Skip to agency navigation
Skip to main content

Official Website

of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    The .gov means its official.

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 
    Sinnemahoning State Park

    Winter Recreation

    Pennsylvania state parks are open 365 days a year, even in the winter. The Winter Report provides ice and snow depth information for state parks.

    Enjoy the Winter

    Park trails are open for cross-country skiing. Please check the trail difficulty rating before adventuring on the trails.

    Ice fishing is permitted on the natural ice of the lake. Conditions permitting, all areas of the lake are open for ice fishing except within 50 feet of the trash boom by the dam.

    Extreme caution must be taken during ice related activities. Dangerous ice conditions like unsafe or weak ice or air pockets may exist due to rapidly rising or falling lake levels.

    Ice thickness is not monitored. For your safety, make sure ice is at least 4” thick for a single angler and 7” thick for a small group. 

    Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission regulations and laws apply.

    The park trail consists of 1.5 miles of joint-use road and 5.1 miles of trail for a total of 6.6 miles. The trail is clearly delineated by signs and orange blaze markers.

    The park trail joins the trails of the Elk State Forest at Brooks Run Road, making 25 total miles of trail system. All state forest trails are groomed weekly.

    Snowmobiles may be operated on designated trails and roads from the day following the last deer season in December until April 1, weather permitting. Snowmobiles are prohibited from operating on frozen water surfaces and shorelines.

    All snowmobiles must be registered and follow all Pennsylvania snowmobile rules.

    Park trails are open for snowshoeing. Please check the trail difficulty rating before adventuring on the trails.

    Year round overnight opportunitunities are available at Brooks Run Cabin. 

    Make online reservations or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757), 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Saturday.

    Ice Safety

    • Test ice thickness with an auger before recreating. For your safety, make sure ice is at least 4” thick for a single user and 7” thick for a small group. For iceboating, make sure ice is at least 6” thick.
    • Always carry safety equipment and know how to use it.
    • Spread out. Crowds can put too much weight onto one area.
    • Be aware of changes in ice thickness across a body of water. Perimeter ice is weaker due to shifting, expansion and sunlight reflecting off of the bottom.
    • Avoid areas with protruding logs, brush, plants, and docks. These structures absorb heat, weakening the surrounding ice.
    • Avoid areas with multiple or intersecting cracks, and standing water over ice.
    • Venturing out on ice alone is not advisable. Take a friend along for fun and for safety.
    • Wear a personal flotation device (life jacket).
    • Check the weather and plan accordingly. Several days with temperatures above freezing will weaken the ice.