Allegheny
River including Kinzua Dam. Fishing, Campsites with and without electric
hookup, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic/day use,
Launch Ramp (small fee may apply), Visitors Information Center. Located in
the Allegheny National Forest this is one of the most scenic and larger inland
lakes in Pennsylvania, which also extends into New York. Recreational Areas
include Hooks Brook, Dew Drop, Kiasutha, Red Ridge, Morrison, Pine Grove,
Hopewell, Handsome Lake and Willow Bay (all on the Pennsylvania side). The
best access points are reachable just east of Warren, Pennsylvania off Pennsylvania
State Route 59. (412) 644-6924. Kittanning 32 miles northeast of Pittsburgh
is the spot to kick off the boating season just before Memorial Day weekend
Saturday May 16th 1998 from 2:30 to 6:30 in downtown Kittanning with the 2nd
Annual Boat Show. Door prizes, the famous beach ball drop(beach balls dropped
out of 2nd story windows every 1/2 hr designating prizes) and fashion show
will also be held . Registration will be starting again at noon, judging in
approximately 10 classes will be 2 to 4 or so with trophies for the top 3
places. A radio guest DJ will be playing boating music throughout the town
all weekend. Ramps are available up and down the river.
Allegheny
River Locks & Dams 2-9. These structures provide navigation pools
on the Allegheny River from Pittsburgh to near New Bethlehem. The pools are
located along Pennsylvania State Route 28. Mostly used for commercial traffic
although some recreational boating and fishing is possible.
Alvin R.
Bush Dam / Kettle Creek Reservoir. Fishing, Campsites with and without
electric hookup, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic/day
use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply), Visitors Information Center. Located
in an area surround by high mountains. Kettle Creek State Park offers camping
facilities in this scenic area of the Susquehannock State Forest in central
Pennsylvania. Located just off Pennsylvania State Route 144 in Leidy. (301)
962-3693.
Lake Arthur.
10 HP Limit. Fishing. Picnic/Day Use, Drinking Water, Restrooms. Moraine State
Park surrounds this entire 7 mile long (with several forks) scenic lake. Lake
Arthur is a very popular place for sailing and fishing. There is a 10 HP limit.
There are also facilities for swimming, hiking, biking and camping. The sailing
conditions are not optimum since the lake is set down between the hills slightly.
Located southeast of New Castle at I 79 and U.S. 422 exit.
Beaver Run
Reservoir. (Not open to boating or fishing). Owned by the Authority of
Westmoreland County. This 4.5 mile long reservoir is located just east of
the junction of Pennsylvania State Routes 66 and 286 near Murreysville.
Beltzville
Lake. Fishing, Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Picnic/day use, Launch
Ramp (small fee may apply), Visitors Information Center. Located off the Pennsylvania
Turnpike at Exit 34. (215) 656-6515.
Blanchard
Lake. -See Foster Joseph Sayers Dam.
Blue Marsh
Lake. Fishing, Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Picnic/day use, Launch
Ramp (small fee may apply), Visitors Information Center. Located just west
of Redding off Pennsylvania State Route 183 at Obold. (215) 656-6515.
Lake Clarke
(Susquehanna River). Fishing, Swimming, Picnic/Day Use, Fuel, Waterfront
Restaurant, Marinas, Public Launch Ramps. Deep water boating (averaging 10-15
feet at north end, 25-40 feet deep at south end near Safe Harbor Dam),
Long Level Marina has a nice waterfront restaurant. The lake has approximately
7 miles long by 1 mile wide boating area, with shallows near islands suitable
for swimming. Located 6 miles south of Wrightsville, York County, along
Pa Route 624.
Cowanesque
Lake. 1085 Acres with 17 miles of shoreline. Fishing, Campsites with and
without electric hookup, Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump
Station, Picnic/day use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply), Visitors Information
Center. Located at Lawrenceville near the New York border off U.S. 15. (301)
962-3693.
Crooked
Creek Lake. Fishing, Campsites without electric hookup, Restrooms, Drinking
Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic/day use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply),
Visitors Information Center. A large beach is also available at this lake.
Located 7 miles south of Kittanning off Pennsylvania State Route 66. (412)
644-6924.
