About Shenango Lake Shenango Lakeside Picnic Shelter
Overview Situated within the suburban Shenango Valley, Shenango Lake provides an attractive setting where visitors can spend the day picnicking, camping, fishing, boating, or enjoying nature's beauty at one of the lake's many recreation areas. The Shenango Recreation Area Day Use is located within the Shenango Rec Area, adjacent to the campground and provides one covered group picnic shelter (Lakeside Shelter) with electric as well as a basketball hoop and volleyball court nearby. Recreation Come explore and enjoy the outdoors! The lake provides a variety of recreational opportunities, including, but not limited to, picnicking, camping, fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, viewing wildlife and hunting. Picnickers can rent, for a fee, one of our seven picnic pavilions located within four different recreation areas. Boating is a popular activity where areas are provided on the lake for unlimited horsepower operation, as well as restricted horsepower and minimum wake operation. Many fishing enthusiasts are attracted to the waters of Shenango for the crappie, bass, walleye, catfish and muskellunge that inhabit the river, lake and tailwaters. Campers visiting the lake will enjoy spacious facilities at our 330-site campground. Facilities The Shenango Rec Area Day Use offers one group picnic shelter (Lakeside Shelter) that can accommodate between 42-56 people, depending upon the use of 6-8 people per table. Electric is available at the shelter with a paid reservation only, grills are available on site, and flush toilets and drinking water are provided at the nearby restroom by the boat launch (seasonal). A children's swing set, volleyball court, and basketball hoop, as well as plenty of open fields, are located on site. Overnight camping is available at the adjacent Shenango Recreation Area Campground.**Any person requesting the Lakeside Pavilion for a Sunday: there is a church group that meets there from 10 a.m.-11 a.m., so access to the shelter is only available after the
How to Get There
Take Exit 4B off of I-80 and follow Route 18 north for about 8 miles until you cross the lake's causeway. The park is on the left, but this is a divided highway. Continue north for about 1/4 mile, exit to the right at Birchwood Drive, make the turn-around, and go south on Route 18. Before you cross the causeway again, make a right onto West Lake Road and travel approximately 1/4 mile to the park entrance on the left. There is an entrance booth where you will be directed towards the shelter. If no one is manning the booth, take a left after the booth. There are several large parking lots ahead. Make a right at the next stop sign, then a left at the last parking lot, then another right. This will bring you to a looped parking lot where the picnic shelter and parking is located.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →What to Pack for Your Stay
Tuned to the live forecast for this park.
👔 What to Wear
- 👕
Long-sleeve shirt
Synthetic or merino, sun-protective.
- 🧥
Light shell or windbreaker
Even on warm days, wind can chill (avg wind 0 mph).
- 👖
Hiking pants or convertible
Layer for variable conditions.
- 🥾
Trail runners or low boots
Comfortable, broken in.
🎒 What to Pack
- 💧
Water
Bring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
- 🍫
High-energy snacks
A snack for the trail.
- 🧴
Sun protection
Sunscreen, sunglasses, brimmed hat.
- 🩹
First-aid kit
Blister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
- 🗺
Offline map
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Plan Your Visit to Shenango Lake Shenango Lakeside Picnic Shelter
Heading to Shenango Lake Shenango Lakeside Picnic Shelter? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Shenango Lake Shenango Lakeside Picnic Shelter?
No central reservation system listed for Shenango Lake Shenango Lakeside Picnic Shelter. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/251955) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Shenango Lake Shenango Lakeside Picnic Shelter?
Take Exit 4B off of I-80 and follow Route 18 north for about 8 miles until you cross the lake's causeway. The park is on the left, but this is a divided highway. Continue north for about 1/4 mile, exit to the right at Birchwood Drive, make the turn-around, and go south on Route 18. Before you cross the causeway again, make a right onto West Lake Road and travel approximately 1/4 mile to the park e…
How do I contact Shenango Lake Shenango Lakeside Picnic Shelter?
You can reach the park at phone: 724-646-1124 or email: christina.r.barker@usace.army.mil.
References & Official Resources