The state park runs parallel with state Route 880 and is up against a steep-walled gorge carved by Rauchtown Run through the side of Nippenose mountain.

It offers visitors hiking trails of various difficulties, fishing, picnic sites and campgrounds.

According to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the park is part of a northern hardwood forest which blankets the bottomland along its springfed spring.

“Talus (rock) covered slopes and interesting rock formations are interspersed among a stunted oak forest growing on the steep mountainsides and ridges,” DCNR’s website reads. “This pretty valley is especially beautiful when the mountain laurel blooms during late June and the fall foliage of early October.”

LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Ravensburg State Park offers many picnic areas.

The park features a man-made dam which feeds into Rauchtown Run that trickles its way through Crawford Township.

It also includes a variety of handmade structures, constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.

This architecture helped it to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 18, 1987 along with a number of other state parks.

Tiadaghton State Forest, which encompasses 215,000 acres, almost entirely surrounds the park’s 78 acres. The forest offers hunting, fishing and wildlife watching.

THE HISTORY

LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Ravensburg State Park offers 21 tent-only campsites for those looking to enjoy the outdoors overnight.

Ravensburg State Park was originally one of several Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) sites in the early 1900s.

CCC was an initiative by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who aimed to uplift the country following the 1929 stock market crash, which led into The Great Depression.

“A top priority of the programs was to get the people out of bread lines and into sustainable work,” according to information on DCNR’s website.

Thirty-seven days after Roosevelt’s inauguration, the first enrollee signed into the CCC program. The first to enroll were mostly made up of unmarried, unemployed men ages 18-25.

“Many young men came to the camps hungry and poorly clothed. They were issued uniforms and given three meals a day. Most young men gained about 40 pounds while in the CCC. The men earned $30 a month, most of which was sent home to their families,” DCNR’s info said. “The CCC fought forest fires, planted trees, built roads, buildings, picnic areas, swimming areas, campgrounds and created many state parks. When not working, the men socialized and had opportunities to learn crafts and skills.”

LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS The original dam built by the Civilian Conservation Corp flows into Rauchtown Run.

At Ravensburg, the CCC built picnic pavilions, latrines, waterlines, fountains, bridges, trails and the dam that you see today.

Many of the rock structures that remain were constructed during this time.

According to DCNR, the park was named for the ravens that once roosted on the rock ledges at the southern end of the park.

“Ravens are still seen around the park and can be distinguished from crows because ravens are larger than crows and make a deeper, groan-like call,” DCNR said.

The forest at the park has undergone little change during the last 100 years. It is unlikely that extensive logging ever occurred in the area due to the steep, rocky terrain and the isolation of the area.

LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Ravensburg State Park offers multiple pavilians for parties, including this one which features original stonework from the Civilian Conservation Corp.

ACTIVITIES

Fishing

Rauchtown Run, which runs through the park, and its tributaries provide the opportunity for coldwater fishing for wild brown trout and native brook trout. The dam gives fishing enthusiasts the chance to cast a line and enjoy some sunshine while they wait for a bit.

DCNR notes that all Pa. Fish and Boat Commission rules and regulations apply while fishing.

Hiking

LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS For experienced hikers, the Thousand Step Trail can offer a challenge and includes beautiful views.

The hiking trails in Ravensburg State Park include those for beginners and some that are challenging for seasoned hikers. They include:

— Raven Trail: The most recognizable and easy to find, Raven Trail is considered an “out-and-back” trail and is the easiest of the park’s offerings. According to DCNR, the trail meanders through the day-use of the park, which often follows Rauchtown Run, with a few bridge crossings as well. The trail is roughly half a mile.

— Thousand Steps Trail: For more seasoned hikers, Thousand Steps Trail offers more of a challenge. The trail, also labeled an “out-and-back” trail, is about 0.6 miles of steep terrain. “This very steep trail runs 0.6 mile straight up a talus slope from the picnic area to the Mid State Trail in Tiadaghton State Forest,” DCNR’s website notes. DCNR tells hikers to exercise extreme care and caution when utilizing this trail.

— Mid State Trail: A portion of the Mid State Trail also runs through the park. The Mid State Trail stretches for 361 miles, from Bedford County to Tioga County, and passes through a variety of state forests, gamelands and parks like Ravensburg. The park includes about 0.35 miles of the large hiking path.

Picnicking

Those looking for a get-away for the day, or hoping to host a reunion, birthday party or other event can utilize one of the park’s picnic grounds. Ravensburg includes three large picnic areas with a variety of amenities such as: picnic tables, pavilions, charcoal grills, playfield and horseshoe pits.

According to DCNR’s website, two picnic pavilions can be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee. Meanwhile, unreserved pavilions are free on a first-come, first-served basis.

You may call toll-free to 888-PA-PARKS for reservations.

Camping

For those who love to camp, Ravensburg State Park offers 21 tent-only sites that are open the first Friday in May through the last Sunday in September. These sites cannot be reserved and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis only.

“Several campsites along Rauchtown Run offer campers the soothing sound of a mountain stream. The campground has modern restrooms with flush toilets and showers. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. Pets are permitted on all campsites,” according to DCNR’s website.

Wildlife Watching

Though open year-round, Ravensburg State Park offers its most beautiful sites as soon as the trees and foliage are in bloom. According to DCNR, those who wish to capture the best scenes should consider visiting during late June, when the mountain laurel blooms, or in the fall when the foliage begins to turn.

“Talus (rock) covered slopes and interesting rock formations are interspersed among a stunted oak forest growing on the steep mountainsides and ridges,” DCNR’s website notes.

According to DCNR, the park boasts amazing geological formations as well including Castle Rocks.

“Tall erosional spires of sandstone are silhouetted against the sky, like the towers of an ancient castle,” DCNR describes.

Castle Rocks can be viewed from the Mid State Trail on the southern end of the park.

Hunting

Though hunting is not permitted within the park, DCNR notes the park provides access to the Tiadaghton State Forest.