Most peoples' Raccoon Creek State Park experience is centered around the 1930's era "fake lake" that offers fishing, swimming, etc. It was built during the Great Depression by the Civilian Conservation Corps, which also constructed other lakes and campsites across the Pennsylvania.
The Wildflower Reserve, on the other hand, is all natural, and has been a focus of study by botanists for decades. It is estimated that something in the neighborhood of 600 different plants grow there, from Skunk Cabbage in the late winter/early spring to Asters of all sizes in the late fall. The flower pictured above is a Cut-Leaf Toothwort, which is plentiful in the early spring.
The Reserve is open to the public from 8:00 am to sunset all year long, and is located right off of Route 30 in just inside the Beaver County line from Pittsburgh. There are about 5 miles of trails, and seasonal interpretive guides are available at the Reserve office. Please Note: No pets are allowed on the trails.
