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Little Buffalo State Park has a number of family-fun activities for all ages.
Swimming: A state-of-the-art swimming pool offers depths of one to five feet, two waterslides and a sprayground. The pool has an ADA accessible ramp and is open weekends Memorial Day weekend through the second weekend in June, daily through August, and weekends through Labor Day.Â
Boating & Fishing: The 88-acre Holman Lake is available for boating (canoe, rowboat and pedal boat rentals available), electric boating and year-round fishing (largemouth bass; catfish; panfish; brook, brown and rainbow trout; and fingerlings of tiger muskellunge) with an ADA accessible pier. The lake is also available for ice fishing and ice skating when conditions allow.
Hunting: Nearly 300 acres of the park is open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Hunters will find deer, turkey, grouse, rabbit, pheasant and squirrel. ADA accessible areas are available for hunting.
Hiking: Eight trails offer eight miles of hiking throughout the park. Two of the hikes are the most difficult, one is ADA accessible, one is a fitness trail and the remaining four trails are rated as easy hiking. Some trails are available for cross-country skiing in the winter.
Overnight: There are forty sites available for camping with access to flush toilet, warm showers and some electric hook-ups. Five, five-person cottages are available and feature heat and electric. One, 12-person ADA accessible modern cabin is available year-round.
Environmental Education:Â Little Buffalo State Park offers a wide variety of environmental education programs including hands-on activities, guided walks and campfire programs. Curriculum-based environmental education programs are available to schools and youth groups. Teacher workshops are available. Group programs must be arranged in advance and may be scheduled by calling the park office.
Historical Sites: Little Buffalo State Park is also home to four historical sites: Shoaff's Mill, Clay's Covered Bridge, Blue Ball Tavern and remaining Newport and Sherman's Valley Railroad tracks.
- Shoaff's Mill is an 1849 mill that has a still-operational waterwheel. The mill is used to mill cornmeal, crack corn and grind apples for education demonstrations.
- Clays Covered Bridge was originally built in 1890 by bridge contractor George Harling. This 82-foot bridge spanned the Little Buffalo Creek and was located one mile west of its present location. The bridge was moved when Holman Lake was created. View the Perry County Covered Bridge & Wine Loop trip idea.
- The Blue Ball Tavern was opened in 1811 and offered travelers food, drink and lodging. During the War of 1812, the tavern served as a stopover point for messenger riders coming from Carlisle to Sunbury. The tavern closed in 1841, and the current farmhouse was built around 1865 on the foundation of the tavern. Today, the tavern is maintained as a museum and library that is open Sundays through the summer months.
- Newport and Sherman's Valley Railroad was created in 1890 to move timber. The railroad was in use for 44 years. The old rail beds have been converted into hiking trails.
Annual Events:Â
- Old Fashioned Apple Festival: Held the third weekend of October, this festival features apples and cornmeal being processed in Shoaff's Mill. Visitors cans sample apple cider, apple butter and cornmeal recipes.
- Halloween Night: Held on the Saturday before Halloween, this program features storytelling, pumpkin carving, refreshments and haunted hayrides.
- Christmas Walk: Families will enjoy thousands of lights and holiday cutouts, Santa, cookies and hot chocolate. The program runs December 17th through December 23rd.
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- Hours: Dawn to Dusk
- Months Open: Open year-round
- Notes: For the 2023 season, the pool is open on Memorial Day weekend (May 27-29) and on June 3-4 from 11 am to 7 pm. It is open daily from June 10 to August 20, except for a staff training day on June 13. After August 20, it is open on August 26 & 27 and also Labor Day weekend.
Quick Check
- Handicapped Accessible:
- Pets Allowed:
Quick Check
- Pool Outdoor:
Amenities
- Restrooms:
Family Fun
- All Ages:
- Under 4:
Fishing
- Family Fun Fishing:
- Fishing:
- Ice-Fishing:
- Muskellunge, Walleye and Pike:
- Smallmouth Bass:
- Stocked Trout:
Land Recreation
- Any Length Trail:
- Bird Watching:
- Cross-Country Skiing:
- Environmental Education:
- Hiking Trails:
- Hunting:
- Interpretative Signage:
- Miles of Trails: 8
- Number of Trails: 8
- Picnic Area/Pavilions:
- Trail Length < 5 Miles:
Water Recreation
- Boat Launch:
- Boat Rentals:
- Boating:
- Ice-Skating:
- Swimming:
General
- Camping:
- Fishing :
- Number of Cabins: 6
- Number of Sites: 40
- Organized Group Tenting:
- Pets Allowed:
- Recreation Hall:
- Year-Round Campground:
Amenities
- Cabin Rentals:
- Electric and Water Hook Up:
- Pool:
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- Year-Round Campground:
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