Forbes State Forest, Blue Hole
State park
4.8 (27)
Rockwood, PA 15557
CreekPA
Blue Hole Barronvale
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Locate Blue Hole Creek in Forbes State Forest, understand the 2026 metals findings, check current access and water guidance, and learn the camping restriction.
Water type
Creek
Swimming status
Swimming unconfirmed
Fee
No site-specific fee or free swimming authorization confirmed; check current access and any permit requirements with the district office.
Best season
Plan a permitted forest sightseeing visit after checking road conditions, current notices and water guidance
Nearby towns
Barronvale, New Centerville, Somerset
Water body
Blue Hole Creek
Status summarizes our reviewed record, not today's opening or safety. Check current rules, swimming boundaries and notices before visiting.
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Barronvale, New Centerville, Somerset
Place-name search
Blue Hole Creek Forbes State Forest Middlecreek Township Pennsylvania
Map searches for the named location. Confirm the entrance and current access with the park before you go.
A closer look
Photos of Blue Hole Barronvale
Photos show past visits, not current water levels or swimming conditions. Select a photo to view it larger.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Official sources checked . Swimming permission remains unconfirmed.
- Approximate town location
- The map represents a nearby town, not an entrance or swimming spot.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
Blue Hole Barronvale: the correct creek and forest
Blue Hole is a named feature in the Blue Hole Division of Forbes State Forest, in Middlecreek Township, Somerset County. DCNR's brochure locates the pool on Blue Hole Creek near the mouth of Gary Run. The earlier Laurel Creek label and Somerset town map point have been corrected. The replacement point is a historical feature location, not a verified parking or water-entry pin.
Water-quality concern to check before visiting
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission January 2026 minutes report elevated cadmium and lead in part of Blue Hole Creek and removal of Section 02 from a trout-stocking program. These are stream-level findings, not proof that this exact pool was sampled or an announced blanket swimming closure. No current recreational-water clearance was established. Ask DCNR and DEP for location-specific guidance before water contact; water color and older photos cannot answer that question.
Historical swimming is not current permission
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy documented swimming here in 2010. That helps establish the feature's identity and history, but does not establish today's authorization, depth, current or supervision. This directory is not currently recommending a swim here. There is no verified safe jumping location, measured water temperature or evidence that limestone filtering makes the water safe.
Plan around official access information
Use the forest map, then confirm roads and parking
The DCNR maps page links the Blue Hole Division/Barron Tract brochure, revised January 2016. It identifies Blue Hole Road, Fall Run Road, trails and nearby private land. Confirm current road access and lawful parking with the Forbes district office at 724-238-1200. Do not treat old informal pull-offs, exact turn distances or an approximate feature point as a current entrance. No measured approach or accessible water-entry route has been verified.
Do not camp at Blue Hole
The current DCNR camping page lists Blue Hole along Blue Hole Road among areas closed to backpack camping. Roadside motorized camping elsewhere in the forest requires a designated campsite, reservation and permit. A roadside parking space is not overnight permission.
Facilities and photos have limited scope
Current toilets, changing facilities, drinking water, lifeguards and site-specific fees have not been established. Plan supplies accordingly and use only permitted forest routes. Historical gallery images show creek and road scenery. They do not establish water quality, a safe bank path or conditions on your travel date.
Getting There
Locate the Blue Hole Division of Forbes State Forest using DCNR's published map. It labels Blue Hole Road, Fall Run Road and Blue Hole on Blue Hole Creek near Gary Run. Confirm current road access and legal parking with the district office at 724-238-1200. Archived turn distances and informal pull-offs are historical, not a verified current route. The map point represents a historical creek feature, not a parking or safe-entry pin.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
The brochure identifies the feature near the mouth of Gary Run in Middlecreek Township. It also marks private land nearby. Use signed permitted access and do not create bank routes. Current approach distance, parking capacity and accessible water-entry route were not established.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
Current swimming permission has not been independently confirmed for this listing. Check official rules, fees, hours, and closures before visiting. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
Cole Run Falls Parking Area
Free parking lot
4.7 (41)
Cole Run Rd, Rockwood, PA 15557
Barronvale Covered Bridge
Historical landmark
4.7 (77)
Rockwood, PA 15557
Laurel Hill State Park
Park
4.8 (1890)
1454 Laurel Hill Park Rd, Somerset, PA 15501
This 4,072-acre park offers seasonal & year-round activities including swimming, hiking & camping.
