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Maurice K. Goddard State Park
The 2,856-acre Maurice K. Goddard State Park features the 1,860-acre Lake Wilhelm, which is very popular with anglers. Many recreational activities attract visitors in all seasons. The large lake, abundant wetlands, old fields and mature forests provide a diversity of habitats for wildlife, especially waterfowl, eagles and ospreys. |
Explore
Directions - Weather - Recreation - Trails - Winter Activities - Winter Report - Interpretive Programs - Calendar of Events - Accessibility - History - Watching Wildlife - Nearby Attractions - Volunteers - Rules and Regs - In an Emergency - Contact Us - Downloadables and Maps
Park Advisories
| 8/5/2008 9:16:00 AM | Firewood Advisory: Invasive Beetles found in Firewood Threaten Forests! Before bringing firewood to a Pennsylvania State Park, please read the information in the linked page about a very real threat to forests in Pennsylvania and all of North America. Firewood Advisory |
Directions
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The park is five minutes from I-79. Take Exit 34 (Sandy Lake-Greenville) and travel west on PA 358 (towards Greenville) for about 0.1-mile, then bear right onto Sheakleyville Road. At the first stop sign, turn right onto Lake Wilhelm Road, which goes directly to the park. |
Recreational Opportunities
Hiking - Biking - Picnicking - Pavilions - Boating - Fishing - Hunting - Wildlife Watching - Cross-country Skiing - Sledding - Snowmobiling - Ice Fishing - Ice Skating
Biking: A twelve-mile paved bicycle trail follows the shoreline. It can be accessed from Launch 4, Marina, Launch 2, Launch 1, Dam and Dugan’s Run. The trail is open to two-way bicycle traffic, hiking, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. Stay to the right while bike riding. Please park bicycles off of the trail to avoid obstructing traffic.
Hiking: For more information on trails, explore the trails page.
 Fishing: The 1,860-acre Lake Wilhelm is a warm-water fishery. Common species are largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, bluegill, crappie, catfish, perch and sunfish. A bait and fishing tackle concession is available at the marina. An area called the “Rounded Point,” near the Marina parking lot, has an accessible fishing pier. All 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: Picnic tables and charcoal grills are available throughout the park. Boat launches 1, 2, 3, 4 and the Marina have restrooms and large picnicking areas. Picnic pavilions can be reserved in advance for a fee online at www.visitPAparks.com or by calling 888-PA-PARKS. Unreserved picnic pavilions are free on a first-come, first-served basis.
Picnic Pavilion Information
| Location | Seating | Electricity |
|---|---|---|
| Launch 1 | 40 | No |
| Launch 2 | 40 | No |
| Launch 3 | 100 | Yes |
| Marina |
100 | Yes |
Make a reservation
Hunting and Firearms: Over 1,155 acres of Maurice K. Goddard State Park, plus Lake Wilhelm, are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer and waterfowl. State Game Land 270 is adjacent to the park.
Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day through March 31 in designated hunting areas. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Game Commission rules and regulations apply. Contact the park office for accessible hunting information.
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 must 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.
Boating: 20 hp motors permitted
The 1,860-acre Lake Wilhelm has a 241-slip marina and a 48-space dry land mooring area available from May 1 to October 31.
The Marina has 250 car parking spaces, 121 car/trailer-parking spaces, a four-lane boat-launching ramp, two courtesy docks, a marina building and fueling station.
In addition to the boat launch area at the Marina, there are seven other boat launches around the lake. Four are within the state park and three are in the state game lands.
Only non-powered vessels are allowed in the Game Commission section of the lake.
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.
Boat Rental: The boat concession is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. from May 1 through Labor Day. Kayaks, canoes, small motorboats, and pontoon boats are available for rent. Items for sale include gasoline, fishing bait and tackle, and prepackaged snacks and refreshments. 724-253-4490
Winter Activities
Explore the Winter Report for current snow and ice depths.
Ice Fishing: Ice fishing accounts for many of the larger fish caught in Lake Wilhelm.
Iceboating: Iceboats must display a current state park launch permit.
Ice Skating: Launch 3 has an unmaintained ice skating area.
Sledding and Tobogganing: There is a one-acre hill for sledding at the dam.
Cross-country Skiing: There are eight miles of trails marked for cross-country skiing for beginner to expert skiers.
Snowmobiling: There are 12 miles of trail within the park, and most of the roads surrounding the park are designated for joint snowmobile and vehicle use. Boat launches are access points for the trail.
Interpretive Programs
A wide variety of interpretive and educational programs are offered May through September at the Environmental Learning Center in the Marina. Through hands-on activities, guided walks and evening programs, participants gain appreciation, understanding, and develop a sense of stewardship toward natural and cultural resources. Visit the Web site or contact the park office for program schedules.
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
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)
Friends of Goddard State Park (FrOG)
A volunteer organization that supports the state park with funding and volunteers, they help with the Pioneer Frolic Festival and are working to put in playground equipment by the Marina. Contact the park office for volunteering opportunities. www.orgsites.com/pa/friendsofgoddard/
Pioneer Frolic: Every June the Friends of Goddard (FROG) co-sponsor the Pioneer Frolic which is two days of festivities that examine what historical rural Pennsylvania life was like along the Sandy Creek during the 1750s to 1840s. Crafters, artisans, and demonstrators display there wares and skills which can include a blacksmith, pioneer toys, spinner, food, entertainment and an encampment. www.orgsites.com/pa/friendsofgoddard/
Nearby Attractions
For information on nearby attractions, contact; Mercer County Convention and Visitors Bureau, 800-637-2370. www.mercercountypa.org
The 2,027-acre State Game Land 270 is adjacent to the park. Its rolling terrain is open, with interspersed wooded areas. A 420-acre portion of Lake Wilhelm is part of this tract. The common game species include, duck, rabbit, turkey, pheasant, squirrel, woodcock, grouse, deer and dove.
Only electric-powered vessels are permitted on Lake Wilhelm, west of I-79. Entry upon posted wildlife refuges and propagation areas is prohibited. Motorized vehicles are prohibited on gated roads and trails; snowmobiles are permitted where so designated and posted. For more information contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Northwest Division Headquarters. 877-877-0299
McKeever Environmental Education Center is a modern facility that provides group programming for one hour, one day or one week. Three dormitories and a dining hall can accommodate 150 people. A discovery building, auditorium, trails and the outdoors complement each other to make an ideal setting for an environmental education experience. For more information, contact; McKeever Environmental Education Center, 724-376-1000. www.mckeever.org
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:
UPMC Horizon, Greenville
110 N. Main St.
Greenville, PA 16125
724-588-2100
For More Information Contact
Maurice K. Goddard State Park
684 Lake Wilhelm Rd.
Sandy Lake, PA 16145-8715
724-253-4833
Manager: Bill Wasser
E-mail: goddardsp@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.
