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Pennsylvania
62

Pennsylvania State Parks

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USA Parks
Pennsylvania
Central Region
Bald Eagle State Park
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Bald Eagle State Park © Shelli Merrifield
Just into the mouth of the Bald Eagle River at the top of the Foster Joseph Sayers Dam.
Bald Eagle State Park © Shelli Merrifield
Just into the mouth of the Bald Eagle River at the top of the Foster Joseph Sayers Dam.
Bald Eagle State Park Cabin At Bald Eagle State Park © Scott Williams
Camping cabin available for rent at Bald Eagle State Park.
Bald Eagle State Park Sayers Dam © Scott Williams
Anglers trying their luck, with Foster Joseph Sayers Dam in the background, part of the Bald Eagle State Park.
Bald Eagle State Park © Shelli Merrifield
View from the beach at Bald Eagle State Park.
Bald Eagle State Park © Shelli Merrifield
View from the beach at Bald Eagle State Park.
Bald Eagle State Park © Shelli Merrifield
Sunset seen from a kayak, just off of the boat launch on the Howard side.
Bald Eagle State Park © Cristiane Dornbusch
Bald Eagle State Park © Cristiane Dornbusch
Bald Eagle State Park Groundhog © Cristiane Dornbusch
Bald Eagle State Park Fishing © Cristiane Dornbusch
Bald Eagle State Park Boat Ride © Cristiane Dornbusch
Bald Eagle State Park What to do © Cristiane Dornbusch
Bald Eagle State Park © Shelli Merrifield
Bald Eagle State Park © Shelli Merrifield
Bald Eagle State Park © Shelli Merrifield
Bald Eagle State Park Fall Fishing © Scott Williams
Old Route 220 disappears into Sayers Lake and reappears, upper left, while two autumn anglers try their luck.
Bald Eagle State Park © Donna Davis
2008
Bald Eagle State Park © Donna Davis
2008
Bald Eagle State Park Pier © Cristiane Dornbusch
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BALD EAGLE STATE PARK
BALD EAGLE STATE PARK
149 Main Park Rd
Howard, Pennsylvania   16841
(lat:41.0328 lon:-77.6499) map location

Phone: (814) 625-2775
Toll Free: 888-727-2757
Reservations: 888-727-2757
Email: park email button icon
The 5,900-acre park lies in the broad Bald Eagle Valley of northcentral Pennsylvania. Two geologic provinces create Bald Eagle's scenic beauty. The Allegheny Plateau to the north and west holds smooth, undulating uplands. The Ridge and Valley Province to the south and east contains numerous long, narrow mountain ridges separated by valleys.

The diverse geology in the park provides the backdrop for the lake, forests, fields, wetlands, and streams. Old field habitat throughout the park is undergoing natural succession. Grasses are giving way to goldenrod and asters, and gray dogwood and sumacs are being pushed out by pines and maples. These fields provide homes for bluebird, monarch butterfly, woodchuck, and cottontail rabbit, while squirrel and downy woodpecker inhabit the woodlots. A mature oak and hickory forest covers the Bald Eagle Mountain and provides homes for porcupine and turkey. The edge habitat created when old fields meet woods and wetlands, allows white-tailed deer, woodcock and red-winged blackbird to thrive.

The lake, created by the Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir, holds black crappie, largemouth and smallmouth bass, yellow perch and other warm water species. The lake also attracts snapping turtles, osprey, great blue heron and the occasional bald eagle. Several intermittent streams flow into the lake providing habitat for aquatic insects, crayfish, and minnows. Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir draws most of its water from Bald Eagle Creek. The creek flows through limestone making itself and the lake alkaline. These conditions create a good warm water fishery.
History of the Area
The valley, creek, mountain and state park are named for the American Indian chief Woapalanne that means bald eagle. In the mid-1700s, the Lenni Lenape chief briefly dwelled at Bald Eagle's Nest, near Milesburg. The village was along the Bald Eagle Creek Path, a portion of a warrior's path from New York to the Carolinas which now is State Route 150.