Barbecue grillCycling lanesPicnic tablesPublic restroom
Pumphouse Trailhead
Hiking area
5 (9)
2Q44+34, Somerset, PA 15501
Pioneer Lakes RV Park
Campground
4.2 (499)
273 Trent Rd, Somerset, PA 15501
Public restroomPublic showerRestroomRunning water
Somerset Resort & Campground
Campground
4.9 (94)
1252 Coleman Station Rd, Friedens, PA 15541
Gender-neutral restroomPublic restroomPublic showerRestroom
Laurel Hill State Park Campground
Campground
4.6 (230)
Somerset, PA 15501
Public restroomPublic showerRestroomRunning water
Frequently Asked Questions About Blue Hole Barronvale
Which creek contains Blue Hole Barronvale?
DCNR identifies Blue Hole on Blue Hole Creek near the mouth of Gary Run, in the Blue Hole Division of Forbes State Forest. The old Laurel Creek label was corrected.
Is the map point a verified swimming entrance?
No. It is a historical WPC feature location that agrees with the saved Google collection. Current parking, the approach and a water-entry point have not been verified.
What did the2026 water-quality report say?
PFBC January 2026 minutes report high cadmium and lead in part of Blue Hole Creek and removal of Section 02 from a trout-stocking program. This does not identify an exact pool bathing sample or announce a blanket swimming closure.
Is swimming currently recommended here?
Not by this directory until current permission and location-specific water guidance are established. Historical swimming use and clear-looking water are not current recreational-water clearance.
Can I camp at Blue Hole?
DCNR lists Blue Hole along Blue Hole Road as closed to backpack camping. Roadside camping elsewhere in Forbes requires a designated site, reservation and permit.
Who can confirm current roads and parking?
Contact the Forbes State Forest district office at 724-238-1200. Ask specifically about Blue Hole Road, the pool near Gary Run, lawful parking and current restrictions.
Highlights
Blue Hole Creek identity corrected
2026 official water-quality concern explained
Approximate historical feature location
Blue Hole camping restriction
Unique Features
Named feature in the Blue Hole Division of Forbes State Forest
Forest maps distinguish the creek pool from nearby roads and private land
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Do not assume blue or transparent water is clean
- PFBC 2026 minutes report high cadmium and lead in part of this creek
- Ask DCNR and DEP for current location-specific guidance before water contact
- No safe depth, jumping platform, gentle current or lifeguard provision is verified
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
DCNR names the forest division after Blue Hole Creek and identifies the pool near Gary Run. WPC documented local swimming history in 2010; history does not establish current permission or conditions.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Historical creek and forest-road scenery may illustrate the setting, not current water quality, depth or a verified entry route. Photograph from permitted routes and respect visitor privacy.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Stay on permitted routes, respect private boundaries and carry out waste. Do not collect or disturb streambank plants, fungi or wildlife; check current pet rules.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Plan a permitted forest sightseeing visit after checking road conditions, current notices and water guidance; no verified bathing season.
Difficulty Level
Current approach length, slope and accessible entry have not been measured. A roadside feature does not imply step-free access.
Fee
No site-specific fee or free swimming authorization confirmed; check current access and any permit requirements with the district office.
Facilities
Do not transfer facilities from nearby state parks to this forest creek. Confirm parking and facilities with the district before departure; carry drinking water and pack out waste.
Activities
Forest sightseeing and permitted hiking; historical swimming use is not current water-entry advice
Phone
724-238-1200 (Forbes State Forest district office)
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
DCNR lists Blue Hole along Blue Hole Road as closed to backpack camping. Motorized roadside camping elsewhere in Forbes requires a designated site, reservation and permit; an informal pull-off is not a campsite.
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Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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