Published by Jeremy. Last Updated on January 25, 2021.
Disclaimer: Our site uses demographic data, email opt-ins, display advertising, and affiliate links. Please check out our Terms and Conditions. Pricing, operating hours, or menus may have changed since our initial visit and may not be reflected in subsequent updates. Please confirm these directly with any business or attraction prior to visiting.
Cross Creek County Park is a 2,000+ acre park in Washington County just east of Avella, PA (about 50 minutes west of Pittsburgh and just a few miles from the Meadowcroft Rockshelter).
The park features several areas with facilities such as picnic tables, kids play areas, and more, but the real gem of this park is Cross Creek Lake!
What You Can See at Cross Creek County Park
At its core, Cross Creek County Park is built up to celebrate all things having to do with the lake, so if you aren't there to fish or take a boat out on the water, you'll only be getting a partial appreciation of this one (we fell into this camp as well).
At 285 acres, this beautiful lake has a lot of nooks and crannies to explore, and is perfect for appreciating from a distance or fishing (big bass and panfish).
The park grounds continue out for quite some ways away from the lake itself, you'll be surrounded with beautiful greenery in every direction as well.
Hiking at Cross Creek County Park
As noted above, Cross Creek County Park is built up almost entirely around the lake, so hiking options here are minimal.
The park has one roughly one-mile long trail that connects the main lots (found on County Park Road via Route 50) to a second parking area on the eastern edge of the park (Oak Leaf Road).
The trail here was relatively maintained during our early spring visit and presented several great views of the lake during our brief hike; however, it is worth noting that some of the views would likely be obstructed by leaves in the summer months.
The dirt trail itself was relatively flat, wide, and easy to walk on, which is an added bonus for those who do not want to go out on the water.
We definitely felt like we did not do this park justice during our visit as we arrived without a boat, and we hope to get out on the water at this one in an upcoming return trip!
Cross Creek County Park is located just east of Avella, PA between Route 50 (north) and Route 844 (south). Licenses from the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission are required to fish or to boat at the park.
On your way back to Pittsburgh, be sure to stop at the Golden Pig in Cecil for delicious Korean food!
This park now actually has a well done hiking trail. It’s located on the southern shore, and it’s a relatively recent addition that was built by a drilling company in exchange for putting one of their ugly well pads on public land. The topography makes it a challenging loop, but it’s all on well-graded gravel.
Ooh that is good to know. We’ll stop next time we are in the area!