  |
|
 |
|
     |
|
         |
|
 
|
Poe Valley State Park
Cozy Poe Valley State Park is nestled in a rugged mountain valley in Centre County. Seemingly endless forests surround the 25-acre Poe Lake. The 620-acre state park is surrounded by the 198,000-acre Bald Eagle State Forest. Poe Paddy State Park is nearby. |
Explore
Directions - Weather - Recreation - Winter Report - Accessibility - History - Calendar of Events - Nearby Attractions - Volunteers - Rules and Regs - In an Emergency - Contact Us - Downloadables and Maps
Park Advisories
| 10/28/2008 12:04:00 PM | Poe Valley State Park is CLOSED. The park is undergoing renovations and upgrades to park facilities during 2008 and 2009. A complete draw down of the lake has occurred. At this time, an opening date for the park and Poe Valley campground cannot be determined. Reservations will not be taken for the 2009 season. Once park officials determine when park facilities are able to open to the public, information will be released and reservations will be accepted. An tentative opening date is the spring of 2010. Please continue to check this website or call 717-667-3622 for updates.
Thank you for your patience as these improvements progress so we can better serves our park visitors. If you are looking for a camping spot closest to Poe Valley, please try Poe Paddy State Park 1-888-PAPARKS or the following private campgrounds: Hemlock Acres Campground- Coburn, PA 814-349-5955 Seven Mountains Campground- Potters Mills, PA 814-364-1910 The Bald Eagle State Forest also has a few limited primitive campsites located in the Poe Valley area. Call their office at 570-922-3344 for information. |
| 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
 |
From Potters Mills, go east on US 322 for 1.5 miles to near the top of the Seven Mountains Scenic Area, then follow marked state forest roads for ten miles to Poe Valley. From Millheim, go west on PA Route 45 for 1.5 miles, then follow signs south for 12 miles to the park. Gravel roads turn to paved roads near the park. No entirely paved road leads to the park. |
Recreational Opportunities
Hiking - Picnicking - Swimming - Boating - Fishing - Hunting - Cross-country Skiing - Snowmobiling - Ice Fishing - Camping Cottages - Camping
Camping: hot showers and flush toilets
The campground opens the second Friday in April and closes in mid-December. There are 67 campsites, which accommodate tents, trailers and motor homes. 32 sites have 50 amp electric hookups. The campground has a sanitary dump station, showers, flush toilets and drinking water. Trash and recycling containers are at the campground entrance. All campsites are completely shaded and are within walking distance to all other park facilities. Alcoholic beverages and unlicensed motor vehicles are prohibited.
The maximum stay is 14 days during the summer season and 21 days during the off-season. Campers must vacate the park for 48 hours between stays. Pets are not permitted in the campground. Explore the campground map. Explore camping for more information. 
Make a reservation |
The campground host site has amenities that include 50-amp electric service. The host is required to assist park personnel for 40 hours per week with a four-week minimum stay. Contact the park office for additional information and availability.
Camping Cottages: There are three camping cottages in the campground that comfortably sleep five people. Each cottage has three single bunks and a full-sized bed, a table with benches, electric lights and receptacles, electric heat and a porch with a table. There is a fire ring and picnic table at each site. The cottages are available during the camping season from the second Friday in April to mid-December.
Boating: electric motors only
There is one launch area and fifteen seasonal (April 1 to October 31) mooring spaces on the 25-acre lake. Campers can moor their boats by the dam during their stay. Rental boats are normally available during the summer.
The boat rental near the swimming beach offers paddleboats and other small watercraft for rent. It is open from Memorial Day to Labor day and some weekends in the spring and fall seasons.
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.
Fishing: Lake angling is popular, especially at the beginning of the trout season in mid-April. The lake is stocked with trout several times per season. Many enjoy the winter ice fishing season. Common game species include brown and rainbow trout, catfish, pickerel, sunfish and perch. For stream fishing, the famous Penns Creek and Big Poe Creek are within a short distance of the park. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission seasons and limits apply.
For complete information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.
Swimming: The swimming beach at Poe Lake is open from late May to early September unless otherwise posted. Swimming hours are from 8 a.m. to sunset. Swim at your own risk. The maximum water depth of the swimming area is five feet.
The food and refreshment concession near the swimming beach offers hot foods, snacks and ice cream, as well as ice and some camping and picnic supplies. It is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and some weekends in the spring and fall seasons.
Picnicking: The shaded picnic area is by Poe Lake and has drinking water, playground areas, charcoal grills and charcoal disposal containers and accessible picnic tables. Two 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
Hunting and Firearms: Over 450 acres of the park are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. The lake is closed to hunting and trapping. Common game species are deer, turkey, grouse, bear and squirrel.
Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day to 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 owner’s car, trailer or camp.
For complete information on hunting rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission Web site.
Hiking: 3 miles of trails
Poe Valley’s hiking trail system connects to the extensive trail network of Bald Eagle State Forest.. The hiking trails vary from easy hiking to very rugged, steep trails. The 189-mile Mid State Trail passes through Poe Valley and is popular with backpackers and day hikers.
ATVs: ATVs are prohibited on state park roads and trails.
Winter Activities
Access to Poe Valley during the winter months may be limited. Winter maintenance is not performed on park roads or state forest roads that access Poe Valley. Caution must be used when traveling to Poe Valley during the winter season.
Explore the Winter Report for current snow and ice depths.
Cross-country Skiing: While no specific trails are provided, most skiers use local roads since only minimal snow plowing is done in this area. Skiers should be cautious since both snowmobiles and four-wheel drive vehicles also use many of these roads.
Ice Fishing: Ice fishing is popular. Ice thickness is not monitored. For your safety, be sure the ice is at least four inches thick and carry safety equipment.
Snowmobiling: Registered snowmobiles may use the Big Poe Road in the park and surrounding state forest roads daily after the end of the rifle deer season in December. Most roads are joint-use roads shared by snowmobiles and motor vehicles. Please snowmobile safely.
Environmental Education and Interpretation
Guided walks, evening amphitheater programs and other special activities are part of the summer program. Organized groups and schools can request special programs by contacting the park office.
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
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)
History
The park was named for Big Poe Creek, which flows through the valley.
In the mid-1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) created the park and built many of the roads. They completed the dam in 1937. Several miles upstream from the park, a stone memorial marks the site of the camp, whose remaining structures are now used as a private hunting camp.
For more information on the CCC, visit the Civilian Conservation Corps Online Archive.
Nearby Attractions
The surrounding 195,000 acres of Bald Eagle State Forest have hiking, hunting, fishing, scenic overlooks, natural areas and other outdoor recreational opportunities. For information, maps and wood permits, please contact Bald Eagle State Forest, 570-922-3344.
For information on nearby attractions, contact the Central Pennsylvania Convention and Visitors Bureau. 800-358-5466 www.centralpacvb.org.
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:
Mount Nittany Medical Center
1800 East Park Avenue
State College, PA 16803
814-231-7000
or
Lewistown Hospital
400 Highland Avenue
Lewistown, PA 17044
717-248-5411
For More Information Contact
Poe Valley State Park
c/o Reeds Gap
Milroy, PA 17063-9735
814-349-2460
Manager: Rory Bower
E-mail: poevalleysp@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.
