Ryerson Station State Park

361 Bristoria Road
Wind Ridge, PA 15380-1258
724-428-4254

Ryerson Station State Park is in Greene County in the southwestern corner of Pennsylvania, near the West Virginia border. The 1,164-acre park features the 52-acre Ronald J. Duke Lake that is named in memory of a former manager of Ryerson Station State Park.

The park name originated from the nearby Fort Ryerson that was constructed in 1792 at the order of Virginia authorities to be used principally as a place of refuge from Indian raids.

Land was acquired for this park in 1958. The lake was formed in 1960 with the construction of a dam across the North Fork of the Dunkard Fork of Wheeling Creek and later renamed Ronald J. Duke Lake. In 1967, Ryerson Station State Park was opened to the public.

The park is on both sides of Bristoria Road, just off of PA 21, three miles from Wind Ridge, PA. These highways are accessible from either Washington or Waynesburg, PA.

Camping: rustic sites, some with elec.
A 48-site campground for tents or trailers lies on a ridge overlooking the park. Camping facilities are open the second Friday in April and close at the end of deer season in mid-December. Camping permits must be secured at the park office. Rustic toilets and a sanitary dump station are provided. Sixteen sites have electric hookups requiring an additional fee.

Camping Cottages: The two cottages sleep five people in single bunks and double/single bunks, and have wooden floors, windows, skylights, porch, picnic table, fire ring, electric lights and outlets, and a small baseboard heater.

Picnicking: Over 275 picnic tables are available throughout the park along with grills, drinking water and comfort facilities. Some of these facilities are accessible. A small, children’s play area is in the main picnic area. The park has five picnic pavilions. Three pavilions may be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee. Unreserved picnic pavilions are free on a first-come, first-served basis.

Fishing: The 52-acre Ronald J. Duke Lake has trout, warm-water game fish and panfish. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission stocks the lake with trout in spring and late fall. An accessible fishing area is by the park office.

Boating: electric motors only
The 52-acre Ronald J. Duke Lake has a launching ramp just off of Bristoria Road, near the park office. A limited number of mooring sites can be rented on a seasonal basis. Gasoline motors are prohibited.

Motorboats must display a boat registration from any state. Non-powered boats must display one of the following: boat registration from any state; launching permit or mooring permit from Pennsylvania State Parks that are available at most state park offices; launch use permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

Swimming: A free pool is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day, unless posted otherwise. The pool complex is accessible, including a lift for the pool. A food concession is near the pool area.

Hiking: 11 miles of trails
The trails invite you to explore the park on foot during spring, summer, fall and on cross-country skis in winter. The trails traverse many habitats, like mature forests, wet valley bottoms, evergreen plantations and fields in ecological succession.