Raccoon Creek State Park Accommodation
Stay 20 minutes from Raccoon Creek State Park at a private historic West Virginia estate. Hot tub. Real ale pub. Wilderness. Far better than a campsite.
The Perfect Base For Raccoon Creek Adventures
You are planning a visit to Raccoon Creek State Park — one of Pennsylvania's largest and most beautiful state parks. You want to be close to the trails, the lake, the wildflowers, and the wilderness. But you also want a proper bed, a private hot tub, and something genuinely extraordinary to come home to after a day outdoors.
Welcome to Hillcrest Retreat.
Just 20 minutes from Raccoon Creek State Park in Chester, West Virginia — Hillcrest Retreat is a historic 1890s private estate offering accommodation that no campsite, cabin, or chain hotel in the area can match.
A private hot tub. A genuine 1890s pub with homemade real ale. 2,212 acres of your own wilderness at the door. And the genuine West Virginia hospitality of Brian and Charlene — hosts with a 4.99 star Airbnb rating across over 100 reviews.
Spend your days at Raccoon Creek. Come home to Hillcrest.
That is the perfect southwestern Pennsylvania outdoor adventure.
About Raccoon Creek State Park
Raccoon Creek State Park is one of Pennsylvania's largest and most visited state parks. It began as a Recreational Demonstration Area operated by the National Park Service in the 1930s during the Civilian Conservation Corps era. The park encompasses 7,572 acres and features the beautiful 101-acre Raccoon Lake.
Chosen by the Pennsylvania DCNR as one of the 25 Must-See Pennsylvania State Parks — Raccoon Creek is an outdoor destination that rewards visitors who take the time to explore everything it has to offer.
The Wildflower Reserve
The 314-acre Wildflower Reserve, located at the eastern section of Raccoon Creek State Park, contains one of the most diverse stands of wildflowers in western Pennsylvania. Over 700 species of plants have been identified in the Reserve. Trails lead through a variety of habitats like oak-hickory forest, pine plantations, woodland meadows, and flood plain forest along Raccoon Creek. Wildflowers can be observed throughout the growing season with peak wildflower blooms occurring in late April and August.
This is genuinely one of the most extraordinary natural features in all of western Pennsylvania. The Wildflower Reserve almost feels like a park within a park — a complete wilderness experience tucked inside an already spectacular state park.
Raccoon Lake
The 101-acre Raccoon Lake has two boat launches and 42 mooring spaces. A boat rental has canoes, rowboats, kayaks and paddleboats. Enjoy fishing in two main areas — Raccoon Lake and Traverse Creek. Species include trout, bass, catfish, bluegill and crappie. Trout is stocked annually for a rewarding catch and release experience.
Hiking and Trails
Raccoon Creek State Park offers numerous activities such as hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, camping, hunting, swimming, fishing, and boating. The park has miles of trails ranging from easy lakeside walks to the longer Raccoon Loop Backpacking Trail — the longest loop trail in the park connecting the Heritage, Forest, and Appaloosa trails.
Swimming
A designated swimming beach on Raccoon Lake is open seasonally — warm enough to swim from late May through mid-September. The beach is ADA accessible and one of the most popular summer destinations in Beaver County.
Hunting
Hunting is permitted on over 5,000 acres of Raccoon Creek State Park. The common game species are ruffed grouse, squirrels, turkey, pheasants, white-tailed deer, and rabbits.
Frankfort Mineral Springs Falls
A 10-foot waterfall located just off Route 18 at the park — one of the most photographed natural features in Beaver County. The site has fascinating history dating to the mid-1800s when Edward McGinnis built a thriving resort called The Frankfort House on the hillside above the springs, believing in the curative powers of the mineral waters.
Winter Activities
When the snow comes Raccoon Creek transforms again. Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and ice skating are all available in season. Ice fishing on Raccoon Lake when conditions permit. The park is open year round — every season brings a completely different experience.
Park Location and Access
Raccoon Creek State Park 3000 State Route 18 Hookstown, PA 15050 724-899-2200
Access the park from the east and west on US 30, or from the north and south on PA 18, which passes directly through the park.
Why Stay At Hillcrest Instead Of The Park Campground
Raccoon Creek State Park has 172 modern campsites and 10 year-round cabins. They are fine for the dedicated camper who wants to be inside the park.
