Create a magical, memorable summer without ever leaving Pennsylvania. No matter where you live in the state, you’re likely within a reasonable drive to one of Pennsylvania’s picture perfect lakes, many of which offer swimming, boating, fishing, and picnicking. Fill up your summer itinerary with these 10 lake trips in Pennsylvania.
- Black Moshannon Lake – 4216 Beaver Road, Philipsburg, PA 16866
Flickr/Rob Peeler Let your feet sink into the sand of the beach at Black Moshannon State Park, which boasts the 250 acre Black Moshannon Lake. Sunbathe or swim in the cool water then enjoy a lakeside picnic. Explore the area by boat or enjoy an afternoon of fishing. The beach area also features a concession stand, a park store, and boat rental.
- Lake Jean – 695 State Route 487, Benton, PA 17814
Flickr/Anisa C. Spend a few hours hiking to the 22 waterfalls at Ricketts Glen State Park before relaxing on the 600 foot sandy beach snuggled against Lake Jean. The 245 acre lake permits swimming in designated areas only. However, you can zip along the water in your electric boat or find a quiet spot for fishing. Stop by the snack bar - open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day - for a refreshing drink or a snack.
- Glendale Lake – 966 Marina Road, Patton, PA 16668
PA DCNR Find a secluded spot along Muskrat Beach at the edge of the massive 1,635 acre Glendale Lake at Prince Gallitzin State Park. The sprawling beach boasts everything you’d expect: bathhouses, dressing rooms, picnic areas, and a concession stand. Spend the day at the beach before pitching a tent for a night of camping out.
- Lake Arthur – 225 Pleasant Valley Road, Portersville, PA 16051
Flickr/John Dawson Join the more than a million adventurers that flock to Moraine State Park and Lake Arthur every year. The shimmering lake attracts water lovers with its annual Lake Arthur Regatta, slated for August 5 and 6, 2017. Sunbathe on one of the lake’s two beaches or launch your sailboat from one of the 10 public boat launches. Windsurfing and fishing are also popular on the 3,225 acre Lake Arthur.
- Laurel Hill Lake – 1454 Laurel Hill Park Road, Somerset, PA 15501
Flickr/Gracie Jane Gollinger Escape to the tranquil Laurel Hill State Park, nestled in Somerset County. Spend a leisurely day around the cozy 63 lake Laurel Hill Lake. Explore the picturesque lake on a boat, a kayak, a rowboat, a canoe, or a hydrobike before relaxing on the sandy beach or enjoy a summer picnic.
- Little Pine Lake – 4205 Little Pine Creek Road, Waterville, PA 17776
PA DCNR Enjoy the solitude of a morning of fishing on Little Pine Lake at Little Pine State Park. Or, bring your electric motor boat for a day of exploring the serene 60 acre lake. Little Pine Lake also features a cozy sand beach and plenty of picnic tables.
- Canoe Lake – 205 Canoe Creek Road, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
Facebook/Canoe Creek State Park PA DCNR Spend a day under the summer sun at Canoe Creek State Park. Rent a paddle boat, canoe, rowboat, kayak, and stand-up paddle board for a leisurely journey around the 155 acre Canoe Lake. Sink into the sandy beach, swim, go horseback riding, biking, or hiking.
- Tobyhanna Lake – 114 Campground Road, Tobyhanna, PA 18466
Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli Explore the hiking trails at Tobyhanna State Park before kicking back and relaxing on the beach leading to the 170 acre Tobyhanna Lake. Enjoy a day of boating (overnight mooring is available), fishing or swimming, in the state park that also features camping, picnicking, and mountain biking.
- Yellow Creek Lake – 170 PA-259, Penn Run, PA 15765
Facebook/Yellow Creek State Park PA DCNR Yellow Creek State Park - with its epic 720 acre Yellow Creek Lake - provides an idyllic setting for a summer day outdoors. Lounge along the 800 foot sandy beach, explore the lake by boat, or camp out overnight. The park also features hiking and mountain biking trails and picnic tables.
- Shawnee Lake – 132 State Park Road, Schellsburg, PA 15559
Facebook/Friends of Shawnee Slip into the warm water of the 451 acre Shawnee Lake at Shawnee Lake State Park. Lounge on the sandy beach, fish, or explore the lake aboard your electric motor boat. Shawnee Lake State Park also features hiking trails, camping, and picnicking.