As one of the few navigable tributaries of the West Branch Susquehanna River, Bald Eagle Creek became a branch of the Pennsylvania Canal in the mid-1800s. Flooding destroyed the short-lived canal system and newly developed railroads replaced the canal.

These transportation systems and abundant local resources led to the building of the nearby Curtin Ironworks. Loggers cut trees from steep-sided Bald Eagle Mountain and colliers made charcoal from the wood to feed the hungry furnace. When the demand for wood products soared in the 1800s, once plentiful pine, chestnut, oak and hickory were cleared from the valley and plateaus and the forest was replaced with farmland. The forests of Bald Eagle Mountain have regenerated and the fertile valley continues to be cultivated.

The reservoir is named in honor of Foster Joseph Sayers, a Private 1st Class in World War II. Nineteen year-old Sayers, a resident of Centre County, lost his life while displaying gallantry above and beyond the call of duty in combat on November 12, 1944 near Thionville, France. During an attack on hostile forces entrenched on a hill, he ran up the steep approach and set up his machine gun 20 yards from the enemy. Realizing it was necessary to attract the full attention of the dug-in Germans while his company crossed an open area and flanked the enemy, he picked up his gun, charged through withering gun fire to the very edge of the German encampment and killed 12 German soldiers with devastating close-range fire. He then engaged the enemy from the flank in a heroic attempt to distract attention from his comrades as they reached the crest of the hill. He was killed by a very heavy concentration of return fire, but his fearless assault enabled his company to sweep the hill with minimum casualties, killing or capturing every enemy solider. Sayers received the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Camping
Call 888 PA-PARKS for reservations up to 11 months in advance to noon the day of arrival. Pets are not permitted in the Bald Eagle State Park campgrounds. The campgrounds open the second Friday of April and close in mid-December.

Russell P. Letterman Campground:

This modern camping area features 99 campsites, two yurts, hot showers, the park amphitheater, two volleyball courts, horseshoe pits and a sanitary dump station. It is less than one mile to the beach, marina and other park facilities.

Each campsite has a paved parking spur, picnic table and fire ring. Electric hookups of 30 amps are available at 72 sites, and 12 campsites have 50 amp hookups. Four campsites can accommodate people with disabilities.

The yurts, (round, Mongolian-style tents on wooden decks), sleep 6, have electric heat, a cooking stove, refrigerator, beds and a table and chairs. Located in the center of the campground, the yurts offer convenient accommodations for weekly rentals. Shorter stays are available during the spring and fall seasons. One yurt can accommodate people with disabilities.

Vehicles are to be parked on the hard surface only, not on the grass. Second car permits can be purchased if space permits.

Primitive Camping Area:

This rustic area can accommodate both tents and camping vehicles with 35 walk-in sites for tents and 35 sites reserved for camping vehicles. The tent camping sites are the walk-in type and are approximately 150 feet from the road. Parking spaces for tent campers are available along the road. Drinking water is available at intermittent locations along the campground road. Restrooms are rustic with a sink and running water. A sanitary dump station is available.
Marinas
Marina and Boat Concession:

Three hundred and sixty-nine marina dockage slips are rented to the public on a seasonal basis. Transient slips are rented on a daily basis. Summer and winter boat and trailer storage is available. Information on the rental of these spaces is available at the park office.

The boating concession, located at the marina, rents boats and sells gasoline and does repairs.. Boats available for rent at the marina include rowboats with and without motors, canoes, runabouts, and pontoon boats. The concession is open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day and weekends during the months of September and October, weather permitting. Contact the park office for additional information.
Swimming
The 1,200-foot long sand and turf beach has a children's playground, a snack bar, changing rooms, public restrooms, and parking. The regular hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day, unless otherwise posted. The swimming area is ADA accessible. Pets are not permitted in the beach area.

