“State parks are definitely great places for everybody. We want everyone to feel included and that it's a welcoming, safe place.”

Our host, Marci Mowery, sits down with Chelsea DePoe, Park Manager at Colonel Denning State Park, nestled in north-central Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Chelsea came to Colonel Denning by way of Ricketts Glen and Delaware Canal State Parks before pursuing the management path, landing the position when it opened last fall.

Colonel Denning is a park that rewards those willing to seek it out.

Surrounded by the 96,000-acre Tuscarora State Forest, it serves as a quiet gateway to seemingly endless outdoor adventure. The park's Civilian Conservation Corps heritage, dating to the 1930s, remains visible today in its original spillway, dam, pavilions, and campground bridge.

All these are living reminders that Depression-era labor shaped landscapes still cherished by generations.

The signature draw is the Flat Rock Trail, a challenging 2.5-mile one-way climb that delivers sweeping views of the Cumberland Valley. For families or casual visitors, the gentler nature trail winds around the lake and up a stream, offering diverse ecosystems and rewarding mushroom hunting in fall. Swimming, kayaking, fishing from an ADA-accessible pier, and camping round out a full roster of seasonal activities.

The park also carries a piece of Revolutionary War history: it is named for William Denning, a local blacksmith who forged wrought iron cannons for the Continental Army, though records show he was never actually a colonel. It’s just one of history's small, endearing mysteries!

"If you're a person that doesn't want the crowds," Chelsea says, "you can come here and find that reclusive feeling."

Just 50 minutes from Harrisburg, Colonel Denning is, for now, still a best-kept secret, with mountain-shielded night skies that make pitching a tent and stargazing well worth the trip.

Key Topics:

1. What Makes Colonel Denning Unique (01:50)
2. Popular Features and Activities (03:39)
3. Family-Friendly Activities and Swimming (05:41)
4. Leave No Trace and Wildlife (11:46)
5. The Name "Colonel Denning" and America250 (12:30)
6. Campground Opening and Trout Season (14:23)
7. Chelsea's Must-Do Recommendation (16:33)

Resources:

1. Colonel Denning State Park
2. Friends of Colonel Denning
3. Visit Cumberland Valley

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🎶 Podcast music provided by Evan Mongeau

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