State issues park overcrowding alert for Ohiopyle, Keystone, Presque Isle and more

The state has issued an “overcrowding alert” this holiday weekend for 14 of its 121 state parks including regional favorites such as Ohiopyle, Keystone and Presque Isle.

A large number of park users on good weather weekends is causing some state parks to turn away visitors, according to a report this week from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources .

Park gates and overflow parking areas might be closed in some of the busiest parks, according to the state.

“If people plan on coming, it’s probably going to be very crowded with way higher visitations than normal this weekend,” said Ken Bisbee, manager of Ohiopyle State Park.

Ohiopyle doesn’t have a gate and can’t close when the park is overcrowded, he said.

During the height of the covid-19 pandemic last year with limited recreational opportunities, crowds flocked to parks, and in some cases overwhelmed public lands, causing damage.

Visitors blazed their own trails on areas of sensitive land that the park is in the process of closing, Bisbee said.

Ohiopyle drew record crowds. In 2020, the park saw 43% more visitors than in the previous year, with some months attracting 100% more visitors, Bisbee said.

“This year, we are anticipating attendance higher than usual as a result of people rediscovering us or discovering us for the first time,” he said.

Parking was an issue and a hazard last year, Bisbee said. Overflow cars parked along roads caused traffic problems and dangerous conditions for pedestrians.

Also, cars parked on the grass, which can compress and damage the land, Bisbee said.

But Ohiopyle visitors will have more places to park as lots that were closed last year because of construction are now open, he said.

Other state parks

Other state parks with crowd alerts: French Creek in Berks and Chester counties; Hickory Run in Carbon County; Kinzua Bridge in McKean County; Marsh Creek in Chester County; Neshaminy and Nockamixon in Bucks County; Ricketts Glen in northeastern Pennsylvania; Tyler in Bucks County; and Washington Crossing in Bucks County.

Alternative state parks to consider: Raccoon in Beaver; Yellow Creek in Indiana County; Laurel Hill in Somerset County; Linn Run in Ligonier; Ryerson Station in Greene County; and Moraine State Park in Butler County, according to DCNR and Bisbee.

Visit DCNR’s website to find more possibilities.