Poe Valley State Park

Surrounded by seemingly never-ending forests, Poe Valley State Park is the perfect Pennsylvania state park to dive into nature. Incorporating 620-acres, its remote location, 3-hours from Pittsburgh, Allentown and Philadelphia is about as far away from city life as you can get. Nestled within a rugged mountain valley, the park’s main drawcard is 25-acre Poe Lake which is a nice spot for fishing, swimming and boating. It is also flanked by Bald Eagle State Forest, whose 198,000-acres accommodate several scenic hiking trails. Other activities in the park include picnicking and hunting. While those who really want to immerse themselves in nature can do so at the onsite campground that features both rustic, and modern campsites that come with hookups for electricity. Overall, if you are looking for a weekend nature getaway that offers plenty of rest and relaxation opportunities. Poe Valley State Park is hard to beat.

Activities

Guests at the park can enjoy its beautiful landscape in several different ways. Below is a quick rundown of some of the most popular recreational activities you can engage in while you are at Poe Valley State Park.

Fishing at Poe Valley State Park

You will definitely want to bring your rods and reels to the park because the scenic Poe Lake is a fabulous spot for both coldwater and warmwater fishing. It is particularly good during the start of the trout season in mid-April, however other species like catfish, sunfish, perch and pickerel can also be caught. You will need a valid state license in order to do so. But, once you’ve got one, you can also engage in stream fishing at Big Poe Creek and Penns Creek as well. Both of which are not far from the park and provide a pleasant change of scene.

Hiking at Poe Valley State Park

For those into hiking the park has several short trails winding through it. All of them showcase some aspect of the park’s natural beauty, while many lead into longer trails in the adjacent Bald Eagle State Forest and nearby Poe Paddy State Park. These trails vary in difficulty from those that are considered easy for everyone to traverse to others that are very challenging. One of the most attempted trails for visitors at the park is the Mid State Trail. Extending for 327 miles, it is very popular with backpackers and day hikers as it comprises a continuous path throughout most of the state. While technically not in the park, it can easily be accessed from it, providing a terrific opportunity to hike to Poe Paddy, as well as connect to other trails within the surrounding Bald Eagle State Forest. Another popular trail is Loggers Path, which is a bit of a more difficult and very steep hike that takes you into the spectacular Poe Valley and then up to the top of Little and Big Poe Mountains.

Winter Activities at Poe Valley State Park

In the winter months road access to the park can be limited due to the snow. But if you can get through, then you are able to enjoy the likes of cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing whilst you are there. While there are no specific trails designated for these activities, most skiers and snowmobilers tend to traverse the local roads since snow plowing is rarely done on it. If you intend to do any of these activities, just be mindful that there are usually a few four wheel drive vehicles on the road. So you should keep an eye out for them to stay safe. Those who can get to the lake, can choose to ice fish. You will still need a fishing license to do this and you really should check if the ice is at least six inches deep before venturing onto it.

Picnicking at Poe Valley State Park

The park is a lovely place for a picnic, particularly down by Poe Lake where there is a nice shaded picnic area for visitors to enjoy. In this area you will find charcoal grills as well as charcoal disposal containers, drinking water and playground areas. Visitors are welcome to use the facilities to cook a meal. However, they are requested to dispose of the trash responsibly and are not permitted from drinking alcohol.

Pets

Pets are more than welcome to join you at Poe Valley State Park, although you will need to abide by strict rules and regulations which apply to their presence there. For instance, dogs are not allowed in certain parts of the park, including most of its buildings. The exception being if they are service dogs. Your four legged friend must also be leashed at all times and well behaved. While owners should always clean up after they have made a mess and dispose of it in the correct fashion.

Camping

For those wanting to extend their visit to the park over the course of a few days there is a lovely campground available onsite. Open from the second week of April until the beginning of December, it presents 45 campsites for tents, trailers and motor homes. Of these, some 27 have connections for 50-amp electricity, while the other 18 offer a more rustic camping experience. All of the campsites are situated within a wooded area which resides within easy walking distance to most of its facilities. The campground also counts warm showers, flush toilets and drinking water among its amenities. As well as these campsites, the park also offers three camping cottages and a deluxe cottage which provide visitors with some of the comforts of home. Each cottage can sleep up to five people and features a porch with a table, electric lights and heating, picnic tables and a fire ring. The deluxe cottage also has a fully equipped kitchen with a stove, microwave and refrigerator.

Park Location

Poe Valley State Park 136 Poe Valley Rd Penn Township, PA 176832 Phone: 814.349.2460 Park Website Reservations

Map

Video

Here is a short YouTube video showcasing several attractions at Poe Valley State Park:

Explore More Pennsylvania State Parks

Poe Valley State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Pennsylvania. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Pennsylvania guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.

Wildlife & Nature

Poe Valley SP — in a remote mountain valley in Bald Eagle SF — centers on Poe Lake (25 acres). The park’s mountain forest, lake, and streams support black bears, white-tailed deer, and wild turkeys. Brook trout inhabit the cold streams. Barred owls call at dusk. Scarlet tanagers nest.

Nearby Attractions

Poe Paddy SP — 3 miles east. Penn-Roosevelt SP — 5 miles south. State College — 25 miles north — has Penn State.

Make it a road trip: Pair a visit with Poe Paddy State Park (a short drive away) or Reeds Gap State Park (a short drive away).

🐾 Dogs & Pets at Poe Valley State Park

Pets allowed? statewide rule

Pets are allowed in day-use areas of Pennsylvania state parks and in designated campground sites, but must be physically controlled, attended at all times and leashed, caged or crated.

Leash rule statewide rule

Leash required at all times; no universal maximum length — inquire at the park office (electronic fences/shock collars not accepted as control)

Beaches & swim areas statewide rule

Pets are prohibited in swimming areas and designated beaches

Cabins & lodging statewide rule

Dogs allowed in a limited number of designated cabins, cottages and yurts (pilot program); maximum two dogs per unit; dogs must be house-trained and current on rabies vaccination

Pet fees statewide rule

No standard statewide pet fee; fees may be assessed for damage in dog-friendly lodging

Statewide exceptions statewide rule

Maximum two non-caged pets per campsite; pets prohibited in buildings; pet food may not be left outside camping units

Dogs & wildlife

Keep dogs leashed and store their food as carefully as your own — bears are a confirmed presence in and around the park.

Are dogs allowed at Poe Valley State Park?
Pets are allowed in day-use areas of Pennsylvania state parks and in designated campground sites, but must be physically controlled, attended at all times and leashed, caged or crated. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.

Rules verified July 2026 via pa.gov. More: Pennsylvania state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared

🐻 Wildlife at Poe Valley State Park: What to Watch For — and Watch Out For

Worth watching for: DCNR lists deer, turkey, grouse, bear, and squirrel as the common game species in this 620-acre park, which sits surrounded by the 198,000-acre Bald Eagle State Forest — so the wildlife you see is drawn from a much larger forest block. Dawn and dusk along the forest edges around 25-acre Poe Lake are the practical times to look.

Watch out for: Black bears are an officially listed species at Poe Valley, and the Pennsylvania Game Commission confirms bears live in large forested areas statewide — exactly the terrain here. Follow PGC guidance: secure food, coolers, and trash (attractants cause nearly all conflicts), and if you meet a bear, make noise to announce yourself, then back away slowly while facing it; most bears will run from a human. Bears are most active at dusk and dawn.

Are there bears at Poe Valley State Park?
Yes — see above for where they occur in the park and how to behave. Sightings are a normal part of a healthy park; incidents are rare when visitors keep distance and store food properly.

Wildlife information verified July 2026 via pa.gov.