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    Poe Valley State Park

    Winter Recreation

    Pennsylvania state parks are open 365 days a year, even in the winter. The Winter Report provides ice and snow depth information for state parks.

    Enjoy the Winter

    Park trails are open for cross-country skiing. No specific trails are designated for cross-country skiing, but most skiers use local roads since only minimal snow plowing is done. Skiers should be cautious since snowmobiles and four-wheel drive vehicles also use many of these roads. Access to Poe Valley during the winter months may be limited. Winter maintenance is not performed on park roads or state forest roads that access Poe Valley. Caution must be used when traveling to Poe Valley during the winter season.

    Please check the trail difficulty rating before adventuring on the trails.

    Ice fishing is permitted on the natural ice of the lake. 

    Ice thickness is not monitored. For your safety, make sure ice is at least 4” thick for a single angler and 7” thick for a small group. 

    Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission regulations and laws apply.

    Registered snowmobiles may use the Big Poe Road in the park and surrounding Bald Eagle State Forest roads daily after the end of the rifle deer season in December. Most roads are joint-use roads shared by snowmobiles and motor vehicles. Please snowmobile safely.

    Snowmobiles may be operated on designated trails and roads from the day following the last deer season in December until April 1, weather permitting.

    All snowmobiles must be registered and follow all Pennsylvania snowmobile rules.

    Park trails are open for snowshoeing. Please check the trail difficulty rating before adventuring on the trails.

    Ice Safety

    • Test ice thickness with an auger before recreating. For your safety, make sure ice is at least 4” thick for a single user and 7” thick for a small group. For iceboating, make sure ice is at least 6” thick.
    • Always carry safety equipment and know how to use it.
    • Spread out. Crowds can put too much weight onto one area.
    • Be aware of changes in ice thickness across a body of water. Perimeter ice is weaker due to shifting, expansion and sunlight reflecting off of the bottom.
    • Avoid areas with protruding logs, brush, plants, and docks. These structures absorb heat, weakening the surrounding ice.
    • Avoid areas with multiple or intersecting cracks, and standing water over ice.
    • Venturing out on ice alone is not advisable. Take a friend along for fun and for safety.
    • Wear a personal flotation device (life jacket).
    • Check the weather and plan accordingly. Several days with temperatures above freezing will weaken the ice.