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South Shore Recreation Area in Pennsylvania
Hard to Book

South Shore Recreation Area

Cowanesque Lake, Pennsylvania

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As of October 2026, South Shore Recreation Area is a campground in Pennsylvania with 3 campsites. South Shore Recreation Area is booked through Recreation.gov.

  • PermitSnag checks South Shore Recreation Area for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
  • South Shore Recreation Area is located at 41.9744ยฐ N, 77.2089ยฐ W.
people allowed on each site
100

South Shore Recreation Area reservations and next available dates

October 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Stay and booking rules

  • Mid-stay changes allowed
  • Maximum stay: 14 nights
  • Military discount available
  • Book up to: 12 Months

Published by Recreation.gov for South Shore Recreation Area, read on September 29, 2026.

Campsites at South Shore Recreation Area

  • Group 3
  • Accessible 3
  • Hookups 2

Amenities

  • potable water

At a glance: Setting: Mountain.

Things to do: fishing, boating, hiking, photography.

All sites at South Shore Recreation Area, as listed by Recreation.gov

Every site is in the Day Use loop.

SiteTypeSleepsHookupsAccess
IroquoisGroup100Electric, WaterAccessible
MohawkGroup100-Accessible
OneidaGroup100Electric, WaterAccessible

About South Shore Recreation Area

Overview

South Shore Recreation Area is located on the south side of the Cowanesque Lake along State Route 49, just five miles west of Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania. The area is easily accessible from Route 15 and offers a great location for boating, picnicking and fishing.

Recreation

Cowanesque Lake offers a variety of outdoor activities including boating and fishing. A variety of native fish inhabits the area's streams and lakes. The North and South Tailrace areas provide access for fishing below the dam.

The fields and forests around the lake are popular destinations for hunters looking for large and small game species that inhabit the eastern hardwood forests.

Many miles of hiking trails circle the lake, including the Mid State Trail, which travels through the recreation area. It links the trails at Cowanesque and nearby Hammond Lake into a long path that extends all the way through Pennsylvania from Maryland to New York.

Facilities

The recreation area offers three group shelters. The Iroquois and Oneida Shelters have electric and water hookups; the Mohawk Shelter has water hookups only. All three sites are fully accessible and comfortably accommodate groups of up to 100 people in a lovely lakeside setting.

Natural Features

Cowanesque Lake is situated in the Endless Mountains region of Pennsylvania, along the Allegheny Plateau in the Appalachian Mountains. The surrounding land paints a scenic picture of rolling terrain and open fields.

Rules and notices at South Shore Recreation Area

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 29, 2026. Check South Shore Recreation Area on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.

Dumpster receptacle for the Iroquois, Mohawk, and Oneida Shelters is located at the Mohawk Shelter parking lot.

Follow all applicable rules and regulations

South Shore Recreation Area FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at South Shore Recreation Area?

South Shore Recreation Area is rated "Hard to Book" based on historical demand. This campground is popular and often books out weeks in advance. Your best strategy is to monitor cancellations.

How do I find last-minute availability at South Shore Recreation Area?

Cancellations happen frequently at South Shore Recreation Area, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does South Shore Recreation Area have?

South Shore Recreation Area has 3 campsites.

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