#12 of the LakePA 100 · Northwest
Chapman Lake
Warren County · Northwest region · 68 acres
Quiet Water Small Water Checked Oct 2026
- Size
- 68 acres as listed by the state park's boating page
- Boat traffic
- Quiet water: paddle craft and electric-motor boats only. As listed by the state park's boating page, checked Oct 2026.
- Permit
- PA boat registration or a PFBC/State Parks launch permit is required to launch here. Paddling rules →
- Dam
- This lake is held back by a dam. Stay well away from the dam, spillway and outlet structures.
Where to put in
Chapman State Park
Ramp · ramp, pier
41.74888, -79.17997 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
PA boat registration or a PFBC/State Parks launch permit is required to launch here.
Access notices
No access notice on file (we last checked Oct 4, 2026). Check Chapman State Park alerts (DCNR) before you go.
About Chapman Lake
Number 12 on the LakePA 100 is Chapman Lake, a 68-acre reservoir in Warren County (Northwest region). You may also see it called Chapman Dam Reservoir. That acreage is the figure given by the state park's boating page. Under a hundred acres, it belongs to the Small Water tier. Gas motors are not allowed; you share the water only with electric-motor boats, so it counts as Quiet Water. (Boat rules as listed by the state park's boating page.) You launch at Chapman State Park, which has a launch ramp, a pier and parking listed as 10 spaces or more. At Fish and Boat Commission and state park launches your boat needs a Pennsylvania registration or a PFBC or State Parks launch permit. A dam holds the water back, so keep well away from the dam, the spillway and any outlet structures. It counts toward the Northwest region milestone. As the crow flies, the closest put-in is about 52 miles from Erie. Check the weather, posted signs and the operator's latest notices before you launch.
Rules for paddlers
Pennsylvania's paddler rules (permits, life jackets, whistle and light) are on one dated page. Paddling rules →
Safety
Paddling has real risks. Wear your life jacket. Pennsylvania requires it to be worn on canoes, kayaks and paddleboards from Nov 1 through Apr 30, and by children 12 and under all year. Check the weather, posted signs and the operator's notices before you launch. Stay well away from dams, spillways and outlet structures. You paddle at your own risk.
Nearby on the list
Straight-line distance between the lakes, not driving distance.
Questions about Chapman Lake
Where do I put in at Chapman Lake?
Chapman Lake has one listed put-in: Chapman State Park. Chapman State Park is at 41.74888, -79.17997 with ramp, pier; parking: 10 spaces or more.
Are motorboats allowed on Chapman Lake?
Quiet water: paddle craft and electric-motor boats only. As listed by the state park's boating page, checked Oct 2026.
Do I need a launch permit at Chapman Lake?
Yes, at the state park launch: a Pennsylvania boat registration or a PFBC or State Parks launch permit is required.
Source: PFBC, “Registration vs. Launch Permit”, checked 4 Oct 2026.
How big is Chapman Lake?
68 acres, as listed by the state park's boating page.
Sources
- DCNR park boating page — checked Oct 4, 2026
- USACE National Inventory of Dams (Chapman, PA00021) — checked Oct 4, 2026
- Fish and Boat Commission access map — checked Oct 4, 2026
- USGS National Hydrography Dataset — checked Oct 4, 2026
Every fact on this page comes from these public sources. Posted signs and official notices always control.
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