Whipple Dam State Park

The 256-acre Whipple Dam State Park is a delightful and quiet place to visit. The lake is the perfect place to indulge in a refreshing dip, bird watch or just relax. The beautiful day use area is wonderful for a picnic or hike.

Explore

Directions - Weather  - Recreation  - Winter Report  - Calendar of Events  - Accessibility  - History  - Wildlife Watching  - Nearby Parks  - Nearby Attractions  - Volunteers  - Rules and Regs  - In an Emergency  - Contact Us  - Downloadables and Maps

Park Advisories

Directions

Whipple Dam State Park is in the northeastern corner of Huntingdon County, 12 miles south of State College. The park is easily reached by turning east off of PA 26 at the Whipple Dam State Park sign.

Recreational Opportunities

Picnicking  - Swimming  - Boating  - Fishing  - Hunting  - Wildlife Watching  - Ice Fishing 

Boating: electric motors only
The 22-acre Whipple Lake is great for canoeing, sailing, kayaking and electric-powered motorboating.

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.

Boat Rental: In the summer season, a boat rental offers canoes, kayaks, paddleboats and rowboats.

Fishing: The 22-acre Whipple Lake and Laurel Run are stocked with trout by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission in the spring and winter months. All Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission laws and regulations apply.

For complete information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.

Ice Fishing: Ice fishing is permitted on the lake. Explore the Winter Report for current ice depths.

Picnicking: Three large picnic pavilions and many picnic tables are in a forest-covered area, close to the beach, lake and snackbar. Hand operated and pressurized drinking fountains, charcoal stoves and restrooms are throughout the park. The three 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 online reservations at: www.visitPAparks.com or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday, for state park information and reservations.

Make a reservation

Swimming: The 300-foot sand beach is open from May to mid-September, 8 a.m. to sunset. Swim at your own risk. Please read and follow posted rules. A dressing room, beach volleyball court and boat rental are at the beach.

Hunting and Firearms: A portion of the park is open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, grouse, squirrel, bear, turkey and waterfowl.

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 ADA accessible hunting information.

Use extreme caution with firearms at all times. Other visitors use the park during hunting seasons. Firearms and archery equipment used for hunting 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 leased campsite. The only exception is that law enforcement officers and individuals with a valid Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms may carry said firearm concealed on their person while they are within the park.

For complete information on hunting rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission Web site.

Access for People with Disabilities

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit.

Wildlife Watching

Wildlife is abundant in the area. An alert observer may see white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, waterfowl and many other species of wildlife. Osprey, great blue heron and Canada goose visit the lake. On quiet evenings, muskrat and beaver may be seen on the water.

Feeding wild animals such as waterfowl, deer, bear and raccoons is prohibited. When wildlife looses its fear of people, these animals become pests and dangerous situations can result.

Please do not feed the wildlife.

History

The park area was originally purchased from the Iroquois Confederation by the Proprietary Government of Pennsylvania on July 6, 1754. The land eventually became part of the Monroe Iron Works, a few miles to the north. Charcoal was produced in the area for use in the iron furnace, and there is some evidence of iron ore mining. In 1868, Osgood M. Whipple purchased a large block of land and constructed a dam and sawmill downstream of the current park dam. The purpose of the dam was to supply a source of water for the operation of an “up and down” sawmill.

Whipple left the lumber business in 1897, but the dam remained for many years and was known locally as “Whipple’s Dam.”

In 1927, the former Department of Forests and Waters was considering a recreation site in the area and surveyed the old log-crib dam. It was decided to construct a new dam upstream at a better location. The new dam was completed in the spring of 1928 and provided a shallow pool. Recreational activities began almost immediately and by the early 1930s, Whipple Dam was listed as a State Forest Public Camp.

Between 1933 and 1941, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) had a work camp at Owl’s Gap, east of the park. The corps members built pavilions, roads, beach and restrooms during this period. In 1935, the CCC dismantled the old dam and constructed the existing dam and bridge. In 1987, the 32-acre park day use area was designated the Whipple Dam National Historic District. This entry on the National Register of Historic Places recognizes, protects, and preserves the work site of one of the Depression-Era's most important relief programs, the CCC.

The CCC work was performed to guidelines embraced by the National Park Service. The use of native materials and the rustic look exemplify the idea that parks should harmonize with the natural setting and not be glaring intrusions onto the landscape. Today, all construction and repair work is done to complement the design character of the CCC architecture and construction methods.

For more information on the CCC, explore the Civilian Conservation Corps Online Archive.

Nearby State Parks and Forests

Greenwood Furnace State Park: (9 miles) has a full range of recreational activities including swimming, camping and a historical interpretive program.

Penn-Roosevelt State Park: (14 miles) has a small lake, picnicking and a rustic camping area.

Rothrock State Forest: All three state parks serve as a base for exploring an 80,000-acre block of Rothrock State Forest. Hiking trails crisscross the state forest, which also has backpacking, bird watching, wildlife photography, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, auto touring and other activities. State forest public use maps are available at the park office and the Rothrock State Forest district office. 814-643-2340

Nearby Attractions

For information on nearby attractions, contact:
The Alleghenies, 800-458-3433, www.thealleghenies.com
Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau, 888-RAYSTOWN. www.raystown.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

For More Information Contact

Whipple Dam State Park
c/o Greenwood Furnace
Huntingdon, PA 16652-9006
814-667-1800
Manager: Don Coine

E-mail: greenwoodfurnacesp@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.