Chapman State Park

Hiking   -  Biking   -  Picnicking   -  Swimming   -  Boating   -  Fishing   -  Hunting   -  Education   -  Cross-country Skiing   -  Snowmobiling   -  Sledding   -  Ice Fishing   -  Ice Skating   -  Organized Group Tenting   -  Yurts   -  Camping Cottages   -  Camping

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Picnicking: The main picnic area is by the beach and overlooks the lake. Five 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.

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Swimming: A sand beach is open from late-May to mid-September, 8 a.m. to sunset. Swim at your own risk. Please read and follow posted rules.

A concession stand, operated by Bollinger Enterprises, Inc.(BEI), is located at the beach area. The concession offers beverages, snacks, ice cream treats, firewood, ice, and an assortment of beach supplies as well as rentals of canoes, kayaks and paddle boats. To reserve rentals contact BEI at 814-723-8431, M-F, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

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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 current boat registration. Non-powered boats must display one of the following: boat registration; launching permit or mooring permit from Pennsylvania State Parks, available at most state park offices; launching permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

Complete information on boating rules and regulations in Pennsylvania is available from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.

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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. ADA accessible fishing piers are 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.

Complete information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania is available from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.

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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. 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 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.

Complete information on hunting rules and regulations in Pennsylvania is available from the Pennsylvania Game Commission Web site.

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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.

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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.

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Stay the Night

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Camping: flush toilets, warm showers, electric hook-ups
This beautiful woodland campground has 82 campsites, modern restrooms with hot water, flush toilets and showers, water at convenient hydrants, an outdoor amphitheater, and a sanitary dump station. Pets are permitted at designated campsites. The campground is open from mid-April to mid-December. Winter access cannot be guaranteed and can be checked by contacting the park office.

Explore the campground map.

Explore camping for more information.

Make a reservation.

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Free Camping for Campground Hosts: 1 host position
Campground 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.

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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 and are adjacent to a water pump.

Make a reservation.

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Yurts: These Mongolian-style tents are round, on a wooden deck and sleep six people in two sets of bunk beds and one double bed. Yurts have a cooking stove, refrigerator, countertop, table, chairs, electric heat and outlets, fire ring, picnic table and are adjacent to a water pump.

Make a reservation.

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Organized Group Tenting: Year-round, this rustic area is available for rent to adult and youth groups. The area has restrooms, fire rings, picnic tables and water is nearby. Advance reservations are required.

Explore organized group tenting for more information.

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Winter Activities

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Explore the Winter Report for the current snow and ice depths.

Warming Hut: On the western side of the park is a warming hut with a wood burning stove and benches.

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Cross-country Skiing: At least 4.4 miles of groomed ski trails connect with numerous trails in the adjoining national forest and state game land.

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Snowmobiling: Chapman is a trailhead to over 300 miles of trails in Allegheny National Forest. Many of these trails are groomed depending on conditions. The trails are open after the end of deer season in late December through March 31. Chapman provides ample trailer parking, heated restrooms and a warming hut. Snowmobiles must stay on designated trails and have a current registration.

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Sledding: A seven-acre groomed slope on the western side of the park is lighted until 10 p.m., daily.

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Ice Fishing: The 68-acre Chapman Lake is stocked during the winter.

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Ice Skating: An ice rink is located across from the park office, behind the Environmental Learning Center. Constructed in 2011, this 120’ x 80’ on the ground rink is lighted nightly until 9 p.m. when conditions permit. Skates only please on the ice rink. Footprints on snow and slush can freeze and create hazardous conditions for skaters.

Ice skating is permitted on the natural ice of Chapman Lake, as conditions permit.

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Environmental Education and Interpretation

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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.

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Access for People with Disabilities

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

 

The park name 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.

Keep in Touch

Add yourself to the DCNR's online community to receive info on this park, or parks in general.

Volunteering

Like to spend time in the outdoors, meet friendly people and help make Pennsylvania State Parks great? Volunteering at a park might be for you.

Becoming a Conservation Volunteer is easy.

