Denton Hill State Park: Reopening one of Pennsylvania’s most beloved state parks

Potter County | Dark Skies Landscape of the PA Wilds

Once a beloved state park, Denton Hill sat abandoned for close to a decade. Nature was beginning to claim the ski lifts that once carried avid skiers back to the top of the mountain to ski back down again. Locals and visitors reminisced about how they used to love spending a snowy winter day at Denton Hill in Potter County, in the Dark Skies landscape of the Pennsylvania Wilds.

It wasn’t until 2023, when the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) decided to reopen Denton Hill State Park with the hopes that it would become not just a winter outdoor recreation paradise but a full four-season destination.

DCNR and a group of three local men who make up Denton Go entered into a 35-year contract to pledge to bring this state park back to life. The transformation has been swift and outstanding. 

The historic lodge, which existed when the state park was in operation over 10 years ago, has also been restored to its former glory. The Lodge can be rented for various kinds of parties and events. It overlooks the slopes and has outrageous scenic views, perfect for a special occasion.

Denton Go had a lot of ideas early on about what the park transformation would eventually look like, but first they wanted to make the best out of the resources that were already there. Some of the cabins already existed, and the group put money into bringing them back to looking their best.

A 700-acre park, Denton Go offers overnight camping with 10 RV sites, four breathtaking cabins, and their unique Raintree Ridge Mountain Retreat. The cabins sleep 1-7, are open year-round, and include modern amenities including internet, heat/AC units, and a kitchen equipped with all the essentials. The Raintree Ridge Mountain Retreat features two private bedrooms with king-size beds, a loft bedroom, and a private bunk room with four single bunks as well as one full bed. This property can sleep up to 10 guests. It also features a unique reading nook, a kitchen with full pantry, a large living room, and a front and back deck to take in nature in all of its wondrous glory. 

Lodging is just one part of Denton Hill State Park. Day-use visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, stargazing, fishing, picnicking, hunting, wildlife watching, and even riding on the Susquehannock ATV trail. Denton Go offers Polaris UTV rentals, so guests who don’t have their own can enjoy the trail and all it has to offer.

With the lively outdoor recreation scene at Denton Hill State Park, it was important to keep the safety of visitors in mind. Denton Hill Nordic Ski Patrol is a volunteer ski patrol group that serves trail enthusiasts using the trail system at and around the state park. 

As part of the PA Wilds Mini-Grants program with funding from the Trust for Civic Life in 2026, the PA Wilds Center awarded $4,000 each to 20 organizations, including the Denton Hill Nordic Ski Patrol. The Ski Patrol volunteers have used the funding to construct two 8 by 10- foot roofed table shelters that can be used in all seasons by cross country skiers, snowshoers, mountain bikers, day hikers, trail runners, bird watches, star gazers and family picnickers. One shelter is located on Denton Hill Trail on the north side of Route 6, and the other is at Duck Pond on the Billy Lewis off Lyman Run Road on the south side.

It’s just the beginning for what is set to become a miraculous transformation of the park, and Denton Hill State Park will continue to see revitalization efforts to bring new life to this nostalgic place for outdoor enthusiasts.

Denton Hill State Park is a Experience Maker within the PA Wilds Cooperative.