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Cowans Gap State Park

6235 Aughwick Road
Fort Loudon, PA 17224-9801
717-485-3948

Cowans Gap State Park is a 1,085-acre park in the beautiful Allens Valley of Fulton County. The state forest land surrounding the park furnishes visitors with an abundance of natural beauty during all seasons of the year.

The park is between Chambersburg and McConnellsburg. To reach the park from the west; take Exit 180, Fort Littleton, of I-76, then US 522 north to Burnt Cabins and follow signs to the park. From the east; take Exit 189, Willow Hill, of I-76, then PA 75 south to Richmond Furnace and follow signs. From US 30; take PA 75 north at Fort Loudon to Richmond Furnace and follow signs.

Picnicking: Several picnic areas are near the lake. Most of the picnic areas are wooded with many picnic tables available. There are a limited number of fireplaces in the picnic areas, and three of the four picnic pavilions have fireplaces. 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.

Fishing: The 42-acre Cowans Gap Lake offers excellent trout fishing and also has bass, perch and panfish. There is an accessible fishing pier. The South Branch of Little Aughwick Creek offers good trout fishing.

Swimming: The 500-foot sand 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.

Food and Refreshment Concession: Located in the day use area next to the Lifeguard Station/Beach House, it is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day weather permitting. The food concession serves hot sandwiches, pizza, funnel cakes, French fries, soft serve ice cream, drinks and many snacks. It also sells ice, charcoal, firewood, beach items, camping supplies, and offers boat rentals.

Boating: electric motors only
There are two boat launches and 68 mooring spaces on 42-acre Cowans Gap Lake. The boating concession is in the day use area and rents rowboats and paddle boats. The boating concession is open daily in 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.

Camping: modern sites, some with electric
Cowans Gap has 224 campsites in two areas. The camping area has a sanitary dump station and modern comfort stations with flush toilets and hot showers. The campsites can accommodate campers from a small tent to a large motor home. Seven walk-in tent sites are adjacent to Camping Area B. An overnight courtesy boat mooring area is provided for registered campers during their stay at the park.

The camping area is open from the second Friday of April until the day following deer season in December.

Cabins: The park has ten rustic cabins that are available during the spring, summer and fall. The three-room cabins have a four-person overnight capacity. They contain a refrigerator, stove, inside fireplace and two bunk beds. There is no indoor plumbing in the cabins. A water faucet is outside. A central comfort station has showers and flush toilets.