The Park
Thanks for your interest in Yellow Creek State Park, a state park in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. The centerpiece of the three-thousand-acre park is Yellow Creek Lake, which covers 720 acres and is fed by two creeks. On the south shore is a large swimming beach, and on the north shore are several public launch and picnic areas, as well as the Boy Scout Camp Seph Mack, and a number of cabins and yurts for rent. There visitors will find the McFeater’s Cover mooring area.
Fisherman pursue “smallmouth and largemouth bass, walleye, muskellunge, northern pike, tiger muskellunge, yellow perch, bluegill and catfish.” There are three public boat launches, and canoes, kayaks, and pontoon boats are available to rent from the marina during the warmer months.
The park is also distinguished by an extensive network hiking and 18 miles of single-track mountain bike trails. These trails are developed, mapped, and maintained by volunteers including FOYC members in collaboration with the park. A waterproof map of the trails and the lake is available at the park office and area retailers.
Yellow Creek is a favorite spot for bird watching because of the seasonal migrating waterfowl. Todd Bird Club members report siting may see Dunlin, Red Pharalopes, Terns, Heron, and Eagles. In collaboration with DCNR, they have developed a Yellow Creek State Park bird checklist.
The Friends Group
We are a volunteer and membership organization working in collaboration with the park management of Yellow Creek State Park, in order to enhance the park. As friends of the park, we all enjoy what the park has to offer:
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Mountain Biking
- Sailing
- Kayaking
- Fishing
- Cross Country Skiing
- Hunting, and more.
We give our time, energy, and support to FOYC as a way of giving back to the park that we value so much.
In the last several years, we have:
- improved playgrounds
- built bridges along trails
- replaced picnic tables
- created paths
- mulched gardens
- planted trees
- built sailboats
- provided firewood and laundry facilities for campers
In addition, we have collaborated with and financially supported groups building and maintaining biking trails and young people completing Eagle Scout projects. We worked with geography students to produce the first ever topographic/hydrographic map of the park and lake for hunters, hikers, bikers, and fisherman. We also annually sponsor Septemberfest.
When FOYC raises funds and receives donations, 99% goes directly into improvements at Yellow Creek.
Please consider how you too might be able to give something back to the park. We would appreciate your getting involved or supporting the FOYC mission financially.
History and Non-profit Mission
Formed in 2010, FOYC is a legal chapter of the Pa Parks and Forests Foundation (PPFF), incorporated as a private, non-profit organization that works to develop resources which complement the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).
Our official mission is: “Friends of Yellow Creek aims to include visitors in conserving, protecting, and enhancing the natural, educational, and recreational resources of the park.”
We provide already active volunteers at the park additional facets by which to contribute to the conservation and preservation of the park and its resources.
Our goals are to:
1. Improve the resources at the park to attract more visitors and/or increase the value of the park.
2. Raise funds for park improvements.
3. Promote the use of green recreation.
4. Increase the visitors at the park by raising public awareness about the value of the park and the resources and activities available.
5. Promote programming at the park by supporting existing groups as well as supplementing with programs where needed.
