Hills Creek State Park ( Wellsboro )

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Located in scenic Tioga County, the 407-acre Hills Creek State Park abounds in wildlife. Osprey, loon and waterfowl visit the lake that boasts a variety of warm-water fish species. Camping, cabins, swimming and picnicking make this an ideal spot for a family vacation.

Snack Bar: In the day use area, on a hill overlooking the lake and beach, the concession offers a wide variety of food like hamburgers, sandwiches, onion rings, candy, ice cream, and drinks. It also has milk, bread, eggs, firewood and fishing bait. Visitors pay here for the boat rental. The concession is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, weather permitting. For information concerning the concession operations, call 570-724-2992, or the park office at 570-724-4246.

Boating: electric motors only. The 137-acre Hills Creek Lake has three boat mooring areas with a total capacity of 30 boats. Two of these areas also double as boat launching areas with concrete launching ramps. Sailing is quite popular. Rowboats, paddleboats, kayaks and canoes may be rented from the boat rental, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, weather permitting.

Motorboats must display a boat registration from any state. Non-powered boats must display one of the following: boat registration from any state; launching permit or mooring permit from Pennsylvania State Parks that are available at most state park offices; launch use permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. For complete information on boating rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.

Boat Rental: In the day use area, on a hill overlooking the lake and beach, the concession offers a wide variety of food like hamburgers, sandwiches, onion rings, candy, ice cream, and drinks. It also has milk, bread, eggs, firewood and fishing bait. Visitors pay here for the boat rental. The concession is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, weather permitting. For information concerning the concession operations, contact Susan Hackett at 570-295-9691, or the park office at 570-724-4246.

Fishing: The warm waters of the 137-acre Hills Creek Lake provide excellent fishing for warm-water species. Common fish are muskellunge, walleye, largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and yellow perch. This lake is on the Bass Masters Tournament Rotation. Largemouth Bass weighing over eight pounds have been pulled from the lake. A valid PA fishing license is required. All Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission laws apply. For complete information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.

Ice Fishing: Ice fishing success in the 137-acre Hills Creek Lake is exceptional for yellow perch and bluegill and an occasional walleye. Be safety conscious when on the ice. For complete information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.

Swimming: A sand beach is open from late-May to mid-September, 8 a.m. to sunset. Swim at your own risk. Please read and follow posted rules for swimming. The sandy lake bottom and grass beach are quite popular. The modern bathhouse and snackbar/boat rental are nearby and open seasonally.

Hunting: With the abundance of both large and small game in the area and the additional bonus of 13,000 acres of rugged State Game Land 37 within walking distance of the park, it is easy to understand why hunting and trapping are popular around the park. Hills Creek State Park is closed to hunting because of its small size, but there is an abundance of nearby private and public lands available for this popular sport.

Hiking: 5 miles of trails
Lake Side Trail - 1.5-mile - This trail begins at the entrance to the camping area and follows the lake shore in a westerly direction for about one mile, finally arriving at the Beaver Hut Boating Area. A beaver house plus many signs of beaver activity may be seen in this area. From the boating area the trail generally follows the lake shore in a southerly direction for about one mile, ending at the dam breast of Hills Creek Lake. This section of the trail offers an excellent variety of bird life attracted by seeds from white spruce, red-osier dogwood and viburnums that dominate this moist area. The trail then follows the park road past Picnic Area No. 1 and the park office. It ends at a parking lot beyond the gate on the main entrance road, a distance of about 0.5-mile.
Tauschers Trail - 1.5-mile - This trail circles the northeast section of the park from the cabin area. It winds through pine plantations, dense stands of alder and fields containing numerous wildflowers. Wildlife abounds in this section of the park and it is not uncommon to startle deer or grouse along the trail.
Yellow Birch Trail - 1-mile - This trail starts at the entrance to the camping area but travels in an easterly direction for about one mile. Although short in length, this trail leads through a diversity of forest habitats from stands of hardwoods to hemlock swamps and marsh areas. The observant hiker may see a variety of wildlife and animal signs along with interesting tree development.