It isn’t flashy or filled with lots and lots of activities, but it carries with it a quiet charm for those looking to just breathe in nature and enjoy a moment of solitude that isn’t even too far off the beaten path.

I grew up about 10 minutes away from the park in Crawford Township and I’ve been going there since I was a little kid.

Jameson family reunions were held there in August every year when I was growing up. We’d set up shop at the pavilion closest to state Route 880. The afternoon would be spent enjoying a potluck, playing games and holding a mini-auction.

While the older folks were sitting at the picnic tables or in their camp chairs, us kids would wander towards Rauchtown Run to splash around a bit, fish (if we remembered to bring our fishing poles) and if the older kids were willing, take us for a walk towards the baseball field located deeper in the park and the dam nearby.

LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS The original dam built by the Civilian Conservation Corp is seen behind one of the walking bridges that crosses Rauchtown Run.

The baseball field is gone now, and the swing set that was near the pavilion we set up at has also disappeared. But my love for Ravensburg still exists.

When I got older, and the reunions stopped, there was a stretch of time that I didn’t visit the park, nestled between Rauchtown and Loganton.

Eventually though, I got my license and — after securing a job at The Express — was able to purchase a nice Nikon.

Around 2018 I began to wander to area parks to take photographs. It was a simple way for me to be creative (though my mother would scold me for disappearing to parks for hours at a time without telling someone).

Though I visited a few, including Zindel Park in McElhattan and Bald Eagle State Park in Howard, I always gravitated back to Ravensburg.

LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS The dam at Ravensburg State Park is pictured above.

It carries a lot of nostalgia for me. And I feel that it isn’t nearly appreciated enough.

Ravensburg is the perfect place to go for a relaxing walk, particularly on Raven Trail, to enjoy the trickling of water and sounds of wildlife. And if you’re interested in fishing, the dam built nearly 100 years ago is the perfect spot to catch trout.

In the summer, everything is lush and green and the smell of the earth while wandering the trail can really make you feel at peace.

This may come as a shock to some, but this job can be pretty stressful at times. I’ve often used trips to Ravensburg as a bit of a reset when things get too overwhelming. That isn’t reserved just for work stress either. When things get to be too much, the calming atmosphere of Ravensburg has always been there for me throughout my adult life.

When I moved back to Rauchtown from Lock Haven a few years ago, I even looped my roommate’s dog into my walks. When I take recycling to the township building, I have to take Koda. Honestly, I can’t even say the word “recycling” without her getting excited because she knows what it means.

LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Water flows along Rauchtown Run, which often is parallel to the Raven Trail.

Outside of the relaxation you can find while wandering through the park, there’s also a number of picnic tables, grills and pavilions to hold a summer party or get-together. The pavilions can be reserved nearly a year in advance and one even has a built in fire place (the coolest one).

For hikers who want a challenge, the Thousand Step Trail gives you excellent incline and a beautiful view once you reach the end.

And, though some may already be aware, the park offers the perfect spot for senior photos or other special occasions. I actually had my senior photos from high school taken at the park. Me, my mom and her trusty camera spent a fall day wandering the park as she picked out the best spots. (Sitting near the edge of the dam is a fan-favorite I believe.)

Overall, Ravensburg State Park is truly a hidden gem in Clinton County. If you haven’t considered it, you should stop by and check it out. It also offers overnight camping if that’s your thing (since I live so close it isn’t really mine!).

It’s entirely possible that, if you do choose to stop by on a weekend over the spring or summer, you’ll see me wandering about with a camera (or a dog). It really is my favorite place!

LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS The dam at Ravensburg State Park flows into Rauchtown Run.

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Laura Jameson is Managing Editor of The Express.