Kooser State Park

About Kooser State Park

Kooser State Park is located in the highlands and attracts visitors with its 250 hectares of forest, through which a stream flows. The original design of the park was influenced by the Civil Protection of the 1930s, which defined the existing lake, its architecture and its use as a recreational area. Its design highlights the natural beauty of its natural environment, such as the stain trees, waterfalls, lakes and streams, as well as its picturesque views of Lake Michigan.

Kooser State Park was named after John Kooser, who settled with his family at the western end of the park in the spring of 1867. Early settlers reported a battle with Indians taking place nearby, and a number of wararrows and spear points were found in the area.

During the Whiskey Rebellion, the Washington Army (known as the Coxes Army) crossed the bay to the summit. In the late 1920s, people camped out on the Van Dyke site in spring and late autumn and used it as a summer tent. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania acquired the land for Kooser State Park in 1922, and in 1933 a Civil Conservation Corps (CCC) encampment was established at the western end of the park.

In 1945 a tornado hit the area and caused enormous damage in the forest near Kooser, in 1945 it caused considerable damage in the park. For more information on the CCC, please visit the online archive of the Civil Protection Corps.

The original dam was rebuilt and in 1955 the current tent and trailer area was opened, the water from the Kooser spring is located in the park.

With more and more money the campsites were extended by modern toilets and the daily use improved. In 2002, part of the park was closed to improve the situation, but with more and more money, a new campsite was opened and a modern toilet was added to the campsite.

There are nine rustic cottages that can be used all year round, and a modern shower house is available nearby.

Each cabin is equipped with a mattress, refrigerator, stove and hot water, and tenants must bring cooking and sleeping utensils. Summer rentals are for just one week, but tenants can rent the cabins for up to six months for $1,500 a month.

Fourteen of the 14 campsites have no electricity, and 47 camping and trailer pitches are open. Barrier-free parking spaces and sanitary landfills are available, as well as a small number of parking spaces for campers and trailers.

The Kincora Trail is a popular hiking trail named after an Irish priest, and many of the shorter routes are day trails. Cross-country skiing trails are also available for hiking, but there are no well-marked trails or classifications. A picnic area with picnic tables, picnic benches and a picnic table is available for picnics all year round.

There are no fees for using the trails, nor for parking, parking fees or parking in the parking lot at the entrance of the Kincora Trail.

This 70-mile trail leads from Ohiopyle State (PArk) to the Conemaugh River and from there to Mount Pleasant State Park. The Kincora Trail, a 1,200-foot trail, offers scenic views of Mt. Pleasant and Mount Vernon, as well as scenic views of the Ohio River.

The PA 31 refuge parking lot is located in Kooser State Park, and the Kincora Trail, a 1,200-foot trail, runs along the Conemaugh River from the park to Mount Pleasant. Koosey State Park is located at the intersection of PA-31 and Route 31, south of Mount Vernon, PA, in the eastern part of the state.