Curwensville State Park
🏆 Pennsylvania’s Hidden Mountain Lake — Fishing, Boating & Forest Trails on Curwensville Lake — Updated for 2026 with boating rules, fishing tips, camping, and seasonal guide
Tucked into the Allegheny Mountains of central Pennsylvania, where the West Branch of the Susquehanna River was dammed to create a peaceful mountain lake, Curwensville State Park offers the kind of uncrowded outdoor experience that most Pennsylvania parks lost decades ago. The 790-acre Curwensville Lake stretches through a wooded valley, ringed by oak and hemlock forest, with excellent bass and walleye fishing, quiet boating, and hiking trails through the surrounding Moshannon State Forest.
This is rural Pennsylvania at its most honest — no crowds, no waterslides, no flashy facilities. Just a mountain lake with good fishing, a calm surface for kayaking, and trails that disappear into a forest so thick it blocks out the sky. If you’re looking for a lake that hasn’t been discovered by the masses, Curwensville is waiting.
What Makes Curwensville Special
Mountain Lake Fishing
790-acre lake with walleye, largemouth bass, muskellunge, crappie, and channel catfish.
Quiet Boating
Electric motors and non-powered boats. No gas motors — ensures peaceful paddling.
Moshannon State Forest
Surrounded by 190,000 acres of state forest — hiking, mountain biking, and hunting access.
Uncrowded Camping
Rustic camping in a mountain setting. One of PA’s least crowded state parks.
Activities
- 🎣 Fishing: Walleye, largemouth bass, muskellunge, crappie, channel catfish, bluegill. Fishing pier and boat launch
- 🚣 Boating: Electric motors and non-powered boats only. Canoes, kayaks, paddleboards welcome. Boat ramp
- 🏊 Swimming: Lake swimming at designated beach area in season
- 🚶 Hiking: Park trails plus access to Moshannon State Forest trail network
- 🐦 Birding: Woodland and wetland species — warblers, herons, osprey, and bald eagles
- ❄️ Winter: Ice fishing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling on forest roads
When to Visit: Seasonal Guide
| Season | Months | Weather | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ☀️ Summer | Jun–Aug | 75-85°F | 🏆 Lake recreation, swimming, fishing, kayaking. Full services |
| 🍂 Fall | Sep–Nov | 45-65°F | 🏆 Pennsylvania fall foliage in the Allegheny Mountains. Quiet fishing |
| 🌸 Spring | Apr–May | 45-65°F | Walleye fishing picks up. Wildflowers. Bird migration |
| ❄️ Winter | Dec–Feb | 20-35°F | Ice fishing on the lake. Cross-country skiing. Snowmobiling |
Camping
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| ⛺ Sites | Modern and rustic campsites near the lake |
| 🚿 Amenities | Restrooms, showers, dump station (seasonal) |
| 📅 Reservations | Reserve through PA DCNR. Many sites also first-come, first-served |
Budget Calculator
| Expense | Day Trip | Camping Weekend | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park Entry | FREE | FREE | Pennsylvania state parks are free to enter |
| Camping (2 nights) | — | $21-40/night | Rustic to modern sites |
| Fishing License | $22-52 | $22-52 | PA fishing license required |
| Total (2 adults) | FREE-$52 | $64-$132 | Affordable mountain lake escape |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are gas motors allowed?
No — Curwensville Lake is electric motors and non-powered boats only. This keeps the lake quiet and peaceful for fishing and paddling.
What fish are in the lake?
Excellent variety: walleye, largemouth bass, muskellunge, crappie, channel catfish, and bluegill. The PA Fish & Boat Commission stocks walleye.
Is it crowded?
No — Curwensville is one of PA’s least visited state parks. If you want a lake without crowds, this is it.
What’s Moshannon State Forest?
190,000 acres of state forest surrounding the park — hiking, mountain biking, hunting, snowmobiling. The forest adds enormous recreation value to the park.
🏞️ Pennsylvania’s Quiet Mountain Lake
There are lakes where jet skis roar and music blares from party boats. And then there’s Curwensville — a mountain lake in the Alleghenies where the loudest sound is a walleye breaking the surface. The no-gas-motor rule keeps this lake the way lakes were meant to be: peaceful, fishable, and reflective of the forest that surrounds it. Paddle a kayak across the still water at dawn while herons fish the shallows. Cast for muskellunge while the Allegheny Mountains turn gold in October. Camp under hemlock trees so thick with needles the ground is soft as carpet. This is Pennsylvania’s best-kept lake secret.
📍 Address: Curwensville State Park, 965 State Park Rd, Curwensville, PA 16833
📞 Phone: (814) 236-7100
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Pennsylvania state parks free?
Yes, all Pennsylvania state parks offer free admission — no vehicle permits or entrance fees are required. Camping, cabin rentals, and some specific activities may have fees.
What are the best state parks in Pennsylvania?
Top parks include Ricketts Glen (22 waterfalls), Ohiopyle (whitewater and trails), Cook Forest (old-growth forest), Worlds End (mountain scenery), and Presque Isle (Lake Erie beach peninsula).
Can I see waterfalls at Pennsylvania state parks?
Ricketts Glen State Park is famous for its Falls Trail with 22 named waterfalls. Bushkill Falls (privately operated) and Dingmans Falls (Delaware Water Gap) are also popular waterfall destinations nearby.
How far in advance can I book camping in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania state park camping reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance through the PA DCNR reservation system. Popular parks like Ricketts Glen and Ohiopyle fill quickly for summer weekends.
Explore More Pennsylvania State Parks
Curwensville 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.
