#69 of the LakePA 100 · South Central
Cowans Gap Lake
Fulton County · South Central region · 42 acres
Quiet Water Small Water Checked Oct 2026
- Size
- 42 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
Cowans Gap Lake Ramp
Ramp · ramp, pier
39.99949, -77.92218 (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 Cowans Gap State Park alerts (DCNR) before you go.
About Cowans Gap Lake
Cowans Gap Lake is number 69 on the LakePA 100: a 42-acre reservoir in Fulton County, in our South Central region. That acreage is the figure given by the state park's boating page. Under a hundred acres, it belongs to the Small Water tier. Only paddle craft and electric-motor boats may use it, so it counts as Quiet Water. That rule is as listed by the state park's boating page. The one listed put-in is Cowans Gap Lake Ramp, with a launch ramp, a pier and parking listed as 10 spaces or more. Launching at a Fish and Boat Commission or state park site requires a Pennsylvania boat registration or a PFBC or State Parks launch permit. It is held back by a dam: stay well clear of the dam, the spillway and the outlet structures. It counts toward the South Central region milestone. As the crow flies, the closest put-in is about 43 miles from Altoona. Before you go, check posted signs, the weather and the operator's notices.
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 Cowans Gap Lake
Where do I put in at Cowans Gap Lake?
Cowans Gap Lake has one listed put-in: Cowans Gap Lake Ramp. Cowans Gap Lake Ramp is at 39.99949, -77.92218 with ramp, pier; parking: 10 spaces or more.
Are motorboats allowed on Cowans Gap 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 Cowans Gap 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 Cowans Gap Lake?
42 acres, as listed by the state park's boating page.
Sources
- DCNR park boating page — checked Oct 4, 2026
- USACE National Inventory of Dams (Cowans Gap, PA00187) — 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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