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Dmitry Shlepkin\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania \u2014 America’s one-time steel capital<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 is filled with things to do and experience. From 90 neighborhoods beaming with their own distinct character to a new crop of restaurants and a thriving arts scene, it’s easy to get lost in the shine of this up-and-coming metropolis. While the Pennsylvania city is known for sprawling greenery of its own, like the brand new Hays Woods Park, with meadows and waterfalls<\/a>, larger refuges are easily accessible as well. Just two\u00a0hours east of Pittsburgh lies the 6,249 acres of rambling wilderness known as Prince Gallitzin State Park, which is a fitting getaway when lakeside lazy days are on the radar.<\/p>\n Prince Gallitzin State Park<\/a> is a verdant retreat where the constructed Glendale Lake is tucked within the Allegheny Mountains’ rolling hills and hardwood forests. According to one visitor’s review on Google<\/a>, this protected preserve is “one of [Pennsylvania’s] best kept secrets.” It boasts vast wilds where nature lovers can engage in plenty of outdoor recreation year-round, whether you wish to hike on diverse terrains, fish for multiple species, gather around a picnic table, or camp under the stars. While communing with nature here, keep your eyes peeled and ears open for other life forms as well \u2014 in addition to\u00a0over 200 species of birds, you can also spot deer, beavers, porcupines, groundhogs, and colorful butterflies.<\/p>\n Visit in summer for balmy skies and comfortable waterfront activities \u2014 a dip in the lake from the preserve’s two beaches will help you cool off! During fall, the landscape transforms into colorful foliage for a chance to enjoy crisp autumn air and cozy autumnal hikes. Meanwhile, wintertime visitors can enjoy ice-fishing, iceboating, and skiing, although\u00a0some facilities will not be open in the offseason.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Camping and cabins at Prince Gallitzin State Park<\/p>\n Although you won’t be too far from\u00a0Pittsburgh’s lineup of affordable and comfortable hotels<\/a>, the park’s lodging sites offer soothing sounds of moving water and rustling leaves. Operating seasonally from April to October, the park’s campground \u2014 named the Crooked Run Campground \u2014\u00a0features 398 tent and trailer sites over seven loops, with many sites boasting 50-amp hookups and a few with full hookups (sewer, water, and electric). The campground is equipped with hot showers, drinking water, laundry, Wi-Fi access (although you’ll pay extra), and a playground for the young.<\/p>\n Another draw is a well-stocked camp store that many visitors praise for the selection. “The camp store has everything you could possibly need or want, including full cooked dinners and tons of ice cream and dessert choices,” wrote one Google<\/a> reviewer. There’s also bait supplies, souvenirs, firewood, and bread available at the camp store.<\/p>\n You can also sleep in the park’s cottages and cabins. Designed with wooded interiors and modern amenities, they offer visitors creature comforts in the middle of a rugged nature setting. While the five cottages are tucked near the campgrounds and are open seasonally, the 10 cabins offer year-round accommodations at the preserve and are located on the other end of the lake for more seclusion. With amenities like a private bathroom, a kitchen (with microwave, coffee pot, stove, etc.), a living room, and heating and cooling facilities, a cabin offers rustic simplicity with modern charm. As of this writing, nightly rates\u00a0for campsites start as low as $22 per night, alongside a booking fee and additional charges for out-of-state residents.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Fish, boat, and explore trails at Prince Gallitzin State Park<\/p>\n
Dennis MacDonald\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n Explore Glendale Lake’s 1,635 acres\u00a0by launching your watercraft from one of the nine launching ramps flanking the reservoir. (Note: Only motors up to 20 horsepower are allowed.) If you don’t own a boat, rentals are available on-site. Besides boating, this reservoir is also a great spot for fishing, as the underwater world is teeming with species like bass, crappie, bluegill, muskellunge, and perch. Reeling in the catches doesn’t stop as the peak season winds down, with ice fishing luring anglers to keep casting a line at this reserve during the offseason, too. A valid fishing license is required before you partake in this activity.<\/p>\n
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