Raccoon Creek State Park Trails

Directions:

Raccoon Creek State Park is in southern Beaver County.
From the east or west take US 22  to R.18. Head north on Rt.18 to the park.
From the east or west take US 30 to Rt.18. Head south on Rt.18 to the park. Rt.18 passes directly through the park.

General Description:

Raccoon Creek State Park offers over 17 miles of multi-use trails and roads for mountain biking over a wide variety of terrain. The 7,500 acre park features beautiful Raccoon Lake. The lake’s 800 ft. sand/turf beach is open from late May until mid-September, with lifeguard service from Memorial Day weekend-Labor Day. There is a bathhouse, food concession and picnic areas. Nearby are the campground, modern cabins and boat rental for canoes, rowboats or kayaks. Most of the mountain biking is on the west side of the park so ride east on the park road to the lake for a refreshing post ride swim.

The park offers a wide variety of environmental education and interpretive programs some of which are offered year-round. The Wildflower Reserve Interpretive Center has exhibits and brochures on natural history and historical areas of the park. The 314-acre Wildflower Reserve contains over 500 species of plants. The Audubon Trail in the Wildflower Reserve, the wetlands around the lake and the Wetland Trail offer abundant birdwatching opportunities.

Deer and raccoons are common throughout the park and the stream valleys provide habitat for beaver, muskrat and mink. In the more remote western side of the park you may encounter the elusive red fox, skunk and opossum.

The Trails:

17 miles of multi-use trails and roads are available for mountain biking. The terrain varies from steep and rolling hills to level service roads.

Pinto Loop: 1.7-miles, (easy) Yellow blazes
Pinto Loop Trail has very little elevation change. The wide path and passes through a mix of forest meadows. These features make it an excellent cross-country skiing trail.

Lake Trail: 1.9-miles (easy) Blue blazes
This trail is for hiking and biking only, and there are some biking restrictions. There is one moderate hill climb. The trail follows an old road along Traverse Creek, which leads to the northwest shore of Raccoon Lake. During the 1800s, Traverse Valley was the location of several pioneer homesteads and gristmills. An elaborate two-story stone springhouse dated 1846 still exists near the western end of the trail.

Appaloosa Trail: 3 miles (easy to moderate) Yellow blazes.
Trailhead is accessed via the equestrian parking lot off PA 168 and the connecting Appaloosa Spur Trail.

The main equestrian trail. The trail winds along rolling forested hills of maples, oaks, hickory and cherry. Near its western end, the trail passes an old homestead and spring house. Connector Trail No. 4 (hiking only) off of Appaloosa Trail leads to one of the overnight backpacking campsites.

Appaloosa Spur: 0.7-mile (easy) Yellow blazes
Appaloosa Spur Trail connects the Equestrian Trailhead parking lot on PA 168 to the Appaloosa Trail.

Buckskin Trail: 1-mile (moderate to advanced) Yellow blazes
The Buckskin Trailhead on Nichol Road provides access to Camp Trail, Pinto Loop Trail and Heritage Trail. The trail passes through a steep, densely forested stream valley.

Nichol Road: 3.5 miles (easy to moderate)
Nichol Road is the gateway to most of the trails in the western section of the park. Several loop rides of varying lengths can be created using Nichol Road and connecting trails.

Palomino Trail: 1.1-mile (easy to moderate) Yellow blazes
Palomino Trail follows an old roadbed for most of its length beginning and ending on Nichol Road. You will encounter a few moderate hill climbs.

Historical Note:

Frankfort Mineral Springs is south of the park office. This once famous resort complex of the late 1800s attracted visitors who believed in the healing qualities of the mineral water. The springs can be viewed by hiking the short Mineral Springs Trail from the parking lot on PA 18.

King's Creek Cemetery, on the park’s southwestern boundary off of PA 168, is the final resting-place of many of the first settlers of the area.

For more information:

Raccoon Creek State Park
3000 State Route 18
Hookstown, PA 15050-9416

Phone: (724) 899-2200
TTY: Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks (888) 537-7294 or 711 (AT&T Relay Services)
Website: Raccoon Creek State Park

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