Indiana County, Pennsylvania, is situated in the central-western part of the state. Situated in the Allegheny Mountains, Indiana County offers visitors picturesque vistas and plenty of activities to keep outdoor and sports enthusiasts busy for many days. Visitors to the area can enjoy hiking, nature walks, birdwatching, kayaking and canoeing at Indiana County parks.
Fishing
Anglers should consider heading to Blue Spruce Park. The park is laid out over 650 acres and includes a 12-acre lake stocked with trout and open for fishing year round. You'll need a Pennsylvania fishing license, but chances of catching at least a couple fish are high. The park has four pavilions and two lodges open for group gatherings. In addition to fishing, the park has six hiking trails that turn into cross-country skiing trails in winter. Between October and December, hunting is allowed in parts of the park. The "Festival of Lights" is a popular yearly event held around the Christmas Holiday at Blue Spruce Park that attracts thousands of locals every year.
Water Sports
Families with young children or those who want to participate in water sports can head to Hemlock Lake. Hemlock Lake is best known for Straight Run Dam, found in the park's 60-acre lake. This 208-acre park has two boat launches and is most popular for boating, kayaking, canoeing, row-boating, swimming, sunbathing and fishing. In winter time, hiking trails become cross country skiing trails and ice fishing attractins area anglers on the frozen lake. The park's two pavilions operate on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Hiking and Cross Country Skiing
The Blacklick Valley Natural Area is the best park in the area for hiking. This 713-acre park divided into three sections: The Parker Tract, the Caldwell Tract and the Clarke Run Tract. Parker Tract is the most developed, with six miles of hiking and cross country skiing trails, including part of the famous 36-mile Pennsylvania "Ghost Trail," so named because of the many mining towns that used to exist along the trail. Blacklick Creek also transverses the park. Hunting and motorized vehicles are not allowed in the natural area.
Winter Sports
Yellow Creek State Park is sprawled over 2,981 acres and includes a 720-acre lake popular with anglers and boaters. The park is a popular wintertime destination because when the lake freezes, visitors enjoy ice-fishing, ice boating, ice skating, and many of the park's five miles of hiking trails are converted to snow shoeing, cross country skiing and snowmobiling trails. In addition to the wintertime activities, Yellow Creek State Park's facilities include three picnic pavilions, camping cottages, boat rentals and an 800-foot long beach.
Smaller County Parks
Buttermilk Falls Natural Area is best know for being home to a 45-foot tall waterfall and a 48-acre woodland. There are hiking trails and picnic pavilions at the park. Waterworks Conservation Area encompasses 10 acres and is adjacent to Two Lick Creek. Here, visitors can enjoy canoeing and kayaking, fishing along Two Lick Creek and hiking the Two Lick Creek wetland circuit. Old Smicksburg Park is a 33-acre protected area popular for kayaking and canoeing on Little Mahong Creek. Other activities include picnicking, hiking, and bird watching and wildlife trails.
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