🏆 Official Guide: Parker Dam State Park — A 968-acre CCC-heritage park in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, gateway to the Quehanna Wilderness — featuring a 20-acre lake with sand swimming beach, CCC-built rustic cabins (year-round), camping, 16 miles of hiking trails, fishing (stocked brook trout + bass), boat rentals, the CCC Museum, and winter sports (cross-country skiing, ice fishing, sledding).
Parker Dam State Park is Pennsylvania’s gateway to wilderness — a CCC-era park surrounded by 300,000 acres of Moshannon State Forest and the remote Quehanna Wilderness. The park’s rustic CCC-built cabins, scenic 20-acre lake, and 16 miles of trails through hardwood forests make it a four-season retreat for those seeking authentic backcountry experiences within reach of civilization.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Clearfield County, PA — Moshannon State Forest |
| Size | 968 acres — gateway to Quehanna Wilderness |
| Lake | Parker Lake — 20 acres |
| Beach | Sand swimming beach — Memorial Day to mid-September |
| Heritage | CCC-built structures — Lou & Helen Adams CCC Museum |
| Season | Year-round — 4-season park |
Accommodations
| Type | Details |
|---|---|
| CCC Cabins | Rustic — year-round availability |
| Campground | April–December — shaded + open sites |
| Amenities | Modern restrooms, showers, dump station, laundry |
| Mooring | Courtesy mooring for overnight guests |
Activities
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| Swimming | Sand beach — Memorial Day to mid-September |
| Hiking | 16 mi — connects to Moshannon State Forest + Quehanna |
| Fishing | Brook trout (stocked), bass, bluegill, perch, crappie |
| Boating | Electric/non-powered — paddleboat/canoe/rowboat rentals |
| Camping | April–December — cabins year-round |
| CCC Museum | Lou & Helen Adams CCC Museum — history exhibits |
| Cross-Country Skiing | Winter — maintained trails |
| Ice Fishing | Winter — Parker Lake |
| Sledding | Dedicated sledding hills |
| Snowmobiling | Designated trails |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Quehanna Wilderness?
The Quehanna Wilderness is approximately 50,000 acres of remote backcountry within Moshannon State Forest, accessible via trails from Parker Dam State Park. It’s one of Pennsylvania’s most wild and undeveloped areas — home to elk, bear, and extensive old-growth forest.
Can I rent a cabin in winter?
Yes — the CCC-era rustic cabins at Parker Dam are available year-round, making this one of the best winter cabin retreats in Pennsylvania. Winter activities include cross-country skiing, ice fishing, sledding, and snowmobiling.
Make it a road trip: Pair a visit with Simon B. Elliott State Park (a short drive away) or Moshannon State Forest (a short drive away).
Camping reservations: Book campsites and cabins for Pennsylvania state parks online at pennsylvaniastateparks.reserveamerica.com.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Parker Dam 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
Are dogs allowed at Parker Dam 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
Park Location
Plan your gear for Parker Dam State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
