Ole Bull State Park
- Status
- Status not postedDaily sunrise – sunset
- Entrance fee
- Not posted
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed, with restrictions
- Camping
- 24 campsitesAlso cabins
- Official site
- pa.gov(814) 435-5000
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. Details last changed Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Covering about 140 acres, Ole Bull State Park lies in Potter County, about 15 miles north of Renovo.
The park supports cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, mountain biking, winter sports, and hunting in season. The official site lists about 5 miles of trails. On the water side, there is a swimming beach and a fishing pier. Overnight options include 24 campsites, with RV sites with electric hookups, tent sites, and group camping. Roofed lodging includes cabins.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | sunrise – sunset | — |
Official wording
The park is open every day of the year, sunrise to sunset. Day use areas close at dusk. The park office is open specific hours. The beach, overnight areas, and other areas are open specific seasons and hours. Contact the park office for facility seasons and hours.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveAmerica (Aspira), Pennsylvania State Parks contract
- Phone
- 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757)
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed, with restrictions
Not allowed in or on: the beach area.
Pets are prohibited. Pets are permitted in Area #2 for a fee. Pets are prohibited in the beach area.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camping Ole Bull State Park Campground Map (PDF)
Camping is permitted year round. Two camping areas along Kettle Creek provide sunny and shaded sites.
All sites include:
• Picnic table
• Fire ringLevel gravel pad
There are 24 sites with electric hookups in Area #2. Area #1 has 19 sites with electricity.
Water hydrants, modern restrooms, and a sanitary dump station are available.
Pets are permitted in Area #2 for a fee. | 24 | There are 24 sites with electric hookups in Area #2. Area #1 has 19 sites with electricity. | — |
Camping details from the park
Camping
Ole Bull State Park Campground Map (PDF)
Camping is permitted year round. Two camping areas along Kettle Creek provide sunny and shaded sites.
All sites include:
- Picnic table
- Fire ringLevel gravel pad
There are 24 sites with electric hookups in Area #2. Area #1 has 19 sites with electricity.
Water hydrants, modern restrooms, and a sanitary dump station are available.
Pets are permitted in Area #2 for a fee.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
- Ole Bull Cabin
Ole Bull Cabin
♿This cabin is ADA accessible.
This 1.5-story log cabin can be rented year round.
The cabin has a modern, accessible kitchen, two baths, and sleeps 12 people in three bedrooms. The cabin has an accessible bathroom and an access ramp.
Pets are prohibited.
Rental information can be obtained at the park office.
Alcoholic beverages are permitted in this overnight facility and associated curtilage only. Alcohol possession and consumption is restricted to the holder of the reservation permit and invited guests age 21 and older. Responsible and legal alcohol consumption is required, and violations are grounds for removal from the state park without refund.
Note that alcohol possession and consumption in all other overnight facilities and all other areas of state parks is prohibited.
Things to do
HuntingBikingMountain bikingSwimmingFishingWinter sportsCross-country skiingPicnickingHikingSnowmobilingCamping
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beaver Haven Nature Trail | 1.3 mi | Easiest | Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing recommended, snowshoeing recommended Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water, picnic tables, benches This 1.8-mile loop travels through Campground 2, along Kettle Creek, into Susquehannock State Forest, then circles back through a CCC pine plantation, along many riparian wetlands and past a large beaver pond. It offers many options for shorter and longer loops and out and back hiking. It may be accessed in many locations throughout the park.HikingMountain bikingCross-country skiing recommendedSnowshoeing recommended |
| Castle Vista Trail | 1 mi | More difficult | Recreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: benches Accessed near the entrance to Campground 1, the Castle Vista Trail is short but steep. It leads to an overlook of the southern portion of the park. The foundation of Ole Bull's attempted homestead is visible at the vista.Hiking |
| Daugherty Loop Trail | 1.27 mi | More difficult | Recreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: none The 2-mile Daugherty Loop is accessed near the entrance to Campground 1. A section of this trail is in Susquehannock State Forest. This trail traverses the Ole Bull Run Valley, crosses a bridge and comes back up the other side. There are narrow sections and stairs along this trail.Hiking |
| Hemlock Swamp Trail | 1 mi | Easiest | Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing recommended Trailhead amenities: none This multi-use trail is accessed near camper storage. It travels through the northern section of the park and showcases many riparian wetland areas that are home to our state tree, the Eastern Hemlock.HikingMountain bikingCross-country skiing recommended |
| Susquehannock State Forest Snowmobile Trail | 0.6 mi | More difficult | Recreations permitted: hiking, snowmobiling, mountain biking, equestrian Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water, picnic tables, benches This trail connects to over 200 miles of snowmobile trails within Susquehannock State Forest. It travels from Joerg Run Road, across SR 144, through Campground 2, behind the Park Office and Lodge, then through the day use area, across the driving bridge to the entrance of Campground 1 then out toward Hungry Hollow Road.HikingSnowmobilingMountain bikingEquestrian |
| Susquehannock Trail System | 0.34 mi | Most difficult | Recreations permitted: hiking, backpacking Trailhead amenities: non-flush restrooms, potable water, picnic tables, benches The Susquehannock Trail System is an 85-mile loop trail that has a trailhead at the park. Register for overnight parking on the clipboard outside of the park office. Parking is permitted in the day-use parking lot. Please read posted regulations.HikingBackpacking |
Trail descriptions from the park
5 miles of trails
Ole Bull State Park Map
Swimming
The beach is in Camping Area #1 across from the picnic area. Park in the picnic area lot.
The 150-foot sandy beach along Kettle Creek is open from late-May to mid-September, 8:00 A.M. until sunset.
Swim at your own risk.
Please read and follow posted rules for swimming.
Pets are prohibited in the beach area.
All children ten years of age or younger must be accompanied by a person at least 14 years of age.
Smoke-Free Beach
Smoking is prohibited on the beach and in the swimming area.
For visitors who smoke and still want to use the beach, designated areas adjacent to the beach are provided. The restriction includes:
- Cigarettes
- Pipes
- Cigars
- E-cigarettes
- Other handheld, lighted smoking devices
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
- Group facilities
Water
- Swimming beach
- Fishing pier
Camping
- Tent camping
- RV camping
- Electric hookups
- Group camping
Lodging
- Cabins
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Ole Bull State Park offers a range of accessibility accommodations to ensure all visitors can enjoy its natural beauty and recreational opportunities.
Ole Bull Cabin
Ole Bull Cabin is a Unique House that can accommodate up to 12 people. Visitors are reminded to bring their own linens, towels, dishes, pots and pans.
Fishing Access
An accessible fishing regulation area for children and those needing accomodations is available below the dam breast to the fordway.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 31 Valhalla Lane
Cross Fork, PA 17729-9701 - Nearest town
- Renovo — about 15 mi north (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 41.5371, -77.7154
- Phone
- (814) 435-5000
- olebullsp@pa.gov
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
The park is along PA 144, 18 miles south of Galeton and 26 miles north of Renovo. GPS Decimal Degrees: Lat. 41.53712 Long. -77.71544
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Pennsylvania State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Mar 5, 2026
- DCNR Find a Park: content-fragment JSON feed used by the pa.gov park finder
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. “Last changed” (Oct 29, 2026) is when the information shown here last differed from the previous check. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology