Big Elk Creek State Park
State park in Pennsylvania, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Big Elk Creek State Park is a 1,800 acres (730 ha) Pennsylvania state park in southern Chester County, Pennsylvania. Big Elk Creek State Park was established in 2022 and is a wildlife corridor consisting of previous farmlands and forest lands.[1] Its namesake, Big Elk Creek, is a high-quality stream that traverses the park. The park lies less than 10 miles northwest of Newark, Delaware and connects to the trail network of Maryland's Fairhill Natural Resource Area
| Big Elk Creek State Park | |
|---|---|
 Interactive map of Big Elk Creek State Park | |
| Location | Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Coordinates | 39°43′51″N 75°50′08″W |
| Area | 1,800 acres (730 ha) |
| Established | 2022 |
| Administrator | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
| Named for | Big Elk Creek |
| Website | Official website |
| Pennsylvania State Parks | |
Recreation
Recreational opportunities within the park include fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and wildlife watching.[1]
Fishing
Big Elk Creek is designated as a High-Quality Stream for its excellent water quality. The creek is stocked with trout and the easiest fishing access is down the Springlawn Trail.[2]
Hiking
A 3-mile network of existing trails connect Big Elk Creek State park to the extensive trail network of Maryland's Fairhill Natural Resource Area. These trails are in the process for being studied for improvements and reroutes, but are still available for public hiking access.[3]
Horseback Riding
Equestrian riding is permitted on both Springlawn and Mt. Olivet trails, though parking for equestrian trailers is limited. The master plan for the park is anticipated to provide improved riding opportunities in the future.[4]
Wildlife Watching
Big Elk Creek State Park falls along the Atlantic Flyway, bringing many species for viewing across different seasons. Bald eagles, osprey, hawks, and songbirds are residents of the park. The park is also home to mammals like white-tailed deer, minks, coyotes, reptiles like snapping turtles and snakes, and amphibians like frogs, toads, and salamanders. There are no elk present at Big Elk Creek State Park.[5]