Tioga County’s largest lake, Cowanseque Lake is 1085 acres in size and known for excellent fishing. The lake lies on the Cowanseque River near Lawrenceville in north-central Pennsylvania. The result of a dam built in 1980 to mitigate flood risk, the lake offers a variety of recreation opportunities, including fishing, boating, swimming, water skiing and picnicking.
The lake is federally owned and a part of a 2,734-acre park, surrounded by lush forest. The park includes 86 family and 16 wooded sites. Two public launches on the south side of the lake make it easy to get your watercraft out on the water. There is also a boat launch specifically for those staying at Tomkins Campground, located on the north side of the lake.
During your visit to Cowanseque Lake, you can easily enjoy the outdoors, whether relaxing at a campsite or the shore of the lake, or by engaging in one of the many recreation activities available. Breathe in the fresh air and experience the exquisite scenery whether spending the afternoon, or the week, at Cowansque Lake.
From Lawrenceville, head west on Mechanic St toward Main St. Make a right onto Main St. and continue for .2 miles (.3 km). Continue onto County Rd 115 N and proceed for .2 miles (.3 km). Make a left onto Bliss Rd and drive for 2.5 miles (4 km) to the lake.
Parking is available at Cowanseque Lake.
Public transportation is not available to Cowanseque Lake.
During your visit to Cowanseque Lake, consider camping at Tompkins Campground, which offers 122 campsites. Many of the sites offer hook-ups (some electric-only, others with electric and water and others with electric, water, and sewer). The campground includes 16 hike-in sites for tents and there is also a group camping area with 24 sites. The campground can accommodate RVs and trailers that are up to 54 feet long and includes a boat ramp for campers only, hots showers, drinking water, a playground, and a dump station. There are even two downstream access points for fishing. When seeking to spend some time at Cowanseque Lake, Tompkins Campground makes a perfect “home base”.
Located along Hammond Lake’s eastern shore in north-central Pennsylvania, Ives Run Campground is set among a lush forest. With an easy drive to Cowanseque Lake, Ives Run is a great choice for a place to stay. Campers can enjoy Cowanseque Lake along with Hammond Lake and its myriad of recreation opportunities. Ives Run Campground has almost 200 sites, many of which include hook-ups (electric, water, and sewer). Hot showers are available at the campground, making it easy to clean up after a day of fun. There is also a dump station, playgrounds, boat rental, and rental mooring slips. Multiple nearby sports fields offer additional options for activity. RVs and trailers up to 58 feet in length can be accommodated.
Nearby Leonard Harrison State Park offers a campground with 26 sites, including both electric and non-electric. Those who choose this campground will enjoy a number of amenities like a playground, restrooms, showers, dumping station, and sports fields. Sites include fire rings and picnic tables. From the campground, you will have easy access to hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities. Leonard Harrison State Park is conveniently located to Cowanseque Lake along with other outdoor attractions in the area, making it an ideal place to stay for those seeking to fully explore the area.
Cowanseque Lake is popular for its fishing opportunities as it is home to many different fish. During your visit, take along your fishing rod and try your hand at catching trophy-sized tiger muskellunge, purebred muskellunge, great smallmouth and largemouth bass, perch, crappies, catfish, walleyes and purebred striped bass. Fishing at Cowanseque Lake is a great way to relax and take in the beautiful scenery while enjoying some fresh air.
Visitors to Cowanseque Lake can spend some time exploring it by watercraft. With no size or horsepower limits on the lake, options for time on the water are many. Choose to kayak, canoe or to traverse the lake by motorboat; you can also give water skiing a try. There are two public boat launches at the southern side of the lake and one for those who are camping at the northern side. Keep your eyes out for areas that are marked as Slow-No Wake. Mooring facilities are available.
When visiting Cowanseque Lake, take some time to explore the lake and its surrounding area by going for a hike. For example, you can wander along the Moccasin Trail, which follows the north shore of Cowanseque Lake and is four miles one way. Easy and relatively level, the trail can be a fun adventure for those of all hiking levels. One of its trailheads is located at Tomkins Campground, so campers will find it an easy option for an early morning or evening hike.
Less than an hour drive from Cowanseque Lake is Leonard Harrison State Park. Located on the east rim of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, the park is 585-acres with modern facilities, a visitor center and amazing views of the canyon. Those visiting Leonard Harrison State Park can hike down the Turkey Path, which is the park’s most popular trail, to the Pine Creek Rail Trail at the canyon floor. During the hike, view gorgeous waterfalls while keeping an eye out for a variety of wildlife.
About 22 minutes from Cowanseque Lake is the Corning Museum of Glass. A not-for-profit museum that is focused on telling the story of glass, the museum was established in 1951 by Corning Glass Works (which is now Corning Incorporated).
Each year, nearly half a million people visit the museum where they can experience the most comprehensive collection of glass in the world. Also included in the museum is the world’s foremost library on glass as well as a glassworking school considered to be one of the best in the world. Visitors have the opportunity to learn about this ancient material at this unique museum.
Less than 35 minutes from Lake Cowanseque is Tioga Central Railroad of Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, which runs scenic excursion trains on 34 miles of track from Wellsboro, PA to a point about three miles south of Corning, New York. Trains are particularly popular when the leaves change during the fall months, typically between late September through the end of October. Rides last for about two hours, during which time you can enjoy the area’s beauty.