Curwensville
Lake. Unlimited H.P., Fishing, Campsites with and without electric hookup,
Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic/day use,
Two Launch Ramps, Visitors Information Center. Located 4 miles south of Curwensville
Borough on Pennsylvania State Route 453. (814) 236-2320 or 1-800-326-9051
Dashields
Lock & Dam. Fishing. Near large industrial area as part of the Ohio
River Navigation Project. Located at Glenwillard. (412) 644-6924.
East Branch
Clarion R. Lake. Fishing, Campsites with and without electric hookup,
Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic/day use, Launch Ramp
(small fee may apply), Visitors Information Center. Home of Elk State Park
just west of the lake. In Elk State Forest off Pennsylvania State Route 146.
(412) 644-6924.
Emsworth
Lock & Dam. Fishing. This is the furthest upstream of the Ohio River
dams. This also provides Pittsburgh with a recreational waterway. Located
off Pennsylvania State Route 65 5 miles from central Pittsburgh.(412) 644-6924.
Lake Erie.
Fishing, Skiing, Swimming, Picnic/day use, Marina, Fuel, Launch
Ramp (small fee may apply), Popular Spots to visit are around the Erie Area.
Also see Ohio.
Foster J.
Sayers Dam / Blanchard Lake. 1,730 Acres of Water. Fishing, Campsites
without electric hookup, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station,
Picnic/day use, Marina, Fuel, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply), Visitors
Information Center. A small 6.5 mile long narrow lake with great fishing located
next to Bald Eagle State Park. Located just north of I 80 off Pennsylvania
State Route 150 in Howard. (301) 962-3693.
Francis
E. Walter Dam. Fishing, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Picnic/Day Use, Launch
Ramp. Located near the Poconos Recreational area. The watershed above the
dam has been glaciated resulting in scoured summits and valley walls along
with a number of ponds and swamps. Located just southeast of Scanton off the
Turnpike's northeast extension and exit 35. (215) 656-6515.
Frederick
Lake. Picnic Grounds, Fishing, Launch Ramps, Marina, Fuel, Information
Area. This lake on the Susquehanna river at Three Mile Island offers pleasure
boating, and fishing. Public and private launches are available
at both shores. Private launches require a small daily launch/parking fees
and are convenient for large craft. Average depth is 7-13 feet plus there
are day use picnic islands available with docks and primitive rest rooms.
Fuel is available at Goldsboro Marina, Tri County Boat Club and the Riverside
Marina (across the road from Tri -County located along part 441 is great
for family fun or fishing has a ice-cream boat that runs throughout
the summer). There are general stores on both shores and many summer
cottages are for sale on the islands in the lake. Located Just southeast
of Harrisburg.
Glendale
Lake. 10 HP Limit. Fishing, Campsites without electricity, Picnic/Day
Use, Drinking Water, Restrooms, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply). Prince
Gallitzin State Park offers camping facilities located on the center peninsula
of this forked and a bit shallow lake, great fishing!. Located 18 miles northwest
of Altoona off Pennsylvania State Route 53.
Kettle Creek
Reservoir. -See Alvan R. Bush Dam.
Lake Marbury.
Fishing, Campsites without electric hookup, Restrooms, Drinking Water,
Picnic/day use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply). Located near Gettysburg
and Hanover off Pennsylvania State Route 216.
Loyalhanna
Lake. Fishing, Campsites without electric hookup, Restrooms, Drinking
Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic/day use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply),
Visitors Information Center. Located in New Alexandria. (412) 644-6924.
Mahoning
Creek Lake. Fishing, Campsites with and without electric hookup, Restrooms,
Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic/day use, Launch Ramp (small
fee may apply). Located just south of New Bethlehem. (412) 644-6924.
Monongahela
Locks & Dams 2-8. These locks and dams provide navigational pools
from Morgantown West Virginia to Pittsburgh for commercial and recreational
traffic.
Montgomery
Lock and Dam. Fishing. Located off Pennsylvania State Route 18, 7 miles
from Monaca. (412) 644-6924.
Lake Wallenpaupack.
