The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Baltimore District will reopen Tompkins Campground at the Tioga-Hammond and Cowanesque Lakes project in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, on June 30, extending the recreation season through October 14, nearly six weeks longer than usual.
Access to the campground was suspended March 13 after a federal civilian hiring freeze initiated on March 2 led to staffing shortages that made it unsafe to operate the facility.
The Corps submitted an exemption request in March to fill critical positions needed to reopen recreation sites like Tompkins Campground.
Approval of this request has allowed the district to hire sufficient staff and complete mandatory training.
“We are thrilled to have the Tompkins Campground reopened prior to the Independence Day holiday,” Col. Francis Pera, commander of the Baltimore District, said in a press release. “Our recreation staff is trained and ready to provide visitors a safe and memorable experience for the remainder of the season.”
Due to the earlier closure, all previous reservations were canceled. Campers must make new reservations for the remainder of the season starting June 12 through Recreation.gov.
The Corps noted that users may experience delays when booking reservations online as the system updates its availability. Visitors are encouraged to use the help center at https://help.recreation.gov/helpcenter for assistance.
According to its website, Cowanesque Lake, situated in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, is located on the Cowanesque River near Lawrenceville.
The construction of Cowanesque Dam was completed in 1980. The dam is a rolled rock and earthfill embankment, measuring 3,100 feet in length and rising 151 feet above the lake bottom. Its purposes include flood risk management, water supply, low flow augmentation, and recreation, covering 1,085 surface acres of water.
The lake project provides a variety of recreational opportunities for visitors of all ages. Activities available include boating, fishing, hunting, water-skiing, camping, picnicking, hiking, and amphitheater programs. These features make Cowanesque Lake a popular destination throughout the region.
The Tompkins Recreation Area and Campground sits along the north shore of Cowanesque Lake, about three miles west of Lawrenceville on Bliss Road.
The campground offers 83 campsites, 16 hike-in sites, and a 24-site primitive camping area. A boat launch and a beach are also available exclusively for camper use.
On the south side of the lake, the South Shore and Lawrence Day Use Areas provide additional amenities. The South Shore Recreation Area features boat launching, picnicking, and swimming facilities.