Whipple Dam State Park

Whipple Dam State Park is a 256-acre property centered on a 22-acre reservoir in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. The lake enables swimming and fishing, while trails wind through wooded areas and open meadows for visitors to explore year-round.

The land was acquired in 1754 and later housed the Monroe Iron Works, which extracted charcoal and iron from the surrounding forest. The dam itself was built by Osgood M. Whipple to harness the water as an energy source for sawmill operations during Pennsylvania's lumber period.

The park serves as a space where visitors connect with the landscape that shaped local industry and settlement patterns over time. Walking the grounds, people encounter remnants of how water and forests once powered the region's economy.

Large pavilions can be reserved up to eleven months ahead, while smaller areas operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Visiting on weekdays tends to be more pleasant, as the park sees fewer visitors during these times.

The water behind the dam was never created as a recreational lake but instead as a power source for a sawmill, a detail visitors often miss when walking the calm shoreline. This practical origin makes the landscape feel quite different when you know its hidden purpose.

Location: Huntingdon County

Inception: 1928

Website: https://dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/WhippleDamStatePark/Pages/default.aspx

GPS coordinates: 40.68690,-77.86360

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:08