U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Foster Joseph Sayers Dam, is a 100 foot high, 1.3-mile long dam, that backs up water to form the Foster Joseph Sayers Lake Reservoir. The project provides flood control in the region, and was completed in 1969, and named for a World War II, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. The resulting 1730 acre lake is ideal for water-based recreation, and the surrounding natural habitat and recreational land comprises Bald Eagle State Park and is managed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) which leases 5900 acres from the COE project.
Recreational facilities at DCNR's Bald Eagle State Park, include a swimming beach, marina, picnic areas with group picnic shelters, boat launches, and an overnight campground suitable for RV camping. The five-acre Howard Borough Community Park is also located near the Corps project. Sanitary facilities on site are jointly managed by the state, borough, and federal governments. The recreation area is open all year round, although the marina closes annually at the end of October. The boat launch remains open until mid-February weather permitting, and the campground is open to accommodate hunters during the hunting season usually until mid-December and to accommodate winter sports at the lake.
While visiting the Foster Joseph Sayers Dam and Bald Eagle State Park, RVers can also travel a short distance west to visit nearby Black Moshannon State Park. If you don’t own an RV but want to explore Pennsylvania natural areas check out Pennsylvania RV Rentals.
Foster Joseph Sayers Dam and Bald Eagle Creek State Park amenities and campground are easy for RVers to reach, with well-paved highways and access roads. From Interstate 80, take the exit for Highway 150 and travel 10 miles north on Pennsylvania Highway 150. You can also take the exit off Interstate 99 to Port Matilda, then take highway 220 and continue onto Highway 150 north to the park. Bald Eagle State Park is located in Centre County along PA 150 between the towns of Milesburg and Lock Haven. The dam is located about one mile upstream from Blanchard, and 14 miles above the mouth of the gateway at Lock Haven. You can also approach the park from the east and the town of Howard on Highway 26. You will need to cross the water via the bridge located here, but the bridge is paved and wide enough to accommodate RVs, with no overhead clearance restrictions.
There are large parking areas at the recreation areas that accommodate tow vehicles. However, during the summer tourist season, the park can be busy, and large RVs and tow vehicles may be best set up at the campground before visiting the recreation area.
During the winter months, snowfall and freezing temperatures can make roadways treacherous for RVs and tow vehicles. Reduce speed and brake and execute turns cautiously on slippery roads. Winter tires can make a big difference to handling ability on icy roadways.
There are 175 sites at Russell P. Letterman Campground, located at Bald Eagle State Park, on the west side of Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir. Of the 175 sites, 18 are full hookup RV sites, 65 are modern sites with electric hookups, 9 are modern non-electric, and 34 are rustic non-electric sites. There are also 34 rustic tent sites, one deluxe cottage, three camping cottages, two yurts, and nine picnic pavilions. Amenities at the campground and at the recreation area include a bathhouse with flush toilets and warm showers, an amphitheater where events can take place, and an RV dump station.
Firewood sales are available, and fire rings and picnic tables can be found at individual, well treed, private, shady campsites with paved parking spurs. There are ADA sites, and pets are permitted at the campground. Hiking trails run from the campground to recreational areas where an extensive trail system can be explored. Nearby in the state park recreation area, there are boat ramps, a fishing pier, a marina, a swim beach, and a playground.
During the winter months, hiking trails can become excellent cross country ski trails with adequate snowfall. There are seven miles of cross country ski trails that are accessible in the winter, however, they are not groomed, so you will need to break trail after a snowfall. Check out the park's Winter Report to be sure there is enough snow for skiing. Water sources at recreational areas may not be available during the winter, so pack your own water, you may get thirsty if you are slogging through heavy snow to create tracks!
Ice skating on Foster Joseph Sayers Lake is permitted in the wintertime, however, ice thickness is not monitored, and visitors skate at their own risk. Tips for ensuring safety include checking ice thickness with an auger. Ice thickness should be at least seven inches for group skating. Stay away from perimeter ice and areas where logs, plants, and rocks protrude from the water and ice may be weaker, and avoiding skating alone.
You will need to bring snow clearing equipment like snow shovels to clear the snow cover on the ice and create a suitable ice skating surface. Get a group together and it won't take long!
Establish hunting seasons fall in the fall and winter months, and hunting at Bald Eagle State Park in Pennsylvania is permitted on 4910 acres of the park. Hunting, trapping, and training hunting dogs are all permitted activities in the designated areas, in the appropriate seasons.
Common game species are white-tailed deer, wild turkey, waterfowl, and rabbits. Hunting on the state game lands 92 and 252, which are nearby, is also permitted. Be aware of and obey all hunting regulations and utilize safe practices for the use and handling of firearms.
A fishing pier located at Bald Eagle State Park provides fishing from the shore, and six boat ramps at the park allow boats easy access to the water surface. Species available to catch in the lake include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, yellow perch, tiger muskellunge, and catfish. Be sure to have a valid state of Pennsylvania fishing license.
There is no horsepower limit for motor boats, so watersports on the lake are also popular. Watersport enthusiasts and sport fishers should be respectful to each other and provide enough room so everyone can enjoy their activities on the lake! Give a wide berth to others and ensure you have life preservers on board for all passengers.
Bald Eagle State Park has an excellent swim beach with sand and grassy areas. The 1200 foot long beach and designated swimming area provide amenities for swimmers and sunbathers. The swim beach area has a snack bar, restrooms, changing areas, playground and plenty of parking. The swim area is open daily from 8 am to sunset, between Memorial Day and Labor Day. No lifeguard is on duty, so swimming is at your own risk. Stick to areas with a depth appropriate to your ability and keep children within arms reach.
Hiking along the lake and through Bald Eagle State Park’s wooded areas is a real treat, with beautiful vistas and plenty of wildlife to spot. A 14.5-mile network of hiking trails takes you through natural areas and recreational facilities.
The 1.5-mile Butterfly Trail provides the easiest hike with a mowed trail and “close encounters” with butterflies along the path. Hunters Run East Trail is a more difficult, 2.3-mile trail, with some wet areas and scenic spots. The 22 mile Hunter Run West Trail winds around the foothills on the Allegheny Plateau. This trail is a more difficult hike, on a mowed pathway through forested and open areas. Lakeside Trail is a challenging hiking trail that varies from 2.9 to 4.4 miles depending on your route and is very rocky, running along the base of Bald Eagle Mountain. The hike provides glimpses of the lake and is a shady, well-treed hike.
Skyline Drive trail is an easy two-mile hike through a small forested ridge with plenty of wildlife watching opportunities. Swamp Oak Trail is a short, easy, half-mile hike from the amphitheater in the campground. The oldest tree in the park, a vast swamp oak, is located on the trail. Woapalanne Trail is an easy two-mile hike on a relatively flat, partially shaded trail. It runs close to the lake and may be flooded when the water is high, so use caution.
