Are you the owner for this park? Make it a featured listing and be seen in the top search results!
Little Buffalo
Overview
Little Buffalo State Park offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of Perry County. Spanning over 900 acres, this destination is centered around the beautiful 88-acre Holman Lake. Visitors often find themselves drawn to the park's unique blend of natural beauty and well-preserved history. Whether you are looking to spend a quiet afternoon by the water or explore the wooded ridges, the park provides a refreshing outdoor escape for travelers seeking a break from the hustle of highway driving.
Location & Surroundings
Situated just outside Newport, PA, the park is nestled within a landscape of rolling hills and fertile farmland. The surrounding area of central Pennsylvania is known for its rural charm and slower pace of life. Travelers will appreciate the scenic drive through the Juniata Valley, where the nearby Juniata River winds through the countryside. The park’s secluded location ensures a dark night sky and a quiet atmosphere, yet it remains accessible for those exploring the broader Susquehanna Valley region.
Amenities & Park Features
The campground at Little Buffalo provides a variety of options for RVers, including several sites equipped with electric hookups. The facility is well-maintained, offering modern restrooms with warm showers and a convenient sanitary dump station for self-contained rigs. Families often enjoy the large swimming pool with its water slides during the summer months. Each site typically includes a picnic table and a fire ring, perfect for enjoying a classic lakeside campfire under the stars.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
History comes alive at the park through the Shoaff’s Mill, a functional water-powered grist mill that still operates during seasonal demonstrations. Visitors can also walk across the historic Clay's Covered Bridge, one of the many iconic timber structures in the region. For those who enjoy active recreation, the park features over eight miles of hiking trails, including the popular Middle Ridge Trail. Boating and fishing on Holman Lake are top priorities for many, as the waters are regularly stocked with trout and bass.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is an ideal fit for family campers who appreciate a mix of structured activities and natural exploration. It also appeals greatly to history enthusiasts who want to see early American industrial sites in a beautiful setting. Because of its quiet environment and electric-only hookups, it is best suited for those who prefer a traditional state park experience over a high-density commercial resort. If you value scenic hiking and peaceful water views, this park is an excellent choice for your next trip.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Facility
- Hunting Nearby (within 20 miles)
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Joanne Zavitsky
The area around Little Buffalo State Park is beautiful, anytime of year. Our last visit there was in the fall. Colors are beautiful, a crispness is in the air. There are many trails to walk. There are trails to walk around the lake also. Check out the Covered Bridge, the Grist Mill and the old cemetery.
J Sensenig
Beautiful park with a large lake. We'll maintained areas with picnic tables and easy walking paths. Play areas with swings for children and a large swimmimg pool area and campground nearby. A mill and covered bridge in the park. The mill is open on weekends for tours. A nice state park with lots to do!
Mary Miller
Beautiful and peaceful park. Lots of butterflies, bees and turtles. Trails were very nice. We enjoyed seeing the history of the park. Our pup also earned a Bark Ranger Badge for good behavior.
Randy hobbs
We're at Little Buffalo State Park near Newport,Pa. A pet friendly park that's Pretty close to the center of the state. The park is small compared to most Pennsylvania State parks at 923 acres it surrounds Holman Lake. There are 46 campsites up a pretty steep hill as the campground sits on top , the loop is paved and the sites are hard packed gravel,most with 50,30 & 20 amp power and water , picnic table ,fire rings and lantern post I would recommend one of the 4 pull-tru sites for big rigs ( 32’ and up) we got our 42’ 5er into site 13 (only) because no one was in #14 and I could pull into it and back into our site, 30 & 32 are doable back-in big rig sites too. There is a big modern bathhouse and two back-in ADA paved sites next to it and the dump station is around the side of it . There are small camping cabins and a big cabin / house that can sleep 12 for rent too. It a clean well maintained park and campground. A huge swimming pool The lake is known for it different species including largemouth bass, bullhead catfish, walleye, muskellunge, perch, and stocked trout. The lake is designated as a "Big Bass Lake," meaning 15” size restriction and four a day per person. There is a beautiful restored covered bridge inside the park
Danielle McPherson
Stayed 2 nights with friends and our 4 kids we had cabins CC1 and CC4 reserved. Our stay was Sunday-Tuesday so we didnt feel the campground nor pool was crowded. I forgot to take pictures of the inside cabin but it's very primitive, nice sized table for 4 inside and 2 bunk beds, i found fitted sheets on top bunk hard to place on the tight fitted bed. Flat sheet or sleeping bag would work best. Our stay was very humid, be sure to bring several fans since there's electricity. We had to purchase ice several times, closest is at the pool concession you can access from outside without going in to the pool. If your camping the pool entrance is only $4 , which was well worth it. This pool and splash pad is one of the best pools I've visited. They're strict about the no food rule, no big deal for us. We packed lunch and just exited to eat our lunch for 45 min gave the kids a break without yelling at them to stay out of the pool and it made them focus and eat. There's not much shade inside the pool, your allowed to take in a canopy which is nice! Overall we had a really nice stay! Age range of kids was 2- 6 .