Bald Eagle State Park in Pennsylvania, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-10-23. Check linked official notices before travel.

Bald Eagle State Park near Howard, Pennsylvania, combines Foster Joseph Sayers Lake with campgrounds, a seasonal beach, and wildlife habitats. Choose between modern camping, rustic sites, and the Nature Inn. Boaters should check lake levels and launch access, especially during the seasonal drawdown.

Lake recreation and wildlife habitats

• Motorboats, sailboats, kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards use the lake.
• Fields, woods, and wetlands support varied wildlife watching.
• Modern and rustic campground options make different overnight plans possible.

Plan your lake visit

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Check current notices through the official park profile and confirm your chosen launch or campground before traveling.

Boating and swimming limits

The lake allows unlimited-horsepower motors, with a 45 mph speed limit and a counterclockwise traffic pattern. Follow posted rules and check the boating and lake-level information before launching. Nonmotorized craft need an accepted registration or launch/mooring permit.

Swim at your own risk in the designated seasonal area. Children age ten or younger must be accompanied by someone at least 14 years old.

Keep wildlife and beach areas protected

Do not disturb bluebird nest boxes. Pets cannot use the swimming area. Smoking and e-cigarette use are prohibited on the beach and in the swimming area; designated smoking areas are nearby.

Choose the overnight option first

Use the official overnight guide to compare campgrounds, cottages, yurts, and the Nature Inn, then follow the appropriate reservation link. Check the selected facility's season and pet terms. A camping cottage and a full-service inn room are different accommodations.

Find the Howard entrance

The main park address is 149 Main Park Road, Howard, Pennsylvania 16841-3508. The park lies along PA 150 between Milesburg and Lock Haven. Save the map before arrival and identify your campground or launch, rather than using a general lake point for navigation.

Nearby state parks

Ravensburg State Park on PA 880 near Jersey Shore is a regional road-accessible option east of Bald Eagle. Raymond B. Winter State Park on PA 192 near Mifflinburg is another nearby drive. These are separate parks, not parts of Bald Eagle State Park or the same-named state forest.

Spend time on the lake or watch wildlife

Choose a boat launch suited to the current lake level, or plan a shoreline and wildlife-watching visit. Winter Launch has separate year-round access provisions, but confirm practical launch conditions before towing a boat.

For a summer beach visit, use the swimming information for the operating season and rules. The beach area includes changing rooms, restrooms, a playground, and parking.

Modern camping, rustic sites, and the inn

Russell P. Letterman Campground has electric and full-service site options, flush toilets, warm showers, and a dump station. The rustic area has walk-to tent sites and sites for camping vehicles, with non-flush toilets and water along the campground road. Check seasonal service before an off-season arrival.

The Nature Inn provides full-service rooms overlooking the lake. Match your booking to the facilities you want instead of assuming a rustic campsite has modern campground services.

About Bald Eagle State Park

Flood protection and recreation

The US Army Corps of Engineers built Foster Joseph Sayers Dam in 1969 to reduce downstream flooding. Bald Eagle State Park opened July 4, 1971. The park's name honors Munsee Lenni Lenape leader Woapalanne, whose name means bald eagle.

Habitats around the reservoir

Bluebirds, cottontail rabbits, and monarch butterflies use the fields, while woodpeckers inhabit the woods. Great blue herons work the shallows and bald eagles use the lake and surrounding trees. Observe from a distance and leave nesting areas undisturbed.

Contact Bald Eagle State Park

Call 814-625-2775 or email [email protected]. Pennsylvania DCNR manages recreation facilities in cooperation with the US Army Corps of Engineers.