The food and refreshment concession is located at the beach area and offers mostly fast service type food and is open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day, weather permitting.
Boating
Motorboats must display a boat registration from any state. Non-powered boats must display one of the following: boat registration from any state; launching permit or mooring permit from Pennsylvania State Parks that are available at most state park offices; launch use permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

Boats equipped with inboard engines with over the transom or straight-stack type exhausts are not permitted. The operation of a personal watercraft requires certification from the PA Fish and Boat Commission.

Boaters must follow the counter-clockwise traffic pattern on the lake. The speed limit is 45 mph.
Fishing
The park offers year-round fishing options in a 1,730-acre lake. Anglers can catch warm-water species like bass and catfish. Other fish include pike, perch, crappie and muskellunge. Ice fishing is popular during winter months for walleye or yellow perch enthusiasts.


Location
Bald Eagle State Park is located near Bellefonte, Lock Haven and State College

Picnicking
The Main Park Area has four picnic areas that close at sunset. Picnic pavilions may be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee. Unreserved picnic pavilions are free and shared by all park patrons.
Bicycling
Cycling enthusiasts can explore over 14 miles of trails, but be aware that some paths are steep and challenging.

The Skyline Drive Trail offers a rigorous uphill climb with rewarding views at the top.

For those seeking less strenuous options, there's Lower Greens Run Road which is mostly flat terrain.

Remember to always wear protective gear as certain areas may have loose gravel or uneven surfaces.

Bikers should also note that not all hiking trails permit cycling; check signage before proceeding on any path.

During winter months, biking might become more difficult due to snowfall - plan your visit accordingly.

Keep in mind wildlife sightings are common here so proceed cautiously while enjoying nature's beauty from two wheels!

Lastly, remember it's important for cyclists to respect other trail users by maintaining appropriate speeds and yielding when necessary.
Nature Programs
Bald Eagle State Park offers a wide variety of environmental education and interpretive programs on a year-round basis. Through guided walks, hands-on activities, and campfire programs, visitors gain appreciation and awareness toward the natural and historical resources.

Curriculum-based outdoor investigations and hands-on environmental activities are available to local schools, youth and community organizations, and homeschool associations. Programs for children to learn about the environment are presented annually through the Pennsylvania State Parks Youth Environmental Learning Series Day Camp. This program is open to children ages 4-17 and their parents. Group programs must be scheduled in advance by calling the park office. For more information on park programs, check the activity schedule on the park bulletin boards or at the park office and contact station.
Birding
The park offers a variety of birding options with over 200 species recorded. It's home to waterfowl, warblers and eagles. The Butterfly Trail is popular for spotting songbirds and raptors. Birdwatchers can also explore the Skyline Drive area or Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
June 15 Great campground, beautiful scenery. by Joe Walter
park review stars; one to five To note on your descriotion, pets are permitted at the state campground. We have camped there multiple times with our dog.
April 22 friends camping/ fishing/so sad by Memaw
park review stars; one to five tooo bad nobody knew that the lake was drained. Our friends are down there right now, but sad because no fishing. How sad!!
June 9 Great Time Had By All
park review stars; one to five We attended the fishing program on June 7th and had a wonderful time! Very well organized, very informational and tons of fun! Thank you!
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Area Campgrounds
Bellefonte/State College KOA
2481 Jacksonville Road
Bellefonte, PA
814-355-7912
Fort Bellefonte Campground
2023 Jacksonville Road
Bellefonte, PA
814-355-9820
Area Fishing Related Businesses
Rich's Bait & Tackle
910 N Eagle Valley Rd
Howard, PA
(814) 353-8829
RMC Sports Outlet
259 Hecla Rd
Mingoville, PA
(814) 383-4079
Area Cabins and Lodges
Cherry Ridge Cabins
PO Box 571
Milesburg, PA
(814) 355-5916
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
Bald Eagle State Park, Centre County, is along PA Route 150 between Milesburg and Lock Haven. From the west, take I-80 to Exit 158 and take PA Route 150 north for about 10 miles. From the east, take I-80 to Exit 178 and take U.S. Route 220 north, then take PA Route 150 south for about 13 miles.

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Pennsylvania
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Pennsylvania State Parks

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