Recreation

Nestled among the rolling hills of western Pennsylvania, Crooked Creek Lake is an ideal setting for year round outdoor activities. Located only 30 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites you to discover the scenic beauty of the lake and surrounding countryside at the Crooked Creek project.

Visitors will also find they can pursue a variety of outdoor activities at the project with its numerous well maintained facilities available for their enjoyment. For those who enjoy the outdoors, a visit to Crooked Creek can be a rewarding experience.

The lake and its miles of scenic shoreline provide unlimited opportunities for water-based recreation. A boat launch with ample trailer parking is available for boating and waterskiing enthusiasts. Swimmers and sunbathers will especially appreciate the lake's sandy, peninsula beach.

The great variety and abundance of fish found in the lake have lured many fishermen to its waters. Crooked Creek Lake has yielded many fine catches of bass, muskie, sunfish and crappie.

Picnicking is well liked at Crooked Creek. There are several picnic areas maintained by the Corps that are provided with tables and charcoal grills. There are also six picnic shelters with picnic tables and grills.

What's Happening

• Aug. 24 the Armstrong Co. Area Agency on Aging uses the Spillway Recreation Area for their annual senior picnic.
• Sept. 17 September is the Armstrong County Habitat for Humanity Triathlon at Tunnelville Beach.
• Oct. 8 Armstrong Educational Trust has a 5K planned.

Pavilion Reservations

2013 pavilion reservation requests for Crooked Creek Lake will be accepted by mail only from February 1, 2013 through March 1, 2013. (Requests received prior to February 1, 2013 will be returned.) Over-the-counter (walk-in) reservation requests will be accepted at the Park Office, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. through 3:00 p.m., beginning March 1, 2013. Pavilion Reservation Request Form. To see photos of the Pavilion click here.

Annual Day Use Pass

Fees of up to $4/day are charged at many U.S. Army Corps of Engineers day use areas, including beaches and boat launch ramps. Annual passes allow visitors to avoid having to pay day use fees each time they visit any U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operated day use area nationwide.  Annual passes, available at the Park Office of any site where fees are charged, cost $30 per pass and are valid for 12-months from the month of purchase.  Individuals with a valid Golden Age/Access Passport or America the Beautiful Senior/Access Pass may purchase on Annual Day Use Pass at half price.  Call the Park Office with questions or to make an appointment to purchase a Corps of Engineers Annual Day Use Pass.

Boat Launch

The public boat launch courtesy dock will not be installed this summer. Instead a soft landing area to the upstream side of the launch ramp will be improved. Boaters will be able to gently beach their vessels for loading and unloading purposes. Also planned is installation of markers delineating the single lane ramp edges.  This should allow more days the public boat launch will be open even with the changing pool elevations.

Volunteers

Volunteer applications are now being accepted for a variety of opportunities to get involved at the park.  Does spending some time meeting people in the park, handing out interpretive brochures and customer comment surveys sound interesting? Are you a Master Gardener and would like to improve the flower beds at the Visitor Center?  How about a church group or scout troop that would like to help the staff with the Pennsylvania Adopt-A-Highway Program? Maybe you're a college student needing a place to earn credits on an internship.  Call the Park Office at (724) 763-3161 and ask for the Volunteer Coordinator for more details and an application packet.

Environmental Learning Center

The Environmental Learning Center is under lease with the Armstrong Educational Trust.  The Environmental Learning Center Coordinator can be reached at (724) 763-6316.  To learn more about how you can enjoy this beautiful facility and surrounding grounds virtually visit at www.crookedcreekelc.org.

Crooked Creek Horse Park

The Crooked Creek Horse Park was developed in the area leased as Manor Township Recreation Area.  It is maintained by The Fort Armstrong Horsemen's Association, Inc.  They have many special events appealing to a variety of interests.  To learn more about the recreational opportunities and how to contact them visit www.crookedcreekhorsepark-faha.com.

Facilities & Activities

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