• Sign up to be a Conservation Volunteer
  OR
• Contact your local state park directly and ask for the Conservation Volunteer coordinator - you'll be hooked up with an interesting and appropriate project in Pennsylvania's natural resources.
   

Scouts and organized groups can earn free camping by completing service projects.

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.

Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation

Believing that each generation is responsible for leaving behind a better legacy of good conservation, the Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation (PPFF) was created in 1999 to give supporters and users of Pennsylvania's parks and forests a positive way to contribute to the conservation of our publicly-owned properties. The Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation welcomes the support of individuals and businesses who share a commitment to conserving, protecting, and enhancing the natural, scenic, and recreational areas of this commonwealth. www.paparksandforests.org

Make a Donation

To a park - find this park's address below

To a park or the Bureau of State Parks - Pennsylvania Parks and Forestry Foundation www.paparksandforests.org

Through a purchase at a park gift shop

Thank you for your support!

Education Programs

We love when young people ask us how to get involved!

DiscoverE has programs for young people ages 4 to 17, provided by Pennsylvania State Park educators. By combining recreation and education, we hope to motivate children to learn more and return often, leading to a lifetime of outdoor enjoyment and conservation leadership. 

In Watershed Education, teachers and students assess water quality of a local stream on a quarterly basis and develop strategies to solve local water quality problems. 

ECO Camp - Exploring Careers Outdoors - is a week-long residential camp for a cross-section of high school youth from across Pennsylvania, sponsored by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). Participate in action-packed, hands on activities and recreational adventures in Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests that expose youth to conservation, recreation and careers in natural resources. Learn how people make a living working in the outdoors.

Explore education for more information on these and other programs.

Explore the Calendar of Events to find a program near you.

iConservePA

Do you take conservation personally? iConservePA is a Web site managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources whose vision is to inspire citizens to value their natural resources, engage in conservation practices and experience the outdoors. Take conservation personally.

Come Work with Us

Pennsylvania State Parks and the Department of Conservation and Natrual Resources offer a wide range of civil service and non-civil service jobs, from foresters, to rangers, to engineers, to educators, to botanists and so much more. Learn what is currently available.

Tell us What You Think

Contact this park with compliments, concerns and issues about the park.

Chapman State Park

Nearby Attractions

Information on nearby attractions is available from the Warren County Visitors Bureau www.wcvb.net

Allegheny National Forest: Recreational opportunities are numerous in the adjacent 513,000-acre forest. www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/allegheny/

State Game Land 29: This 9,363-acre area is open to hunting, hiking, birding and nature study.

Explore Pennsylvania Wilds

Pennsylvania Wilds is two million acres of public lands for hiking, biking, fishing, boating, hunting and exploration in northcentral Pennsylvania. Within the twelve-county region are: 29 state parks, eight state forest districts (1.3 million acres); 50 state game lands and Allegheny National Forest (500,000 acres). www.pawilds.com

Maps and Downloadables

Below are many of the maps and publications for this park. You can read them or download them and might need special software (all free) to view the publications.

You must have the free Adobe Reader to view the maps and brochures that are in pdf format (.pdf).

Alternate versions of the text of the brochures are in rich text and text formats. Click on the files to view them. To download (.rtf) files:
For Windows users, right click on the link then left click on "Save target as" to download the file to your computer. For Mac users, hold down the "Options" button and click on the link, then select "Save" to download the file to your computer.

Recreational Guide

Chapman State Park Map (.pdf)  (517 kb, 3/11)
Chapman State Park Recreational Guide (.pdf)  (392 kb, 4/13)
    large print version of the guide text (.rtf)

Interactive GIS Map

The Interactive GIS Map uses Geographic Information Systems to create a map that does not need to be downloaded and features driving directions, searchable park amenities and customizable maps. Please note that the background maps are maintained by a variety of public sources and driving directions usually go to the nearest large road.

Campground Map

Chapman State Park Campground Map (.pdf)  (1,413 kb, 2/13)
    large print version of the brochure (.rtf)