Cowanesque Lake, Pennsylvania

The beauty of north-central Pennsylvania can be yours at Cowanesque Lake. Surrounded by lush forested ridges, the lake offers recreation for the entire family. Boating, fishing, hunting, water-skiing, camping, picnicking, nature walks, amphitheater programs, and the Visitor Information Center are just some of the recreational opportunities available.

The Cowanesque Lake includes 1,085 surface acres of water. The Corps operates and maintains three recreation areas on the lake. The South Shore Day Use Area has boat launching, picnicking and swimming facilities. The Lawrence Picnic Area has grills, tables, restrooms and a picnic shelter. The Tompkins Campground has 86 traditional campsites, 16 hike-in sites, a 24-site group camp, a campers' boat launch, and a campers' beach. There are two overlooks and two downstream fishing accesses.

Cowanesque Lake provides the visitor a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities.  Park rangers provide for the day-to-day visitors services and project outreach to the public about the project.  They also provide for public safety and security and natural resources maintenance and enhancement and are directed by a lead ranger who reports to the park manager.

Day Use Facilities

Day use facilities are located on the southern edge of Cowanesque Lake at the South Shore Recreation Area.   The Lawrence Recreation Area, located on the south shore of the lake, provides picnic facilities only.  Both of these facilities are opened daily, Memorial Day through Labor Day.  A fee chart can be found here.  Here visitors can indulge in activities such as:

       Swimming - On the west side of the day use area at South Shore Recreation Area there is a grass beach with a concrete base swimming area. The swimming area is marked with beach floats and buoys for swimmer safety.   A bathhouse is located nearby.

       Boating - Cowanesque Lake, along with Hammond Lake, provide the best boating, whether you're in a pleasure boat, canoe, sailboat, or bass boat. Together they offer 2,268 acres of water with 32 miles of shoreline. There are no limits on boat size or horsepower, yet there are many quiet Slow, No Wake areas for those fishing, enjoying wildlife, or spotting a fishing Osprey. Five boat launching ramps are available for your use for a nominal launch fee. We also offer an annual pass.

       Picnicking - There are picnic facilities in various forms with nearby field sport facilities readily available to both day users and campers.  Contact the Park Office at (570) 835-5281 or by e-mail for information about reserving one of these popular shelters. 

       Fishing - Cowanesque Lake is a favored fresh water fishing destination.  Every year numerous fishing tournaments take place here.  There are a variety of indigenous fish which populate the streams in this area which now also inhabit the lake.  The North and South Tailrace Access Areas provide access for fishing downstream of Cowanesque Dam.   Public parking is available at both areas, and picnic tables and a comfort station are provided at the North Tailrace Access.  Over the years, there have been numerous stockings of various pan and game fish fingerlings and fry at the lake by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.  See our stocking summary for a complete listing of the fish stocked at the lake.  A Pennsylvania fishing license is required and fishermen are subject to state fish laws.

       Hiking Trail - The 4-mile Moccasin Trail lies next to Cowanesque Lake and allows you to trek through undulating terrain of reclaimed farm fields and wood lots inhabited by a variety of watchable wildlife. In addition to the Cowanesque and Hammond Lake's trails, there is also the Mid State Trail linking the trails at Cowanesque and Hammond Lakes into a trail that will, in the near future, extend all the way through Pennsylvania from Maryland to New York State.

       Hunting - The fields and forests around Cowanesque Lake are popular destinations for local hunters as well as for hunters visiting the area from elsewhere in Pennsylvania or from out-of-state.  This area abounds with both large and small game species native to the United States' Eastern Hardwood Forests.  Hunting is permitted on project lands except in posted public use areas.  A Pennsylvania hunting license is required and hunters are subject to game laws.  In addition to the public lands at Cowanesque Lake and nearby Tioga-Hammond Lakes, Pennsylvania Gameland 37 is located between and adjacent to Tioga-Hammond Lakes.

Overnight Facilities

Camping at the lake is an experience to remember. You can choose shoreline sites, fairly open sites or wooded sites. Overnight facilities are available daily, May 15 through September 30, and are located at the Tompkins Campground, on the north shore of the lake.

There are 86 family camp sites of which 59 sites include hook-up for electric and water, and 16 primitive hike-in sites.  The group camp with 24 sites is available by reservation.  Water hydrants are conveniently located throughout the campground.  Camping permits must be secured at the Tompkins Camp Control Building.  No one may camp more than 14 consecutive days in any 30 day period.  Campers and their visitors must park on campsite pads or campground parking lots only.  A dump station is provided.

For reservations, call the National Recreation Reservation Service, toll free at 877-444-6777, or contact www.Recreation.gov by computer.

Also available at the Tompkins Camping Area is:

       Swimming - A grass beach with a concrete bottom swimming area is provided.  The swimming area is marked with beach floats and buoys for swimmer safety.

       Boating - Camper boat launching and camper mooring facilities.

Most importantly, when visiting our lake:

• Obey posted rules, regulations and lake bouys.
  
• Look before you dive. It may be unsafe.
  
• Wear your PFD (life jacket).
  
• Inspect your boat's safety equipment before boating at night.
  
• Don't drive your boat after drinking. Alcohol and boating do not mix.
  
• Know how to swim, beaches are unguarded.

Park rangers are available to assist you in making your visit enjoyable and safe.

Local Points of Interest

To obtain maps, brochures, or other information contact:

Cowanesque/Tioga-Hammond Lakes
Operations Manager:  Marilyn Jones
Corps of Engineers
710 Ives Run Lane
Tioga, PA 16946-9733
Telephone: (570) 835-5281
FAX: (570) 835-5422
e-mail:   CowanesqueLakeWEB@usace.army.mil
OFFICE HOURS: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.