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Shenango River Lake

Authorized by the Flood Control Acts of 1938, Shenango River Lake is one of 16 flood-control projects in the Pittsburgh District. The project mitigates flooding for the Shenango River Valley as well as for the Beaver and upper Ohio rivers. Since its completion in 1965, Shenango Dam has prevented more than $252 million in flood damages. The project has the capability to store the equivalent run-off of 10.5 inches of precipitation from its 589 square mile drainage area. Shenango River Lake’s flood-control benefits were demonstrated during the June 1972 flooding resulting from Tropical Storm Agnes when over $1.8 million in damages were prevented. Shenango also provides water releases during dry periods to improve water quality and quantity for domestic and industrial use, recreation and aquatic life.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission manages approximately 3,000 acres of project land for wildlife purposes, including a waterfowl propagation area. The Ohio portion of the project is managed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources also for wildlife management.

History buffs will enjoy exploring the remnants of the Erie Extension Canal, sections of which are located on project property. The Erie Extension Canal played a key role in the economic development of Northwestern Pennsylvania. Portions of the canal’s towpath are maintained for hiking and are part of the Shenango Trail. The well-preserved remains of Lock Number 10 are found in Sharpsville, approximately one-half mile downstream of the Shenango Dam.

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Notice: the Shenango Recreation Area Campground no longer accepts payments at the contact booth. All visitors can make a reservation online through Recreation 1 Stop (R15) at www.recreation.gov or by phone at 877-444-6777. Reservations can be made six months in advance and up to the same day as arrival as long as campsites are available. The change was implemented to gain efficiencies by reducing administrative tasks, allowing staff to provide better customer service and accommodate visitors more efficiently. If you have any questions, please contact the Ranger Station at 724-646-1124.

The scenic Shenango Recreation Area campground has 330 sites available, many of which are equipped with electric hookup. Showers, restrooms, playgrounds and dump stations are provided. Campers visiting the lake will enjoy the spacious facilities and ease of access to the lake, as well as opportunities to enjoy watching the birds and other wildlife that live there.

Many fishing enthusiasts are attracted to the waters of Shenango for the crappie, bass, walleye, channel catfish, and other fish that inhabit the river and lake. Opportunity for trout fishing is available from New Hamburg to Big Bend recreation area, where Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission stock trout biannually.

Hikers will enjoy the opportunity to walk the beautiful trails at the lake. The Seth Myers Trail, named for the nature enthusiast and Sharon Herald outdoor writer, is located at the Mahaney Day Use area and has been recently renovated to include information panels about the trail and the natural discoveries that can be found there. The Coonie trail, named for Park Ranger Francis A. “Coonie” Lamphear Jr., is a self-guided trail located in the campground at the amphitheater. This short trail showcases the unique habitat of the lake and its surrounding environment with information panels located at key points of interest.

Campground Hosts

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Shenango Lake is accepting applications for campground hosts for the 2024 recreation season. Basic duties include issuing visitor/camper vehicle passes, directing traffic, providing information services, and litter pickup. Some positions may require light maintenance work. We are located in western Pennsylvania near Hermitage. Positions will run from mid-May to mid-September. Interested campers should call Park Ranger Matthew Pook at 724-646-1124 or e-mail him at matthew.j.pook@usace.army.mil.  A campsite with electric hookups will be provided (water and sewage not available at site).

Campground Reservations

Campsites at four Pittsburgh District lakes - Shenango River Lake, Berlin Lake, Tionesta Lake and Youghiogheny River Lake - can be reserved in advance through Recreation 1 Stop (R1S), an interagency one-stop center for recreation reservations. Reservations can be made before arrival by calling R1S toll-free at 1-877-444-6777 or on their website at www.recreation.gov. 

In an effort to promote customer service and as an efficiency gain, boat launch fees are no longer charged at Shenango Lake Corps of Engineers operated boat launches, thus Shenango Lake no longer sells the Corps Annual Day Use Pass.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District is no longer selling America the Beautiful national passes. Passes are available at a variety of locations, including national parks and monuments, or online. Please visit https://store.usgs.gov/recreational-passes for more information. 

The Mahaney, Clark and Shenango Day Use Areas are open from sunrise to sunset. The Shenango Day Use Area remains open to pedestrian and vehicle traffic year-round, while the Mahaney and Clark Day Use Areas remain open in the fall until the first snowfall and re-open in the spring in early April. The restrooms at all three areas close Oct. 18. Restrooms at Clark, Mahaney and Shenango Day use areas open April 1. The Mahaney Recreation Area boasts 'The Pines at Shenango Lake' disc-golf course featuring 18 holes of disc golf. Links to a printed out map and scorecard can be found below.

Scorecard

Course map

In an effort to promote customer service and as an efficiency gain, boat launch fees are no longer charged at Shenango Lake Corps of Engineers operated boat launches. Boat launch fees may still apply at other Corps of Engineers operated lakes. Shenango Lake will no longer be selling the Corps Annual Day Use Pass as well, but you can acquire one from other projects in the Pittsburgh District by mailing in the pass request form, found under 'Links of Interest', to the addresses provided on the second page of the form.

