Chapman State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Pleasant Township, Warren County, Pennsylvania near Clarendon, in the United States. The man-made Chapman Lake covers of the park. Chapman State Park is named in honor of Dr. Leroy E. Chapman. Dr. Chapman was a

state senator A state senator is a member of a State legislature (United States), state's senate in the bicameral legislature of 49 U.S. states, or a member of the unicameral Nebraska Legislature. History There are typically fewer state senators than there ...

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 off U.S. Route 6.

Recreation

Chapman State Park is open for year-round recreation. Chapman Lake is open for

swimming Swimming is the self-propulsion of a person through water, such as saltwater or freshwater environments, usually for recreation, sport, exercise, or survival. Swimmers achieve locomotion by coordinating limb and body movements to achieve hydrody ...

boating Boating is the leisurely activity of travelling by boat, or the recreational use of a boat whether powerboats, sailboats, or man-powered vessels (such as rowing and paddle boats), focused on the travel itself, as well as sports activities, suc ...

, and

fishing Fishing is the activity of trying to catch fish. Fish are often caught as wildlife from the natural environment (Freshwater ecosystem, freshwater or Marine ecosystem, marine), but may also be caught from Fish stocking, stocked Body of water, ...

. A large

picnic A picnic is a meal taken outdoors (Al fresco dining, ''al fresco'') as part of an excursion, especially in scenic surroundings, such as a park, lakeside, or other place affording an interesting view, or else in conjunction with a public event su ...

area is near the beach and overlooks the lake. Five pavilions are available by reservation or first-come, first-served. A rustic, wooded campground is open mid-April through mid-December. of trails are open to

hiking A hike is a long, vigorous walk, usually on trails or footpaths in the countryside. Walking for pleasure developed in Europe during the eighteenth century. Long hikes as part of a religious pilgrimage have existed for a much longer time. "Hi ...

. Chapman State Park is also open to

hunting Hunting is the Human activity, human practice of seeking, pursuing, capturing, and killing wildlife or feral animals. The most common reasons for humans to hunt are to obtain the animal's body for meat and useful animal products (fur/hide (sk ...

and fishing in the streams as well as the lake. The park stays open in the winter for

cross-country skiing Cross-country skiing is a form of skiing whereby skiers traverse snow-covered terrain without use of ski lifts or other assistance. Cross-country skiing is widely practiced as a sport and recreational activity; however, some still use it as a m ...

, snowmobiling and ice fishing. The unguarded, sand beach is open from 8:00 AM until sunset daily from the Friday before

Memorial Day Memorial Day (originally known as Decoration Day) is a federal holiday in the United States for mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It is observed on the last Monday of May. It i ...

through

Labor Day Labor Day is a Federal holidays in the United States, federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the first Monday of September to honor and recognize the Labor history of the United States, American labor movement and the works and con ...

, each summer. A concession is available in the beach area offering snacks, beverages, and ice cream treats. Gas powered boats are prohibited on Chapman Lake. Electric powered and non powered boats must have a current registration with any state, a launch permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, or a mooring or launch permit from Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks. A concession is available adjacent to the beach for renting

canoe A canoe is a lightweight, narrow watercraft, water vessel, typically pointed at both ends and open on top, propelled by one or more seated or kneeling paddlers facing the direction of travel and using paddles. In British English, the term ' ...

s and

kayak ] A kayak is a small, narrow human-powered watercraft typically propelled by means of a long, double-bladed paddle. The word ''kayak'' originates from the Inuktitut word '' qajaq'' (). In British English, the kayak is also considered to be ...

s. Chapman lake provides a habitat (ecology), habitat for warm water and cold water fish. Fishermen may catch brook and brown trout,

bluegill The bluegill (''Lepomis macrochirus''), sometimes referred to as "bream", "brim", "sunny", or, in Texas, "copper nose", is a species of North American freshwater fish, native to and commonly found in streams, rivers, lakes, ponds and wetlands ea ...

, sunfish, yellow perch, largemouth bass, and sucker. Chapman Lake and the West Branch Tionesta Creek above and below the lake are stocked with trout several times a year. Visitors to Chapman State Park have several choices for overnight accommodations. The rustic campground in a wooded area has 81 campsites, with two shower houses, and water hydrants. Many campsites offer 30 Amp or 50 Amp electric service. Approximately half the sites are pet friendly. Three

cottage A cottage, during Feudalism in England, England's feudal period, was the holding by a cottager (known as a cotter or ''bordar'') of a small house with enough garden to feed a family and in return for the cottage, the cottager had to provide ...

s 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 in the yard area. In addition to the more traditional cottages two

Mongolia Mongolia is a landlocked country in East Asia, bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south and southeast. It covers an area of , with a population of 3.5 million, making it the world's List of countries and dependencies by po ...

n style

yurt A yurt (from the Turkic languages) or ger (Mongolian language, Mongolian) is a portable, round tent covered and Thermal insulation, insulated with Hide (skin), skins or felt and traditionally used as a dwelling by several distinct Nomad, nomad ...

s 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. Chapman State Park is a trailhead for an extensive network of trails in the Allegheny 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. Over of Chapman State Park are open to hunting. Hunters may park their vehicle in the park to gain access to the surrounding state game lands and Allegheny National Forest. Common game species are

white-tailed deer The white-tailed deer (''Odocoileus virginianus''), also known Common name, commonly as the whitetail and the Virginia deer, is a medium-sized species of deer native to North America, North, Central America, Central and South America. It is the ...

American black bear The American black bear (''Ursus americanus''), or simply black bear, is a species of medium-sized bear which is Endemism, endemic to North America. It is the continent's smallest and most widely distributed bear species. It is an omnivore, with ...

wild turkey The wild turkey (''Meleagris gallopavo'') is an upland game bird native to North America, one of two extant species of Turkey (bird), turkey and the heaviest member of the order Galliformes. It is the ancestor to the domestic turkey (''M. g. dom ...

, eastern gray squirrel, and ruffed grouse. All hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

Nearby state parks

The following state parks are within of Chapman State Park:''Note: shows Chapman State Park'' * Allegany State Park ( New York) * Clear Creek State Park ( Jefferson County) * Cook Forest State Park ( Clarion,

Forest A forest is an ecosystem characterized by a dense ecological community, community of trees. Hundreds of definitions of forest are used throughout the world, incorporating factors such as tree density, tree height, land use, legal standing, ...

and Jefferson Counties) * Kinzua Bridge State Park ( McKean County) * Oil Creek State Park ( Venango County)

References

External links

* {{authority control State parks of Pennsylvania Protected areas established in 1951 Parks in Warren County, Pennsylvania Campgrounds in Pennsylvania 1951 establishments in Pennsylvania Protected areas of Warren County, Pennsylvania