Beltzville State Park

The 2,972-acre Beltzville State Park is in the southern foothills of the Poconos. Pohopoco Creek, an excellent trout stream, feeds the 949-acre Beltzville Lake, which is a reststop for migrating waterfowl and is a destination for boaters and anglers. The sand beach and picnic pavilions are very popular.

Recreational facilities are a result of a cooperative effort of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources-Bureau of State Parks and the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

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Directions - Weather  - Recreation  - Boating  - Winter Activities  - Winter Report  - Environmental Education  - Accessibility  - Calendar of Events  - Nearby Attractions  - Volunteers  - Rules and Regs  - In an Emergency  - Contact Us  - Downloadables and Maps

Park Advisories

Directions

Beltzville is five miles east of Lehighton, just off of US 209. From the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, take Exit 74 and follow the signs to the park.

Recreational Opportunities

Hiking  - Covered Bridge  - Picnicking  - Swimming  - Boating  - Launching and Mooring  - Water-skiing  - Fishing  - Hunting  - Cross-country Skiing  - Ice Fishing  - Ice Boating 

Fishing: The 949-acre Beltzville Lake is stocked with warm-water and cold-water game fish and panfish. Favorite species are trout, striped bass, largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, muskellunge and perch. Below the dam, Pohopoco Creek is stocked with trout. Much of the lake’s northern shoreline can be reached from Pohopoco Drive. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission laws apply.

For complete information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.

Picnicking: Wooded and open picnic areas are in the Pine Run West Day Use Area, which has modern restrooms, drinking water, picnic tables, parking areas and day use mooring for boats. Playfields are around the wooded picnic area with an accessible children’s playground between Picnic Pavilion Four and the beach. Beltzville has four picnic pavilions that may be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee. Unreserved picnic pavilions are free on a first-come, first-served basis. Picnic pavilions One, Two and Four are ADA accessible.

Make a reservation

Hiking: 15 miles of trails
When you travel the trails, you will see wooded pathways, old roads and many creek valleys. Saw Mill Trail, which is just west of the dam breast, offers a diverse historical hike. The trail has remains of a gristmill raceway, a dam and gateways, small ponds, a slate quarry from the 1700s, a wetland and a stream.

The trails vary in length. A short description of each trail can be found in the "Beltzville Trail Guide." A copy of the guide is available at the park office.

Covered Bridge: At the suggestion of local residents, the original covered bridge, built across Pohopoco Creek in 1841 by local craftsman Jacob Buck, has been relocated between the picnic areas and the beach for public use and enjoyment. This bridge was first used by horse and buggy traffic and later by one-lane car traffic. It is now for pedestrian use only.

Boating: unlimited horsepower motors
The 949-acre Beltzville Lake has a maximum boating speed of 45 miles per hour. Most types of recreational boats are permitted on the lake. Please check with the park office if there is a question as to the type of watercraft permitted. It is unlawful to operate a boat equipped with inboard engines with out-of-the-transom or straight stack type exhausts, wet or dry. Sleeping overnight on watercraft is prohibited. Day use mooring is not permitted in the boat rental cove area. The areas east of Preacher’s Camp launch and Pine Run Cove are excellent for canoeing and other non-powered watercraft.

The lake east of Preachers Camp launch and Pine Run Cove are restricted to "no wake" speed.

Motorboats must display a boat registration from any state. Non-powered boats must display one of the following: boat registration from any state; launching permit or mooring permit from Pennsylvania State Parks that are available at most state park offices; launch use permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

For complete information on boating rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.

Launching and Mooring: A three-lane boat launching ramp, accessible courtesy dock, wide gravel beaching area, and parking for cars and trailers are at Pine Run East Launch along the northern shore of the lake. A two-lane launch ramp and parking for cars and boat trailers are at Preacher’s Camp launching area on the southern shore. Seasonal mooring of canoes is available at Preacher’s Camp. An accessible courtesy dock is in the day use area near the beach.