Pennsylvania’s brimming with picturesque lakes, including those listed in the lake trips listed above. What is your favorite lake in PA? Share your thoughts below!
Flickr/Rob Peeler
Let your feet sink into the sand of the beach at Black Moshannon State Park, which boasts the 250 acre Black Moshannon Lake. Sunbathe or swim in the cool water then enjoy a lakeside picnic. Explore the area by boat or enjoy an afternoon of fishing. The beach area also features a concession stand, a park store, and boat rental.
Flickr/Anisa C.
Spend a few hours hiking to the 22 waterfalls at Ricketts Glen State Park before relaxing on the 600 foot sandy beach snuggled against Lake Jean. The 245 acre lake permits swimming in designated areas only. However, you can zip along the water in your electric boat or find a quiet spot for fishing. Stop by the snack bar - open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day - for a refreshing drink or a snack.
PA DCNR
Find a secluded spot along Muskrat Beach at the edge of the massive 1,635 acre Glendale Lake at Prince Gallitzin State Park. The sprawling beach boasts everything you’d expect: bathhouses, dressing rooms, picnic areas, and a concession stand. Spend the day at the beach before pitching a tent for a night of camping out.
Flickr/John Dawson
Join the more than a million adventurers that flock to Moraine State Park and Lake Arthur every year. The shimmering lake attracts water lovers with its annual Lake Arthur Regatta, slated for August 5 and 6, 2017. Sunbathe on one of the lake’s two beaches or launch your sailboat from one of the 10 public boat launches. Windsurfing and fishing are also popular on the 3,225 acre Lake Arthur.
Flickr/Gracie Jane Gollinger
Escape to the tranquil Laurel Hill State Park, nestled in Somerset County. Spend a leisurely day around the cozy 63 lake Laurel Hill Lake. Explore the picturesque lake on a boat, a kayak, a rowboat, a canoe, or a hydrobike before relaxing on the sandy beach or enjoy a summer picnic.
Enjoy the solitude of a morning of fishing on Little Pine Lake at Little Pine State Park. Or, bring your electric motor boat for a day of exploring the serene 60 acre lake. Little Pine Lake also features a cozy sand beach and plenty of picnic tables.
Facebook/Canoe Creek State Park PA DCNR
Spend a day under the summer sun at Canoe Creek State Park. Rent a paddle boat, canoe, rowboat, kayak, and stand-up paddle board for a leisurely journey around the 155 acre Canoe Lake. Sink into the sandy beach, swim, go horseback riding, biking, or hiking.
Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli
Explore the hiking trails at Tobyhanna State Park before kicking back and relaxing on the beach leading to the 170 acre Tobyhanna Lake. Enjoy a day of boating (overnight mooring is available), fishing or swimming, in the state park that also features camping, picnicking, and mountain biking.
Facebook/Yellow Creek State Park PA DCNR
Yellow Creek State Park - with its epic 720 acre Yellow Creek Lake - provides an idyllic setting for a summer day outdoors. Lounge along the 800 foot sandy beach, explore the lake by boat, or camp out overnight. The park also features hiking and mountain biking trails and picnic tables.
Facebook/Friends of Shawnee
Slip into the warm water of the 451 acre Shawnee Lake at Shawnee Lake State Park. Lounge on the sandy beach, fish, or explore the lake aboard your electric motor boat. Shawnee Lake State Park also features hiking trails, camping, and picnicking.
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Address: 695 State Route 487, Benton, PA 17814Address: 4216 Beaver Road, Philipsburg, PA 16866Address: 4205 Little Pine Creek Road, Waterville, PA 17776Address: 170 PA-259, Penn Run, PA 15765Address: 225 Pleasant Valley Road, Portersville, PA 16051Address: 132 State Park Road, Schellsburg, PA 15559Address: 966 Marina Road, Patton, PA 16668Address: 205 Canoe Creek Road, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648Address: 114 Campground Road, Tobyhanna, PA 18466Address: 1454 Laurel Hill Park Road, Somerset, PA 15501
