No cell service and wonderful hiking trails. Boat rental and swimming available as well

There are a lot of sites that back into the dog trail in the dog friendly section. Where we were, the trail was great and ran along side a beautiful stream. read more

Cowans Gap State Park - This was us on the dog trail behind our campsite. - Parks Near Me - Fort Loudon, Pennsylvania

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Stayed at Cowans Gap State Park Campground for three nights. The camping was amazing and I can't wait to go back. The sites were clean, level, secluded and serene. The bathhouses were spotless. The fishing was great, the park and swim area very clean. Trails were not difficult. Absolutely beautiful!! There is no cell phone service at all so, if you are looking to unplug and enjoy nature, this would be a great experience for you. Enjoy. read more

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Busy parking area on a Saturday but lots of room to picnic and enjoy the lake. Clean restrooms. The ranger was super helpful.

it was so fun i was have a nice day with my son jimmy and carlos and we made burgers and so funny

LOVE the Gap. Lots of hiking trails, trails around the lake itself as well, beach area and boat rentals...you can reserve a pavilion and they have grills or take your lunch with you. The kids enjoy swimming and going on the boats. Beautiful scenery at the lake and surrounding areas. Clean grounds and restrooms. read more

Absolutely horrible place was there maybe 20 minuets and the cop came over to me telling me to cover up because my bottoms where tong ish wasn't even that bad and I was with my husband and daughter!! So I had to leave because I didn't bring shorts ruined my family's day!!! How dare this place shame my body like its 2018! I should be able to wear what I want won't be going again read more

This is a long review, so here's the short of it: PARK FEATURES: * swimming area and sandy beach (NO LIFEGUARDS) * concession stand for food * ample picnic tables, some with charcoal grills * nice restrooms at the beach area * paddle boat and small row fishing boats available to rent * can fish anywhere but swimming area * over 1 mile walking trail around lake * good hiking trails within short distance of park (located in state forest) CAMPING FEATURES: * tent, camper, and rustic cabins (with electric, no plumbing) * some sites allow pets * some sites near creek * two camping sections * concession stand sells basic camping supplies and firewood. Over my life I've gone to Cowan's Gap (AKA "The Gap") since I was very young. As a kid, I lived 15 minutes away, so I spent a lot of time there and adored it. As an adult, I still find it to be a very nice park with lots to do for any age. Picnicking is the main reason we come here now. It's a great place for families of any size to gather and enjoy the outdoors. The picnic areas are clean, have lots of tables available, and many have charcoal grills you can use. All of this at no charge. For larger groups, pavilions can be reserved. Parking can be a bit sparse on a really nice weekend day, but they have tried to improve that. You just may have to walk a bit to your final destination. The beach here is great for kids. Lots of sand to play in and the water gets deep slowly so kids of any size have ample room to splash around in the water. There are no lifeguards anymore, and both sides of the beach and swimming area are open from dawn till dusk. In the deep end, they've roped off a lap swimming lane the entire length of the swimming area, which is really nice. You can have small boats on the lake, and paddle boats and fishing boats are available to rent. We used to go out on these, but it's a lot of sun to contend with so now I reserve that for a cloudy day. There's lots of camping at this park. Tent, camper, and cabin camping. The cabins are rustic, but they do have electricity, just no running water. Restrooms are never too far away though. I camped in a pop-up as a kid and loved it. If you're lucky, you get a camping spot near the stream which doesn't get much better. For hikers/walkers, there are a few trails at the park. One trail goes around the lake and ends up being just over a mile. It's a fairly easy walk, and great for bikes. There's a hiking trail that goes up the mountain which is a good trek. It's steep but not too rocky, so it's not bad. A beautiful view of the lake can be found almost at the top. If you love to hike, there are trails found all along Aughwick Rd. Some are old logging trails, others are actual hiking trails. I've been on many of them and they're all great. The Gap offers a concession stand serving the usual foods such as hamburgers, hotdogs, fries, and a variety of frozen treats. They also sell basic camping supplies (at a hefty price) so you don't have to go 30 minutes to the nearest store if you forget a basic like matches, toilet paper, or salt and pepper. They also sell firewood for campers. The restrooms nearest the beach were re-done a few years back and are nice. They maintain it well and it offers a place to change in or out of your bathing suit as well. It's easy to spend a relaxing day here at The Gap. Or, keep busy, the choice is yours. read more

