Chapman State Park
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| Chapman State Park, Pennsylvania, USA | |
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| IUCN Category III (Natural Monument) | |
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| Location: | Clarendon, Warren County, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Nearest city: | Warren, Pennsylvania |
| Coordinates: | |
| Area: | 805 acres (3.26 km²) |
| Established: | 1951 |
| Governing body: | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
Chapman State Park is a Pennsylvania state park located on 805 acres (3.26 km²) in Warren County, Pennsylvania, near Clarendon, in the United States. The man made Chapman Lake covers 68 acres (0.28 km²) of the park. Chapman State Park is named in honor of Dr. Leroy E. Chapman. Dr. Chapman was a state senator from 1929 until 1963. He was part of several civic groups that pushed for the creation of a state park in Warren County. Chapman State Park, opened in 1951, is adjacent to Allegheny National Forest and State Game Land 29 just of U.S. Route 6.
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[edit] Recreation
Chapman State Park is open for year round recreation. Chapman Lake is open for swimming, boating, and fishing. A large picnic area is near the beach and overlooks the lake. A rustic, wooded campground is open spring through fall. Twelve miles (19.31 km) of trails are open to hiking. Chapman State Park is also open to hunting and fishing in the streams as well as the lake. The park stays open in the winter for cross-country skiing, snow mobiling and ice fishing.
[edit] Swimming
The sand beach on Chapman Lake is open from 8:00 am until sunset. Lifeguards are on duty daily from 11:00 am until 7:00 pm. The beach opens for the summer on Memorial Day and closes Labor Day weekend. A concession is open in the beach area. It offers fire wood, ice, beach supplies, snacks, beverages and ice cream treats.
[edit] Boating
Gas powered boats are prohibited on Chapman Lake. Electric powered and non powered boats must have a current registration with any state or a launch permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. A concession is open on the shores of the lake for renting canoes, kayaks and paddle boats.
[edit] Fishing
Chapman lake provides a habitat for warm water and cold water fish. Fishermen may catch brook and brown trout, bluegill, sunfish, yellow perch, largemouth bass, and sucker. West Branch Tionesta Creek and Farnsworth Run have trout in the park and in the surrounding Allegheny National Forest.
[edit] Staying overnight
Visitors to Chapman State Park have several choices for over accommodations. The rustic campground in a wooded area has 83 campsites, with outhouses and water hydrants. Three cottages are available to rent. The cottages sleep up to five people in single and double bunks. Each cottage has wooden floors, a porch, electric heat, lights, and outlets. The cottages also have a picnic table and fire ring the the yard area. In addition to the more traditional cottages two Mongolian style yurts are available to rent. These round structures are mounted on a wooden platform and have a cooking stove, refrigerator, tables, chairs, countertop, electric lights, heat and outlets. Picnic tables and fire rings are in the yard area.
[edit] Backpacking
Chapman State Park is a trailhead for an extensive network of trails in the 517,000 acre (2,092 sq km) Allgheny National Forest. All backpackers are asked to register at the park office and leave word about where they plan to hike and when they plan to return. Hikers are also encouraged to take a map and compass.
[edit] Hunting
Over 400 acres (1.62 km²) of Chapman State Park are open to hunting. Hunters may park at the park to gain access to the surrounding state game lands and Allgheny National Forest. Common game species are white tailed deer, black bear, turkey, squirrels, and ruffed grouse. All hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
[edit] Nearby state parks
The following state parks are within 30 miles (48 km) of Chapman State Park:
- Allegany State Park (New York)
- Clear Creek State Park (Jefferson County)
- Cook Forest State Park (Clarion, Forest and Jefferson Counties)
- Kinzua Bridge State Park (McKean County)
- Oil Creek State Park (Venango County)
[edit] References
- Chapman State Park. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved on December 20, 2006.
- United States Geological Survey. Chapman State Park, USGS Warren (PA) Topo Map. TopoZone. Retrieved on December 20, 2006.
- Find a Park PA Wilds. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved on December 20, 2006.
