Fowlers Hollow State Park

Directions - Weather - Recreation - Winter Report - Accessibility - History - Nearby Attractions - Volunteers - Rules and Regs - In an Emergency - Contact Us - Downloadables and Maps

The 104-acre Fowlers Hollow State Park is in a narrow valley created by Fowler Hollow Run. The park is on the edge of Tuscarora State Forest at the intersection of several multi-use trails. The campground of the park is a good base for adventures into the huge tract of public land.

ATTENTION CAMPERS - Advanced reservations can be made for all campsites from the Thursday before Memorial Day through Labor Day. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis for dates that fall outside of this time period by using the honor system envelop.

Directions

The park can be reached from Blain by turning south from PA 274 at the east end of town, then go one-quarter-mile, turn right over the bridge. The park can also be reached from PA 274 west of New Germantown on Upper Buck Ridge Road. For GPS, use the following address: 5700 Fowler Hollow Road Blain, PA 17006.

Recreational Opportunities

Hiking - Trail Biking - Horseback Riding - Picnicking - Fishing - Hunting - Cross-country Skiing - Snowmobiling - Camping


Fishing: Fowler Hollow Run traverses the park and provides trout fishing. The stream receives a pre-season stocking of brook trout.

For complete information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.


Picnicking: Picnic tables and a limited number of grills are available in a wooded setting. A large play field is nearby. The one picnic pavilion may be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee. If unreserved, the picnic pavilion is free on a first-come, first-served basis.


Make a reservation


Mountain Biking: Alfarata and Beaston trails, which are extensive trails in Tuscarora State Forest, meet in Fowlers Hollow State Park. Mountain biking is also permitted on park roads.


Horseback Riding: Alfarata and Beaston trails, which are extensive trails in Tuscarora State Forest, meet in Fowlers Hollow State Park.


Hiking: There are miles of trails throughout Tuscarora State forest. Fowlers Hollow State Park is a trailhead for a variety of hiking trails within and connecting to the trail system of the Tuscarora State Forest. The Tuscarora Trail is nearby. Be sure to acquire a Tuscarora State Forest Public Use Map before hiking on forest lands.


Hunting: Hunting is permitted on adjacent state forest lands. Terrain is moderately hilly to mountainous and favors turkey and deer.


Camping: rustic sites

Twelve campsites with electric hookups and six walk-in tent sites are available from mid-April to Mid-December. All campsites have a picnic table and fire ring. There are flush toilets, water spigot and
sanitary dump station, but no showers. Pets are permitted.

Explore the campground map.

Explore camping for more information.


Make a reservation

Free Camping for Campground Hosts: one host position in the rustic campground

The campground host sites amenities include 50-amp electric service. Hosts are required to assist park personnel Friday through Sunday and those holidays occurring on Monday. A two week minimum stay is required, but would prefer a one month stay. Responsibilities include assisting with light maintenance and housekeeping. Contact the park office for additional information and availability.

Winter Activities

Explore the Winter Report for current snow and ice depths.


Cross-country Skiing: There are two miles of designated trail southwest of the campground. Skiing is also permitted in all areas of the park.


Snowmobiling: Fowlers Hollow has parking and a restroom. It serves as a trailhead to the 46-mile trail network in Tuscarora State Forest. Snowmobiles may be operated on designated trails and roads from the day following the last deer season in December until April 1, weather permitting.

Access for People with Disabilities

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit.

History

In 1901, the Perry Lumber Company began logging operations in the area by building a narrow gauge logging railroad along the unused Path Valley Railroad grade from New Germantown to what is now Big Spring State Forest Picnic Area. The railroad then expanded south into Bowman Hollow and around the end of Rising Mountain into what is now Fowlers Hollow State Park. The company engine was named the Alfarata after the American Indian princess in the poem the Blue Juniata.

The company did not have a large, stationary sawmill, but used five portable sawmills, one of which was used in Fowlers Hollow. The loggers cut lumber and shipped hemlock bark to the Newport Extract Plant.
By 1905, the lumber was exhausted and the Perry Lumber Company sold all of its equipment. In 1907, the company sold 2,573 acres to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

In the early 1930s, unemployed local men, through the Works Progress Administration (WPA), constructed many of the facilities in Fowlers Hollow State Park.

Nearby Attractions

For more information on nearby attractions, contact: Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau, www.hersheyharrisburg.org.

Colonel Denning State Park: This quaint park offers camping, swimming, fishing, hiking, picnicking, hunting, cross-country skiing and ice skating and is in the scenic Doubling Gap along PA 233.

Big Spring State Forest Picnic Area: The 45-acre Big Spring State Forest Picnic Area is 5.5 miles southwest of New Germantown, along PA 274. Tucked in the side of Conococheague Mountain, the picnic area is a quaint picnic and hiking area. A short loop trail leads to a partially completed railroad tunnel with historic interpretation at the trailhead. The picnic area also provides access to the Iron Horse Trail for day and overnight hiking.

Tuscarora State Forest: The 91,000-acre forest is open to hunting, fishing, mountain biking, snowmobiling and general recreation. Four miles east of the park is the Hemlocks State Forest Natural Area, an old growth stand of our state tree. The National Park Service designated the Hemlocks area as a National Natural Landmark in 1973. 717-536-3191

In an Emergency

Contact a park employee or dial 911.
For directions to the nearest hospital, look on bulletin boards or at the park office.
Nearest Hospital:
Carlisle Regional Medical Service
45 Sprint Drive
Carlisle, PA 17013
717-249-1212

For More Information Contact:

Fowlers Hollow State Park
c/o Colonel Denning
Newville, PA 17241-9756
717-776-5272
Manager: Ryan Donovan

E-mail: coloneldenningsp@state.pa.us
An equal opportunity employer