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Cowanesque Lake Recreation Area

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Explore 4 Trails with 8.6 Miles (13.8 km) at Cowanesque Lake Recreation Area, Pennsylvania to plan your next hike or adventure!
Added:
November 11, 2019
Updated:
January 17, 2021
Default image for Nelson Falls Trail, a 0.3-mile trail in Lawrenceville, PA (US)
0.3 mi
0.5 km
Easy Out-and-Back
Default image for Mocassin Trail, a 8.0-mile trail in Elkland, PA (US)
8 mi
12.9 km
Easy Out-and-Back
Default image for North Overlook Trail, a 0.2-mile trail in Lawrenceville, PA (US)
0.2 mi
0.3 km
Easy Out-and-Back
Default image for South Overlook Trail, a 0.1-mile trail in Lawrenceville, PA (US)
0.1 mi
0.2 km
Easy Out-and-Back
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Showing 1 to 4 of 4 Trails at Cowanesque Lake Recreation Area, PA

Key Takeaways

  • Offers a variety of outdoor activities including boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, and picnicking, centered around the 1,085-acre Cowanesque Lake.
  • Provides facilities like boat launches, a swimming beach, picnic areas, playgrounds, and hiking trails for visitors to enjoy.
  • Operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ensuring well-maintained grounds and opportunities for environmental education.

About Cowanesque Lake Recreation Area

Explore the scenic beauty of Cowanesque Lake Recreation Area in Lawrenceville, PA, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project designed to mitigate flood risks. This area offers diverse hiking trails for all skill levels, from the easy, 0.2-mile North Overlook Trail with its panoramic lake views and historical insights to the peaceful, 0.3-mile Nelson Falls Trail featuring a charming 5-foot waterfall. Remember to prioritize safety, especially around the falls, and always clean up after your leashed canine companions. Ample parking is available for most trails, making it a convenient destination for a quick nature escape.

For a longer adventure, tackle the 8-mile Moccasin Trail in Elkland, PA, which combines portions of the historic Moccasin Trail and the Mid State Trail (MST). This trail offers stunning views of Cowanesque Lake and surrounding hills as it winds through varied landscapes, including lake shores and marshy areas crossed by wooden bridges. While generally considered easy, be mindful of a potentially washed-out creek bed near the eastern trailhead, especially during wetter seasons. Alternatively, the South Overlook Trail provides a brief, 0.1-mile walk to a defunct parking lot, offering a glimpse into the park's evolving history, though with limited views.

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