Poe Valley State Park

About Poe Valley State Park

The cozy Poe Valley State Park is located in a rugged mountain valley in Centre County, and the 25 acres of Poe Lake are surrounded by seemingly endless forest.

The 620-hectare state park is surrounded by numerous roads, many of which were built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The park was founded by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the mid-1930s and is named after the Big Poe Creek that runs through the valley. Nearby is Poe Paddy State Park, Pennsylvania's largest lake and one of America's most popular hiking and biking trails.

The dam was completed in 1937 by the Pennsylvania Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

A few kilometres upstream from the park, a stone monument marks the site of the original campsite, which is now used as a private hunting camp. The camping season starts on the 2nd Friday in April and ends in mid-December during the deer season, but access is not guaranteed in the winter months. A wooded campsite is located just below the dam and has a picnic area, picnic tables and a fireplace, as well as picnic areas for camping.

A few kilometres upstream from the park, a stone monument marks the site of the original campsite, which is now used as a private hunting camp.

Unless otherwise stated, the beach at Poe Lake is open daily from 10 am to 4 pm, and the maximum stay is 48 hours, with a maximum of two nights in the park per campsite. Pets are not allowed on the campsites and campers must leave the parks after a 48-hour stay.

The maximum depth in the swimming area is 5 feet, so swim at your own risk and moor at the 25-acre lake.

In summer, boats can be rented, but campers can also stay a few days at the campsite, for a price of $5 per day or $10 per night.

All non-motorized boats must have one of the following boat registrations in the state: All motor boats must have a boat registration in that state. This shaded picnic area is located on Poe Lake and features a picnic table, picnic tables, drinking water and picnic chairs, and picnic benches.

Unreserved picnic pavilions can be reserved for up to 11 months against advance payment and will be served first. The unrestricted picnic pavilion is open to the public from 11 am to 4 pm on weekends and from 4 pm to 7 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Hiking trails range from easy hikes to very steep and steep trails, and the Poe Valley hiking network is connected by the Mid-State Trail, a 2.5 km network of circular trails. The 189-mile Mid State Trail runs through the Poe Valley and is popular with backpackers and day hikers.

Although special trails are available, most skiers use local roads, although many roads are also used by snowmobiles and off-road vehicles. Skiers need to be careful, however, as only minimal snowploughs are used in this area and registered snowmobiles are allowed to use the Big Poe Road until the end of the deer season.

Follow the S-322 for 1.5 miles, then follow the signs south to the park for 12 km, drive to Millheim and follow a marked state road. Most roads are common - use roads shared by snowmobiles and motor vehicles. The park has drinking water, parking and rustic toilets, but only for vehicles with license plates or registration.

The dirt road to the park becomes an asphalt road, and there is a completely asphalt road to it, but only for a few hundred meters.