Cozy Poe Valley State Park is nestled in a rugged mountain valley in Centre County. Seemingly endless forests surround the 25-acre Poe Lake.
The 620-acre state park is surrounded by the 198,000-acre Bald Eagle State Forest.
Hiking at Poe Valley State Park
Three miles of trails
Poe Valley’s hiking trail system connects to the extensive trail network of Bald Eagle State Forest.
The hiking trails vary from easy hiking to very rugged, steep trails.
The 189-mile Mid State Trail passes through Poe Valley and is popular with backpackers and day hikers.
ATVs are prohibited on state park roads and trails.
Picnicking at Poe Valley State Park
This activity or structure is ADA accessible.
The shaded picnic area by Poe Lake has:
Drinking water
Playground areas
Charcoal grills
Charcoal disposal containers
ADA accessible picnic tables
One picnic pavilion may be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee. Unreserved picnic pavilions are free on a first-come, first-served basis.
Stay the Night at Poe Valley State Park
Camping
Flush toilets, warm showers, electric hook-ups
This activity or structure is ADA accessible.
The campground opens the second Friday in April and closes in early December.
All campsites are in a wooded area and are within walking distance to all other park facilities. There are 45 campsites, which accommodate:
Tents
Trailers
Motor homes
Twenty-seven sites have 50 amp electric hookups. The campground has:
Sanitary dump station
Showers
Flush toilets
Drinking water
Trash and recycling containers are at the campground entrance.
Alcoholic beverages and unlicensed motor vehicles are prohibited.
Boating at Poe Valley State Park
Electric motors only
There is one launch area and 12 seasonal (April 1 to October 31) mooring spaces on the 25-acre lake.
Campers can moor their boats by the dam during their stay.
Boat Rentals
The boat rental near the swimming beach offers:
Paddleboats
Kayaks
Canoes
The boat rental is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day and some weekends in the spring and fall seasons.
Swimming at Poe Valley State Park
The swimming beach at Poe Lake is open from late May to early September unless otherwise posted. Swimming hours are from 8:00 A.M. to sunset.
The maximum water depth of the swimming area is five feet.
Swim at your own risk.
Smoke-Free Beach
Smoking is prohibited on the beach and in the swimming area.
For visitors who smoke and still want to use the beach, designated areas adjacent to the beach are provided. The restriction includes:
Cigarettes
Pipes
Cigars
E-cigarettes
Other handheld, lighted smoking devices
Fishing at Poe Valley State Park
The 25-acre Poe Lake is popular for warmwater and coldwater fishing, especially during the beginning of trout season in mid-April.
Common game species include:
Brown and rainbow trout
Catfish
Pickerel
Sunfish
Perch
The lake is stocked with trout several times per season.
For stream fishing, the famous Penns Creek and Big Poe Creek are within a short distance of the park.
Ice Fishing
Many enjoy the winter ice fishing season.
Ice thickness is not monitored.
Hunting at Poe Valley State Park
During established seasons, more than 450 acres are open to:
Hunting
Trapping
Training of dogs
The lake is closed to hunting and trapping.
Common game species are:
Deer
Turkey
Grouse
Bear
Squirrel
Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day through March 31 in designated hunting areas.
DCNR and the Pennsylvania Game Commission rules and regulations apply. Complete information about hunting rules and regulations in Pennsylvania is available from the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Cross-Country Skiing at Poe Valley State Park
No specific trails are designated for cross-country skiing, but most skiers use local roads since only minimal snow plowing is done.
Skiers should be cautious since snowmobiles and four-wheel drive vehicles also use many of these roads.
Access to Poe Valley during the winter months may be limited. Winter maintenance is not performed on park roads or state forest roads that access Poe Valley. Caution must be used when traveling to Poe Valley during the winter season.
Snowmobiling at Poe Valley State Park
Registered snowmobiles may use Poe Valley Road in the park and surrounding state forest roads daily after the end of the rifle deer season in December. Most roads are joint-use roads shared by snowmobiles and motor vehicles.
Please snowmobile safely.
Access to Poe Valley during the winter months may be limited. Winter maintenance is not performed on park roads or state forest roads that access Poe Valley. Caution must be used when traveling to Poe Valley during the winter season.
