The 10 Best Places to Swim in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania doesn't have an ocean, and we've stopped holding it against her. What she does have is a few hundred lakes, more creeks than anybody's counted and one Great Lake she's real proud of. You don't need a plane ticket to cool off. You need a full tank and a towel you don't mind getting muddy.

Here are ten of our favorite places to swim, from the far northwest corner to the Poconos. Every one of them is in a state park, so they're free, they have restrooms and somebody mows the grass.

Before you go: Swim only at designated swimming areas. Lifeguard coverage, swim season dates and water-quality notices change, so check the park's page on the PA DCNR website before you load up the car.

1. Presque Isle State Park, Erie County

If you want sand between your toes, this is as close to the shore as Pennsylvania gets. Presque Isle is a sandy peninsula curling into Lake Erie with miles of beaches. On a hot day, with the waves rolling in, you'd swear you were somewhere that charges for parking.

Good for: Families, beach days, sunset watchers
Tip: Go early on summer weekends. Everybody in western PA had the same idea.

2. Black Moshannon State Park, Centre County

The water here is the color of sweet tea, and no, it isn't dirty. It's stained by the bog and the plants around the lake. It's one of the most peaceful swims in the state, surrounded by forest and close enough to State College to visit on a whim.

Good for: A quiet swim, paddling, people who like their lakes with character
Tip: Walk the bog boardwalk afterward.

3. Ricketts Glen State Park (Lake Jean), Luzerne, Sullivan & Columbia Counties

Most people come to Ricketts Glen for the waterfalls, and they leave sweaty and sore. The smart ones finish at Lake Jean. Hike the Falls Trail in the morning, then go soak your legs in the afternoon. Your knees will write you a thank-you note.

Good for: Hikers, families, making a full day of it
Tip: The Falls Trail is steep and slick. Wear real shoes and save the flip-flops for the beach.

4. Worlds End State Park, Sullivan County

The name sounds like a warning, but it's one of the prettiest corners of the Endless Mountains. The swimming area sits right on Loyalsock Creek, tucked in a deep valley, and the water's cold enough to remind you that you're alive.

Good for: Creek lovers, campers, fall-foliage scouts
Tip: Drive up to Canyon Vista for the view before or after your swim.

5. Hills Creek State Park, Tioga County

A Northern Tier favorite and close to home for us. Hills Creek is a small, easygoing lake with a beach, a campground and the kind of quiet that makes you forget to check your phone. Keep an eye on the sky, because loons and bald eagles have been known to stop by.

Good for: Families with little ones, campers, a low-key afternoon
Tip: Pair it with a trip to the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon near Wellsboro.

6. Lyman Run State Park, Potter County

Potter County has more trees than people, and Lyman Run proves it. The lake is tucked in deep forest and the water stays cool all summer. It's the place to go when you want to swim without hearing a single car horn.

Good for: Getting away from it all, campers, trout fishermen
Tip: Cell service is spotty. Download your maps before you leave town.

7. Little Pine State Park, Lycoming County

Little Pine sits along the Pine Creek valley, which some folks will tell you is the prettiest stretch of Pennsylvania. They might be right. Swim in the lake, then rent a bike and ride a piece of the Pine Creek Rail Trail.

Good for: Bikers, families, combining a swim with a ride
Tip: Stop in Waterville for a bite on the way through.

8. Parker Dam State Park, Clearfield County

A little lake with a big Civilian Conservation Corps history. The old stone and log buildings make Parker Dam feel like summer camp from your grandparents' day, and the beach is just the right size for an afternoon of doing nothing in particular.

Good for: Families, history buffs, cabin campers
Tip: Make a weekend of it with nearby Elk Country for a chance to see wild elk.

9. Promised Land State Park, Pike County

With a name like that, it had better deliver, and it mostly does. Promised Land sits up on the Pocono Plateau with lake beaches, shady campsites and miles of trails. It's busier than the Northern Tier parks but still feels like the woods.

Good for: Pocono vacationers, campers, families
Tip: Weekdays are much calmer than weekends.

10. Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Cumberland County

This park gives you two lakes to choose from: Laurel Lake and Fuller Lake, an old iron-ore pit that filled with water and became a swimming hole. It also sits near the halfway point of the Appalachian Trail, where hikers famously try to eat a half-gallon of ice cream in one sitting. We recommend swimming first.

Good for: History buffs, AT fans, people who like a challenge involving dessert
Tip: Stop at the general store, and do not underestimate the half-gallon.

Want More?

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