Crooked Creek Lake
Authorized by the Flood Control Acts of 1936 and 1938, Crooked Creek Lake is one of 16 flood control projects in the Pittsburgh District. An important link in a system of flood control projects, Crooked Creek provides flood protection for the lower Allegheny and Ohio rivers. The construction cost of over $4 million appears small when compared to the giant saving which have resulted. Since its completion in 1940, the project has prevented flood damages estimated to be in excess of $548 million. Crooked creek also stores water and releases it downstream during dry periods to improve water quality and quantity for domestic and industrial use, navigation, recreation, aesthetics and aquatic life.
More like this: reservable in Pennsylvania · pets allowed in Pennsylvania · group sites in Pennsylvania
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Tent-only | 29 |
| RV, no hookups | 16 |
| group shelter electric | 6 |
Site guide
51 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Tent only | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 002 | Tent only | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 003 | Tent only | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 005 | RV | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 006 | RV | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 007 | RV | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 008 | RV | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 009 | RV | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 010 | RV | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 011 | RV | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 4:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 015, 016, 017, Justice AM and 5 more are listed accessible |
Independence Pavilion is located on the beach road and offers a ball field, and horseshoe pits. Across the parking lot is a flush restroom. Heritage Pavilion is located on Overlook Rd and offers a beautiful view of the dam and control tower. Horseshoe pits and a ball field are in close vicinity. A flush restroom is within walking distance of the pavilion. Justice Pavilion is located behind the park office and offers a private area with a small pond, and access to the disc golf course. A vault toilet is within a short walking distance.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Address: 114 Park Main Rd, Ford City, PA 16226 From Pittsburgh: Head northeast on Grant St toward Sixth Avenue. Turn right onto Seventh Ave. Use the left lane to keep right at the fork, follow signs for PA-380 E/Bigelow Boulevard/Interstate 579 N and merge onto Bigelow Blvd. Take the ramp onto I-579N/Veterans Bridge.
| Nearest town | Ford City, Pennsylvania |
| Coordinates | 40.7136° N, 79.5142° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| RV sales & service | Altmeyer's Trailer Sales ↗ | 6.5 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 15.7 mi |
| Outdoor gear | 3 Rivers Outdoor Co. ↗ | 27.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Crooked Creek Campground review , Gaines PA / PA Grand Canyon Hike
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Ford City ArmoryBuilding · Ford City · 4.1 mi
- Armstrong County Courthouse and JailBuilding · Kittanning · 7.1 mi
- Kittanning Passenger Station and Freight DepotBuilding · Kittanning · 7.3 mi
Natural features
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.
Recreation
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 six picnic shelters with picnic tables and grills, along with a 46 site family campground Crooked Creek Lake also offers a 9 hole disc golf course located at the Justice Pavilion.
Nearby
The long distance hiker will enjoy the 141-mile Baker Trail which crosses Crooked Creek Lake on its course through western Pennsylvania. The Crooked Creek Outdoor Discovery Center is operated by the Armstrong Center for Community Learning. It is used by groups and agencies interested in environmental stewardship and offers a variety of educational programs. Approximately two miles away from the park, Crooked Creek Horse Park, operated by the Fort Armstrong Horsemen's Association, offers horse staging facilities, stalls, and miles of horseback riding trails.
Guidebooks for Pennsylvania
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Crooked Creek Lake?
Sites at Crooked Creek Lake are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Crooked Creek Lake?
Check-in 4:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Crooked Creek Lake have?
51 sites, including 29 tent-only sites, 16 RV sites without hookups, and 6 group shelter electric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Crooked Creek Lake?
Crooked Creek Lake is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Crooked Creek Lake?
Yes, pets are allowed at Crooked Creek Lake. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Crooked Creek Lake?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Crooked Creek Lake?
Sites 015, 016, 017, and Justice AM are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 9 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Crooked Creek Lake?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Crooked Creek Lake?
The lake and its miles of scenic shoreline provide unlimited opportunities for water-based recreation. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Crooked Creek Lake?
Ford City, Pennsylvania. The long distance hiker will enjoy the 141-mile Baker Trail which crosses Crooked Creek Lake on its course through western Pennsylvania.
Source: Getting there
What if Crooked Creek Lake is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Bush Recreation Area (19.5 mi), Milton Loop Campground (20 mi, first-come), and Loleta Recreation (52.6 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby