R. B. Winter State Park

R. B. Winter State Park is a 695-acre nature preserve nestled within a large forest with oak and pine trees, surrounded by rocky ridges. The park offers camping and cabin accommodations, plus lake access for recreation.

The preserve was originally established in 1933 as Halfway Dam State Park and received its current name in 1957 to honor forester Raymond Burrows Winter. The name change reflected the importance of his work in the state's forest conservation policy.

The Rapid Run Natural Area protects habitats for woodpeckers and owls that visitors can observe in the park's quiet forest areas. The protected zone shows how forest lands are preserved for wildlife today.

The park welcomes visitors across three seasons, with summer popular for swimming and fall ideal for hiking. Campers should arrive early to secure a good site, as the electric spots fill quickly during peak times.

Halfway Lake is held back by a dam made of hand-laid native sandstone, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. This structure was one of the first projects of its kind and shows early conservation work in the region.

Location: Pennsylvania

Inception: 1933

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

GPS coordinates: 40.99420,-77.18970

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:48