Laurel Hill State Park

The lumber era The lumber boom that swept through the forests of Pennsylvania did not reach the Laurel Hill Valley until 1886. Due to its steep stream valleys and terrain, the area was among the last in Pennsylvania to be clearcut. Logs were hauled by steam locomotives to sawmills where they were cut into lumber. Smaller logs were used to reinforce the mine shafts of the many coal mines throughout southwestern Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The bark of the hemlock tree was used as a source of tannin at the tanneries of the area. Logging companies left behind a wasteland of dried treetops and brambles, which would ignite from passing locomotives and cause forest fires. From 1886 to 1940, most of Laurel Hill was stripped of its old-growth forests. One stand of old growth trees, now called the Hemlock Trail Natural Area, remains at Laurel Hill State Park. Laurel Hill was designated a "vacation area" designed to provide low cost outdoor experiences for families and groups. and SP-15-PA. Each camp consisted of 200 men who worked year round. They cleared brush from streams, planted trees, and built roads, trails, bridges, and recreational facilities including large group camping facilities, cabins, and picnic areas. They constructed the dam to create Laurel Hill Lake. ==Recreation==

Trails Laurel Hill State Park maintains 15 miles of trails with varying levels of hiking difficulty. • Hemlock Trail is a 1.2 mile (1.9 km) trail that loops through the six-acre Hemlock Trail Natural Area, which contains a stand of old growth eastern hemlock trees. When Laurel Hill was logged, the only virgin trees left untouched were on steep ground above the Laurel Hill Creek that was apparently too difficult for the loggers to reach. The Hemlock Trail is accessible from one end at the sharp bend on Buck Run Road, and from the other at the head of the lake. • Beltz Trail is a 2.75 mile (4.4 km) trail that follows an old road grade and provides access to trails throughout the park and Forbes State Forest. Fishing and boating Laurel Hill Creek and Jones Mill Run are stocked with trout and also have a good population of native brook trout. Laurel Hill Lake is a fishery for trout, catfish, sunfish, perch, crappie, bluegill, and bass. Gasoline powered boats are prohibited on Laurel Hill Lake. Non powered and electric powered boats must have current registration with any state. Swimming The beach at Laurel Hill State Park is open daily from late May until the middle of September. The beach opens at 8:00 am and closes at sunset. Picnics Laurel Hill State Park has three picnic areas. Picnic area #1 has a playground, a ballfield and horseshoe pits. Picnic area #3 is near the beach and also has a playground. Picnic area #4 is near the boat launch and mooring area. There is no picnic area #2. Winter recreation There is a snowmobile trail system in the park that leads to of trails in Forbes State Forest. Laurel Hill Lake is open for ice fishing and ice boating. Laurel Hill State Park has of trails open to cross-country skiing. ==Staying overnight==

Laurel Hill State Park has several options for visitors that are interested in spending the night or several nights at the park. Campground The campground has 262 sites for tent or trailer camping. 149 of these sites have an electrical connections. The campground has modern washhouses with flush toilets, showers, drinking water, and two sanitary dump stations. There is one walled tent that is available for rent, which sleeps up to six people and has a refrigerator and bunk beds. Cottages There are eight cottages available to rent at Laurel Hill State Park. Each cottage has electric lights, outlets, and electric heater. They sleep up to five people and have wooden floors, glass windows and a screened-in porch. The yard areas have a picnic table and a fire ring. Group tenting There is a large area for organized group tenting that is open year-round. Groups are expected to follow the following rules and regulations. • 1. All groups must submit a roster to the park office. • 2. Fires are to be built in the designated fire areas only. • 3. Standing timber must not be cut. • 4. Trailers are not permitted in the group tenting area. Cabins (Group camping) The cabins built and used by the CCC are still used today by large, non-profit groups. The six group cabin areas are open from mid-April until mid-October. These camping facilities each have a centrally located shower house with flush toilets and large dining hall with kitchen. Laurel Hill Lodge Laurel Hill Lodge is a modern two-story lodge with a large fireplace and cathedral ceilings. It has a private deck that overlooks the park and Laurel Mountain. The lodge is equipped for winter recreation. It has racks for skis and snowboards and for drying gloves and boots. There are five bedrooms that can sleep up to 14 people. There are 3 bathrooms, 1.5 kitchens, a recreation room and laundry facilities. ==Boy Scout camps==

There are two Boy Scout camps run by Westmoreland-Fayette Council within the state park: Camp Conestoga and Camp Buck Run. ==References==