The area in and surrounding Canoe Creek State Park is rich in limestone. The limestone was quarried and used for many purposes like providing needed raw materials for the iron and steel industries of Pennsylvania. There are several abandoned quarries on the park lands. Two limekilns also operated within the boundaries of the park during the 1900s. The remnants of a kiln once owned by the Blair Limestone Company stand today as a reminder of the industrial past. The Blair Limestone Company kiln is a stop on the Path of Progress tour, a driving tour of Pennsylvania's industrial heritage stretching for.
Wildlife
The Frank Felbaum Bat Sanctuary is the home of the largest nursery colony of little brown bats in Pennsylvania. This one-time church, now known as the Canoe Creek Bat Refuge, attracts visitors interested in observing the bats as they emerge each night for feeding. The park is also the site of a hibernaculum for more than 30,000 bats of six species, including the endangered Indiana bat. Canoe Creek State park is on the path followed by many species of migratory birds including waterfowl, bald eagles and ospreys. The wetlands provide habitat for birds like the bluebird, oriole, red-winged blackbird and the brown thrasher. The park also provided a habitat for the woodland creatures most common in Pennsylvania, white-tailed deer, turkey, squirrels, chipmunks, and ruffed grouse. The hunting of these animals is permitted during the hunting seasons designated by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Recreation
Canoe Lake is stocked with game fish by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Fisherman can catch bass, trout, walleye, muskellunge, pickerel and catfish during the summer and winter months at Canoe Lake. Ice fishing is permitted, but the thickness of the ice is not monitored. The sand beach at Canoe Lake is opened starting Memorial Day weekend and ending Labor Day weekend. Beginning in 2008 lifeguards will not be posted at the beach. The only motorized boats permitted on Canoe Lake are electrically powered. They must be properly registered with any state. Non-powered boats such as rowboats, canoes and kayaks must also display registration stickers from any state. There are eight miles of trails that are open year-round to hiking, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking and snowmobiles. These trails follow the shores of Canoe Lake and pass through woodlands, wetlands, meadows and the historic limestone kilns. Hikers are asked to wear fluorescent orange, for safety matters, when hiking during hunting season. Canoe Creek State Park has a large picnic area near the lake. Charcoal grills are available for use. There are three pavilions for rent. Eight modern cabins are available to rent year-round. Each cabin sleeps six people and has electric heat, two bedrooms, living room, dining room, bathroom, and kitchen. Outside of the cabins are a fire ring and picnic table. The Terry WentzEducation Center is open year-round, near the modern cabins, and provides brochures on the education program and the wildlife of the park.
Nearby state parks
The following state parks are within of Canoe Creek State Park:
