SHAWNEE STATE PARK
SHAWNEE STATE PARK132 State Park Road Schellsburg, Pennsylvania 15559
Phone: 814-733-4218 Toll Free: 888-727-2757 Reservations: 888-727-2757 Email: 
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Shawnee State Park
'Kingfisher' © If you are interested in this photo, please contact me through my website www.bakersphotobench.com
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This picture was taken in October 2011.
Shawnee State Park
'Fall Day at the Lake' © If you are interested in this photo, please contact me through my website www.bakersphotobench.com
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This photo was taken October 2011.
Shawnee State Park
'Path on Lake Side Trail' © If you are interested in this photo, please contact me through my website www.bakersphotobench.com
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This photo was taken October 2011.
Shawnee State Park
'View of the Lake' © If you are interested in this photo, please contact me through my website www.bakersphotobench.com
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This photo was taken October 2011.
Shawnee State Park
'Flying Free' © If you are interested in this photo, please contact me through my website www.bakersphotobench.com
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This photo was taken October 2011.
Shawnee State Park
'Bobcat' © If you are interested in this photo, please contact me through my website www.bakersphotobench.com
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This photo was taken on the back side of the dam. October 2011.
Shawnee State Park is 3,983 acres of Pennsylvania's scenic Ridge and Valley Province. Ten miles west of historic Bedford along US 30, Shawnee has fine recreational facilities that are convenient and fit into the natural environment. A focal point of the park is the 451-acre Shawnee Lake.
Shawnee State Park is named for American Indians who lived for a short time in the vicinity of the park during their westward migration from the Potomac in the early 1700s.
General Forbes camped his army within the boundaries of the park while building the Forbes Road in the campaign of 1758 against the French at Fort Duquesne, Pittsburgh. One can still walk remnants of the Forbes Trail within the park.
The white barn, buildings and houses now surrounded by a lake of water were once surrounded by a sea of grass. These buildings belonged to John Bowman's "Water Brooks Farm." John Bowman was president and chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh and was the driving force behind the building of the Cathedral of Learning.
Camping: modern sites, some with electric
The 293 sites have picnic tables and fire rings, and accommodate either tents or trailers. 65 sites have electric hookups. Two campsites are ADA accessible. There is a sanitary dump station and centrally located washhouses with flush toilets, showers and laundry tubs. A camp store sells wood, charcoal and other camping supplies and is open from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day. The camping season begins the second Friday in April and ends in late December.
Organized Group Tenting:
An 80-person capacity rustic tenting area with composting toilets and a hand-pumped well is available April through December for organized youth and adult groups. Advance reservations are required.
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The sand and turf beach has modern bathhouses with flush toilets and showers. The 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.
Boating: electric motors only
The 451-acre Shawnee Lake has three boat launch areas and 183 boat mooring spaces. A boat dock is ADA accessible. The boat concession rents paddleboats, canoes and rowboats during 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.
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to this park:
Picnic tables, charcoal grills, water fountains and restrooms are scattered around the park. 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. A picnic pavilion is ADA accessible.
Bicycling: 7.5 miles of trails
The 3.4-mile Lakeshore Trail is easy biking and includes a small section of shared road. All other designated bicycling trails are moderate difficulty.
For more information, contact: Bedford County Visitors Bureau, 800-765-3331.
Bedford County offers many points of interest. Days can be spent sampling the past heritage and the present culture through its mountains and rolling agricultural fields.
US 30, the Lincoln Highway, roughly follows the Forbes Trail that was the main highway between Fort Bedford and Fort Ligonier in the 1700s. Original inns and other examples of a unique Bedford architectural style can be seen along the road and in small settlements such as Schellsburg.
The City of Bedford Historic District includes the oldest courthouse in use in Pennsylvania and the Espy House where President George Washington headquartered in 1794 to review his troops on their way to suppress the Whiskey Rebellion in Western Pennsylvania. A walking tour of 51 buildings in the historic district is available in the Bedford County Travel Guide.
Old Bedford Village, on old US 220 just north of Bedford, is a complex of historical buildings which were collected from all over the county. Arranged in the manner of a typical colonial settlement, the buildings were reconstructed and contain demonstrations of the early American crafts which were found in colonial Bedford. Craftsmen clothed in authentic garb explain their craft.
For downhill skiers, Blue Knob Ski Area, in Blue Knob State Park, is one of the best ski resorts in Pennsylvania and is 25 miles from Shawnee State Park. Cross-country skiers will find a variety of interesting terrain for their sport.
Bedford County is well known by sportsmen for its beautiful trout streams and abundant deer and other wild game. For the non-hunter, Bedford offers great wildlife observation opportunities.
Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
August 18 Great park, avoid the boat rentals by Honor camper
The park was beautiful, clean, and well maintained. However, avoid the boat rental concession. Only 2 of 10 or so paddle boats were operational and then our boat ended up sinking. A black eye on an otherwise nice park.
July 28 Great for kids by Jane
Swimming much better without lifeguards. Camping area needs more playground equip. and more Yurts! Love the Yurt!!
July 27 one of our favorite parks by ron, jackie fetzko
Mike Hanlon was one of the Rangers and he was wonderful...looking up information for us and answering all our many questions. He represents Shawnee well.
January 5 great walking trails and fishing by Shelley
I have a cabin there and love the walking trails,the quiet fishing is perfect,the swimming is good but could be better.the hunting is great fun but not as much game as before.
| Area Campgrounds |
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| Area Fishing Related Businesses |
| Shiner Bait & Tackle
3979 Quaker Valley Rd
Alum Bank, PA
(814) 839-4023
| Shawnee Bait & Sporting Goods
1541 Market St
Schellsburg, PA
(814) 733-4000
| Ed's Bait
1411 Shawnee Rd
Schellsburg, PA
(814) 733-4887
| Archers & Anglers Warehouse
907 Frame Church Rd
Everett, PA
(814) 652-2457
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| Area Resorts and Lodging |
| Indian Lake Resort & Golf
698 S Shore TRL
Central City, PA
(814) 754-4975
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