Patterson State Park

History

The Pennsylvania Department of Forestry created "Patterson Picnic Area" from 1922 to 1925. During the Great Depression, the Civilian Conservation Corps built two pavilions in the current picnic area from 1935 to 1941. Patterson State Park officially became part of the Pennsylvania State Parks system in 1950. The name is thought to come from people who lived in the area named Patterson, but there are no records of anyone named Patterson owning the land that is now part of the state park. In 2000 the park became part of the Hills Creek State Park complex, an administrative grouping of eight state parks in Potter and Tioga counties.

Recreation

Patterson State Park is surrounded by Susquehannock State Forest. Visitors use the park as a trail head for hiking, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, and snowmobiling. The Susquehannock Trail System, an 85 mi loop almost entirely on state forest land, passes through the park. A mountain bike trail begins at Denton Hill State Park and runs 15 mi as it passes through Patterson State Park on its way to Cherry Springs State Park. Overnight camping in tents is permitted at the park.

References

References

1. "Patterson State Park". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
2. (2000-02-02). "Manager named at Hills Creek Lake". Wellsboro Gazette.
3. Forrey, William C.. (2017). "History of Pennsylvania’s State Parks 1984 to 2015". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.