Discover Dutch Country Roads' Great Places to Picnic
Little Buffalo State Park

1579 State Park Road
Newport, PA 17074-9428
717-567-9255

Little Buffalo State Park is a place where people have met for centuries. Besides having extensive picnic areas, hiking trails and a lake for fishing and boating, the park is steeped in history. Historical features include a covered bridge, a restored, operating grist mill, an old farm house built on the site of a colonial tavern, and a narrow gauge railroad trace which feature one of the original railroad cars.

From PA Route 322, take the Newport Exit and follow PA Route 34 South through the town of Newport. One mile from town turn right onto Little Buffalo State Park Road to the park. From PA Route 322 to the park entrance is 4.6 miles.

Swimming: A new, state-of-the-art swimming pool is open which has waterslides and a sprayground. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., weather permitting, Memorial Day to Labor Day. Fee charged for pool use.

Fishing: The 88-acre Holman Lake offers year-round fishing opportunities. This warm water fishery enjoys natural reproduction of largemouth bass, catfish and panfish. The lake is designated as a "Big Bass Lake." Bass must be at least 15 inches long with a daily limit of four. Adult brook, brown and rainbow trout are stocked several times a year. Fingerlings of tiger muskellunge and walleye are also stocked. An accessible fishing pier is located by the Main Boat Launch. See Winter Activities for information on ice fishing. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission rules and regulations apply.

Boating: Electric powered and non-powered boats are permitted. 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.

There are two public boat launches on the north side of Holman Lake. Mooring sites for private boats are available for a fee from April 1 to Nov. 1.

A boat rental is located next to the swimming pool and operates the weekend of Memorial Day through Labor Day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, unless otherwise posted. Canoes, rowboats and pedal boats are available.

Camping: flush toilets and showers
The modern campground is open from April to mid-October. There are forty sites, some have electric, water and sewer hook-ups. All campsites have a picnic table and fire ring. Currently the campsites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Stop at the park office to register. If the office is closed, fill out an honor system envelope before setting up on a site.

Playgrounds: There is a playground in the Main Picnic Area and in the East Picnic Area.

Picnicking: Many picnic tables offer nice views of the lake and most are shaded by beautiful oak, maple and ash trees. Charcoal grills are scattered throughout the picnic areas. All picnic areas are open from 8 a.m. to sunset.

There are two picnic areas in Little Buffalo State Park. The Main Picnic Area is a large, shaded lawn surrounding the swimming pools. There are showers, first-aid station, play field, seasonal food concession, playground equipment, boat rental, two picnic pavilions, horseshoe pits, restrooms and many picnic tables. The Main Picnic Area is closed November through April. The East Picnic Area, located by the Little Buffalo Historic District and open year-round, features picnic tables, restrooms, horseshoe pits, environmental interpretive center, picnic pavilion and the Moore Performing Arts Pavilion.

The two picnic pavilions in the west side of the Main Picnic Area seat 80 people, and the picnic pavilion in the East Picnic Area seats 50 people. The picnic pavilions may be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee by calling 888-PA-PARKS. Unreserved picnic pavilions are free on a first come first served basis.