That isn’t all, though — the park offers a variety of other activities as well, and the Mid-State Trail passes through, providing a connector to area hikers.

Here’s everything you need to know about Poe Paddy State Park.

History

Like many of the parks throughout the region, Poe Paddy was originally constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps, a Great Depression era program by the federal government under President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to get Americans working again.

TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS The proverbial light at the end of the tunnel is seen in the distance.

The place Poe Paddy occupies today was previously a lumber town during the late 19th century. This was the age of steam and rail, and both elements were present at the short-lived town of Poe Mills. Railroads ferried tourists in and lumber out, as even then, the site was regarded highly for fishing and sight-seeing. A steam-powered sawmill drew water from the joining of the creeks and allowed for the lumber to be processed on-site.

Boasting a population of over 300 workers and supporting businesses, the town quickly faded as the lumbermen moved on to other stands of pristine woodland, and the reason for the settlement ceased to exist.

Ruins are still visible, in spots, at the park. The railroad network, especially, lives on: some of the trails throughout follow the path of the tracks, and, in nearby Penns Creek Wild Area, you can find a railroad tunnel that was dug through Paddy Mountain. The tunnel is a popular spot to visit, and is still in use today as part of the rails-to-trails network.

It also spans the county line: when you pass through the tunnel, you are also passing between Centre and Mifflin counties. The tunnel itself is a mostly-modern construction, as it was updated in the 2010s for safety — for both hikers and bikers, and for the sizable colony of bats which is established in a more natural section of the tunnel which is now separate from the human-use component.

Activities

TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS The Mifflin County side of the Poe Paddy Tunnel is pictured, with the original stonework surrounding the revamped tunnel. Above the walking tunnel, a square grate is seen which allows access to the surrounding tunnel section for the local bat population.

At just 22.73 acres in size, Poe Paddy is downright tiny as far as state parks go. However, that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have a good share of activities to participate in.

Fishing

Perhaps the most significant activity as the park is fishing — with trout being especially sizable and plentiful here. Penns Creek — one of the two creeks at the site — is a trout fishery, and the mayfly hatch is particularly notable.

These mayflies are Ephemera danica, the “green drake.” One of the largest mayflies, at nearly an inch long, they are so heavily favored by fish species that they have been given the designation of being an aeroplankton — referencing the tiny lifeforms which sustain the oceanic food web. Ravenous trout will enter a state of feeding frenzy when the hatch begins, which is a great opportunity for fishers.

Hiking

TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS Poe Paddy State Park is built on the site of the lumber town Poe Mills.

There are three formal trails at Poe Paddy, with one being a segment of the 327-mile Mid-State Trail. It is this quarter-mile connector piece which allows visitors to check out the Poe Paddy Tunnel mentioned earlier. Other nearby trails include an easy one-mile trail along Penns Creek, and a three-mile rail-trail.

Camping

Campsites are available at Poe Paddy, including several Adirondack-style lean-tos and a variety of tent and trailer sites. Drinking water is available, however the restrooms are non-flush. Poe Valley State Park, which is basically next door, has a wider range of available amenities, including showers.

Picnicking

There are two pavilions with basic amenities present at Poe Paddy. They are available year-round, although bear in mind that the gravel back-mountain roads can become treacherous during the winter.

Winter activities

Speaking of winter, snowshoeing and snowmobiling are both supported at Poe Paddy. Following deer season, some gravel roads are usable by snowmobiles — ATVs, however, are prohibited. Snowmobile season lasts until April 1. Snowshoeing is viable on the various hiking trails in the area.