Denton Hill State Park Master Plan
After more than 50 years of operation, Denton Hill State Park ski operations were suspended following the termination of the ski concession agreement during late 2014.
DCNR contracted with a Pittsburgh firm to evaluate the feasibility of continued ski operations and infrastructure conditions at the park.
During January 2016, DCNR committed to move forward (using the results of the feasibility study) to embark in a master planning process for expanding recreational opportunities across all four seasons.
This process includes acquisition and allocation of funds to repair existing infrastructure and enhancing future park operations.
Public Process
DCNR has embarked in a master planning process at Denton Hill State Park. Through the development of this new master plan for Denton Hill State Park, DCNR will determine the magnitude of future infrastructure investment for year round operations -- including the return of downhill skiing and other seasonal recreational opportunities.
The master planning team is comprised of DCNR staff, external stakeholders, and community partners. The team began the process during mid-2016.
Recommendations, originating from this team’s work, will be presented for public review and comment as this process moves forward.
Denton Hill Stake Holder Meeting Presentation June 2017 (PDF)
Denton Hill Feasibility Study for All-Season Operation (PDF)
Denton Hill State Park Master Plan Presentation May 2018 (PDF)
New Recreational Operator Announced for Denton Hill State Park
September 12, 2023
Denton Go, LLC. is a new company and viable partner that is comprised of three members from the local area formed specifically to operate the concession at Denton Hill State Park.
The company brings a wealth of business and mountain recreation experience that includes ski and hospitality operations.
The next step in the process is for DCNR and Denton Go, LLC. to work out the terms of a 35-year lease, which includes a capital investment from Denton Go.
After the concession agreement has been signed, we will begin the process of selecting a design consultant and ultimately initiate a capital project design.
During this phased implementation process, the focus will be on the Adventure Center Lodge which will serve as a base of operations to support four-season recreation and special events, utilizing the chair lifts to create unique opportunities that drive the long-term success of Denton Hill. Recreation will focus on connectivity and multi-use trails and may include:
- Downhill skiing
- Snowmobiling and ATV trails
- Snow tubing
- Hiking trails
- IMBA-rated mountain biking
- Adventure/recreation courses
- Dark-Sky viewing
Updates on Solicitation for Proposal
April 18, 2023
DCNR has evaluated the proposals for a four-season recreation concessionaire for Denton Hill State Park. No proposal was selected within the formal structure, and the solicitation process has been closed.
However, the proposals that were submitted were encouraging. DCNR plans to meet with the two interested parties individually to discuss how they could possibly meet the needs of the park and its visitors.
DCNR intends to finalize a plan that would lead to a contract for operations that would be implemented in conjunction with planned Commonwealth funded infrastructure improvements at Denton Hill State Park.
DCNR remains committed to advancing Denton Hill's rehabilitation, future contracted operations, and implementing diverse recreational uses.
DCNR again sought proposals for a four-season recreation adventure center concession at Denton Hill State Park in Potter County.
DCNR was considering alternatives to the commonwealth’s proposed design and capital development of Denton Hill as identified in the master plan, allowing for flexibility for proposers to be as innovative as they desire. The design phase of this project will coincide with the award of a concession lease agreement.
DCNR intended that the selected concessionaire will help identify and prioritize improvements during the design process. The Denton Hill request is
SFP# 2022-BSP-01.
Interested parties were strongly encouraged to attend the virtual pre-proposal meeting and site visits in the fall of 2022.
Proposals were to be received no later than January 6, 2023. DCNR began reviewing proposals on January 11, 2023.
Results of our Solicitation for Proposals to operate a downhill ski and all-season concession received NO proposals.
August 16, 2021 -- Stakeholder Communication
DCNR's Bureau of State Parks initiated a Solicitation for Proposal (SFP# 2021-BSP-01) for a downhill ski and all-season concession at Denton Hill State Park, Potter County. Initially, the proposals were due no later than June 9, 2021.
Although the solicitation was extended for an additional month to July 9 -- which was intended to allow for those that had expressed an interest the time to submit a substantive response -- no proposals were submitted to the department for this Solicitation for Proposal.
Since no proposals were received, the department cancelled this first above-mentioned solicitation. It is the department’s plan to contact previously interested parties, and initiate a second solicitation process, which will include additional advertising/industry outreach, a vendor forum, and an eventual issuance of a second Solicitation For Proposal opportunity.
These next steps are the continuation of the department’s thorough and diligent attempt to gain a viable future operator, which is a requirement to advance the current master plan and goals for Denton Hill State Park.
April 27, 2021
DCNR began seeking proposals to operate a downhill ski and four-season recreation center at Denton Hill State Park in Potter County.
December 14, 2018 -- Vendor Forum for Denton Hill State Park
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources hosted a vendor forum for interested concession operators considering downhill ski and four-season activities at Denton Hill State Park in Ulysess Township, Potter County.
Further information can be found in the links below:
Denton Hill Master Plan (PDF)
Denton Hill Feasibility Study for All-Season Operation (PDF)
Denton Hill Feasibility Study for All-Season Operation Appendices (PDF)
Denton Hill Market Assessment Plan April 2015 (PDF)