Recreational Opportunities
Here are a few of the much-enjoyed events and activities that are available at the Austin Dam Memorial Park.
Special Announce: Due to a private event held at the Austin Dam Memorial Park, the park will be closed to the public on these days in August. Park will be closed to the public on August 15th through the 18th. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Ecofriendly Camping
Our park has become popular with millennials who prefer environmentally friendly campsites with lots of space instead of commercial campgrounds with crowded together campsites and an overflow of RVs. The park has received high ratings based on campers reviews.
Campers can reserve campsites at Hipcamp often described as the Airbnb of the outdoors.
Our Park’s Hiking Trails
We use MyHikes to track our favorite trails. MyHikes makes hiking trails easier to find for hikers:
Austin Dam Trail
Bayless Paper Mill Ruins Trail
Heritage Trout Challenge
Angler access at the Austin Dam (Freeman Run) in Potter County, PA, is part of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s (PFBC) Voluntary Public Access (VPA) and Habitat Incentive Program, in collaboration with the Austin Dam Memorial Association. The site offers public fishing opportunities in the vicinity north of the historic dam ruins. The VPA agreement, allowing fishing along the stream, which flows through the area where the 1911 flood occurred. All PFBC regulations apply. A current Pennsylvania fishing license is required for anglers aged 16 and older. The area is managed as a historical site with walking access, but anglers must respect posted boundaries and the Austin Dam Memorial Park rules.
The Austin Dam Memorial Association is introducing our Heritage Trout Challenge. During the months of April and May, kids under the age of 16 who can catch and release a native Brook Trout and a wild German Brown in their historic range within the Austin Dam Memorial Park on the same day, can provide photographs and describe the experience on our and receive a colorful, Pennsylvania Fishes Wall Chart. This fishing challenge promotes the importance of preserving our native fish and the natural fish habitats.
Use the link below to post your catch photo and details.
Bikepacking Roots
The Elk Rut Ramble 225 is a remote gravel bikepacking adventure through the heart of Pennsylvania’s wild elk country. Traversing the roaming range of the state’s free-ranging elk herd, the route offers the rare possibility of witnessing these majestic animals in their natural habitat—especially during the fall rut.
The 225-mile route blends physical challenge with immersive solitude, rewarding riders with sweeping vistas, remote forest corridors, and a deep sense of place. It’s as much about experiencing Pennsylvania’s wild landscape as it is about covering the miles.
Gathering of the Artist Festival
An array of artistry comes to this annual event. In addition to being able to watch wood carvers at work on their pieces, which are available for purchase, festival goers can see timed carving contests and browse through various craft vendors as well as nosh at the food stands set up for the event.
Entertainment includes local solo musicians and bands. A rich blend of artistic tapestry blankets the Park for this exhibit.
An auction of select pieces from the carvers and craft vendors draw a nice crowd to wrap up the event on Sunday afternoon. Be a wise owl and don’t miss out.
Summer Dam Jams
The Austin Dam Memorial Park hosts a number of musical events during the summer. Spectators bring chairs, blankets, picnic baskets, and well stocked coolers. Many solo artists and bands have perform live music on our stage that normally quietly blends in naturally much of the year.
The stage also has been the setting of weddings, dancers, presentations and gatherings. It is equipped with electricity and can be covered with our canopy.
Terrifying Trail (If You Dare)
The Austin Dam Memorial Park gives an eerily appropriate setting for the Terrifying Trail event in October. The paths in and around the camping area south of the dam are transformed into an excellent "stage" for a cast of characters to present their scariest scenes!
The Austin Pride Committee has dozens of volunteers supporting the event.
Message from Park Resident
“Be an advocate for the conservation of the animals, plants, and their habitats. Help us ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy the many incredible species that live within it.”
“When you visit the park preserve and protect the wildlife, and it's important to learn how species interact within their ecosystems, and how they're affected by human influences.”
Open to the public.
Please, stay off the Austin Dam ruins. This is a historical landmark. You are visiting a historic landmark, a place where a great tragedy occurred a century ago. This is a place of historical significance, and we expect that you will respect it as such. Stay away from the Bayless Pulp and Papermill ruins and view only from a safe distance.
© 2021 Austin Dam Memorial Association, Inc.