But Hillcrest Retreat offers something the park campground simply cannot.
| Hillcrest Retreat | Park Campground | |
|---|---|---|
| Private hot tub | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Historic 1890s pub | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Real ale on arrival | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Full private kitchen | ✅ Yes | Shared facilities |
| Complete privacy | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Pets welcome freely | ✅ Yes | Restrictions apply |
| Alcohol welcome | ✅ Yes | ❌ Prohibited in park |
| Hot shower any time | ✅ Yes | Shared bathhouse |
| No noise after 9pm rule | ✅ Yes | ❌ Park quiet hours |
| 20 minutes to Raccoon Creek | ✅ Yes | On site |
The park campground puts you inside the park. Hillcrest Retreat puts you in luxury 20 minutes from the park — with a private hot tub and a growler of homemade real ale waiting when you come back from the trails.
That is a very different kind of outdoor weekend.
Your Accommodation Options at Hillcrest Retreat
Option 1 — The Hillcrest Manor Cottage 4.99 stars · Over 100 reviews · The classic Hillcrest experience
Two bedrooms sleeping up to 5 guests. Private 6 person hot tub with lighting overlooking the West Virginia hills. Fully equipped kitchen. Rainfall shower. High speed WiFi. Covered back porch. Welcome wine and snack basket on arrival.
Hike Raccoon Creek all day. Come back to the hot tub. Pour a glass. That is a perfect outdoor day.
From $175 per night · Sleeps 5 · Pets welcome · Minimum 2 nights
[Book The Cottage]
Option 2 — The Skyview Cabin Luxury above it all · Opening Fall 2026 · Now accepting reservations
Private luxury cabin perched on the upper field of the Hillcrest estate with panoramic wilderness views. Hot tub. Covered gazebo bar with large screen TV and Bluetooth sound system. Sunken stone fire pit. Full kitchen. Sleeps 4.
Spend the day exploring Raccoon Creek. Come back to your own private cabin above the West Virginia hills. Fire pit. Hot tub. The stars above you. This is what outdoor weekends should feel like.
From $395 per night · Sleeps 4 · Pets welcome · Minimum 2 nights
[Reserve The Skyview Cabin]
Option 3 — The Historic Pub Unit Your own private 1890s pub · Coming Soon
Three bedrooms plus exclusive access to a genuine 1890s carved mahogany bar, cast iron pot belly stove, brick fireplace, and screened porch bar. Brian's homemade real ale and cottage food snacks waiting on arrival.
You hiked the Wildflower Reserve. You fished Raccoon Lake. Now you are in a private 1890s pub in the West Virginia hills with handcrafted ale at the bar.
From $350 per night · Sleeps 6 · Minimum 2 nights
[Join The Waiting List]
The Perfect Raccoon Creek Weekend Itinerary
Friday — Arrive at Hillcrest Check in from 4pm. Welcome wine and snack basket waiting. Hot tub ready. Settle in. Plan your Raccoon Creek days over dinner cooked in the fully equipped kitchen. The West Virginia hills quiet around you.
Saturday — Raccoon Creek Day One Morning at the Wildflower Reserve — peak blooms in late April and August make this one of the most extraordinary natural experiences in western Pennsylvania. Miles of trails through oak-hickory forest, pine plantations, and flood plain along Raccoon Creek itself.
Afternoon at Raccoon Lake — kayak or canoe rental from the boat launch. Fishing for bass, catfish, and crappie. Swimming at the beach in summer months.
Back to Hillcrest by evening. Hot tub. The Hillcrest Pub Experience if you added it — Brian's real ale and homemade snacks at the carved bar. The pot belly stove glowing. The screened porch bar open to the night.
Sunday — Raccoon Creek Day Two Morning hike on the Raccoon Loop Backpacking Trail — the longest loop in the park connecting multiple trail systems through forest and field. Visit Frankfort Mineral Springs Falls before heading home.
Or spend the morning at Hillcrest — a final soak in the hot tub. Breakfast in the kitchen. A walk into the 2,212 acres of West Virginia wilderness at your door.
Check out at 11am. Two days of outdoor adventure. One extraordinary estate to come home to each evening.
Add The Hillcrest Pub Experience
Nothing ends a day on the Raccoon Creek trails better than a genuine 1890s pub with handcrafted ale waiting at the bar.
