State Park

Yellow Creek State Park

Indiana County, PennsylvaniaAbout 2,829 acresEstablished 1963
Status
Status not postedDaily sunrise – sunset
Entrance fee
Not posted
Day-use reservations
None mentioned
Dogs
Dogs allowed, with restrictions
Camping
YesAlso cabins, yurts
Official site
pa.gov(724) 357-7913

Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. Details last changed Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current

Overview

Covering about 2,829 acres, Yellow Creek State Park lies in Indiana County, about 9 miles east of Indiana.

Things to do include snorkeling and diving, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, and winter sports. Its trail network totals roughly 5 miles, according to the park. Water access includes a swimming beach, a boat ramp, a fishing pier, and boat or kayak rentals. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites. If you'd rather not camp, the park offers cabins and yurts.

Hours

Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.

FacilityDaysHoursSeason
ParkDailysunrise – 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)

Check availability and book

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.

Dogs are permitted in Cottages #1, #2, and #3 for a fee. Dogs are permitted in Yurt D for a fee. Pets are prohibited on the beach.

Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.

Cabins and lodging

  • Camping Cottages
  • Yurts

Camping Cottages ♿ Six, 13’ by 15’ cottages are along the lakeshore near McFeaters Cove. Each cottage sleeps five people in bunk beds. The cottages have: • Wooden floors • Windows • Porch • Picnic table • Fire ring • Electric lights and outlets Restrooms are nearby. Dogs are permitted in Cottages #1, #2, and #3 for a fee. Yurts ♿ These round, canvas, and wood walled tents have a wooden floor and deck and sleep five people in bunk beds. Yurts have: • Cooking stove • Refrigerator • Microwave oven • Countertop • Table • Chairs • Electric heat and outlets • Fire ring • Picnic table Restrooms are nearby. Dogs are permitted in Yurt D for a fee.

Things to do

HuntingWinter sportsFishingBoatingSnowmobilingHikingSwimmingCross-country skiingPicnickingBikingMountain bikingSnorkeling and scubaCampingCanoeing and kayaking

Trails

TrailLengthDifficultyNotes
Billy Goat Trail0.4 miMore difficultRecreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: none This hiking-only trail travels through young hardwood forest to make a small loop off Damsite Trail.Hiking
Blackhawk Trail1.6 miMore difficultRecreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking Trailhead amenities: none This multi-use trail follows the north shore of Yellow Creek Lake and intersects many roads along its path.HikingMountain biking
​Damsite Trail2.5 miEasiestRecreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: none This trail leads to the dam which periodically has a spillway waterfall.Hiking
Laurel Run Trail0.5 miEasiestRecreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: modern restroom This easy hike starts at the park office, follows Laurel Run, and is especially beautiful in the spring when wildflowers abound.Hiking
Ridgetop Trail2 miMost difficultRecreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: picnic tables, benches This challenging trail begins at the beach/day-use area and winds through a variety of habitats.Hiking
Simpson Trail6.3 miMore difficultRecreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking Trailhead amenities: none This multi-use trail passes through various habitats.HikingMountain biking
Trail descriptions from the park

5 miles of trails Yellow Creek State Park Map

Swimming

The 800-foot beach is open from late-May to mid-September, 8:00 A.M. until sunset. A changing house with an outdoor shower and a snack bar are in the beach area. Swim at your own risk. Please read and follow posted rules. Pets are prohibited on the beach. Smoke-Free Beach Smoking is prohibited on the beach and in the swimming area. For visitors who smoke and still want to use this 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

Water

  • Swimming beach
  • Boat ramp
  • Marina or boat slips
  • Boat, canoe or kayak rentals
  • Fishing pier

Camping

  • Tent camping

Lodging

  • Cabins
  • Yurts

✓ 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

Yellow Creek State Park offers a range of accessibility accommodations to ensure all visitors can enjoy its natural beauty and recreational opportunities. McFeaters Cove - Cottage 1 Cottage 1 can accommodate up to 5 people. Domestic pets are allowed. Visitors are reminded to bring their own linens, dishes, pots and pans. McFeaters Cove - Cottage 2 Cottage 2 can accommodate up to 5 people. Domestic pets are allowed. Visitors are reminded to bring their own linens, dishes, pots and pans. McFeaters Cove - Cottage 3 Cottage 3 can accommodate up to 5 people. Domestic pets are allowed. Visitors are reminded to bring their own linens, dishes, pots and pans. McFeaters Cove - Cottage 4 Cottage 4 can accommodate up to 5 people. Domestic pets are allowed. Visitors are reminded to bring their own linens, dishes, pots and pans. McFeaters Cove - Cottage 5 Cottage 5 can accommodate up to 5 people. Visitors are reminded to bring their own linens, dishes, pots and pans. McFeaters Cove - Cottage 6 Cottage 6 can accommodate up to 5 people. Visitors are reminded to bring their own linens, dishes, pots and pans. McFeaters Cove - Yurt A Yurt A can accommodate up to 5 people. Visitors are reminded to bring their own linens, dishes, pots and pans. McFeaters Cove - Yurt B Yurt B can accommodate up to 5 people. Visitors are reminded to bring their own linens, dishes, pots and pans. McFeaters Cove - Yurt C Yurt C can accommodate up to 5 people. Visitors are reminded to bring their own linens, dishes, pots and pans. McFeaters Cove - Yurt D Yurt D can accommodate up to 5 people. Domestic pets are allowed. Visitors are reminded to bring their own linens, dishes, pots and pans. Accessible Picnic Tables Accessible picnic tables are located at the beach. Access via the South East Beach Access Road. Beachfront Pavilion The Beachfront pavilion can accommodate up to 60 people with 14 picnic tables. Domestic pets are allowed. Lakeview Pavilion The Lakeview pavilion can accommodate up to 75 people with 12 picnic tables. Domestic pets are allowed. North Shore Pavilion The North Shore pavilion can accommodate up to 75 people at 12 picnic tables. Domestic pets are allowed. Woodland Pavilion The Woodland pavilion can accommodate up to 75 people at 12 picnic tables. Domestic pets are allowed. Water Access The launch at the beach day use area is ADA accessible. Fishing Access An accessible fishing pier is located on the north shore. Hunting This park offers accessible hunting options. Visitors holding a DCNR Mobility Device Permit can contact the park office for more information about accessible hunting locations within the park. DCNR permits visitors with a DCNR Mobility Device Permit to use powered mobility devices on designated state park and forest lands, including administrative roads and trails not normally open to standard motorized vehicles. Visitors interested in a DCNR Mobility Device Permit can fill out an application and submit it at any state park or forest office. Enjoy wildlife watching from the ADA accessible fishing pier on the north shore.

Official accessibility information

Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.

Getting there

Address
170 Route 259 Highway
Penn Run, PA 15765-5941
Nearest town
Indiana — about 9 mi east (straight line)
Coordinates
40.5782, -79.0010
Phone
(724) 357-7913
Email
yellowcreeksp@pa.gov

Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)

Directions from the park

Yellow Creek State Park is along PA 422 between the towns of Ebensburg and Indiana. GPS DD: Lat. 40.57818 Long. -79.00095

Nearby state parks

Sources and freshness

“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

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