🏆 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.
Park Location
Plan your gear for Parker Dam State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
