Pennsylvania / Mercer County / Pymatuning Township

Shenango Lake Shenango Lakeside Picnic Shelter

Closed — Closed for the season. The shelter operates seasonally with availability typically from late spring through fall. Reservations available through Recreation.gov.

About

The Shenango Lakeside Picnic Shelter is a covered group facility located within the Shenango Recreation Area at Shenango River Lake, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers property. The shelter accommodates between 42-56 people depending on table configuration and is situated adjacent to the lake's main campground. Electric service is available with a paid reservation, and grills are provided on-site for cooking. The facility includes nearby basketball and volleyball courts for group activities. Shenango Lake stretches 11 miles up the Shenango River, covering over 11,000 acres surrounded by northern hardwood forests of black cherry, beech, maple, and hemlock. The lake is popular for fishing, with abundant crappie, bass, walleye, catfish, and muskellunge. Boating areas accommodate both unlimited horsepower operation and restricted zones. Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer, turkey, osprey, and bald eagles. Flush toilets and drinking water are provided seasonally at the nearby boat launch restroom. The recreation area is part of a larger system that includes the Shenango Water Trail, historic Kidds Mill Covered Bridge, and remnants of the Erie Extension Canal. Research chestnut tree orchards managed with the American Chestnut Foundation are located at Shenango and Mahaney recreation areas. The shelter is ideal for family reunions and group gatherings seeking a lakeside setting with recreational amenities.

Directions

From I-80, take Exit 4B and follow Route 18 north for approximately 8 miles until you cross the lake causeway. Continue north for about 1/4 mile on the divided highway, exit right at Birchwood Drive, make the turnaround, and head south on Route 18. Before crossing the causeway again, turn right onto West Lake Road and travel approximately 1/4 mile to the park entrance on the left. Enter through the entrance booth and follow signs to the shelter parking area.

Nearby Campgrounds