Recreation

Nestled among the rolling hills of western Pennsylvania, Crooked Creek Lake is an ideal setting for year round outdoor activities. Located only 30 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites you to discover the scenic beauty of the lake and surrounding countryside at the Crooked Creek project.

Visitors will also find they can pursue a variety of outdoor activities at the project with its numerous well maintained facilities available for their enjoyment. For those who enjoy the outdoors, a visit to Crooked Creek can be a rewarding experience.

The lake and its miles of scenic shoreline provide unlimited opportunities for water-based recreation. A boat launch with ample trailer parking is available for boating and waterskiing enthusiasts. Swimmers and sunbathers will especially appreciate the lake's sandy, peninsula beach.

The great variety and abundance of fish found in the lake have lured many fishermen to its waters. Crooked Creek Lake has yielded many fine catches of bass, muskie, sunfish and crappie.

Picnicking is well liked at Crooked Creek. There are several picnic areas maintained by the Corps that are provided with tables and charcoal grills. There are also six picnic shelters with picnic tables and grills.

What's Happening

• May 12 - Crooked Creek Clean Up Day
• July 14 - Armstrong County Community Safety Day

Campground Reservations

Effective for the 2018 recreation season and beyond at Crooked Creek, the campground will no longer be first come, first served and will be by reservation only.  Reservation can only be made through the National Recreation Reservation System in two ways, online at recreation.gov or by calling (877)444-6777.  For more information, please contact Crooked Creek at (724)763-3161, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. through 3:30 p.m.

Pavilion Reservations

Pavilion Reservation Change

Effective for the 2017 recreation season and beyond at Crooked Creek, the park office will no longer process pavilion reservation. Reservation can only be made through the National Recreation Reservation System in two ways, online at recreation.gov or by calling (877)444-6777. Reservations are open year-round and can be made one year prior to the reservation date. For more information, please contact Crooked Creek at (724)763-3161, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. through 3:30 p.m.  For a pavilion pricing click here.

Annual Day Use Pass

Fees of up to $4/day are charged at many U.S. Army Corps of Engineers day use areas, including beaches and boat launch ramps. America the Beautiful passes allow visitors to avoid having to pay day use fees each time they visit any U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operated day use area nationwide. America the Beautiful Access Passes are available at the Park Office, for qualifying individuals, for free and are valid for the life of the pass holder. Effective immediately, Crooked Creek Lake will only be issuing the Access Pass and the 4th Grade Pass and will no longer sell the Annual, Lifetime Senior or Annual Senior Pass.  For more information on the America the Beautiful pass program or to purchase any other interagency pass to include the Annual, Lifetime Senior or Annual Senior pass online, please go to: https://store.usgs.gov/recreational-passes.

Boat Launch

Due to a collapsed culvert, the Public Boat Launch remains closed at this time.  Once the culvert is repaired, the launch will be opened and the courtesy dock installed.  If you have any questions, please call the Park Office at 724-763-3161.

Volunteers

Volunteer applications are now being accepted for a variety of opportunities to get involved at the park.  Does spending some time meeting people in the park, handing out interpretive brochures and customer comment surveys sound interesting? Are you a Master Gardener and would like to improve the flower beds at the Visitor Center?  How about a church group or scout troop that would like to help the staff with the Pennsylvania Adopt-A-Highway Program? Maybe you're a college student needing a place to earn credits on an internship.  Call the Park Office at (724) 763-3161 and ask for the Volunteer Coordinator for more details and an application packet.

Environmental Learning Center

The Environmental Learning Center is under lease with the Armstrong Educational Trust.  The Environmental Learning Center Coordinator can be reached at (724) 763-6316.  To learn more about how you can enjoy this beautiful facility and surrounding grounds virtually visit at www.crookedcreekelc.org.

Crooked Creek Horse Park

The Crooked Creek Horse Park was developed in the area leased as Manor Township Recreation Area.  It is maintained by The Fort Armstrong Horsemen's Association, Inc.  They have many special events appealing to a variety of interests.  To learn more about the recreational opportunities and how to contact them visit http://www.crookedcreekhorsepark.com/.

Facilities & Activities

Boat
Launch/
Day
Use
Area