Located on the border between Fulton and Franklin counties, I could see the colonists and the Native Americans slinking around in the countryside near this awesome park. We got to visit with daughter and her husband on a beautiful, though a little cool, afternoon. We packed an awesome picnic lunch and just enjoyed the beauty and the nature and the little 1.5 mile hike around the lake. No life guards, so swim at your own risk, but this seems to be the norm in all state parks because of budget issues. Daughter and husband did the paddle boat while we just rested and enjoyed the scenery. For some reason this part of PA makes me start thinking HISTORY. I am a history teacher, but when I go here I just imagine seeing the native Algonquins watching behind trees along Forbes trail as the red coats march to Pittsburgh. I just want to hike forever. read more

I've been going to Cowan's Gap since I was a kid, going with my mom, dad and sister. I loved it then, and I still love it now. But now I go with my dad and son. We do a trip every November for a weekend. The cabins are pretty much the same as they were when I was 12 years old, but that doesn't matter. They have what you need for a nice boys weekend in the woods. In the winter, the place is pretty sparse and not many people staying at the campground, but that's what we like. Great hiking trails, walking around the lake, making campfires and doing nothing, if that's what we feel like. I do remember the summers being more crowded and that's the time when the cabins and the tent sites get filled up. They have a great beach on the lake for swimming, snack bar, canoe's and paddle boat rentals, and activities for kids as well. We are from SE Lancaster County, and it's only about 1 1/2 hour drive to get there, so it's very do-able for a weekend in the Fall. I would highly recommend it. I'd also recommend making sure you have everything you need before you get there (i.e. food, dishes, cookware, batteries etc), since there aren't really any places convenient to pick up forgotten items. But then again you are in the mountains, so that's what you get. read more

Great place for some awesome fun! Nice walking and hiking trails. Wonderful that the lake is available to the public for free. read more

Turn off the gadgets and get the family outside !! Cowan Gap State Park is a real gem of a campground/lake/hiking/kayaking/canoeing park. We brought our camper up for the first time over Labor Day and were met with a very quiet (except for the amazing night bugs !) very peaceful campground mostly populated with pop-ups, tents and average sized travel trailers. There were a couple of Class A and 5th wheels but the park isn't really set up for bigger rigs with average sized sites and narrow roads. Sites were mostly good size for average rigs. We have a 30' hybrid and we fit fine with plenty of room for our tow vehicle. Sites include fire ring and large picnic table. We walked around and noted many really nice sites for future trips. Most sites were well spaced. Bath houses were close by and were some of the best I have ever seen - spotless and modernized. 30/50a electric on many sites but no water or sewer. Spigots are usually close by and the dump station fits 2 rigs at a time. Forget cell service, TV, WIFI or cable. If you have to be plugged in then you will be frustrated. If you want nature and more nature then this place is a little piece of heaven and for $28 a night it is a steal ! The lake has a good sized beach with concession stand and boat rentals. Lots of trails from easy to hard and feeder trails that can extend your hiking almost without limit. There are a couple of towns within :30 or so but it's mostly lower end stores (Dollar General, Sheetz, mom/pop restaurants, fast food, etc.) we found this place totally by accident and were stunned to get a spot over Labor Day on very short notice. If you are looking for a quiet, family friendly place with lots of the Great Outdoors you can't go wrong at Cowan's Gap !! read more

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This is our very fav summer vacation spot. My family has been coming here for over 40-50 years. (multiple generations). We have camped, swam, fished, paddle boated, kayaked, hiked, eaten at the snack bar , grilled out, walked, visited the nature center and so much more here over the years. It's always beautiful and so well maintained. Cheap too!!! We love it and will continue to go multiple times every year! read more

Cowan's Gap is a picturesque state park nestled in the Blue mountains in Franklin county. It has a lake that is open for swimming, fishing, ice fishing and ice skating all year long. It really really is beautiful, and not that far from my home, Harrisburg Pa. It doesnt have anything that's SUPER special compared to the other parks, it has a concession stand and a canoe rental place... but it's beautiful to look at in the fall. Its over 1080 acres, and has a great trail all around it. it took a little while to walk, but still worth it. There are cabins and tents available for overnight camping. read more

Cowans Gap State Park is a family favorite! Well worth the drive (we live an hour away), this state park is nature at it's best! The background of huge mountains by the lake will take your breath away! Camping, swimming, picnicing, boating and fishing are fun at this park! There is a wonderful nature trail that goes around the lake. read more