The park includes the Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir, formed by damming Bald Eagle Creek and other smaller streams and covering 1,730 acres (700 ha).

The park is in the Bald Eagle Valley off Pennsylvania Route 150 in Howard, between Milesburg and Lock Haven.

Chief Woapalanne lived in the area for a brief period of time during the mid-18th century in a village that was on Bald Eagle Creek Path, part of the much more extensive Great Indian Warpath that stretched from New York into the Carolinas.

Pennsylvania Route 150 follows this path in some areas near Bald Eagle State Park.

[2] Bald Eagle Creek is one of the few navigable tributaries of the West Branch Susquehanna River in Centre County.

The demand for lumber products reached the Bald Eagle area in the mid-to-late 19th century.

Vast stands of old-growth forest were harvested and sent down the West Branch Susquehanna River to the sawmills at Williamsport.

The once abundant stands of pine, oak, hickory, chestnut and hemlock were stripped from the hills and valleys.

During an attack on strong hostile forces entrenched on a hill he fearlessly ran up the steep approach toward his objective and set up his machinegun 20 yards from the enemy.

Realizing it would be necessary to attract full attention of the dug-in Germans while his company crossed an open area and flanked the enemy, he picked up his gun, charged through withering machinegun and rifle fire to the very edge of the emplacement, and there killed 12 German soldiers with devastating close-range fire.

He took up a position behind a log and engaged the hostile infantry from the flank in an heroic attempt to distract their attention while his comrades attained their objective at the crest of the hill.

Sayers' indomitable fighting spirit, aggressiveness, and supreme devotion to duty live on as an example of the highest traditions of the military service.

The common game fish are largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, yellow perch, and channel catfish.

The beach area includes a playground, snack bar, baby changing rooms, restrooms, and parking.

[2] Bald Eagle State Park has 11 miles (18 km) of trails that are open for hiking and cross-country skiing.