An abundance of cultural resources and recreational opportunities coupled with a great river revival and trail has certainly made Conemaugh River Lake the place to be for outdoor fun!
At the dam site, visitors will find a Visitor Information Center, two pavilions, a day use area, large playground facility, softball field, basketball court, horseshoe pits and volleyball court – all within close proximity to each other. Pavilions, a popular choice for special events such as birthdays and reunions, can be reserved through the NRRS. The Visitors Information Center, adjacent to the Conemaugh Dam, contains exhibits on the Corps’ mission and notable floods, a historic pictorial of the construction of the Conemaugh Dam and educational information about the industry, transportation and rich history of the Conemaugh Valley.
Canoe launches at the Dam Outflow Area, Blairsville and Blacklick, as well as a carry-in only launch at Aultmans Run, provide access to the Conemaugh River and backwaters, a popular choice for outdoor adventure. A particularly well-liked float is the four-hour adventure from the Conemaugh Dam to Saltsburg. Lake fishermen have an excellent prospect of landing largemouth bass, pan fish or the occasional musky or northern pike. The outflow below the dam has a variety of fish populations including walleye, perch, several bass species, trout, carp, catfish and a selection of pan fish.
Adjacent to the dam, the Bow Ridge Recreation Area offers trails excellent for hiking and observing nature by foot or bicycle. Tunnelview Historic Site, directly downstream of the dam, provides a self-guided historic walk along a section of the restored Main Line Canal that once connected Philadelphia to Pittsburgh (1834-1854). The trail is maintained by the Indiana County Parks Department.