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 © Cristiane Dornbusch
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Nearby Parks:
Rothrock State Forest
Greenwood Furnace State Park
Thickhead State Wildlife Area
Penn Roosevelt State Park
Pleasant Gap State Fish Hatchery
Moshannon State Forest
Black Moshannon State Park
Bald Eagle State Forest
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| State Park Overview: |
 | A beautiful day use area, 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. |
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| 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. Call 888-PA-PARKS for reservations. |
| Boating: |
| Boating: electric motors only
The 22-acre Whipple Lake is great for canoeing, sailing and 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.
Boat Rental: In the summer season, a boat rental offers canoes, paddleboats and rowboats. |
| Boating Accessories: |
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| Fishing and Hunting: |
| 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.
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 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 must be kept in the owner's car, trailer or camp.
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| History of the Area: |
| 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 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. |
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| Area Accommodations |
| | | B&Bs / Inns | | Mountain Hideaway - Relax in solitude and natural beauty. Enjoy a spectacular view of the mountains; discover the white-tailed deer in the meadow outside your room. Just 16 miles from Penn State, yet a world apart! | | The Annie Natt House - The Annie Natt House, in Bellefonte's historic district, is approx. halfway between New York and Ohio. It offers 19th century charm and access to major sporting events and many outdoor activities. |
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| | Advertise your park related business
on stateparks.com
...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, etc read more.... |
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| Related Links: |
| Pennsylvania State Parks -Whipple Dam - PA DCNR - This is an official Web site of the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks. Begin your ... A beautiful day use area, Whipple Dam State Park provides a delightful and quiet visit. The sandy beach on the lake ... | | Camps - NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS. Scenic State Parks and Nature Areas. Below is a listing of some State Parks and Natural Areas that are in the local area. Basic information... | | Parks - ... is a favorite camping and boating spot for many park visitors. Whipple Dam State Park A beautiful day use area. Whipple Dam State Park provides a delightful and quiet visit. The sandy beach on the ... | | Area Campgrounds | | Locust Campground
475 Locust Rd # A
Lewistown, PA
(717) 248-3973
| Lake Raystown Family Resort
Piney Rdg
Huntingdon, PA
(814) 643-3377
| Idle Acres Camping Area
120 Idle Acres
MC Veytown, PA
(717) 899-6307
| Camp Blue Diamond
4013 Blue Diamond Rd
Petersburg, PA
(814) 667-2152
| Greenwood Furnace State Park
Pa 305 & Broadmountain Rd
Huntingdon, PA
(814) 667-1800
| Hemlock Hideaway Campground
RR 1
Huntingdon, PA
(814) 658-3663
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| | Area Fishing Related Businesses | | Linda Morrison Live Bait
1914 N River Rd
Granville, PA
(717) 242-6799
| Dan Pierce Outdoor Shop
842 W 4th St
Lewistown, PA
(717) 242-0061
| Custom Tide & Flies
15 Mill Rd
Lewistown, PA
(717) 543-6077
| Felmlee Lures
600 Middle Rd
Lewistown, PA
(717) 248-5061
| Lewistown Fishing & Hunting
224 N Logan Blvd
Burnham, PA
(717) 248-8889
| Flyfisher's Paradise
2603 E College Ave
State College, PA
(814) 234-4189
| Harris Twp Game & Fish Assoc
417 Torrey Ln
Boalsburg, PA
(814) 466-6507
| Getty's Ridge Rod & Gun Club
Huntingdon, PA
(814) 667-3751
| Standing Stone Hunting & Fishing Association
Kyper Rd
Huntingdon, PA
(814) 667-3118
| Raystown Fishing & Hunting
RR 3 Box 294A
Huntingdon, PA
(814) 643-3584
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| | Area Resorts and Lodging | | Tussey Mountain Ski Area
301 Bear Meadow Rd
Boalsburg, PA
(814) 466-6810
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| 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. |
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