Bald Eagle State Park, Howard, Centre County, Pennsylvania

Bald Eagle State Park is in Howard, Centre County, Central Pennsylvania. It has fishing, boating of all kinds, hiking, camping, swimming, volleyball, playgrounds, a lake, and a lake beach.

Park Established: 1971

Area: 5900 Acres

Fees: Bike Rentals, Boat Rental Fee, Cabin Rental Fee, Camping Fee, No Entry Fee

Park Activities:

Yes, there is biking.
Yes, there is boating.

Boating is one of the main attractions at Bald Eagle State Park.

Yes, there is camping.

Both rustic and modern camping are available.

Yes, there is canoeing or kayaking.

Yes, there is fishing.

The reservoir is great for warm water fishing.

Yes, there is hiking.

There are four easy hiking trails that are two miles or less. Three more difficult trails range from 2.2 to 5.6 miles.

Yes, there is hunting.

Hunting, trapping, and dog training are allowed on about 4,900 acres of the park during the appropriate seasons..

Yes, there is ice boating.

Make sure the ice is at least 6 inches thick.

Yes, there is ice fishing.

Check ice thickness and follow all safety precautions while ice fishing.

Yes, there is ice skating.

Make sure the ice is at least four inches thick for one person or seven inches for a small group.

Yes, there is jet skiing.

Yes, there is picnicking.

There are several picnic areas throughout the park.

Yes, there is power boating.

Unlimited horsepower motors are permitted. Boats must be registered, and rules of the lake must be followed at all times.

Yes, there is row boating.

Yes, there is sailing.

Yes, there is cross country skiing.

Two of the seven hiking trails are recommended for cross country skiing.

Yes, there is sledding.

There is a 1,320-foot run for sledding.

Yes, there is stand up paddleboarding.

Yes, there is swimming.

Please follow all safety guidelines while in and around the water.

Yes, there is volleyball.

Yes, there is water skiing.

There is no information on geocaching available.

There is no information available about kite surfing.

There is no available information on sailboarding.

There is no information available about snowshoeing.

Snowshoeing is recommended on six of the seven hiking trails. Some of the trails are easy and some more difficult.

There is no information available about wind surfing.

No, there is no ATVing.

No, there is no bacci ball.

No, there is no backpacking.

No, there is no baseball or softball.

No, there is no basketball.

No, there is no collecting.

No, there is no disc golf.

No, there are no DRONEs allowed.

No, there is no football.

No, there is no gold panning.

No, there is no golfing.

No, there is no group camping.

No, there are no guided tours.

No, there is no hang gliding.

No, there is no horseback riding.

No, there is no horseshoes.

No, there are no junior ranger programs.

No, there is no mini golf.

No, there is no pickleball.

No, there are no ranger programs.

No, there is no rock climbing.

No, there is no SCUBA diving.

No, there is no shuffleboard.

No, there is no skateboarding.

No, there is no downhill skiing.

No, there is no snorkeling.

No, there is no snow mobiling.

No, there is no snow tubing.

No, there is no soccer.

No, there is no surfing.

No, there is no tennis.

No, there is no trap shooting.

No, there is no whitewater rafting.

No, there is no zipline.

Park Amenities:

Yes, there is an amphitheater.

Yes, there are benches.

Yes, there is a bike rack.

Yes, there is a boat ramp.

There are six boat launches at Bald Eagle State Park. Winter Launch has a handicap accessible fishing pier.

Yes, there are cabins or cottages.

There are three cottages and one deluxe cottage.

Yes, there is a camp store.

Yes, there is a dump station.

Yes, there are electricity hookups.

Yes, there is a food concession.

Yes, there is a gift shop.

Yes, there is green space.

Yes, there are grills.

Yes, there is handicap accessibility.

Yes, there is an inn or lodge.

The inn has 16 rooms.

Yes, there is a marina.

The marina has slips that may be rented on a seasonal or daily basis. There is a boat rental concession that sells gasoline from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Yes, there is a park office.

Yes, there is a parking lot.

Yes, there is a pavilion.

Yes, there are picnic tables.

Yes, there is a pier.

Yes, there is a playground.

Yes, there are sewer hookups.

Yes, there are showers.

Yes, there are toilets.

Yes, there are flush toilets.

Yes, there are vault (pit) toilets.

Yes, there are trash cans. Please use them responsibly.

Yes, there is a water fountain or water pump.

Yes, there are water hookups.

Yes, there are yurts.

The yurt sleeps six people.

There is no information about port-a-potties available.

There is no information on vending machines available.

There is no information about a visitor center, museum, or environmental education center available.

There is no information available about WiFi.

No, there is no archery range.

No, there is no auditorium.

No, there are no batting cages.

No, there are no beach showers.

No, there are no bleachers.

No, there is no boardwalk.

No, there are no classrooms.

No, there is no dog park.

No, there is no driving range.

No, there is no gazebo.

No, there is no laundry.

No, there are no meeting facilities.

No, there is no observation deck or tower.

No, there is no observatory.

No, there are no recreational buildings.

No, there are no recycling cans.

No, there is no restaurant.

No, there is no shooting range.

No, there is no skate park.

No, there is no splash pad.

No, there is no swimming pool.

No, there are no wellness stations.

Park Features:

Yes, there is forest.

Yes, there is a lake.

Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir is 1,730 acres.

Yes, there is a lake beach.

The beach is open 8am to dusk from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Yes, there is a stream or river.

There is no information on wetlands available.

No, there is no bog.

No, there is no canal.

No, there is no canyon.

No, there is no cave.

No, there is no coral reef.

No, there is not a covered bridge.

No, there is no cultural significance.

No, there is no dam.

No, there is no desert.

No, there is no fort.

No, there is no fountain.

No, there is no furnace.

No, there are no geologic features.

No, there is no historical monument.

No, there is no historical significance.

No, there is no lighthouse.

No, there is no mill.

No, there are no mountains.

No, there is no pond.

No, there is no prairie.

No, there are no sand dunes.

No, there is no shore beach.

No, there is no veterans memorial.

No, there is no volcano.

No, there are no waterfalls.

No, there is no windmill.

History

Bald Eagle State Park was named for Woapalanne, a Munsee Lenni Lenape tribal leader who briefly lived in the area in the mid 1700s and whose name translates to “bald eagle.” In the mid 1800s, Bald Eagle Creek served as part of the Pennsylvania Canal system, but flooding and the rise of railroads led to the demise of the short-lived canals. In 1969 the Army Corps of Engineers built Foster Joseph Sayers Dam to reduce downstream flooding. Bald Eagle State Park opened in 1971.

Biology

The lake, forests, fields, wetlands, and streams make for many habitat types for wildlife. Many common Pennsylvania mammal species live in the park. Birders will find Bald Eagle State Park a good spot, especially during migration seasons. Also, a wide variety of butterflies and dragonflies migrate through the park.

Watershed Address: Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir - Bald Eagle Creek - West Branch of the Susquehanna River - Susquehanna River - Chesapeake Bay - Atlantic Ocean