Contact Information
1405 New Lancaster Valley Road
Milroy, PA 17063
814-349-8778
The park was named after a small mountain stream which flows through the valley. Poe Valley was started as a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) project in the mid 1930's. Poe Valley State Park offers a wilderness environment for outdoor recreation enthusiasts. It offers a busy campground, especially during the warmer months and during the hunting seasons. Hiking is a popular activity with many miles of connecting trails available in the Bald Eagle State Forest. The hiking in this area includes both easily hiked trails and the very rugged, steep trails. The 206-mile Mid State Trail system passes through Poe Valley. Guided walks, evening amphitheater programs and other special activities are part of the summer program. An environmental interpretive center located behind the beach is also in operation during this time. Hunters enjoy the abundant game which includes deer, grouse, bear, squirrel and turkey. Ice fishing and ice skating are popular, although no areas are specifically groomed for ice skating. Registered snowmobiles may use the Big Poe Road in the park and state forest roads daily after the end of antlerless deer season.
Handicapped accessible picnic tables and parking spaces have been designated through the park. People with disabilities may use park service roads for access upon request at the park office.
The park was named after a small mountain stream which flows through the valley. Poe Valley was started as a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) project in the mid 1930's. The CCC men built the dam and many of the roads in the area. They lived year-round upstream several miles from the park and remaining structures of their camp are now used as a hunting camp. A stone memorial is located at the site. The dam was finished in 1937.
Poe Valley State Park offers a wilderness environment for outdoor recreation enthusiasts. It offers a busy campground, especially during the warmer months and during the hunting seasons. Hiking is a popular activity with many miles of connecting trails available in the Bald Eagle State Forest. The hiking in this area includes both easily hiked trails and the very rugged, steep trails. The 206-mile Mid State Trail system passes through Poe Valley.
Guided walks, evening amphitheater programs and other special activities are part of the summer program. An environmental interpretive center located behind the beach is also in operation during this time. Organized groups and schools may request special programs. During the summer months, a summertime Junior Naturalist program is available for youths 8 years of age and older.
The most abundant game animals in the park include deer, grouse, bear, squirrel and turkey. Hunters are cautioned to remember that state parks are used by many people during the hunting season. Trapping is only allowed in those areas open to hunting. The lake is closed to hunting and trapping.
The food and boat rental concession is open daily from Memorial Day until Labor Day. The boat concession rents small craft with life preservers. A concession stand is operated from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, that sells food, ice, charcoal and other items.
Ice fishing and ice skating are popular, although no areas are specifically groomed for ice skating. Registered snowmobiles may use the Big Poe Road in the park and state forest roads daily after the end of antlerless deer season. Drinking water, parking, and non-flush toilets are available in the park.
Handicapped accessible picnic tables and parking spaces have been designated through the park. People with disabilities may use park service roads for access upon request at the park office.
Pennsylvania generally has a moist climate with cold winters and warm summers. The Poe Valley State Park area has cold winter months with temperatures averaging around 22 to 24 degrees Fahrenheit (-6 to -4 degrees Celsius). The area's average summer temperatures range around 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 22 Celsius).
