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| State Park Overview: |
 | 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. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
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Very disappointed
Cowans Gap has been our favorite Park. I used the Gap when I was a child. I took you children there now my Grandchildren. BUT I am very disappointed that the Life Guards are not on duty anymore. We bring our Motorhome and grandchildren to stay for a week each year and many weekends. We do not let the kids out of sight but I am willing to pay more for the safety of all.
Written by Myra I. Kidd
16-Jun-2008
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| Camping: |
| 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.
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. |
| 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. |
| Boating: |
| 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. |
| Swimming: |
| The 500-foot sand beach is open from late-May to mid-September, 8 a.m. to sunset. Lifeguards are on duty from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, unless otherwise posted. Please read and follow posted rules for swimming when lifeguards are off-duty. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| 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.
Hunting:
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 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.
The park land borders state forest land which is open to hunting, trapping and dog training. |
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| Area Accommodations |
| Cottages and Cabins | | |
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| | Note to Park related businesses:
List your vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental or any other park related activity, park related attraction or park related service on Google or StateParks.com. (more).... |
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| Related Links: |
| Pennsylvania State Parks - Addresses - PA DCNR - This is an official Web site of the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks. This is the address, phone number and e-mail list for all 116 Pennsylvania State Parks. |
| Nature Programs: |
| 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. |
| Area Campgrounds | | Saunderosa Park Camps
13505 Buchanan TRL W
Mercersburg, PA
(717) 328-2216
| Longview Campground
7570 Robinson Rd
Mercersburg, PA
(717) 328-3593
| St Johns Church Camp
17436 Stumpy LN
Fort Loudon, PA
(717) 369-4431
| Twin Bridge Meadow Campground
1345 Twin Bridge Rd
Chambersburg, PA
(717) 369-2216
| Breezewood Campgrounds
234 Municipal Rd
Breezewood, PA
(814) 735-4128
| Brush Creek Campgrounds
159 Secrest Park Rd
Breezewood, PA
(814) 735-4035
| Secrest Mobile Home Park
2118 S Breezewood Rd
Breezewood, PA
(814) 735-4035
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| | Area Fishing Related Businesses | | Chambersburg Rod & Gun Club Inc
3725 Warm Spring Rd
Chambersburg, PA
(717) 369-3966
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| | Area Resorts and Lodging | | Whitetail Resort Community
14175 Northern Lights Dr
Mercersburg, PA
(717) 328-3321
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| Directions: |
| 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. |
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