Several July Programs At Kinzua Bridge State Park, Bendigo State Park And Elk State Park

Kinzua Bridge State Park

Intro to Geocaching – Sunday, July 26th at 12:00PM – Join us to learn about the amazing sport of geocaching. This will be a fun hunt to find several caches located in the park! We have GPS units available to borrow for this program on a first-come, first-served basis. Call the park office to reserve a unit for the program (814)778-5467. Meet in front of the Visitor Center.

Bendigo State Park

Fireflies in the Forest Night Walk – Friday, July 3rd from 8:30PM to 10:00PM – Celebrate America 250 with nature’s natural firework display – fireflies! Learn about firefly species in PA, how they create that notable flash, and how you can support firefly populations on your own property! Join our staff in the pool and picnic area for a short introduction, then take a leisurely walk through the park to enjoy the light show. Firefly activity levels are highly temperature dependent, so this program may be cancelled in the event of a cold-snap or precipitation.

PA Fish for Free Day! – Saturday, July 4th from 12PM to 4PM – Join us at Bendigo State Park to celebrate PA Fish for Free Day; a day-long opportunity for residents and non-residents to legally fish PA waters without a fishing license. Borrow a rod and tackle from our loaner program and try your luck in the nearby stream! Reserve supplies for your group by contacting the Visitors Center at (814)778-5467.

Intro to Archery – Sunday, July 5th from 1:00PM to 4:00PM– Participants aged 8+ can try their hand at archery! Learn the importance of range safety, techniques and tips, and the 11 steps of archery success from our educator. Then, take aim and practice taking a few shots at our target! All minors must be accompanied by an adult during this program.

Fish Printing – Saturday, July 18th from 1:00PM to 4:00PM – Learn the history about the art of fish printing or “gyotaku” by creating a fish print of your own! Join our staff in the pool and picnic area to learn about the fish species we have in PA, then use a rubber replica to create a fish print of your own to take home!

Art in the Park! – Sunday, July 19th from 1:00PM to 4:00PM – Stop by the educational pop-up table by the pool and picnic area to let your creativity flow! Learn about nature journaling and how to get started, then borrow some art supplies and explore the park to find inspiration! All ages and skill levels are welcome.

Bendigo History Day! – Saturday, July 25th from 11:00 AM to 4:00PM – Join educators from DCNR and the PA Lumber Heritage Museum at Bendigo State Park for an afternoon of historical programming! Stop by the pop-up tables near the pool and picnic area. View animal pelts as you hear about the importance of furbearing species to colonial America, try your hand at using flint and steel, or sample some foraged wild teas that were popular during the American Revolution. Learn about Bendigo’s origin as a lumbering settlement, and at 3:00PM, hear Jennifer Haines from the Lumber Heritage Museum give a presentation about life as a woodhick. After the presentation, participants can try their hand at some of the early lumbering tools!

Elk State Park

Hidden History Float – Friday, July 31st from 3:00PM to 5:30PM – Join our staff for a free guided kayak paddle on East Branch Lake starting at the Instanter Boat Launch! Cover the basics of flatwater kayaking and safety before hitting the lake, then view historical photos of the villages of Instanter and Straight as you kayak over their old foundations. Kayaks, life jackets, and paddles are all provided. Participants must be 12 years of age or older. It is recommended to bring a snack, plenty of water, and wear sun protection. Registration is required and can be completed online through the DCNR Event Calendar. Please call the Visitor Center at (814)778-5467 if you have any questions or need assistance registering.

Access for People with Disabilities

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit. With a minimum of one week notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are available for educational programs.

For more information, please contact Kinzua Bridge State Park Office at (814) 778-5467 or e-mail us at kinzuabridgesp@pa.gov . Visit DCNR’s website directly at www.dcnr.pa.gov

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks at 888-PA-PARKS (voice) 888-537-7294 (TTY) 717-558-2711 (local or international TTY) 800-654-5984 (AT&T Relay Service).