  |
|
 |
|
     |
|
         |
|
 
|
Chapman State Park
The 805-acre Chapman State Park includes the 68-acre Chapman Lake on the West Branch of Tionesta Creek. Adjacent to state game lands and Allegheny National Forest, Chapman is an oasis of recreational facilities in a vast area of wilderness. |
Explore
Directions - Weather - Recreation - Stay the Night - Winter Activities - Winter Report - Environmental Education - Calendar of Events - Accessibility - History - Nearby Attractions - Volunteers - Rules and Regs - In an Emergency - Contact Us - Downloadables and Maps
Park Advisories
| 8/28/2008 1:58:00 PM | Chapman State Park’s campground is closed for a large-scale rehabilitation of restroom and other facilities.
Existing restroom structures will be demolished and replaced with flush toilets, showers and other modern facilities. The park’s concession building and beach-changing stockade also will be replaced with a new building as part of the project.
Additionally, the restroom between Pavilion #1 & #2 will be replaced, as well as, the restroom in front of the sledding hill adjacent to the Adams Run trailhead.
The swimming beach is now open and will remain open for swimming at visitors’ own risk until mid-September. The beach will be open from 8 a.m. to sunset, unless otherwise posted. Also, during construction the beach may be closed for extended periods. Please call the park office at 814-723-0250 for availability of facilities, updated information, or questions.
The park’s main picnic areas and pavilions will remain available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis unless otherwise posted. Hiking, backpacking, biking, fishing, boating, hunting, and environmental education programming during the spring, summer and fall all will continue to be offered. |
| 8/5/2008 9:16:00 AM | Firewood Advisory: Invasive Beetles found in Firewood Threaten Forests! Before bringing firewood to a Pennsylvania State Park, please read the information in the linked page about a very real threat to forests in Pennsylvania and all of North America. Firewood Advisory |
Directions
 |
Chapman State Park is six miles west of Clarendon on Chapman Dam Road. From the west, there are signs along U.S. 6 starting in Warren. From the east, the signs begin in Sheffield. Follow U.S. 6 to Clarendon. There is one traffic light in Clarendon. Turn at the light onto Railroad Street. Railroad Street becomes Chapman Dam Road just outside of town. The park is at the end of Chapman Dam Road. |
Recreational Opportunities
Hiking - Biking - Picnicking - Swimming - Boating - Fishing - Hunting - Cross-country Skiing - Sledding - Snowmobiling - Ice Fishing - Organized Group Tenting - Yurts - Camping Cottages - Camping
Swimming: A sand beach is open from late-May to mid-September, 8 a.m. to sunset, unless otherwise posted. Swim at your own risk. Please read and follow posted rules for swimming. Children nine years of age and younger must be accompanied by a responsible person.
A concession stand, operated by Bollinger Enterprises, Inc., is in the beach area. The concession offers beverages, snacks, ice cream treats, fire wood, ice, and an assortment of beach supplies. It also rents canoes, paddle boats and kayaks. Visit their Web site: www.bollingerenterprises.com/chapman/
Picnicking: The main picnic area is by the beach and overlooks the lake. Four picnic pavilions may be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee. Unreserved picnic pavilions are free on a first-come, first-served basis.
Make a reservation
Biking: Although most hiking trails are not open to bicycles, all roads in the park and in the adjacent state game land and Allegheny National Forest are open to bicycles.
Hiking and Backpacking: 12 miles of trails
In addition to the trails at the park, Chapman is the trailhead for backpacking trails on adjoining public lands. Map and trail information is available in the park office. Free parking is available at the park for those who would rather not leave their vehicles along public roadways. PLEASE SIGN IN AT THE PARK OFFICE.
Chapman State Park is in the midst of about 517,000 acres of Allegheny National Forest and state game land. When going on a hike, always take a map and compass and KNOW HOW TO USE THEM. Leave word with a family member, friend, or the park office concerning the trails you will take, destination and expected return time. Have a safe hike.
Fishing: The 68-acre Chapman Lake has fishing for cold-water and warm-water fish, including brook and brown trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, sunfish, yellow perch and sucker. Accessible fishing piers are available on the eastern and western shorelines of Chapman Lake. Within the park and the surrounding Allegheny National Forest there is good trout fishing in the West Branch of Tionesta Creek and Farnsworth Run.
For complete information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.
Boating: electric motors only
The 68-acre Chapman Lake has a boat launch and 41 seasonal mooring spaces on the western side, and mooring for registered campers on the eastern shoreline. A boat rental concession is in the beach area.
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.
For complete information on boating rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.
Hunting and Firearms: Over 400 acres are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, turkey, bear and small game. The Allegheny National Forest and State Game Land 29 adjacent to the park are open to hunting.
Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, 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 must be kept in the owner's car, trailer or camp.
For complete information on hunting rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission Web site.