As an efficiency gain and to promote customer service, picnic shelter reservations shall be made only through the Recreation One Stop. Shelters can be reserved up to one year in advance by calling RIS at 1-877-444-6777 or on their website at www.recreation.gov - search for Shenango River Lake. This service is available 24/7 online. The fee for reserving a picnic shelter at Shenango Lake is $45 per day. There are seven picnic shelters available in four different recreation areas (maps & pictures available on the RIS website): Clark Rec Area Day Use – Clark Shelter; Mahaney Outflow Rec Area Day Use – Riverview Shelter; Mahaney Rec Area Day Use – Trails End, Spruce Cove, Skyline, and Rolling Meadows Shelters; & Shenango Rec Area Day Use – Lakeside Shelter. Electric is available at the shelter with a paid reservation only, grills are available on site, and flush toilets and drinking water are provided at the nearby restroom (seasonal). If not reserved, the shelter is available for free on a first-come, first-served basis with no electric. If you have any questions in regards to the picnic shelters, please contact the Manager’s Office at 724-962-7746 or Ranger Station at 724-646-1124.

The Boat/U.S. Foundation for Boating Safety has funded a Life Jacket Loaner Program at Shenango Lake.  Life jackets are available for infants, children and youth as well as some adults. The U.S. Coast Guard requires recreational boaters to have a wearable life jacket on board for each passenger, but life jackets suitable for children are not always available. In addition, at Shenango Lake and other Corps of Engineers lakes in the Pittsburgh District, it is required that children under 13 years of age wear a life jacket while boating. Children are especially at risk on and near the water. A properly sized life jacket can be the difference between life and death for a small child. A boater merely signs out the jacket(s) and returns them at the end of the day. To make arrangements, please call the campground contact station at 724-646-1115 during the camping season or the ranger station at 724-646-1124.

The Chestnut Run Swim Beach is open year-round. Restrooms are available at the Chestnut Run Swim Beach from late May through early September.

The picnic pavilion is not reservable, but available for use on a first-come first-served basis. All visitors are asked to use the dumpsters in the parking lot to help keep the area clean and litter-free. 

Drinking Water
 
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Showers
 
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Launching Ramp
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Boat Rental
 
Drinking Water
 
 
 
Launching Ramp
 
Pets on Leash
 
 
 
Picnic Area
 
Picnic Shelter
 
 
 
Restrooms
 
Accessible Restroom
 
 
 
Showers
Launching Ramp
Campground
 
Electric Hookups
 
 
 
Camper Dump Station
 
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Launching Ramp
 
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Restrooms
 
Accessible Restroom
 
 
 
Showers
 
Swimming Area

Shenango River Lake Videos

Camping Year-Round at Shenango River Lake
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District
Video by Michel Sauret
Feb. 23, 2023 | 0:58
A video featuring Bobber the Water Safety Dog camping at Shenango River Lake in Hermitage, Pennsylvania.

(U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District video by Michel Sauret)

SOCIAL MEDIA COPY:

Is it too early to go camping?

Actually, camping at @ShenangoLakeUSACE is available year-round!

Worried about the cold? Electric is available at each campsite, with a heated restroom available, so you don’t have to go shivering in the woods. (Please definitely don’t go in the woods, even when it’s warm out. You’re not a dog, like Bobber, and even HE uses our bathrooms. Good boy!)

Shenango has river trails open to horse-back and hiking, with a boat launch available at the campground, a disc golf course, and more than 15,000 acres of land and lake to explore!

Just check your feet when walking out of our bathroom. We wouldn’t want you to litter our great outdoors!

Book directly through www.recreation.gov

#PittsburghDistrict
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Find a Lake, Lock or Reservoir

Contact/Location

  • Contact
    Shenango River Lake Office
    724-962-7746

    Ranger Station
    724-646-1124
  • Location
    Main Office
    2442 Kelly Road
    Hermitage, PA 16148-7308

    Campground Address
    492 West Lake Road
    Transfer, PA 16154
Follow Shenango River Lake on Facebook

Shenango River Lake News

Corps waives day use fees at recreation areas in observance of Veterans Day
11/2/2023
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District announced today it will waive day-use fees at recreation areas at its 16 reservoirs in observance of Veterans Day, Nov. 11...
Corps announces closure of Shenango Trail bridge near Shenango River Lake
9/12/2023
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District is announcing the closure of the pedestrian/equestrian bridge near the intersection of Hamburg Road and Stamm Road, along the Shenango Trail (Lat...
Corps to host third annual Eagle Fest at Shenango River Lake
1/3/2023
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, in partnership with the Shenango River Watchers, will host the third annual Eagle Fest at Shenango River Lake, Jan. 7. Community members are...

Firearm / Firework Policy

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers DOES NOT honor State-issued concealed weapon permits, prohibits loaded concealed weapons, the possession of loaded firearms or ammunition on lands and waters administered by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers per Title 36, CFR 327.13{a).