Cowans Gap State Park - Pennsylvania State Park

National and State Parks - Recreational Areas

Home Page
Parks Starting With: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | Z

Cowans Gap State Park

State Park Information

State Park Overview

Camping
Camping modern sites, some with electric

Cowans Gap has 224 campsites in two areas. The camping area has a sanitary dump station and modern comfort stations with flush toilets and hot showers. The campsites can accommodate campers from a small tent to a large motor home. Seven walk-in tent sites are adjacent to Camping Area B. An overnight courtesy boat mooring area is provided for registered campers during their stay at the park.

The camping area is open from the second Friday of April until the day following deer season in December.

Organized Group Tenting

This camping area holds organized groups of up to forty people. The area has a modern restroom with flush toilets and is open from the second Friday of April to the third Sunday in October.

Picnicking

Boating
Boating electric motors only

There are two boat launches and 68 mooring spaces on 42-acre Cowans Gap Lake. The boating concession is in the day use area and rents rowboats and paddle boats. The boating concession is open daily in the summer.

Motorboats must display a boat registration from any state. Non-powered boats must display one of the following boat registration from any state launching permit or mooring permit from Pennsylvania State Parks that are available at most state park offices launch use permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

Swimming

Fishing and Hunting
Fishing

The 42-acre Cowans Gap Lake offers excellent trout fishing and also has bass, perch and panfish. There is an accessible fishing pier. The South Branch of Little Aughwick Creek offers good trout fishing.

Hunting

About 630 acres are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, turkey and squirrel. The park land borders Buchanan State Forest, which is open to hunting, trapping and dog training.

Hunting woodchucks -lso known as ground hogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day through March 31 in designated hunting areas. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Game Commission rules and regulations apply. Contact the park office for accessible hunting information.

Use extreme caution with firearms at all times. The park is used by other visitors during hunting seasons. Firearms and archery equipment may be uncased and ready for use only in authorized hunting areas during hunting seasons. In areas not open to hunting or during non-hunting seasons, firearms and archery equipment shall be kept in the owners car, trailer or camp.

The park land borders state forest land which is open to hunting, trapping and dog training.

More Info

This is an official Web site of the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks. This is the address, phone number and e-mail list for all 116 Pennsylvania State Parks.

Nature Programs
The park offers a wide variety of environmental education and interpretive programs. Through hands-on activities, guided walks and evening programs, participants gain appreciation, understanding and develop a sense of stewardship toward natural and cultural resources.

Curriculum-based environmental education programs are available to schools and youth groups. Teacher workshops are available. Group programs must be arranged in advance and may be scheduled by calling the park office. Programs are offered April to November. Contact the park office for more detailed information.

Area Campgrounds

Saunderosa Park Camps
13505 Buchanan TRL W
Mercersburg, PA
(717) 328-2216

Longview Campground
7570 Robinson Rd
Mercersburg, PA
(717) 328-3593

St Johns Church Camp
17436 Stumpy LN
Fort Loudon, PA
(717) 369-4431

Twin Bridge Meadow Campground
1345 Twin Bridge Rd
Chambersburg, PA
(717) 369-2216

Breezewood Campgrounds
234 Municipal Rd
Breezewood, PA
(814) 735-4128

Brush Creek Campgrounds
159 Secrest Park Rd
Breezewood, PA
(814) 735-4035

Secrest Mobile Home Park
2118 S Breezewood Rd
Breezewood, PA
(814) 735-4035

Area Fishing Related Businesses

Chambersburg Rod & Gun Club Inc
3725 Warm Spring Rd
Chambersburg, PA
(717) 369-3966

Area Resorts and Lodging

Whitetail Resort Community
14175 Northern Lights Dr
Mercersburg, PA
(717) 328-3321