latest update: July 25, 2025 19:03