Trough Creek State Park

Trough Creek State Park is a 541-acre preserve in Pennsylvania's mountains where a creek has carved a deep gorge through the surrounding ridges. The waterway flows through dramatic rock formations before joining a larger lake downstream.

The land once hosted iron furnaces and logging operations before being converted by the state and the Civilian Conservation Corps, which built trails and facilities between 1933 and 1936. This transformation from industrial use to public recreation changed the area's purpose entirely.

The park serves as a place where visitors connect with the natural forces that shape the land and learn how water has always been central to this region. People come to experience the raw power of the creek and understand their place within this mountain ecosystem.

The main parking area sits near a suspension bridge that connects visitors to all trails and viewpoints within the park. Trails can be muddy after rain and footwear should have good grip, so plan for weather and allow time for the rocky terrain.

A small cave called the Ice Mine stays cold through summer months because of how air naturally flows through cracks in the rock below ground. Visitors often discover this hidden spot and step inside to feel a drop in temperature even on the hottest days.