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McCalls Dam State Park adventures

McCalls Dam State Park Adventures

McCalls Dam State Park offers a peaceful natural retreat with forested landscapes and the scenic Sinnemahoning Creek, ideal for hiking, fishing, and primitive camping.

50
Acres Protected
3
Miles of Trails
10,000
Annual Visitors
1933
Year Established

About McCalls Dam State Park

 

McCalls Dam State Park is located in Cameron County, Pennsylvania, within the expansive Allegheny Plateau region. Covering a forested area along the Sinnemahoning Creek, the park centers around the historic McCalls Dam, a remnant of the 19th-century logging industry that once dominated the region. The park features mixed hardwood forests with species such as oak, maple, and hemlock, creating habitats rich in wildlife including white-tailed deer, black bears, and various bird species. The Sinnemahoning Creek offers excellent fishing opportunities, primarily for trout. Visitors enjoy hiking along trails that cross streams and wetlands, bringing them close to the serene natural environment. The park’s primitive camping areas offer a quiet setting removed from crowded developed campgrounds. Its location near the Pennsylvania Wilds region makes it a good base for exploring nearby state forests and other protected areas. While McCalls Dam State Park is not large, it provides a low-impact, back-to-nature experience rooted in Pennsylvania’s logging history and current conservation efforts. The park appeals to anglers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts looking for solitude in a forested river valley, as well as those interested in regional history reflected in the old dam site and surrounding woodlands.

Highlights

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Historic McCalls Dam site showcasing early logging era engineering

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Sinnemahoning Creek offering trout fishing and peaceful waterside views

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Primitive camping areas providing a remote outdoor experience

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Short hiking trails through mixed hardwood forests and wetlands

Notable Natural Features

McCalls Dam

Ruins of a dam constructed in the 1800s used for transporting logs down Sinnemahoning Creek during the logging boom.

Sinnemahoning Creek

A tributary of the West Branch Susquehanna River known for cold-water trout fishing and calm water suitable for canoeing.

Primitive Campground

Rustic camping sites without modern amenities offering a quiet and natural experience close to the creek.