![Kettle-Creek-State-Park-Clinton-County-PA Kettle Creek State Park in Clinton County Pennsylvania.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Kettle-Creek-State-Park-Clinton-County-PA-696x392.jpg)
Kettle Creek State Park is a remarkable 1,793 acre oasis situated in the Kettle Creek Valley and surrounded by the Sproul State Forest in Clinton County.
![Looking north at Kettle Creek Reservoir.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Kettle-Creek-Reservoir-Clinton-County-PA.jpg)
At the heart of the park lies Kettle Creek Reservoir, a 167 acre / 2.2 mile-long lake formed by the construction of the Alvin Bush Dam as a flood control project and completed in 1962.
![View of Kettle Creek Reservoir from Kettle CReek Vista in the Sproul State Forest.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Kettle-Creek-Gorge-Vista-Clinton-County-Pennsylvania.jpg)
How to Find Kettle Creek State Park
Kettle Creek State Park is located approximately 12 miles northwest of Renovo in Clinton County.
![Map to Kettle Creek State Park in Clinton County Pennsylvania.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Map-to-Kettle-Creek-State-Park-Clinton-County-Pennsylvania.jpg)
From Route 120 west of Renovo, turn onto Kettle Creek Road and follow it 7 miles to the park.
![Kettle Creek State Park entrance sign.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Kettle-Creek-State-Park-sign-Clinton-County-Pennsylvania.jpg)
History of Kettle Creek State Park
The original portions of the park were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930s near the present-day lower campground, which backs to Kettle Creek.
![The lower camping area backing to Kettle Creek at Kettle Creek State Park.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Kettle-Creek-State-Park-Campground-Clinton-County-Pennsylvania.jpg)
In 1962 the US Army Corps of Engineers completed the Alvin Bush Dam as part of a flood control project, and the area above the dam was subsequently developed for recreation.
![Alvin Bush Dam sign at Kettle Creek State Park.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Alvin-Bush-Dam-Kettle-Creek-State-Park-Clinton-County-Pennsylvania.jpg)
Alvin Bush Dam at Kettle Creek State Park
The Alvin Bush Dam stands at a maximum height of 165 feet above the Kettle Creek stream bed and is 1,350 feet across.
![The Alvin Bush Dam on Kettle Creek in Clinton County Pennsylvania.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Alvin-Bush-Dam-Kettle-Creek-State-Park-Clinton-County-PA.jpg)
A roadside observation area near the dam provides a panoramic view of the structure, and is also the site of a memorial to the first settlers of European descent to build on this site in 1813.
![Memorial to the Pfoutz family who settled on land near present-day Kettle Creek State Park in 1813.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Pfoutz-Family-Memorial-Kettle-Creek-State-Park-PA.jpg)
The Best Things to Do at Kettle Creek State Park
Not surprisingly, boating and fishing are two of the most popular pastimes at Kettle Creek State Park.
![Boating is a popular pastime at Kettle Creek State Park.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Kettle-Creek-State-Park-Clinton-County-Pennsylvania-Boat-Launch.jpg)
There are also playgrounds, picnic areas, and some terrific vantage points to watch the resident bald eagles fish for their next meal.
![Kettle Creek State Park near Renovo.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Kettle-Creek-State-Park-Clinton-County-Pennsylvania-May-2021.jpg)
Scenic Vistas near Kettle Creek State Park
While technically part of the adjacent Sproul State Forest, Kettle Creek Vista is a popular destination for park visitors.
![Springtime view of Kettle Creek State Park from Kettle Creek Vista.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Kettle-Creek-Vista-Cameron-County-PA.jpg)
Turning off of Kettle Creek Road (the main road through the park) near the upper campground will take you on a short drive to Kettle Creek Vista, as well as two other roadside scenic overlooks along the way.
![Kettle Creek Vista directional sign at Kettle Creek State Park.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Kettle-Creek-Vista-Sign-Kettle-Creek-State-Park-PA.jpg)
The first roadside overlook you’ll pass is Sugar Camp Vista, an eastern view.
![Sugar Camp Vista in the Sproul State Forest.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Sugar-Camp-Vista-Sproul-State-Forest-PA.jpg)
This will be followed by Cooks Run Vista, a western view.
![Cooks Run Vista along Crawley Road in the Sproul State Forest.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Cooks-Run-Vista-Sproul-State-Forest-Clinton-County-Pennsylvania.jpg)
Finally, you’ll reach the turn-off for Kettle Creek Vista.
