By:
Submission
Cowans Gap State Park is a diverse landscape nestled within the scenic Allens Valley of Fulton County. Campers come to enjoy the park’s 1,085 acres which offer a large lake, a full-size campground, provincial lodges, and many climbing trails throughout. Aside from the attractions, Buchanan State Forest encompasses the park, offering up fun and beauty regardless of the season. Open every day of the year, the park is a great place to visit for day-trip recreation. That said, if planning to camp here you’ll want to prepare in advance as campsite availability changes by the season.
One of the unique offerings that Cowans Gap features is a number of environmental educational programs for the local public. These programs serve to help the pubic, especially the youth, foster a sense of responsibility for the nature that surrounds them every day. There are guided walks, hands-on activities, and even evening programs for those up to it.
Aside from the educational opportunities, Cowans Gap is also right in the center of over 71,000+ acres of protected land thanks to Buchanan State Forest. There are 19 tracts of forest which occupy the acreage, showcasing numerous ravines, gulches, and brooks as well as groves of pine, hemlock, and maple.
Subsequently, this wild and rugged backdrop attracts hikers, campers, fishers, and outdoor enthusiasts from all over. A number of state game lands located nearby are also popular visiting places for season hunters looking to bag an elk or other large game.
Within the campground itself, there’s a variety of fun activities to get in on. During the winter, the park lake freezes making it perfect for ice-fishing and other winter fun. There’s also a maintained skating rink, so you can even come and ice-skate or play a quick game of hockey.
It’s during the warmer months however that Cowans Gap state park really starts to shine. Once the lake unfreezes, campers flock for kayaking, canoeing, and pedal boating. The campground itself starts to bustle as children and families visit the local volleyball courts, and check out the nearby trails on Horseback. The lake offers a sandy beach area to recreate, as well as a pier for fishers to get easier access to deep water.
Campsites are fully serviced here, and spacious enough to accommodate most families. There are restrooms available throughout the park, and a full-service concession stand for firewood and other conveniences. There are also cabins available for rental, but like most parks be sure to plan ahead as they tend to fill up quick.
The park is north of US 30 between Chambersburg and McConnellsburg.
From the west: I-76 to Exit 180, Fort Littleton, then US 522 north to Burnt Cabins and follow signs to the park.
From the east: I-76 to Exit 189, Willow Hill, then PA 75 south to Richmond Furnace and follow signs to the park.
From the south: US 30 to PA 75 north at Fort Loudon to Richmond Furnace and follow signs to the park.
Primitive luxury is found at campground B. We had an amazing experience and will return soon. The camp hosts were amazing! Thank you Donald and Vicky Rankins and our neighbors were friendly. Harley made a doggie friend and we walked the lake every morning.
It has been a family tradition that my parents would take my brother and I to stay in the rustic cabins every fall season since I was a young child. Until I was about 20, it seems that we never missed a year. Now that I am 37 with a child of my own, I wanted to revisit with my 4 year old daughter and girlfriend. Cabin K is the cabin my parents would reserve annually, so I was lucky enough to reserve this cabin. Almost everything is exactly how I remember it growing up, with a few upgrades to the kitchen area. This was a nice feature that didn’t ruin the rustic ambience. We enjoyed swimming, fishing and hiking in and around the lake, saw some beautiful wildlife and shared some delicious food with family and friends. Cabin K at Cowans Gap remains a place that I hold near and dear to my heart. I look forward to more visits, cherishing the old memories and making new ones for years to come.
It was early morning when I found myself passing this place. I stopped to take a breath, to pause for just a moment in my much anticipated, busy day. For me, nature is soothing, especially water. The lake was as glass until a fish emerged for its breakfast, sending ripples in its wake. Two women were taking a stroll with their dog and another, a jogger, passed me by on the path around the lake. So serene in the morning. Just my cup of tea. Parking was adequate with a handicapped perfectly aligned to walk straight to the lake.
We stayed in Cabin K for 2 nights. There was a ceiling fan, fridge, stove, and microwave. With the windows open the temp was Perfect. Cabin K is secluded enough we actually had a deer visitor! We did usually drive to the bathroom/showed bc we had smaller kids. The boat rental was seamless (cash $15/hr any boat), the kids had fun at the beach and we hiked up to the lookout ( approx - little over 2 miles up and back). Bathrooms were really clean, would definitely go back. Zero cell service over most of the park which was refreshing but unexpected.
