Chapman State Park

OK, fast forward one year. In 2019 I did a "drive-thru" review. In Sept. of 2020 I stayed for a week. Over-all very impressed with the park. Very well kept, very clean bathrooms. Plenty of hiking trails. Did a lot of kayaking on the lake. At the inflow of the lake, you can paddle upstream for at least 1/4 mile. If your into biking, you can follow the old railroad grade up valley into the hunting grounds. Sept is squirrel season. Or, make a loop around the whole lake. Near by (10-45 minutes) you have Kinzua Bridge, Kinzua Dam, Hearts Content Interpretive Trail, Jakes Rock Overlook, Minster Creek Trail. In the Allegheny National Forest, which Chapman is in, there are about 20 campgrounds, from state parks, US Forest Service, private ones and some "free" sites along the forest service roads. (For tents and small RV's) The campsites themselves are: The non-pet loops which does a loop up the hill, mostly have sites that are not level. So you will have to do some light blocking. Most of them will handle a 30-35' RV. The lower pet loop, runs near the lake (no per se true lakefront sites) but 90% of those sites are fairly level. And again handle up to a 35' RV, some 45'. The site pads are fine gravel (solid surface) , which extends around the campfire rings. In the campground (Pet loop) there is a small boat launch. The fall colors come early here in the valley. Almost a month earlier than NE. Ohio where I live. In the 3rd week of Sept, we had some lows in the 30's, hence the fall colors were popping by the end of Sept. While there, the survey team was doing its work to add some full service sites in the future.

Chapman State Park is located inside the Allegheny National Forest in NW. PA. This was a drive thru review for a future stay. The park just went thru a 2 year rehabilitation including major dam upgrade and some campground up dates. The campground got all new paved roads. In general of the two loops, one (sites 46-82) are built on a hillside meaning some of the sites are a little harder to back into, especially for RV's over 35'. The lower loop ( sites 1-42) are fairly flat. Most sites offer electric service 30-50 amp and a water faucet every 5-10 sites. The non-electric offer some open campsite and also some "walk-in" sites only for tents. The showerhouses are modern and up to date. There is a lot of hiking in the area as you are in the Allegheny National Forest. By this posting the lake should be filled back up with water.