Ralph Stover State Park RV & Campground Guide

Tohickon Creek is home to four warm-water fish species: smallmouth bass, sunfish, carp, and catfish. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission also stock the creek with trout. All people who want to enjoy fishing at the state park should be advised that Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission laws and regulations regarding fishing seasons, limits, and licensing apply when fishing in this creek.

There is one geocache in the park near the entrance to Dean's Cave. You can use your smartphone or GPS device to find it. Once you do, you can take a prize from the container. However, remember to bring a family-friendly item to leave for the next treasure hunter.

Ralph Stover State Park is home to various birds, including pileated woodpeckers, owls, woodcocks, raptors, and many more. In addition to birds, visitors can spot numerous butterfly species like the American Painted Lady and the Nymphalis antiopa, also known as the Mourning Cloak. The park is also home to copperhead snakes, so hikers and rock climbers should stay vigilant. Nature enthusiasts will also enjoy the wide variety of indigenous plants in the meadows and forests throughout the park, and there's no better place to get a look at beauty than from the High Rocks Vista.

Four hiking trails wind through Ralph Stover State Park. Each Ralph Stover State Park hiking trail offers visitors a unique opportunity to watch the wildlife that calls the park home. The High Rocks area features a spectacular view of the horseshoe bend in the Tohickon Creek Gorge and the forested area nearby. The shortest and most accessible trail in the park is Stover Trail. It's only 0.1 mile long and is an easy walk, looping around the park with lovely views of the Tohickon Creek. The Blue Section Trail is also an easy hike but a longer walk. This 1.6-mile trail travels through the Ralph Stover State Park before winding through the Tohickon Valley Park. The highlight of this trail is the view from the 200-foot cliffs that overlook the horseshoe bend in Tohickon Creek. The Yellow Section could be the perfect fit for hikers looking for more of a challenge. This 1.9-mile trail runs along Tohickon Creek and features a rock climbing portion. It also connects with the Orange Trail in the Tohickon Valley Park and offers rock climbers a lovely view of the horseshoe bend in Tohickon Creek. Finally, the High Rocks Trail uniquely challenges advanced hikers and rock climbers. Although much of the trail is inside the Tohickon Valley Park, two small portions travel through the Ralph Stover State Park close to High Rocks Vista.

Boating at Ralph Stover State Park is limited to non-powered boats only and requires a launch use permit issued by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. When water conditions are right, the park offers a whitewater challenge course for canoes and kayaks in Tohickon Creek. There are also planned whitewater releases from Lake Nockamixon between the end of March and the beginning of November.

The High Rocks Climbing Area is one of only three climbing areas inside state parks in Pennsylvania. This cliffside is divided into 19 separate areas, some of which have bolted routes. The best way to climb at this park is by top rope, and there are many bouldering opportunities. Since the cliff is in a gorge facing south, it doesn't get much wind, making it an ideal place to climb on a sunny winter's day.

Two hiking trails in Ralph Stover State Park, the Stover Trail, and the Blue Section Trail, also make good biking trails. Biking is allowed on all trails in the park, but the steep incline on the Yellow Section and the High Rocks trail makes them less accessible to bikers.