Fishing, , Swimming, Campsites without electric hookup, Restrooms, Drinking
Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic/day use, Marina, Fuel, Launch Ramp (small
fee may apply), Visitors Information Center. Caffrey Campgrounds lies on the
northwestern shoreline of lake. Located 18 miles east of Scranton off State
Route 507 and I 84.
Prompton
Lake. Fishing, Drinking Water, Restrooms, Picnic/Day Use, Launch Ramp
(small fee may apply). This 3 mile long yet narrow lake is the result from
the passage of glaciers that has left this lake along with many small lakes
and swamps. Located east of Scranton off U.S. 6 at Prompton. (215) 656-6515.
Pymatuning
Reservoir. Fishing. Fishing, Campsites with and without electric hookup,
Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic/day use, Launch Ramp
(small fee may apply). This reservoir reaches into Ohio on the western shoreline.
Pymatuning State Park is located around the entire lake. The Lake is accessible
at various points either side from Ohio State Route 85 / Pennsylvania State
Route 285.
Raystown
Lake. 8,300 Acres. Fishing, Campsites with and without electric hookup,
Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic/day use,
Marina, Fuel, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply), Visitors Information Center.
Home of Trough Creek State Park and several campgrounds. The largest lake
(extending 27 miles) completely in Pennsylvania. Located just south of Huntington
off Pennsylvania State Route 26. (301) 962-3693.
Shawnee
Lake. Electric Motors Only, Camping with over 300 sites, both electric
and non-electric, showers, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic/day
use, Launch Ramp. Shawnee Lake is a State Park located off Routes 30 and 96
in Schellsburg PA, Bedford County (about 40 miles south-southwest of Altoona).
Beautiful park!
Shenango
River Lake. Fishing, Campsites with and without electric hookup, Showers,
Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic/day use, Marina,
Fuel, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply), Visitors Information Center. Runs
into Ohio. Located along Pennsylvania State Route 18, 5 miles south of Grenville.
(412) 644-6924.
Tioga-Hammond
Lakes. Fishing, Campsites with and without electric hookup, Showers, Restrooms,
Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic/day use, Launch Ramp (small
fee may apply), Visitors Information Center. Twin lakes located in a scenic
environment near the Borough of Tioga. Located just outside of Sharpsville.
(301) 962-3693.
Tionesta
Lake. Fishing, Campsites with and without electric hookup, Showers, Restrooms,
Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic/day use, Launch Ramp (small
fee may apply), Visitors Information Center. Located in the Allegheny Mountains
just outside of Tionesta off Pennsylvania State Route 36. (412) 644-6924.
Lake Wallenpaupack.
Campsites, Picnic/Day Use, Fishing, Ramps, Marina, Fuel, Information Center.
Located near Paupack. This 11 miles long lake is located just east of Scranton
off I84 and State Route 507 north.
Woodcock
Creek Lake. Not for motorized craft. Fishing, Campsites with and without
electric hookup, Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station,
Picnic/day use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply), Visitors Information Center.
(412) 644-6924.
Youghiogheny
River Lake. Fishing, Campsites without electric hookup, Showers, Restrooms,
Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic/day use, Marina, Fuel, Launch
Ramp (small fee may apply), Visitors Information Center. Two recreational
areas are located on the lake. The Youghiogheny River which has about 3 miles
of navigable water has grown significantly over this past boating season.
A new Marina at McKees Point is now open. It has 210 slips including PWC space,
fuel (2 grades & Diesel) Water, Ice, cold drinks, restrooms, and convenience
store within walking distance. Transient space available. 3 other marinas
for total dockage of over 400 slips. PA Fish Commission Ramp about 200 yards
from the Monongahela River. Water and height limitations- at and just beyond
ramp limit access for very large craft. Small boats and PWC can navigate 5
or more miles. This River is very calm and depth and height limitations do
not permit commercial traffic, (make it a great spot of boaters!). Located
near Mckees Port along U.S. 40 just northeast of the Maryland / Pennsylvania
/ West Virginia state line meeting point. (412) 644-6924.
Information based
on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, brochures and boaters information.
If you know of any other great spots in Pennsylvania for boating (of all types),
or have more information, feel free to E-Mail us at Boating
America