Ryerson Station State Park is located in Greene County in southwestern Pennsylvania near the West Virginia border. The park consists of 1,164 acres and features the 62 acre Ronald J. Duke Lake which is named in memory of a former Ryerson Station State Park Superintendent.
Opportunities
Family Camping: A 50 site family campground for tents or trailers is located on a ridge overlooking the park. Camping facilities are open the second Friday in April and closes at the end of antlerless deer season in late December. Camping permits can be secured at the park office. Pit toilets and a sanitary dump station are provided.
Organized Group Tenting: A primitive camping area is available for use by organized adult or youth groups. The area can accommodate up to 80 people and provides toilet facilities, drinking water, firerings and picnic tables. Advanced reservations are recommended.
Fishing: Anglers will find trout, warm water game fish and panfish in the lake. Several times, both in spring and late fall, the Pennsylvania Fish Commission stocks the lake with trout.
Boating: Non-powered boats and registered electric powered boats are permitted. Non-powered boats must display any of the following: 1) State Park launching permit, available at most State Park offices, 2) State Park mooring permit, or 3) Current certificate and number of watercraft registration. Motorized (electric) boats must display a current registration. Boats registered in other states must display a Pennsylvania State Park launch permit in addition to their current registration.
Picnicking: Over 300 picnic tables are available throughout the park along with grills, drinking water and comfort facilities. Hunting: 900 acres of the park are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs from the fall archery deer season through March 31. Common game species are whitetail deer, grouse and squirrels.
Environmental Education: A campfire program is offered during the evening of Saturdays and holidays in the amphitheater near the campground. A nature center is located near the park office.
The Fox Feather self-guided nature trail is available throughout the year.
Hiking: A 10 mile trail network invites you to explore the park on foot during spring, summer, fall and on cross-country skis in winter.
Winter Sports: A separate area is maintained for ice skating. The lake is open to ice fishing only. Ten acres of slopes are enjoyed by many visitors in the winter for sledding.
A total of 6 miles of snowmobile trails are available for use by registered snowmobiles after the end of antlerless deer season in late December.
Although no specific trails are designated, cross-country skiing is permitted on the hiking trail system and open areas throughout the park.
History
The name originated from Fort Ryerson which was located nearby and constructed in 1792 at the order of Virginia authorities to be used principally as a place of refuge from Indian raids.
Land was acquired for this park in 1958. Ronald J. Duke Lake was formed in 1960 with the construction of a dam across the North Fork of the Dunkard Fork of Wheeling Creek.
In 1967, Ryerson Station State Park was opened to the public.
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