Cowans Gap State Park
Cowans Gap State Park is a 1,085-acre park in the beautiful Allens Valley of Fulton County. The state forest land surrounding the park furnishes visitors with an abundance of natural beauty during all seasons of the year. 
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Directions - Weather - Recreation - Stay the Night - Trails - Winter Activities - Winter Report - Environmental Education - Calendar of Events - Accessibility - History - Wildlife Watching - Nearby Attractions - Volunteers - Rules and Regs - In an Emergency - Contact Us - Downloadables and Maps
Park Advisories
| 1/14/2010 8:24:00 AM | Due to Gypsy Moth defoliation and die back there is an active tree cutting program in the park right now to remove dead and hazardous trees thru out all areas of the park. Visitors are asked to be safe and stay away from areas where cutting or logging activity is occuring. Thank You. |
| 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
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The park is between Chambersburg and McConnellsburg. To reach the park from the west—take Exit 180, Fort Littleton, of I-76, then US 522 north to Burnt Cabins and follow signs to the park. From the east—take Exit 189, Willow Hill, of I-76, then PA 75 south to Richmond Furnace and follow signs. From US 30—take PA 75 north at Fort Loudon to Richmond Furnace and follow signs. |
Recreational Opportunities
Hiking - Picnicking - Swimming - Boating - Fishing - Hunting - Wildlife Watching - Cross-country Skiing - Ice Fishing - Ice Skating - Organized Group Tenting - Cabins - Camping
Picnicking: Several picnic areas are near the lake. Most of the picnic areas are wooded with many picnic tables available. There are a limited number of fireplaces in the picnic areas, and three of the four picnic pavilions have fireplaces. 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
Fishing: The 42-acre Cowans Gap Lake offers excellent trout fishing and also has bass, perch and panfish. There is an accessible fishing pier. The South Branch of Little Aughwick Creek offers good trout fishing.
For complete information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.
Swimming: The 500-foot sand beach is open from late May to mid-September, 8 a.m. to sunset. Please read and follow posted rules for swimming. Swim at your own risk.
Food and Refreshment Concession: Located in the day use area next to the Lifeguard Station/Beach House, it is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day weather permitting. The food concession serves hot sandwiches, pizza, funnel cakes, French fries, soft serve ice cream, drinks and many snacks. It also sells ice, charcoal, firewood, beach items, camping supplies, and offers boat rentals.
Hunting and Firearms: About 630 acres are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, turkey and squirrel. The park land borders Buchanan State Forest, which is open to hunting, trapping and dog training.
Hunting woodchucks, also known as ground hogs, 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.
For complete information on hunting rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission Web site.
Boating: electric motors only
There are two boat launches and 68 mooring spaces on 42-acre Cowans Gap Lake. The boating concession is in the day use area and rents rowboats and paddle boats. The boating concession is open daily in the summer.
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.
Hiking: 10 miles of trails
Explore Trails for more information.
Stay the Night
Camping: modern sites, some with electric
Cowans Gap has 224 campsites in two areas. The camping area has a sanitary dump station and modern comfort stations with flush toilets and hot showers. The campsites can accommodate campers from a small tent to a large motor home. Seven walk-in tent sites are adjacent to Camping Area B. An overnight courtesy boat mooring area is provided for registered campers during their stay at the park. The camping area is open from the second Friday of April until the day following deer season in December. Pets are permitted on designated sites.
Explore the campground map.
Explore camping for more information.
Make a reservation
Free Camping for Campground Hosts: two host positions in the modern campgroundThe campground host sites amenities include 50-amp electric service with water hookup at one site. Hosts are required to assist park personnel 40 hours per week, five (5) days a week; provide information to visitors; post all sites daily with permits; and clean fire rings. Contact the park office for additional information and availability.
Cabins: The park has ten rustic cabins that are available during the spring, summer and fall. The three-room cabins have a four-person overnight capacity. They contain a refrigerator, stove, inside fireplace and two bunk beds. There is no indoor plumbing in the cabins. A water faucet is outside. A central comfort station has showers and flush toilets.
Explore the cabin map.
Make a reservation
Organized Group Tenting: This camping area holds organized groups of up to forty people. The area has a modern restroom with flush toilets and is open from the second Friday of April to the third Sunday in October.
Explore organized group tenting for more information.
Make a reservation
Winter Activities
Explore the Winter Report for current snow and ice depths.
Ice Fishing: All of Cowans Gap Lake is open for ice fishing except for the ice skating area. Ice thickness is not monitored. For your safety, be sure the ice is four inches thick and carry safety equipment.
Ice Skating: The section of the lake by the beach is available exclusively for ice skating. It is recommended that skaters contact the park office to check the ice conditions. Ice thickness is monitored in the beach area.
Cross-country Skiing: Closed park roads and some of the hiking trails are suitable for cross-country skiing. Please check snow conditions by calling the park office.
Environmental Education and Interpretation
The park offers a wide variety of environmental education and interpretive programs. Through hands-on activities, guided walks and evening programs, participants gain appreciation, understanding and develop a sense of stewardship toward natural and cultural resources.
Curriculum-based environmental education programs are available to schools and youth groups. Teacher workshops are available. Group programs must be arranged in advance and may be scheduled by calling the park office. Programs are offered April to November. Contact the park office for more detailed information.
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
The park facilities for use by people with disabilities include picnic areas, campground, cabins, parking and a fishing pier. Restrooms in these areas are designated with the symbol for accessibility. A special vehicle permit is issued at the park office to give access to areas of the park not open to vehicles.
If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit.
Nearby Attractions
For information on nearby attractions, please contact the Fulton County Tourist Promotion Agency. 717-485-4064 www.fultoncountypa.com and
The Alleghenies www.thealleghenies.com.
Buchanan’s Birthplace State Park is the birthplace of James Buchanan, 15th President of the United States and the only Pennsylvanian to ever occupy the office of president. The park is in the foothills of the Tuscarora Mountains on the western side of the Cumberland Valley, seven miles north of US 30.
The 75,000-acre Buchanan State Forest is adjacent to Cowans Gap and has hiking, fishing, hunting and general recreation. 717-485-3148
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:
Fulton County Medical Center
214 Peach Orchard Road
McConnellsburg, PA 17233
717-485-3155
For More Information Contact
Cowans Gap State Park
6235 Aughwick Road
Fort Loudon, PA 17224-9801
717-485-3948
Manager: Stephen Behe
E-mail: cowansgapsp@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.
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