Prince Gallitzin State Park

Copyright: Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks Prince Gallitzin State Park

In 1957, the parklands were acquired with oil and gas lease funds. Recreational facilities along the 1,600-acre lake first opened in 1965. Glendale Lake is the center of activity at Prince Gallitzin State Park. Camping facilities are on a peninsula of the lake, while picnicking is across the lake. A group of lovely modern cabins may be found along the southern shore behind the park office. Hiking trails follow the shoreline and weave into the interior of the park. There is even a horse trail at this park. Most trails are available for cross-country skiing or snowmobiling during the winter months. There are several scenic overlooks, an amphitheater that hosts environmental education programs during the summer, a camp store, fishing and boating opportunities.

Over 3,000 acres of Prince Gallitzin State Park are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established Pennsylvania Game Commission seasons. Common game species are deer, turkey and small game.

Attractions - Located in the scenic Allegheny Plateau Region of Pennsylvania, major portions of the park can be seen from several easily accessible vistas.

Russian prince Demetrius Gallitzin was born in Hague, Holland, December 22, 1770. His father, a Russian prince, served as Envoy Extraordinary to Hague. His mother saw to his education and both were introduced to the teachings of Catholicism. To round out his education and to prepare the boy for manhood, a two year trip to America was planned. In 1795, at the age of 22, Demetrius landed in Baltimore.

With a letter of introduction to Bishop Carroll and needing a place to stay, Demetrius entered the Sulpician Seminary. With the desire to become a priest, he completed his schooling and became the first Catholic priest to have received all his orders in the United States. In becoming a missionary priest he gave up his rights to Russian nobility and was assigned to the Conewago Mission in Pennsylvania some 60 miles from Baltimore.

A priest was summoned to give last rights to a sick woman on the Pennsylvania frontier and Father Gallitzin made the journey to the McGuire Settlement in present Cambria County. Father Gallitzin, having a desire for his own parish, saw the need for a parish to serve the Catholic settlers of the frontier. He petitioned Bishop Carroll of Baltimore to assign him to the frontier and in 1799 permission was granted.

Father Gallitzin set about establishing the church of Saint Michael's and later laid out the town of Loretto. Though offered Bishop hood in other areas, the missionary of the Alleghenies remained with his parish to his death on May 6, 1840. Father Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin will long be remembered as the "Apostle of Western Pennsylvania."

In 1957, the park lands were acquired with oil and gas lease funds. Recreational facilities along the 1,600-acre lake first opened in 1965.

Recreation - Glendale Lake is the center of activity at Prince Gallitzin State Park. Camping facilities are on a peninsula of the lake, while picnicking is across the lake. A group of lovely modern cabins may be found along the southern shore behind the park office. Hiking trails follow the shoreline and weave into the interior of the park. There is even a horse trail at this park. Most trails are available for cross-country skiing or snowmobiling during the winter months. There are several scenic overlooks, an amphitheater that hosts environmental education programs during the summer, a camp store, fishing and boating opportunities.

Over 3,000 acres of Prince Gallitzin State Park are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established Pennsylvania Game Commission seasons. Common game species are deer, turkey and small game. Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day to March 31 in designated hunting areas. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Game Commission rules and regulations apply.

Climate - Pennsylvania generally has a moist climate with cold winters and warm summers. The Prince Gallitzin State Park area has cold winter months with temperatures averaging around 22 to 24 degrees Fahrenheit (-6 to -4 degrees Celsius). The area's average summer temperatures range around 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 22 Celsius).

Location - Prince Gallitzin State Park is located in the scenic Allegheny Plateau Region of Pennsylvania in northern Cambria County. It can be reached by PA Routes 36 and 53 and US 219.

From US 219, at Carrolltown turn onto SR 4015. At Patton, take SR 1021 to the park.

From PA Route 53, turn at either Frugality or Flinton. At Frugality, following SR 1026 will take you into the major day use areas of the park. From Flinton, SR 1021 will also take you into the park and is a more direct route to the campground.