Water-skiing: Skiing is only permitted from sunrise to sunset in the zoned ski area along the south shore of the lake. All boats in this ski area shall operate in a counterclockwise direction. Boats not engaged in skiing must remain outside the ski area while skiing is in progress. A boat may not tow more than one water-ski device on weekends and holidays from the Saturday preceding Memorial Day through Labor Day. Kite-skiing and parasailing are prohibited. Boats may not exceed 45 mph.

Boat Rental: A boat rental concession, west of the swimming beach, is open daily during the summer season. It rents paddleboats, pontoons, kayaks, and small and large motorboats. 610-377-1108

Hunting and Firearms: Over 1,707 acres are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, rabbit, pheasant, ruffed grouse and waterfowl. Contact the park office for accessible hunting information.

The adjacent Pennsylvania Game Commissions Beltzville Wildlife Management Project has 469 acres open to hunting.

Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day to March 31 in designated hunting areas. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Game Commission rules and regulations apply.

Use extreme caution with firearms at all times. The park is used by other visitors during hunting seasons. Firearms and archery equipment may be uncased and ready for use only in authorized hunting areas during hunting seasons. In areas not open to hunting or during non-hunting seasons, firearms and archery equipment shall be kept in the owner's car, trailer or camp.

For complete information on hunting rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission Web site.

Camping: Overnight lodging on watercraft, in self-contained campers, or in any other form is strictly prohibited. Information on local camping areas is available at the park office.

Swimming: A 525-foot sand beach is open from late-May to mid-September, 8 a.m. to sunset, unless otherwise posted. Swim at your own risk. Please read and follow posted rules for swimming. A bathhouse with showers is near the beach. First aid is available at the park office during the off-season. Recreational scuba diving is prohibited. A food and refreshment concession at the swimming beach is open daily, weather permitting, during the summer season, Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Winter Activities

Explore the Winter Report for current snow and ice depths.

Ice Fishing: The 949-acre Beltzville Lake is stocked with warm-water and cold-water game fish and panfish. Favorite species are trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, muskellunge and perch. Contact the park office to determine the ice and snow conditions in advance of any planned outing. Ice thickness is not monitored. For your safety, be sure the ice is at least four inches thick and carry safety equipment.

Cross-country Skiing: Many open and rolling fields and nine miles of trail are suitable for this rapidly growing sport.

Iceboating: Iceboats must display a state park launching permit.

Environmental Education

The park environmental interpretive center and amphitheater serve as the focal point for interpretive programs conducted by the park environmental education specialist from March through November. School groups, scouts, civic organizations and the general public can learn about the natural and historical resources of the area. The Bureau's Watershed Education program is available to high school and middle school students. The program examines the water resources within the watershed surrounding Beltzville Dam. The environmental interpretive center is accessible.

Explore the Calendar of Events for a listing of events from today forward.

Explore environmental education and interpretation for more information.

Access for People with Disabilities

In addition to the facilities mentioned in the text, the park office is accessible.

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks:
888-PA-PARKS (voice)
888-537-7294 (TTY)
711 (AT&T Relay Services)

History

Beltzville State Park was developed as a portion of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood control project. The park officially opened in 1972.

Nearby Attractions

For information on other attractions and accommodations, please contact the Carbon County Tourist Promotion Agency, 570-325-3673, and/or the Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau, 800-POCONOS, www.800poconos.com.

The Overlook Rotunda, managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is just off of Pohopoco Drive and provides a complete view of the dam and the lake. Local fossil specimens, models of the outlet works tower and other exhibits, including a geological history of the area are on display at the rotunda.

Adjacent to the park is the Pennsylvania Game Commission's Beltzville Wildlife Management Project. Public hunting is permitted during all established seasons. For information contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Northeast Division.

In an Emergency

Contact a park employee or dial 911.
For directions to the nearest hospital, look on bulletin boards or at the park office.

Nearest Hospital:
Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital
211 North 12^th Street
Lehighton, PA 18235
610-377-1300

For More Information Contact

Beltzville State Park
2950 Pohopoco Dr.
Lehighton, PA 18235-8905
610-377-0045
Manager: Tony Willoughby

E-mail: beltzvillesp@state.pa.us
An equal opportunity employer

Make online reservations or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, for state park information and reservations.

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