Two lakes in Tioga County, Tioga Lake, consisting of 498 acres and Hammond Lake (640 acres), offer the opportunity for good fishing and unlimited horsepower boating. The Tioga-Hammond Lakes project, which was completed in 1978, is that of two separate dams; one on the Tioga River and the other along Crooked Creek. The lakes that are formed by the two dams are joined via a gated channel. Surrounding the lakes are lush forests, for where you can enjoy a view of either lake, roam around or relax in the shade.
A visit to either or both lakes offers plenty of recreational opportunities. Boating is particularly popular; boats of any horsepower are welcome on the lake, which is also popular for fishing boats and sailboats. Those who want to can engage in an activity where they are pulled by boat, for example, water skiing or tubing. Be sure to bring a life jacket; these are required for anyone on the lake, regardless of choice of watercraft.
A visit to Tioga-Hammond Lakes will provide plenty of opportunity for fun and adventure, as well as the chance to relax, breathe in fresh air and enjoy the scenery.
From Lawrenceville, PA, take US-15 S for 12.4 miles (20 km). Take the exit toward US-15 BUS/Main St. and proceed for .3 miles (.48 km). Take Pickle Hill Rd to Mill Creek Rd/Sr1004 in Tioga Township, continuing for 8.5 miles (13.7 km) to the Tioga-Hammond Lakes Recreation Area.
Parking is available at Tioga-Hammond Lakes.
Public transportation is not available to Tioga-Hammond Lakes.
While visiting Tioga-Hammond Lakes, Ives Run Campground is a convenient option for a home base. The campground is located along the eastern shore of Hammond Lake and offers almost 200 sites. Sites are available with or without hook-ups, and campers can choose a site with electric only, electric and water or electric, water, and sewer hook-ups. Showers are available at the campground, which also includes a dump station, playground, boat rental, and mooring slips for rented boats. Fields are nearby for those seeking to throw a football or play an impromptu game of kickball. The campground can accommodate RVs and trailers that are up to 58 feet long.
Not far from Tioga-Hammond Lakes is Cowanesque Lake and Tomkins Campground. With 122 sites, Tomkins can accommodate those seeking hook-ups (some electric-only, others with electric and water and others with electric, water, and sewer). Those seeking a more rustic experience will enjoy one of the 16 hike-in sites for tents. A group camping area is also available that includes 24 individual sites. RVs and trailers up to 54 feet in length can be accommodated, and the campground offers hot showers, drinking water, a playground a dump station. Staying at Tomkins Campground will provide you with easy access to Cowanesque Lake as well as Tioga-Hammond Lakes.
Less than an hour from Tioga-Hammond Lakes is Leonard Harrison State Park, which hosts 26 campsites (both electric and non-electric). There is a myriad of amenities at the campground, to include restrooms, showers, a playground, dumping station, and fields where you can play a variety of sports. Each site has a fire ring and a picnic table, and activities like hiking and looking for wildlife are easy to access from the campground. Choosing to stay at Leonard Harrison State Park Campground ensures that you will be able to easily get to the outdoor attractions in the area, including Tioga-Hammonds Lakes.
At the southern end of Tioga Lake, north of Mansfield (a borough of PA), is Lambs Creek Recreation Area, a day-use facility. Within the recreation area, you will find plenty of outdoor activities, to include hiking and biking opportunities and areas that are ideal for a picnic. There is a boat ramp within the Recreation Area that can be used to access Tioga Lake, where you can cruise around in your boat, water ski, paddle a kayak or canoe and spend time fishing.
Both Hammond and Tioga lakes offer excellent opportunities for fishing. Hammond Lake is famous for crappie, and it is typical to find fish in the range of 10 to 13 inches in length. While black crappie is dominant, white crappie can also be found.
There is also hybrid striped bass that are up to 26 inches long. Bluegill, bullhead, and carp are also found in Hammond Lake. Tioga Lake also has plenty of fish to catch, to include crappie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, hybrid striped bass, perch, walleye, and catfish.
Surrounding Tioga and Hammond Lakes are fields and forests that are popular among hunters both from within the state and outside of Pennsylvania. Large and small game species that are native to the Eastern Hardwood Forests of the US can be found, and hunting is allowed on project lands with the exception of posted public areas.
You'll need a Pennsylvania hunting license, and hunters must follow game laws. While engaging in a hunt, be sure to take the time to enjoy the peace and quiet and beauty of the surrounding area!
During a visit to Tioga-Hammond Lakes you will find plenty of opportunity to go for a hike, where you can get some exercise while enjoying the beauty of your surroundings.
Four trails can be accessed from the Ives Run Recreation Area of Hammonds Lake and Tioga Lake has a 3.5-mile Hike and Bike Trail that extends from Mansfield, Pennsylvania to Lambs Creek Recreation Area. The trail has a hard surface, making for easy footing for those who want to explore.
While visiting Tioga-Hammond Lakes, you can easily get to Cowanesque Lake, which is the largest lake in Tioga County. The lake, which is 1085 acres, lies on the Cowanesque River and is known for its fishing.
Other popular activities at the lake include boating, swimming, water skiing and picnicking. The lake is part of a park that is 2,734 acres; the park offers more than 100 campsites, and campers have access to their own boat launch at the northern part of the lake. There are also two boat launches available at the lake’s southern area. Enjoy the water activities along with the lake’s surrounding lush forest during your visit.
Not far from Tioga-Hammond Lakes is the Corning Museum of Glass, a unique museum that aims to tell the story of glass. Established in 1951 by Corning Glass Works (now Corning Incorporated), the museum is visited by almost half a million people annually. Home to the world's most comprehensive glass collection, visitors can also explore a library focused on the material, and there is even a glassworking school. A visit to the Corning Museum of Glass is an excellent opportunity to learn about an ancient material’s history and uses.
