Winding its way through the rugged hills of northwestern Pennsylvania, Tionesta Lake offers a unique setting for a diversity of outdoor recreational fun. The Seneca named this area "where the water separates the land". Tionesta offers a rich history where narrow gauge railroads dotted the surrounding countryside hauling out virgin timber from the surrounding hillsides. Fishermen have found Tionesta to be enticing and productive. Another unique feature are the 48 lakeshore campsites that offer fishermen and families interested in camping along the lake the opportunity to do so.

Located in Forest County, the area now known as Tionesta Lake was historically inhabited by Native American tribes before European settlers arrived. The land underwent significant changes with logging and oil drilling activities dominating the economy during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Prior to its current status as a recreational site managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, much of this region belonged to private owners who utilized it for timber extraction and later for petroleum production when oil was discovered nearby in Titusville in 1859.

The construction of a dam on Tionesta Creek began in response to severe flooding events that plagued Pennsylvania's Allegheny River watershed; completed in 1940, it created what is today recognized as an important flood control reservoir serving multiple purposes including recreation conservation efforts.

Within its boundaries are historical features such as remnants from past industries-old well sites-and cultural artifacts left behind by earlier inhabitants which offer insights into regional history through archaeological studies conducted within park grounds. Additionally, visitors can find Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) structures dating back to New Deal-era projects aimed at providing employment while improving natural resources management across America's landscapes during Great Depression years.