Add the Hillcrest Pub Experience to any stay — $50 per person — and find waiting when you return from the park:
A 64 ounce growler of Hillcrest Real Ale brewed on the premises by Brian himself. Poured into genuine 20 ounce imperial pint glasses at the carved mahogany bar. A board of Brian's homemade cottage food snacks. The pot belly stove glowing in the corner. The brick fireplace on cool evenings. The screened porch bar open to the West Virginia night.
You hiked Raccoon Creek. You came home to a private 1890s pub with handcrafted ale at the bar.
That is an outdoor weekend with a story worth telling.
[Add The Pub Experience — $50 Per Person]
Also Near Hillcrest Retreat
While you are in the area everything worth experiencing in the northern tri-state region is within easy reach of Hillcrest Retreat.
Parks and outdoor recreation:
- Raccoon Creek State Park — 20 minutes — your primary destination
- Tomlinson Run State Park — 5 minutes from Hillcrest — hiking, fishing, lake
- Historic Hillcrest WMA — at your door — 2,212 acres hunting and hiking
- Beaver Creek State Park — 20 minutes
- Ohio River pontoon experience — 10 minutes — fishing and river cruising
Entertainment:
- Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort — 15 minutes from Hillcrest
- The Pavilion at Star Lake — 25 minutes — major outdoor concert venue
Travel connections:
- Pittsburgh International Airport — 30 minutes from Hillcrest
- Downtown Pittsburgh — 1 hour
- Weirton WV — 15 minutes
- Wheeling WV — 30 minutes
- East Liverpool OH — 15 minutes
The Four Seasons at Raccoon Creek — and Hillcrest
Spring — April through May The crown jewel of Raccoon Creek seasons. The Wildflower Reserve reaches peak bloom in late April — over 700 species of wildflowers in one of the most diverse natural displays in all of western Pennsylvania. Combine a wildflower hike with the lush green spring landscape at Hillcrest Retreat — the estate and the WMA at their most vivid and beautiful.
Summer — June through August Swimming at Raccoon Lake. Kayaking and canoeing. Fishing for bass and crappie. The trails green and shaded. Come back to the Hillcrest hot tub on warm evenings. The screened porch bar. The West Virginia hills glowing in the long summer light.
Fall — September through November The second peak wildflower bloom at the Reserve in August transitions into extraordinary fall foliage throughout September and October. Raccoon Creek in full autumn color combined with Hillcrest Retreat's own fall foliage — the WMA hills turning gold and amber — is one of the most beautiful outdoor experiences within two hours of Pittsburgh.
Fall foliage pricing at Hillcrest — book early.
Winter — December through March Raccoon Creek transforms into a quieter and more intimate winter park. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing on the trails. Ice fishing on Raccoon Lake when conditions allow. The park is open year round.
At Hillcrest the pot belly stove and the brick fireplace make winter the most atmospheric pub experience of the year. A winter weekend at Hillcrest combined with a snowshoe hike at Raccoon Creek is something genuinely extraordinary and almost entirely undiscovered by the typical Pittsburgh weekend traveler.
What Guests Say About Hillcrest Retreat
"The most peaceful and beautiful place we have ever stayed. We did not want to leave."
"Brian and Charlene go above and beyond for every single guest. We will absolutely be back."
"Truly exceeded all our expectations. The hot tub, the atmosphere, the owners — everything was incredible."
"Perfect for a nature weekend. The hot tub after hiking all day was something we will never forget."
4.99 Stars · Airbnb Superhost · Over 100 Five Star Reviews
Book Your Raccoon Creek Weekend at Hillcrest Retreat
[Book The Hillcrest Manor Cottage — From $175] [Reserve The Skyview Cabin — From $395] [Enquire About The Pub Unit — From $350] [Add The Pub Experience — $50 Per Person] [Contact Brian — [email protected]]
HillcrestRetreat.com [email protected]
Hillcrest Retreat · Chester, West Virginia 26034 20 minutes from Raccoon Creek State Park · Hookstown PA 15 minutes from Mountaineer Casino 25 minutes from The Pavilion at Star Lake 30 minutes from Pittsburgh International Airport Hosted by Brian and Charlene Mahaffey 4.99 Stars · Airbnb Superhost · Over 100 Five Star Reviews