Curwensville Lake was built along the Susquehanna River in central Pennsylvania. Built primarily for flood control and water storage, the lake and dam bring many recreational benefits to the area. The dam is large, extending 2,850 feet in length and over 130 feet above the streambed. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates the dam while Clearfield County manages and maintains the recreation area.
Curwensville Lake is a destination for many visitors each year. The lake attracts many for boating and other water sports, while many activities are enjoyed on land as well. The lake doesn’t have a horsepower limit, making boating and water skiing popular activities. A designated swimming area, including a sandy beach, is perfect for enjoying a hot summer day, whether you're looking to sunbathe or take a dip in the water. There are many picnic sites for those wanting to enjoy an afternoon picnic as well as multiple playgrounds nearby for kids to play.
The recreation area at the lake has many camping options available for overnight guests, including both RV and primitive campsites. The campground opens from May to September each year and does accept reservations. The well-shaded campsites aren’t far from the many recreational activities the lake and park have to offer.
Curwensville Lake is located in Central Pennsylvania along the west branch of the Susquehanna River. Curwensville Lake Recreation Area is located just seven miles from the community of Curwensville. Services such as gas and restaurants can be found there as well as other nearby communities.
The recreation area can is accessible from Lake Drive which is off of PA-453. The roads leading to and from the park should be easy to navigate with RVs and trailers. There should be few, if any, hazards. It’s advisable to check road and weather conditions prior to any trip.
Once at Curwensville Lake Recreation Area, your first stop will be to check-in for your campsite at the office. The campsites are back-in, but are quite spacious, easily fitting large rigs. After settling in at your site, you can walk, bike, or drive to enjoy the amenities. Parking is available in the day-use area. If bringing a boat trailer, there is ample parking at the boat launch.
Curwensville Lake Recreation Area has many camping options ranging from campsites to cabins. The campground is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day each year. There over 50 RV sites, two accessible campsites, and primitive sites. Reservations are accepted for campsites as well as the five day-use picnic pavilions.
Most campsites are well-shaded by the surrounding forest. Each of the RV sites has an electric hookup and picnic table. RVs and trailers as long as 60 feet can be accommodated at some Curwensville Lake campsites. Parking at the campsites are back-in, but the spacious sites should give RVers little to no trouble.
Campers won’t need to stray far from their campsite to enjoy a number of the recreation area’s amenities and activities. A playground is located at the campground. If you’re looking to stretch your legs, head down the nature trail. In the day-use area, a boat ramp provides quick lake access, and swimmers and sunbathers can use a sandy beach.
Swimming is popular at Curwensville Lake during the summer months. A designated swimming area is located at Curwensville Recreation Area as well as a sandy beach. Dive into the refreshing lake water or sunbathe on the beach.
The swimming area is buoyed off, keeping swimmers separate from boats and other watercraft that may be passing by. The lake is an ideal place to cool off on a hot day. While pets aren’t allowed at the beach or swimming area, a dog park and beach is nearby.
Curwensville Lake is popular for many different types of water recreation. With no horsepower limits on boats, it attracts boaters from near and far. Whether you want to spend a leisurely day fishing or spend the day water skiing, there is plenty of space for everyone. If you’d rather paddle, kayaking, canoeing, and paddle-boarding are popular activities with plenty of shoreline to explore. Two boat ramps make it easy to access the water with your watercraft.
It isn’t difficult to find a picnic spot while at the lake. There are five covered picnic pavilions with lighting and grills that are perfect for large gatherings. The pavilions are reservable and are a great place to gather for reunions, birthdays, and other celebrations. For smaller gatherings, there are 200 picnic tables at the lake. You shouldn’t need to look long to find a picnic spot with scenic lake views.
Anglers planning to fish during their trip to the lake won’t be disappointed. There is plenty of opportunity for fishing. Two fishing docks make it easy to find a spot to cast your line from the shore. Boat ramps provide lake access for those that want to head out to fish in deeper water. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and common carp are all often caught from Curwensville Lake. A state fishing license is required to fish on Pennsylvania lakes and streams.
There are about five miles of trails to explore at Curwensville Lake. These trails range from easy to difficult and vary in length. The trails classified as easy tend to be mostly flat and have decent footing. Those that are difficult tend to be narrow paths with hills and rough terrain in some sections. Hikers can expect scenic views of the lake and surrounding area. During the spring, wildflowers will be in bloom along many of the trails.
With six playgrounds at the lake, including one at the campground, there is plenty of space for kids to run and play. Whether they want to go down the slide or swing across monkey bars, they’ll have plenty of opportunities for playtime. Located near other recreational areas such as picnic shelters and the lake, parents can relax while watching their children enjoy the playscapes.