Stay the Night
Camping: rustic sites, some with electricity This beautiful woodland campground has 83 campsites, rustic restrooms, water at convenient hydrants and a sanitary dump station. The area is open from mid-April to mid-December. Winter access cannot be guaranteed. Conditions should be checked by calling the park office.
Explore the campground map.
Explore camping for more information.
Make a reservation
Free Camping for Campground Hosts: one host position in the rustic campgroundCampground host site amenities include 50-amp electric service, water and sewer hookup. Free firewood is provided when available. Hosts are required to be available to assist park personnel and visitors 24 hours daily. Host guidelines including expected duties are available by contacting the park office. The minimum stay is for a two-week period. Contact the park office for additional information and availability.
Camping Cottages: Three cottages sleep five people in single bunks and double/single bunks, and have wooden floors, windows, electric heat, porch, picnic table, fire ring, electric lights and outlets. The cottages are in the lower loop of the campground near the Campers Boat Launch.
Make a reservation
Yurts: These Mongolian-style tents are round, on a wooden deck and sleep six people in single bunks and double/single bunks. Yurts have a cooking stove, refrigerator, countertop, table, chairs, electric lights, electric heat, outlets, fire ring, and picnic table. The yurts are in the lower loop of the campground near the Campers Boat Launch.
Make a reservation
Organized Group Tenting: Year-round, this rustic area is available for rent to adult and youth groups. The area has rustic restrooms, fire rings, picnic tables and water. Advance reservations are required.
Explore organized group tenting for more information.
Winter Activities
Explore the Winter Report for current snow and ice depths.
Warming Hut: On the western side of the park is a warming hut containing a wood burning stove and benches.
Snowmobiling: Chapman is a trailhead to over 300 miles of trails in Allegheny National Forest. The trails are open after the end of deer season in late December. Chapman provides parking, restrooms and a warming hut.
Ice Fishing: Chapman Lake is stocked during the winter.
Cross-country Skiing: The 4.4 miles of ski trails connect with numerous trails in the adjoining national forest and state game land.
Sledding and Tobogganing: A seven-acre slope on the western side of the park is lighted until 10 p.m., daily.
Interpretive Programs
An environmental interpretor is on staff for the summer season and offers movies, slide programs, guided walks, stream studies, children’s programs and other educational programs.
Explore the Calendar of Events for a listing of events from today forward.
Explore environmental education and interpretation for more information.
Access For People With Disabilities
Accessible picnic tables and parking spaces have been designated throughout the park. All of the restrooms can accommodate wheelchairs. Restricted service roads are open to people with disabilities by permit only. Permits are available at the park office.
If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks:
888-PA-PARKS (voice)
888-537-7294 (TTY)
711 (AT&T Relay Services)
Volunteers Needed
Many volunteer opportunities are available from simple to complex and from easy to more difficult work. There are many jobs that can be done on almost any day like mowing, weed eating, and litter pickup. Bigger jobs that require a little more commitment are also available.
Campground Hosts are always needed, especially in the fall. There are a number of hosts that come year after year in the summer, but new hosts can be rotated into the summer months when openings occur.
We are currently looking for someone to maintain and monitor our purple martin houses. There are no purple martins using the park now, but they have inhabited the houses in the past. This position requires some experience and a lot of independent work.
Another current opportunity is organizing and cataloging the Park’s historical files and pictures. This position requires very independent work, and the ability to do research in the public library and county courthouse.
A number of small construction projects including installing water bars, and rebuilding trail bridges and steps are available for more ambitious laborers. These projects require some skills and use of hand tools and possibly power tools.
Please call or visit the Park office for more information.
Explore here for more information on volunteering for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
History
The park honors Dr. Leroy E. Chapman (1881-1967) of Warren. Dr. Chapman was a State Senator from 1929 to 1963 and was very active in civic affairs. Many community groups were instrumental in creating this popular state park. The first land for the park was acquired in 1949. A dam was constructed near the old earthen dam of the Bucher Mill Log Pond, which dates back to Bucher’s Mill that was built about 1849. Chapman State Park opened in 1951.
Nearby Attractions
For more information on nearby attractions and accommodations, please contact: Northern Alleghenies Vacation Region, 800-624-7802, www.northernalleghenies.com.
Allegheny National Forest: Recreational opportunities are numerous in the adjacent 513,161-acre forest. 814-362-4613
State Game Land 29: This 9,363-acre area is open to hunting, hiking, birding and nature study.
In an Emergency
Contact a park employee or dial 911.
For directions to the nearest hospital, look on bulletin boards or at the park office.
Nearest Hospital:
Warren General Hospital
Two Crescent Park West
Warren, PA 16365
814-723-3300
For More Information Contact
Chapman State Park
4790 Chapman Dam Road
Clarendon, PA 16313
814-723-0250
Manager: Ryan Borcz
E-mail: chapmansp@state.pa.us
An equal opportunity employer
Make online reservations or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, for state park information and reservations.
