Parker Dam State Park, Penfield, Pennsylvania

This rustic, remote park in the heart of Moshannon State Forest is almost entirely wooded and offers picturesque areas of forest and swamp meadows, pine plantations and mixed hardwoods. The CCC Interpretive Center interprets the Civilian Conservation Corps. Parker Dam is a good base to explore the surrounding state forest.

The 968-acre Parker Dam State Park offers old-fashioned charm and character. A scenic lake, rustic cabins, quaint campground and unbounded forest make Parker Dam an ideal spot for a relaxing vacation. For wilderness explorers, Parker Dam provides a gateway to the vast expanses of the Moshannon State Forest. You can walk through a tornado ravaged woods, backpack into the 50,000-acre Quehanna Wilderness, mountain bike to your heart's content or enjoy quiet solitude searching for elusive Pennsylvania elk.

Recreational Opportunities Hiking - Picnicking - Swimming - Boating - Fishing - Hunting - Wildlife Watching - Sledding - Snowmobiling - Ice Fishing - Ice Skating - Cabin Classroom - Organized Group Tenting - Cabins - Camping

Camping: The camping area is above the eastern edge of the lake. Open from the second Friday in April through mid-December, it offers partially shaded campsites with open grassy areas and some entirely forested sites. The campground has modern restrooms with showers and a sanitary dump station. Electric hookups are available at 80 of 110 campsites. The maximum stay is 14 days during the summer season and 21 days during the off-season. Campers must vacate the park for 48 hours between stays.

Free Camping for Campground Hosts: one host position in the modern campground - The campground host site has amenities that include 50-amp electric service. The host is required to assist park personnel for 40 hours per week with a minimum stay of two weeks. Duties will include: Provide on site contact with campers during the time the park office is closed. Litter pick up around restrooms, play areas, and throughout campground Check restrooms prior to retiring to stock toilet paper and report any problems. Maintain campsite markers so they are straight and have a place to display permit.
Collect fees for pets, extra car parking, showers, and camping as required. Notify Park Ranger/Manager/911 in case of emergency at the park by phone or radio. Contact the park office for additional information and availability on the Campground Host Program.

Cabins: Located in peaceful woods, the 16 rustic cabins rent year-round. The cabins sleep 4, 6 or 8 people. All cabins are heated with a wall-mounted gas heater, with the option of additional heating using wood-burning fireplace inserts. Each cabin has bunk beds, mattresses, gas cooking stove, refrigerator, table and chairs. Renters must provide their own bedding, cookware, tableware and firewood. In the summer season, cabins only rent by the week. In the off season the minimum rental is two-days. Advance reservations are recommended.

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