Nockamixon State Park

The 5,283-acre Nockamixon State Park is in the rolling hills of scenic Bucks County, close enough to Philadelphia for a day trip, but far enough away for a vacation. Tohickon Creek, Three Mile Run and Haycock Run feed the 1,450-acre Lake Nockamixon, which is a rest stop for migrating waterfowl and is a destination for boaters and anglers. Picnicking, swimming in the pool, and exploring the park’s forests and fields are popular activities, as is staying the night in a cabin.

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

Park Advisories

Directions

Nockamixon State Park is along PA 563, just off of PA 313, five miles east of Quakertown and nine miles west of Doylestown. The main entrances are along PA 563 and can be reached from PA 309 and PA 313, or from the north on PA 412.

Reservations

To reserve a cabin, call 888-PA-PARKS, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon. - Sat. Cabins can be reserved from 11 months to two days in advance.

Recreational Opportunities

Hiking  - Biking  - Horseback Riding  - Picnicking  - Swimming  - Boating  - Fishing  - Hunting  - Cross-country Skiing  - Sledding  - Ice Fishing  - Ice Skating  - Youth Hostel  - Cabins 

Park visitors may enjoy a variety of activities throughout the year. Most park areas are open sunrise to sunset. Fishing and boating is permitted 24 hours a day in designated areas. Some park areas are closed in the winter, but there are some picnicking areas, fishing areas, trails and cabins open year-round.

Boating: up to 20 hp motors permitted
1,450-acre Lake Nockamixon has four public launching areas. The Marina and Tohickon launch ramps are popular with sailboat, catamaran and windsurfing enthusiasts. Three Mile Run and Haycock launch facilities are favored for motorboats, canoes and inflatable watercraft. Launching facilities are open 24 hours a day.

In addition to having the largest launch ramp in the park, the Marina has docking facilities for 648 boats up to 24 feet in length. There is also a 120-space dry storage for boats on trailers. Because of the tremendous demand for marina space, a waiting list is maintained at the park office for seasonal slips or dry storage spaces. Two transient slips are available for the general public to rent at two-week intervals. Contact the marina office or park office for additional information and applicable rates.

Explore the marina map.

A boat rental concession has canoes, motorboats, rowboats, paddleboats, kayaks and pontoon boats during the summer season. Call directly to the boat rental for applicable rates and regulations.

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.

Fishing: The 1,450-acre Lake Nockamixon is a warm-water fishery. Common species are walleye, muskellunge, pickerel, smallmouth and largemouth bass, striped bass hybrids, channel catfish, carp and various types of panfish. A fishing pier is at the midpoint of the lake. Fishing is prohibited in the marina and boat rental areas. 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.

Hunting and Firearms: About 3500 acres are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, pheasant, rabbit and turkey. All of Nockamixon is included in the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Special Regulations Area for Southeastern Pennsylvania. Contact the park office for additional information. Hunting is available in the adjacent State Game Land 157.

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. Contact the park office for ADA accessible hunting information.

Use extreme caution with firearms at all times. Other visitors use the park during hunting seasons. Firearms and archery equipment used for hunting 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 leased campsite. The only exception is that law enforcement officers and individuals with a valid Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms may carry said firearm concealed on their person while they are within the park.

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

Bicycle Trail: A 2.8-mile paved bicycle trail is located on the north side of the park. Off-road biking is prohibited.

Horseback Riding: There are 20 miles of equestrian trails available for riding in the park. Horses may be rented at a private establishment near the park.

Hiking: There are 22 miles of hiking trails that wind through forests and near the lake.

Swimming: The swimming pool complex includes a one-half acre main pool with two waterslides, a shallow end with fountains for children, and also dressing rooms, first aid station and snack bar. An admission fee is charged to the pool. Seasonal passes are available. Weather permitting, the swimming pool is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day, unless otherwise posted. Swimming is not permitted in Lake Nockamixon.

Picnicking: Picnic tables and charcoal grills are in several areas of the park and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Some picnic areas are closed in winter, but Haycock and Three Mile Run area are open year-round.

Cabins: Located on the south side of Lake Nockamixon, ten modern cabins are available for rentals throughout the year. Each cabin contains a furnished living area, kitchen/dining area, toilet/shower room, two or three bedrooms and are equipped with electric heat. One cabin is accessible.

Explore cabins for more information.

Make a reservation

Winter Activities

Explore the Winter Report for current snow and ice depths.

Ice Skating and Ice Fishing: These activities are permitted on the frozen lake surface when conditions are suitable. Ice thickness is not monitored. For your safety, be sure the ice is at least four inches thick and carry safety equipment.

Ice conditions can vary widely. Visitors are advised to use extreme caution when venturing onto the ice.

Cross-country Skiing: The bicycle trail and the roads in the closed day use area are open for cross-country skiing. There are also steeper hiking trails in the environmental study area.

Sledding: The area above the marina is used for sledding and tobogganing.

Environmental Education and Interpretation

A park educator offers programs from September through May. In the summer, there are interpretive programs throughout the park available to cabin occupants and to the general public. In the spring and fall, there are environmental education programs offered for school students and scout groups, and interpretive programs for the general public. For a schedule of activities or to request a special program, call the park office or the nature center.

An Environmental Education Center is located behind the pool complex in the day use area and can be accessed from the bike trail or by a footpath adjacent to Parking Lot # 12. Through interpretive displays, historical handouts and educational handouts, the center introduces the history, flora and fauna of the park.

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 park you plan to visit.

History

The name Nockamixon comes from the American Indian phrase “nocha-miska-ing” which is Lenni Lenape for “at the place of soft soil.” Several American Indian sites from the Lenni Lenape Tribe (Delaware) are documented in the park area.

Secretary of the Department of Forests and Water, Dr. Maurice K. Goddard, proposed the park in 1958. The park was developed with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers plan for development in the Delaware River Basin. Originally known as Tohickon State Park after the principal stream flowing into Lake Nockamixon, it was renamed Nockamixon State Park by the State Geographic Board in 1965. The park officially opened in December of 1973.

Nearby Attractions

For information on nearby attractions and accommodations contact the Bucks County Conference and Visitors Bureau, www.buckscountycvb.org.

State Game Land 157: Encompassing 2,010 acres, the game land adjoins the northeast border of the park. Hunting and hiking are popular activities. 877-877-9470

Delaware Canal State Park: Visitors enjoy biking, hiking, boating and learning about the canal building era of American history.

Ralph Stover State Park: Visitors enjoy seasonal whitewater boating and rock climbing.

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:
Grandview Hospital
700 Lawn Avenue
Sellersville, PA 18960
215-453-4000

For More Information Contact

Nockamixon State Park
1542 Mountain View Dr.
Quakertown, PA 18951-5732
215-529-7300
Manager: Obie Derr

E-mail: nockamixonsp@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.