We've been to this park a handful of times but never really explored it. On the most recent visit, I decided to make stamping my State Park Passport a priority.
We had came to the park from Meyersdale and made this a nice stop to stretch our legs and an alternative to the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The alternartive from the south and west is via PA 31 from Somerset and points west. You will know you are near the park when there is a new flashing light and the sign for the park. This is PA 96 and is a connector to park areas on the western side of the lake.
After crossing the PA Turnpike, you will see a standard State Park Sign and the park enterance is on the next right. Upon entering the park is the Park Office. There you can find in the foyer to the left informaion on the park and all things Bedford County. Here, there are passport stickers. As I did, if the sign on the door says "open" for the park office, you can go in and have your passport stamped by the park staff. Generally the office is open from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM during the week, year round.
There is an addition for park program and inside that foyer through the glass doors, you can access a unisex restroom and a small exhibit display that is accessible whenever the office is closed.
Campground
Across the rosad from the park office, you will find the entrance to the camground. The entrance road crosses PA 96 and then you arrive at the check-in station, ampethieter and extra care parkng. There, the road splits into two but is in of itself a looping road.
Keeping to the right, you enter the pet sites and pass the water supply tower and reservoir. Further down before the road loops back, there will be a gravel loop leading to Loop B. There are RV Pull through sites that are pet friendly accompanied by a showerhouse. Access to the Lost Antler Trail is also provided here.
Back to the main loop, shortly, you will see a older brown cement block showerhouse to the right. A gravel loop goes behind the building and these sites in particular are standard non-electric sites and do not allow pets. This is Loop C. Near the showerhouse and and to the left is Loop A, these sites also do not allow pets, Some sites are electric and a few pull-through sites are not available.
Loop D and F are the next turn past the Loop C Showerhouse. There is also a smaller amitheter between loops C and D and a connecting path between the two. While most of the campsites in Loop D has electricified campsites. It is also home to thre camping cottages and a yurt. At the end of Loop D is Loop F. It has a modern showerhouse that is ADA Accessible along with campsite 242. The sites inside annd on the stretch of the loop have electric and there is one pull through site available.
Returning to Loop D and going back to the inner circle and befire making your way out of the campground, to the right is Loop G. Another copletely gravel loop, it is pet friendly and is home to 1 of two campground host sites. Loop G has a showerhouse and the distinct pleasure of having two “Great Gathering Friends and Family” two-unit full-hookup sites, and each Great Gathering site allows tents and two full-hookup camping units for a total accommodation of 15 people. There is also a modern showerhouse in loop G.
Camping Cottages and Yurt
At Shawnee, there are three Camping Cottages and a Mongolian Style Yurt. They are in loop D.
Cottage #1 is in the campground loop near the showerhouse are handicap-accessible as well as site #187. Cottage #2 and #3 along with the Yurt are on a seperate lane and has a water point at the end of the lane.
Each cottage sleeps five people and has:
Wooden walls and floors
Windows
Electric lights and outlets
Electric heat
Bunkbeds (single/single and single/double)
Porch
Picnic table and fire ring
A short video from Maksim Outdoors on YouTube showing you cabin number one within Shawnee State Park Pennsylvania.
