Roaring Spring is less than 30 minutes from Raystown Lake, the largest lake that lies entirely within Pennsylvania's borders. The 8,300-acre reservoir is known for productive fishing, particularly for striped bass. Catfish, crappie, largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye and muskellunge are also available. Spring and early summer provide prime fishing conditions, though fall is also an excellent season for striper fishing. Raystown Lake's mostly undeveloped shoreline is home to numerous parks, recreation areas, boat launches and fishing access sites. If you're unfamiliar with the lake, you can also book a fishing trip with one of the many licensed guides and charter services in the area. A current Pennsylvania fishing license -- available at bait shops and through the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission website -- is required to fish the lake.
History is everywhere in the Roaring Spring area. Many of the region's historical sites are located in and around the nearby city of Altoona, 20 minutes north of Roaring Spring. You can visit the Blair County Historical Society, housed in the historic Baker Mansion Museum, or take a trip to Fort Roberdeau, where costumed guides recreate life in the 18th century. If you don't want to leave Roaring Spring, you can visit Spring Dam Park, home to the "roaring" spring for which the town was named. The park sits right next door to Blair County's last remaining train station, which houses a restored 1942 PRR N5C caboose. If you're interested in railroad history, you can learn more at the Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum.
Roaring Spring is within a 40-minute drive of four Pennsylvania state parks. Canoe Creek State Park, the closest of the four, spans 150 acres of marshlands, mature woodlands and fields, including eight miles of hiking trails. The park also offers swimming, boating and fishing access on Canoe Creek lake, as well as accommodations in eight modern, fully furnished cabins. Nearby Trough Creek and Blue Knob state parks provide campsites for tents and RVs with electric hookups, picnic tables, campfire rings, modern restrooms and showers. Blue Knob is arguably the best state park for hiking and backpacking, with access to the 26-mile Lost Turkey Trail as well as several shorter trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Campground and cabin reservations are available by phone or through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website.
The Roaring Spring area hosts numerous events throughout the year, ranging from fairs and craft shows to live music and historical reenactments. The annual Spring Dam Weekend, held every summer at the site of the town's namesake spring, includes various food and craft vendors along with a youth beauty pageant, outdoor film screening, parade and community yard sale, among many other attractions. Other events around Blair County include the Altoona Arts Festival, an annual Fourth of July Celebration in Martinsburg and the Williamsburg Farm Show. An up-to-date listing of current and upcoming events is available at PaVendors.com.