![Sign for Kettle CReek Vista in the Sproul State Forest.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Kettle-Creek-Vista-sign-Sproul-State-Forest-Pennsylvania.jpg)
Follow this road for a quarter-mile and the road dead-ends at the overlook.
![The truly-roadside Kettle Creek Vista in the Sproul State Forest](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Toyota-Tacoma-at-Kettle-Creek-Vista-Clinton-County-PA.jpg)
The view from Kettle Creek Vista is particularly exceptional in the fall.
![Early October at Kettle Creek Vista in Clinton County.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Kettle-Creek-Vista-Fall-Foliage-Clinton-Counnty-Pennsylvania.jpg)
Kettle Creek Vista also allows for a panoramic view of the Alvin Bush Dam and the Kettle Creek Reservoir behind it.
![View of the Alvin Bush Dam from Kettle Creek Vista in Clinton County.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Kettle-Creek-Gorge-Kettle-Creek-Vista-May-2021.jpg)
Fall Foliage at Kettle Creek State Park
Kettle Creek State Park is an excellent fall foliage destination in central Pennsylvania.
![Fall foliage views to the north along Kettle Creek on October 12th, 2021.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Kettle-Creek-State-Park-Fall-Foliage-views-2021.jpg)
You’ll find awesome fall foliage views near the lower campground, right along Kettle Creek.
![Fall foliage views along Kettle Creek on October 12th, 2021.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Fall-Foliage-Kettle-Creek-State-Park-Clinton-County-Pennsylvania.jpg)
The stillness of the water on Kettle Creek lends itself to excellent fall foliage reflections.
![Fall foliage views from the lower campground at Kettle Creek State Park on October 12th, 2021.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Kettle-Creek_State-Park-Clinton-County-Fall-Foliage-2021.jpg)
Even the drive into the park is scenic in October!
![Fall foliage views along Kettle Creek Road on October 12th, 2021.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Kettle-Creek-State-Park-road-Fall-Foliage-2021.jpg)
Nearby Attractions
The 20 Best Scenic Overlooks in PA Elk Country will introduce you to plenty of additional scenic overlooks in the vicinity of Kettle Creek State Park.
![Sinnemahoning Vista in the Clinton County portion of the Sproul State Forest.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Sinnemahoning-Vista-Sproul-State-Forest-Clinton-County.jpg)
Hyner View State Park, a mere 17 miles to the east in Clinton County, offers up some of the most famous views in central Pennsylvania.
![Fall foliage views for miles at Hyner View State Park.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Fall-Foliage-Hyner-View-State-Park.jpg)
Ole Bull State Park in Potter County is named in honor of Ole Bornemann Bull, a famous Norwegian violinist who purchased 11,144 acres in Potter County in 1852 and attempted to develop a Norwegian colony there that he dubbed “New Norway”.
![Exploring Ole Bull State Park in Potter County PA](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Exploring-Ole-Bull-State-Park-in-Potter-County-PA.jpg)
Sinnemahoning State Park is located just west of Kettle Creek State Park, in Cameron and Potter counties.
![Stevenson Dam Overlook at Sinnemahoning State Park in Cameron County.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Stevenson-Dam-Overlook-Sinnemahoning-State-Park-Pennsylvania-May-2021.jpg)
Yost Run Falls in the Sproul State Forest is a picturesque spot in neighboring Centre County.
![The author at Yost Run Falls on a spring day.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Yost-Run-Falls-spring-selfie.jpg)
Ridge Road in neighboring Cameron County is home to six scenic roadside vistas within a three mile stretch of road!
![Square Timber Vista along Ridge Road in Cameron County Pennsylvania.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Square-Timber-Vista-Ridge-Road-Elk-State-Forest-Cameron-County-PA.jpg)
Austin Dam Memorial Park in neighboring Potter County is the site of the second-deadliest flood in Pennsylvania history.
![Freeman Run passing through the ruins of Austin Dam in Potter County PA.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Austin-Dam-Ruins-Potter-County-Pennsylvania.jpg)
The Fred Woods Trail in Cameron County is one of the most famous hikes in the PA Wilds for a reason – two outstanding vistas and a boulder maze that has to be seen to be believed!
![The author in one of the canyons formed by massive rock formations along the Fred Woods Trail.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Fred-Woods-Trail-Rock-Garden-City-Canyon-Cameron-County-PA.jpg)
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