Locust Lake State Park

Known for its popular camping area, Locust Lake State Park nestles on the side of Locust Mountain. The 52-acre Locust Lake is located between two campgrounds and is surrounded by beautiful forests. Hiking and fishing are popular activities in the 1,774-acre park. Encircling the lake is a one mile paved multi-use bike trail. A number of hiking trails wind through the park and vary to steep and challenging trails for hearty hikers.

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

Park Advisories

Directions

Located seven miles north of Pottsville, three miles south of Mahanoy City, eight miles west of Tamaqua and six miles west of Tuscarora State Park. From I-81 Northbound: Take Exit 131-B, get in far left lane and take the first left after I-81 underpass toward the gas station. Follow signs to Locust Lake. Note: Exit 131-A toward Hometown should be avoided by RVs and towing vehicles due to a sharp curve. From I-81 Southbound: Take Exit 131-A and follow signs. Explore the maps page for a directions map for Tuscarora and Locust Lake state parks.

Recreational Opportunities

Hiking  - Biking  - Swimming  - Boating  - Fishing  - Hunting  - Wildlife Watching  - Winter Activities  - Camping

Camping: modern sites, some with electricity
Near the lake are 282 campsites that are divided into tent or trailer sides. Tenting is permitted on both sides of the lake and the trailer facilities are located on the south side of the lake only. All areas are within easy access to swimming, boating, fishing and hiking facilities. The campground opens the Friday before regional opening day of Trout Season and closes in mid-October.

All campsites are located in a wooded area and have a parking pad, picnic table, fire ring and a cleared area for camping equipment. There are also a number of walk-in sites. Pets are permitted on designated sites.

Campground conveniences include modern restrooms and wash houses with shower facilities. A sanitary dump station is located on the trailer side of the lake. Trash/recycling areas are located on both the north and south sides of the lake.

Explore the campground map.

Explore camping for more information.

Visit the camp store. www.locustlakecampstore.com

Make a reservation

Playgrounds: Two playgrounds are provided in the trailer loop and one playground is situated on the tent side of the lake. Playground equipment is designed for a variety of age groups. The play areas are safely located away from the flow of traffic.

Biking: A paved bike trail one mile long circles the lake and gives an excellent view of the lake.

Boating: Boats may use electric motors. 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.

Rowboats, canoes, kayaks and pedal boats are available through the boat rental concession.

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

Fishing: Locust Lake is one of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's high-intensity trout fishing areas and receives several stockings of brown and brook trout annually. Pickerel, bass (largemouth and smallmouth) and panfish give anglers action in all seasons. Fishermen who are not camping are required to use the fishermen's parking area near the park entrance. Locust Lake has an accessible fishing pier that is located by the program shelter on the north side of Locust Lake.

Ice fishing is permitted during the winter season with trout being the primary species caught. The ice is not monitored for safety. Be sure that the ice is at least four inches thick and carry safety equipment.

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

Swimming: The beach is open from late-May to mid-September, 8 a.m. to sunset. Swim at your own risk. Please read and follow posted rules for swimming. Swimming areas are marked with buoys and have a maximum depth of 5 1/2 feet.

Hunting and Firearms: About 1,730 acres are available. Common species are white-tailed deer, rabbits, squirrels,wild turkeys, ring-necked pheasants, woodcock, doves and ruffed grouse. Hunting in both the park and adjacent state forest lands is restricted to designated areas. A special regulations area allowing only bow and arrow and flintlock muzzleloader hunting, is located in areas of the park.

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.

Concession: Locust Lake has a camp store/boat rental concession that is near the fishermen's launching area on the western side of the lake. Basic food and camping supplies like wood and bait can be purchased at the camp store. Rowboats, canoes and specialty craft like pedal boats and kayaks are available for rent on an hourly or daily basis at the boat rental concession. The concession is open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day and weekends during the spring and fall.

Hiking Trails

Oak/Ridge Trail: 0.75 mile, easy hiking, white/blue blazes,
This interpretive trail winds along a woodland creek and through a mature forest and young woodland areas. Along the entire loop of this self-guiding trail, species of trees and other vegetation are marked, and posted signs offer information about each species.

Oak/Hemlock Trail: 2 miles, moderate hiking, white/yellow blazes
This trail is blazed through a mature hemlock stand through which flows a woodland stream. The trail also passes by a unique geological outcropping.

Oak Loop Trail: 4 miles, difficult hiking, white blazes
The longest of the loop trails, it encircles a ridge located in a mature deciduous forest.

Winter Activities

Special winter season activities in the parks include ice skating, ice fishing and sledding. It is recommended that you contact the park office to determine ice and snow conditions at the parks. The ice thickness is not monitored. For your safety, be sure the ice is four inches thick and carry safety equipment. Explore the Winter Report for current snow and ice depths.

Environmental Education and Interpretation

Locust Lake State Park offer a wide variety of environmental education and interpretive programs. Through hands-on activities, guided walks and evening programs, participants gain appreciation, understanding and develop a sense of stewardship toward natural and cultural resources.

Curriculum-based environmental education programs are available to schools and youth groups. An environmental education specialist is available to develop EE curriculums and sites, and provide teacher workshops and additional teacher and community services.

Group programs must be arranged in advance and may be scheduled by calling the park office. Programs are offered March to November. For more detailed information contact the park office.

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

Locust Lake has an ADA accessible fishing pier by the campstore. Three sites in the campground are equipped with 20-amp electricity and there is a fully ADA accessible wash house.

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit.

Nearby Attractions

Tuscarora State Park is six miles downstream from Locust Lake. Tuscarora has picnicking, swimming fishing and boating.

Weiser State Forest: Locust Lake State Park adjoins 600 acres of this state forest which offers scenic state forest roads, foot trails, snowmobile trails and scenic overlooks.

For more information on other regional attractions contact the Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau. 800-765-7282 www.schuylkill.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 Hospitals:
Schuykill Medical Center South Jackson
420 South Jackson Street
Pottsville, PA 17901
570-621-5000

Schuylkill Medical Center East Norwegian
700 East Norwegian Street
Pottsville, PA 17901
570-621-4000

For More Information Contact

Locust Lake State Park
c/o Tuscarora
Barnesville, PA 18214-9715
570-467-2404
Campground Office: 570-467-2404
Manager: Lew Williams

E-mail: tuscarorasp@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.