Marsh Creek State Park

Marsh Creek State Park is in the rolling hills of northcentral Chester County. The 1,705-acre park contains the 535-acre Marsh Creek Lake, which is great for fishing, sailing and is a reststop for migrating waterfowl.

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Park Advisories

Directions

The park is about two miles west of the village of Eagle on PA 100. Access to the park from the Pennsylvania Turnpike is via PA 100 north. At Eagle, signs direct you to the park.

Recreational Opportunities

Hiking  - Horseback Riding  - Picnicking  - Swimming  - Boating  - Sailing  - Fishing  - Hunting  - Birding  - Sledding  - Ice Sports 

Boating: electric motors permitted
The 535-acre Marsh Creek Lake has two boat launch areas and 220 seasonal mooring slips. The lake is especially popular with sailboaters who take advantage of the combination of good natural terrain and prevailing winds. Approved sailboat races draw spectators who enjoy the water activity from the lakeshore.

A boat rental concession at the East Launch offers rowboats, canoes and sailboats throughout the summer and weather permitting, on weekends during the spring and autumn. Call 610-458-5040 or visit their Web site. www.marshcreeklake.com

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.

Horseback Riding: The bridle trails are in the western side of the park and have loops of various distances. Use extreme caution when riding in hunting areas during hunting seasons.

With an emphasis on families and fun, Hope Springs Farm offers horseback riding lessons, boarding, and trail riding. www.hopespringshorsefarm.com/index.html

Swimming: The accessible "L" shaped swimming pool and sprayground attracts many visitors. The guarded pool is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day unless posted otherwise. A snack bar, sunning area and bathhouse are nearby.

Picnicking: Two picnic areas containing over 150 picnic tables, restrooms and some charcoal grills are available year-round.

Fishing: The 535-acre Marsh Creek Lake is good to excellent fishing for warm-water species. Anglers have landed 40-inch long tiger muskies (hybrid cross between northern pike and native muskellunge). Other species include largemouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, walleye and a variety of panfish. The lake is designated a big bass lake and specific regulations apply.

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

Hiking: The trails explore a variety of habitats including forest, field and wetlands. Use extreme caution when hiking in hunting areas during hunting seasons.

Hunting and Firearms: About 900 acres are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are rabbit, squirrel, pheasant, waterfowl and deer.

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 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.

Camping: There is no overnight camping at Marsh Creek State Park. Within one mile of the park is a privately owned campground on PA 282. French Creek State Park is 20 miles to the north and has year-round camping.

Birding: Marsh Creek is a popular place for birding, especially during the spring and fall waterfowl migration.

Snack Bars: A snack bar at the pool is open in the summer season. A snack bar by the boat rental is open in the summer season and weekends in the spring and fall.

Ice Sports: Ice skating, iceboating and ice fishing are popular during the winter season. Iceboats must display a state park mooring or launching permit. Ice thickness is not monitored. For your safety, be sure the ice is at least four inches thick and carry safety equipment.

Sledding and Tobogganing: About seven acres of slopes are by the picnic area in the East Launch.

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

Marsh Creek State Park was developed to help manage the water resources in the Brandywine Creek Watershed, which drains 330 square miles, most of which are in Chester County.

Frequent flooding, water shortages and lack of recreational opportunities for nearby population centers were problems in the watershed.

The sponsoring agencies all shared the construction costs of the dam and lake. They were: U.S. Soil Conservation Service, Chester County Water Resources Authority, Chester County Commissioners, Chester County Conservation District, the General State Authority and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources (now the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources).

The Chester County Water Resources Authority and Chester County Commissioners paid for utility and road relocations.

The Chester County Water Resources Authority also acquired the land rights for the project. Subsequently, the Department of Environmental Resources acquired the land around the lake for recreation from the Water Resources Authority for approximately $1.1 million. Project 70 bond funds were used to acquire the land at this site.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania constructed and operates the recreational facilities.

Nearby Attractions

For information on nearby attractions and accommodations, please contact; the Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau, 800-228-9933, www.brandywinevalley.com.

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:
Chester County Hospital
701 East Marshal Street
West Chester, PA 19380
610-431-5000
or
Brandywine Hospital
201 Reeceville Road
Coatesville, PA 19320
610-383-8000

For More Information Contact

Marsh Creek State Park
675 Park Rd.
Downingtown, PA 19335-1898
610-458-5119
Manager: Eric Brown

E-mail: marshcreeksp@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.