Gifford Pinchot State Park

Less than a week until camping! The campground opens Friday, April 9. To make reservations, or check availability, go to www.VisitPAParks.com or call 1-888-PA-PARKS. See you soon!

As a reminder, Pinchot Lake is still in drawdown status. The lake has been lowered approximately five feet to allow park maintenance staff to make repairs and improvements at the Quaker Race swimming beach, Conewago Day Use Area, and other shoreline locations. The lake will remain open to both fishing and boating during this time, but launching boats is difficult due to access to the water and no floating docks being installed, and shoreline fishing is limited. Once all projects are completed, the lake will be re-filled as precipitation permits, while maintaining adequate downstream flow. We currently do not have an exact completion date for the maintenance projects affecting the lake level, but are hoping to be back at normal pool level around Memorial Day.

50 days until our campground opens --- who's ready?! Reservations can be made by phone at 1-888-727-2757 or online at www.visitpaparks.com.

There is an egg in the bald eagle nest at Codorus State Park!

If you have visited the park recently, you may have noticed that the lake is about 5 feet below normal pool level. This is to allow our maintenance staff to make repairs and improvements to certain areas of our park, like the swimming beach area in Quaker Race. You may have also noticed odd structures on the lake bottom, now visible because of the low water level. These are fish habitat improvement structures, placed in our lake with assistance from the PA Fish and Boat Commission. A map of current structures in our lake can be found here: https://www.fishandboat.com//Documen/lakePlans/pinchot.pdf

Bluebirds can be spotted at Pinchot...learn more here!

We want to remind hikers that archery deer hunting is permitted Sunday, November 15. While it is not required, people and pets are encouraged to wear fluorescent orange or another highly visible article of clothing.

Nineteen years from this Saturday is a long time to wait for another chance!

Thank you veterans! Freedom isn't free.

Pinchot Lake will undergo a short-term drawdown beginning October 26, 2020. The lake will be lowered approximately five feet to allow park maintenance staff to make repairs and improvements at the Quaker Race swimming beach, Conewago Day Use Area, and other shoreline locations. The lake will remain open to both fishing and boating during this time, but launching boats may be difficult and shoreline fishing may be limited. No other park facilities will be impacted by the drawdown. Once all projects are completed, the lake will be re-filled as precipitation permits, while maintaining adequate downstream flow.

We've been reminding you for weeks, and now is the day! Today, November 1 is the first day of the mandatory Cold Water Wear It law which runs through April 30. Learn more here: http://ow.ly/M0zV50BFx3g

Pinchotween had to be different this year for the safety of our visitors, volunteers, and staff. We hosted a parade, sponsored by the Friends of Pinchot, through the campground to judge the campsite decorating contest. The Friends of Pinchot will post the winner of the contest on their Facebook page, so check it out and give them a follow while you're there! We want to send a huge thanks to our friends at the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission for joining in on the fun. And thank you to the Wellsville Fire Company for sending your Traffic Utility truck to participate as well. Park staff is grateful for our wonderful partnerships. The biggest thank you of all goes out to the campers who cheered enthusiastically from their sites!

Who doesn't love a cool fall morning?

Gorgeous color continues to abound throughout Penn’s Woods! While some northern counties have begun to fade, central forests and parks are now stealing the show. Learn more in the week 3 #PAFallFoliage report http://bit.ly/2OCvs8C #FallinPA

The trees are starting to change at Pinchot!

End of season update: SWIMMING is closed for the season. The SNACK BAR is closed for the season.... The BOAT RENTAL in the Quaker Race Day Use Area (2800 Rosstown Rd) will be open, weather permitting, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Sat Oct 3 & Sun Oct 4, and Sat Oct 10, Sun Oct 11 & Mon Oct 12, which will be the last day for the season. The boat rental in the Conewago Day Use Area is closed. Please see the private concessionaire's flyer for pricing and additonal info. PINCHOTWEEN, our Halloween event, is Sat Oct 17. We will continue a celebrated park tradition in a way our visitors, volunteers, and staff can participate safely. While trick-or-treat, the bonfire, and afternoon kids' activities will NOT be happening, other fun opportunities will be available, including a parade of special judges to determine the best campsite decorations. You must be camping to participate in Pinchotween. To make reservations, or check availability, please go to VisitPAParks.com, or call 1-888-PA-PARKS. The last night for CAMPING at a campsite, cottage, or yurt is Sat Oct 31. Modern cabins stay open year-round. To make reservations, or check availability, please go to VisitPAParks.com, or call 1-888-PA-PARKS.

Pinchotween 2020 will continue a celebrated park tradition, in a way our visitors, volunteers, and staff can participate safely. We look forward to honoring the best decorated campsites and celebrating our most spirited guests. While trick-or-treat, the bonfire, and afternoon kids’ activities will NOT be happening, other fun opportunities will be available, including a parade of special judges to determine the best campsite decorations. You must be camping to participate in Pinchotween. To make reservations, or check site availability, please go to VisitPAParks.com, or call 1-888-PA-PARKS. Pinchotween will be Saturday, October 17, 2020. We look forward to seeing you!

Swimming will close for the season at sunset on Sunday, September 27. The boat rental in the Quaker Race Day Use Area will be open Saturdays and Sundays only, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. We will post when the concessionaire closes for the season. The Conewago Day Use Area boat rental is closed for the season. The snack bar in the Quaker Race Day Use Area will be open Saturdays and Sundays only, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, weather permitting.... The last night for camping is October 31. Reservations can be made online at www.VisitPAParks.com or by calling 1-888-PA-PARKS.

This is been a "ruff" year, so we're happy "fur" something to celebrate!

Swimming will close for the season at sunset on Sunday, September 27, 2020.

We also want to stress properly disposing of fishing tackle and balloons. Fishing line and balloon strings can strangle wildlife. Popped balloons and fishing lures can choke animals that think they are edible. #leavenotrace