Colonel Denning State Park

We camped at CDSP campground in late Oct. 2023 in site #25 in a tent. Wed-Friday, only 2 other sites being used on the other side of the loop, very quiet. Our campsite was a good size, room for 13x13 tent, short path from the site down to bath house. #20 was a very good site also, #19 was very doable, we just chose closer to the bath house. Bath houses are nice, push button water though. There are dishwashing sinks outside the bath house, but they were already winterized and could not be used. DCNR drove around a few times, and were very nice and helpful on check-in. They sell wood, honor system, fill the bucket for $5, not really seasoned but not as green as some places so it was a good deal. We did the Flat Rock hike, not an easy uphill hike, but one of the better vista views once you get there in my opinion. There is a Geocache near the top as a bonus. Fall colors did not disappoint. We did some other hiking and sat by the lake/pond for a bit. No bear, but we were told raccoons are a nuisance, and there are stray cats around. Cell service was good. Overall it was a very nice, small campground.

This park is great! There's a smaller Nature Trail, and of course the beautiful Flat Rock trail. Looks like there's kayaking and canoeing in the warmer months. Said hi to some fisherman along the way- will be back!

Amazing place to go to get some grilling and or swimming in. They have a little beach there to next to the water. It's a beautiful state park. I'm actually going again today. Just a great place to be!

Great park with nice trails. We didn't stay here, but campsites with electric, nice bathroom with showers, dump station, etc. We hiked Flat Rock and it was beautiful at the top!

This is a beautiful park. We camped for the weekend and hiked up to flat rock. Camp sites are nice. You can do primitive caming,, or you can opt to get a site with electricity. The bathrooms are not a far walk and the beach area is fun for small kids. The scenery is beautiful. Over all it was a great weekend.

We enjoy this state park, removed from large population roads- some nice hikes and vistas! I’m the summer, I suspect I’ve never seen more water snakes than the trail to the restrooms off the beach…one year I told my kids’ they’d get a nickel for every snakehead they spied in the rocks and water nearby, and walking to the restrooms they counted 37🤣good use of observation practice! They enjoyed paddling around swimming off the beach- favorite activity is always to find a steam and explore ❤

Very nice park. Pack-in, pack-out. We saw water snakes, Blue Heron, and toads and had a nice walk.

We enjoyed the beach. It was nice to have shade at least for most the morning and early afternoon. There were no water fountains near the beach and no spigot to rinse feet.

This is big enough camping area, but still on the smaller more intimate scale. Public bathroom & showers for campers. They keep the park. Clean, as well as the restrooms. I would highly recommend. Trails to hike, all camp sites are good choices with camping pad area, separate picnic table, fire ring / grill combo with on site parking. We love this park, it's dear to us.

Great camping here, the hikes are great trails, the scenery is beautiful, and the night sky is the cherry on top. The lookout was a great easy hike and we were even able to hike in hike out from our very campsite. Highly recommend, I will be coming back here.

Beautiful park. Stayed camping and was a great time

Great park with a playground, hiking trails, lovely views and camp sites. State park passport stamps available at the ranger station at the entrance for Col Denning, Fowler's Hollow, Big Spring and Tuscora Forest.

I stayed at sites 1, 2, & 11 (had a group of friends/family). Sites were well maintained and easy to park our little pop up. Enough room for tents and vehicles as well. Not the biggest site, but still had room between neighbors. Had trees for shade, and some were creek front. So peaceful to fall asleep to! Just be aware the bathhouse, while close, is up a steep hill from the pet friendly/creekside sites. Nice little trail along the lake for a springtime wildflower hike. Also has tons of picnic sites with grills tucked into the woods for daytime use.

Loved it! Friendly staff, lots of activities for kids and adults alike! Educational events were fun and interesting! Lots of things to do, lots of hiking trails. Went kayaking, visited the beach, saw tons of critters! I highly recommend camping here!

Nice little campground. Clean bathrooms and showers. Friendly staff. The views are quite stunning.

Great hike in a nice small state park, one of my go-to hikes. The view from Flat Rock is really pretty! Lots of rocks so wear the right footwear.

Beautiful park with a nice beach. There was also a trail going around the lake which was short and easy enough to do while wearing flip flops. It was fairly busy and there were a lot of kids compared to some other lakes that I've been to (that can be a positive or negative depending on how you look at it). I didn't get to see much of the park other than the lake, but I will likely go back.

We wanted a beach which this one has. In the middle of winter, we visit a beach just for a change of pace. It's a sizable park that offers picnicking, camping, horse trails, and plenty of space for walking. Like to fish? It offers that, too.

Doubling Gap Lake provides both swimming and non-motorized boating opportunities as well as fishing and a fishing pier on a rather small lake. Take time to relax at the gazebo by the spillway. (see picture)
There is also a nature center and CCC exhibit.
There are 49 campsites and an organized group camping area and several picnic areas.
Hike any of the 18 miles of trails, bring your horse for a nice ride, or try you skill at orienteering.
Winter activities include cross country skiing and ice skating.
Hunt during the hunting season.
For events at this park visit: events dcnr pa
For more information: pa parks and forests
(diamond)

If you are looking for a place to go away from people and away from noise this might be the place for you. I took the yellow nature trail for about a mile loop. It was an easy, beautiful trail.

Great place to visit if in the Cumberland Valley area! This park is not far from Interstate 81 so it's easy to stop and take a break here. Just walking around the lake is fun but there are a few different nature trails and the popular Flat Rock Trail which leads to an amazing view of the valley. I really like to see the Kingfishers and other birds. There are many other creatures to see. In the summer when it's hot the area always seems to be a little cooler than down in the valley. The dogs I bring along always enjoy watching the frogs plop into the water and the chipmunks running through the woods. In the winter months you might not see another person but that can sometimes be part of the attraction.