Swimming and Boating at PA State Parks
The state park swimming pools and beaches will be open this holiday weekend to welcome visitors.
Swimming Pools at PA State Parks
Fifteen state parks have pools for the public to enjoy starting Saturday, May 29. They are typically open from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. Construction projects and the ability to hire lifeguards is impacting schedules for the following parks:
- Blue Knob State Park, Bedford County, the pool will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday throughout the season due to staffing issues;
- Caledonia State Park, Adams County, due to staffing issues, the pool will be closed until at least June 19;
- Codorus State Park, York County, the pool will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday throughout the season due to staffing issues;
- French Creek State Park, Berks County, is closed for the season due to construction;
- Little Buffalo State Park, Perry County, the pool will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday throughout the season due to staffing issues;
- Nockamixon State Park, Bucks County, the opening is still to be determined due to staffing issues; and
- Ryerson Station State Park, Greene County, the pool opening is still to be determined due to construction.
Parks not mentioned will resume their normal summer operation on May 29. DCNR is providing certification training at no cost for new lifeguards to help with recruitment. Further closures may be required.
Admission fees at Pennsylvania state park swimming pools vary based on the type of operation.
Lake Beaches at PA State Parks
Swimming is permitted at 35 state parks across the commonwealth at designated beaches (within the buoy line). Swimming beaches are open and free to the public from before Memorial Day to after Labor Day, unless otherwise posted. Except for Presque Isle State Park in Erie and Fuller Lake in Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Cumberland County, all park beaches operate under the “open swim” policy, meaning you swim at your own risk. While lifeguards are not present, beaches are patrolled by park staff.
The closest beaches to Shippensburg, PA, include Fuller Lake (with lifeguards) and Laurel Lake (no lifeguards) at Pine Grove Furnance State Park and Cowens Gap.
Boating at PA State Parks
Pennsylvania’s state forests have several lakes and ponds larger than five acres that can be used for boating along with many smaller ponds. If you don’t have a boat, many state parks rent boats for you to enjoy.
Pine Grove Furnace offers boat rentals at Laurel Lake. Boat rentals are available 7 days a week at Laurel Lake for the summer season. Hours are Monday through Friday 11 AM – 7 PM and Saturday/Sunday/Holidays 10 AM – 7 PM. Rentals are cash only, and you must have a photo ID. For more information, see the flyer below.
Other south-central PA options for boat rentals include Cowans Gap State Park, Codorus State Park, and Gifford Pinchot State Park. Go here to find the entire list of boat rental locations at Pennsylvania State Parks.
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