U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, East Branch Clarion River Lake, is located near Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania and the dam and COE project lands are located in Elk State Park. The COE managed project was authorized in 1944 to provide flood control for the Clarion River Valley, Allegheny, and Upper Ohio River. The dam also stores water that can be released during periods of drought, when required, improving the health of the downstream rivers and water quality for wildlife habitat, recreation, domestic, and industrial use.
Corps managed East Branch Lake Park has two boat launch areas, the East Branch Boat Launch Area and Instanter Boat Launch Area, as well as an overnight campground. Instanter Boat Launch area has restrooms, picnic shelters and a playground The East Branch Boat Launch has restrooms, and there is an interpretive hiking trail nearby. The campground has electrical sites for RVs and tent camping.
The East Branch Clarion River is an 1160 acre lake that has deep waters with secluded bays which are excellent for boating and fishing, and the surrounding Elk State Park has scenic natural areas and wildlife to enjoy.
While visiting this region of Pennsylvania you can also take in the Allegheny National Forest which is a short drive west of the COE East Branch Clarion River Lake of the Parker Dam State Park, 90 minutes to the south. Looking to explore Pennsylvania by RV? Check out RV Rentals Pennsylvania.
The East Branch Recreation Area has paved access routes. To reach the East Branch Recreation Area and boat launch, and recreational facilities located here, take Highway 219 north from Johnsonburg to Wilcox, Pennsylvania. Turn right at the blinking traffic light and follow signs to the dam. The distance from Johnsonburg is approximately 13 miles. The boat launch here is paved and there is a large paved parking lot on site which can accommodate boat trailers and large vehicles.
The Instanter Launch Area in Elk State Park also has a paved boat launch. To reach this area from Johnsonburg, take Highway 219 north to Wilcox, turn right at the blinking traffic light, and continue on to Elk State Park and follow the signs to the Instanter Launch area, a distance of about 17 miles.
Access roads are paved and accessible for RVs and tow vehicles. During the winter Pennsylvania experiences frigid sub-freezing weather when snow, sleet, and freezing rain is possible, during the winter months, and sometimes in the early spring and late fall. Trailers and RVs can have difficulty negotiating icy roadways. Winter tires help provide better traction on slippery roads, and braking and turning cautiously and traveling at slower speeds provides more control.
The East Branch Lake Park is located on the north side of the lake and west of the dam site and offers first-come, first-serve camping. The campground has 16 electric serviced sites, and 16 non-electric sites, that are accessible to RVs, and nine walk-in tent sites. A restroom shower facility is available on site. Campsites have picnic tables and fire rings, and pets are permitted. Amenities at the campground include an RV dump station, boat ramp, playground, and picnic shelter, as well as an interpretive hiking trail. The campground is open from May to September for overnight camping, and during the offseason, the recreation area is open for activities. This campground is heavily treed, and campers enjoy shady, cool sites, near the lake, with privacy. There is no swimming beach at the lake. However, RV campers enjoy boating and fishing and wildlife watching at the site.
Visit the Corps, East Branch Recreation Area, where 16 picnic tables and a reservable group picnic shelter are available. The picnic area has tables and grills so you can pack a meal, or prepare one on-site, and enjoy dining at the lake. A playground at the COE park provides an activity for little ones, and there are restrooms on-site. Elks State Park also has a picnic area available to enjoy an outdoor meal. Don't forget the bug spray!
There are two boat launches on East Branch Clarion River, one at East Branch Park and the other at the Instanter Launch area in Elks State Park. Both are paved and allow the launching of motorboats and non-motorized watercraft. There is no horsepower limit on the lake, which makes watersports and other high-speed activity on the lake possible. The lake has 1161 acres of water surface to cruise.
During the fall season, lower water levels at the northern end of the lake may result in the Instanter Launch being inaccessible. The average depth of the lake is 55 feet with a maximum depth of 147 feet.
East Branch Clarion Lake has several sport fish available for harvest. Species in the lake include tiger muskellunge, smallmouth bass, walleye, and lake trout. There is a harvest area below the dam where angling for trout is a popular activity. You can fish from the lake surface on a boat or from the lakeshore. You will require a State of Pennsylvania fishing license to fish at Elk State Park and on the East Branch Clarion River Lake.
Take a hike from the East Branch Lake Recreation Area on the shady, Ridge Nature Trail. This interpretive trail is a one-mile-long loop trail that traverses forested and hilly terrain and is excellent for wildlife watching. The trail is self-guided, with 12 stations providing information on the natural features in the region. You can obtain a trail brochure at the Resource Managers Office. This trail is especially scenic during the fall when the forest canopy becomes a riot of color!
During the winter, visit the boat launch sites at East Branch Launch Area or Instanter Launch area, where parking is available, and you can access the frozen lake surface during the winter to try out some ice skating. If recent snowfall has occurred, you may want to bring a snow shovel to clear excess snow off the lake and create a skating area. Pack some hot chocolate to warm up afterwards and dress warm. Children and inexperienced skates should consider wearing helmets to protect from falls.
Not bothered by the cold? Then ice fishing during the winter might be an activity for you. When the lake freezes solid enough to permit traffic on the lake, ice fishing on the East Branch Clarion River Lake is permitted. Ice fishing will require equipment to make a hole through the ice. Augers are the most commonly used tools, and shorter rods are usually used. Shelters, warm outdoor clothing, and portable stoves to make hot beverages will help keep you warm while ice fishing on the lake.
