Overlook Recreation Area

2 reviews

Quick Facts

Price

Free

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Restroom nearby open...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Woodcock Creek Lake) site

Get Directions

Quick Facts

Price

Free

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Restroom nearby open...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Woodcock Creek Lake) site

Get Directions

Overlook Recreation Area

$0.00 - $50.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Picnic shelter at the Overlook Recreation Area is reservable for a $50 fee; the shelter is also available first-come, first-served with no fee. US...

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$50.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Total Campsite Fees$50.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

167,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(814) 763-4422

What Campers Say

N/A

Limited Reviews

Based on 2 reviews

1 Google reviews

Read all reviews

Fees & Passes at Overlook Recreation Area

Free

Campsite fees

Group Site

For large groups

$50/night

Stay Limit: Day use only

Prices verified December 10, 2025

Prices may vary by season and site type. Always confirm current rates on the official U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Woodcock Creek Lake) website.

Best Time to Camp at Overlook Recreation Area

The recreation area welcomes day visitors year-round, though the full experience unfolds from May through October when seasonal restrooms operate and the landscape comes alive. Spring brings migrating birds and wildflowers along the trails, while summer invites long afternoons of disc golf and lakeside picnics. Autumn paints the surrounding woodlands in brilliant colors, creating a stunning backdrop for fishing and photography. Even in winter, the area's natural beauty draws those seeking quiet walks and wildlife observation, though visitors should plan accordingly for limited facilities during the colder months.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Restroom nearby open 01 MAY – 31 OCT. Recreation areas and facilities are Day Use Only.

About Overlook Recreation Area

Perched along the shores of Woodcock Creek Lake, this U.S. Army Corps of Engineers day-use area invites visitors to discover a perfect blend of recreation and relaxation. Whether you're gathering under the reservable picnic shelter with lake views, navigating the disc golf course through wooded terrain, or casting a line along the water's edge, Overlook Recreation Area offers accessible amenities including paved parking, drinking water, and seasonal restrooms that make outdoor adventure comfortable for everyone.

Day-use only recreation area; no overnight camping or on-site lodging. The site provides a reservable picnic shelter and other day-use facilities but does not provide campsites.

Weather and SeasonsThe recreation area welcomes day visitors year-round, though the full experience unfolds from May through October when seasonal restrooms operate and the landscape comes alive. Spring brings migrating birds and wildflowers along the trails, while summer invites long afternoons of disc golf and lakeside picnics. Autumn paints the surrounding woodlands in brilliant colors, creating a stunning backdrop for fishing and photography. Even in winter, the area's natural beauty draws those seeking quiet walks and wildlife observation, though visitors should plan accordingly for limited facilities during the colder months.

Natural Features and SceneryWoodcock Creek Lake stretches across the gentle landscape of northwestern Pennsylvania, where rolling hills cascade down to meet tranquil waters. The impressive mile-long dam anchors this 3,000-acre reservoir, creating a haven for anglers and bird watchers alike. Wooded shorelines shelter herons, eagles, and waterfowl, while the surrounding forest provides a serene canopy over winding trails. From the covered gazebo, panoramic views sweep across the lake's surface, where morning mist rises like silk and evening light turns the water to gold. The varied terrain—from open meadows to dense woodlands—creates diverse habitats that support wildlife and offer visitors ever-changing vistas throughout the seasons.

Geological RegionNestled in the glacially-shaped terrain of northwestern Pennsylvania, the recreation area sits within a landscape carved by ancient ice sheets that left behind the rolling hills and fertile valleys characteristic of this region. The Woodcock Creek watershed drains through deciduous forests dominated by oak, maple, and hickory, creating a transitional zone between the Allegheny Plateau and the Lake Erie coastal plain. This unique positioning results in diverse ecosystems where upland forests meet wetland edges, making it a geological crossroads that supports remarkable biodiversity.

Campsite details

AccessibilityAccessible ramps at the shelter and picnic areas; paved parking.

Total Campsites0 campsites

Recommended CampsitesPicnic shelter accommodates up to 40 people and includes drinking water from a hydrant and electrical outlets. Accessible ramps, picnic tables, benches, a nearby restroom (seasonal), a covered gazebo with lake views, and a large paved parking lot are onsite.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Day use only

Guests Allowed Per Site

Picnic shelter accommodates up to 40 people.

Groups

Picnic shelter that will accommodate up to 40 people is available for reservation (day use only) or on a first-come-first-serve basis
restroom and paved parking nearby.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive are not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutOverlook Recreation Area includes a reservable picnic shelter (up to 40 people), covered gazebo, picnic tables, benches, accessible ramps, a nearby restroom, and a large paved parking lot.

Open and Closed SeasonRestroom nearby open 01 MAY – 31 OCT. Recreation areas and facilities are Day Use Only.

Walk-in AvailabilityPicnic shelter available first-come, first-served with no fee when not reserved.

Amenities available

Potable water

Picnic tables

Activities you can enjoy

Woodcock Creek Lake offers a variety of day-use recreational activities including walking/hiking, boating (non‑intensive), fishing, birding and other wildlife viewing, plus disc golf, playground and picnic recreation. Additional interpretive and habitat-based recreation is provided by partner organizations in adjacent managed areas.

Hiking

Walking and hiking trails are available, including the opportunity to walk across the 1-mile long dam; birding and walking paths are noted.

Fishing

Fishing is available in the lake (motor limit 20 hp) and downstream of the dam; nearby partner-managed areas also provide additional fishing opportunities.

Boating

Canoeing and kayaking are offered; motorboats are subject to a 20 hp limit on the lake.

Wildlife viewing

Birding is explicitly noted; the Pennsylvania Game Commission manages habitat at the eastern end of the park for wildlife viewing and for hunting/trapping opportunities.

Cultural and Educational Programs

Stainbrook Park (managed by Crawford County Conservation District) includes a visitor center with interpretive opportunities.

Campground rules

Pets are not allowed

Hazards

Weather at Overlook Recreation Area

°F

Dec 11

Thursday

Overcast

Precipitation: 0%

Humidity: 93%

Wind: 10.9 mph

Overcast

Weather History

Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Detailed 7-Day Forecast

Reveal forecast

Good to know

Proximity to water featuresAdjacent to Woodcock Creek Lake; picnic shelter and gazebo overlook the lake. Fishing is available in the lake and downstream of the dam.

Campground Map

Overlook Recreation Area

Driving directionsFrom I-79 take Exit 154 and proceed on Route 198 for 7 miles east through Saegertown to Woodcock Creek Lake Dam. The Overlook Recreation Area and picnic shelter are approximately 1/4 mile past the dam on the right. From Meadville take Route 86 North for approximately 4 miles and turn right on Route 198. From Cambridge Springs take Route 86 South for approximately 8 miles then left on Route 198.

Accessible via I-79 (Exit 154) and state Routes 198 and 86; described as "just minutes from I-79".

Nearby places

Saegertown (on Route 198, reached when traveling 7 miles east from I-79 Exit 154)

Meadville (access via Route 86 North ~4 miles then Route 198)

Cambridge Springs (access via Route 86 South ~8 miles then Route 198). Nearby communities also include Conneaut Lake, Edinboro and Erie.