Marsh Creek State Park

Hiking   -  Horseback Riding   -  Picnicking   -  Swimming   -  Boating   -  Sailing   -  Fishing   -  Hunting   -  Sledding   -  Ice Skating   -  Iceboating   -  Ice Fishing  

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

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Swimming: The ADA accessible “L” shaped swimming pool and sprayground attracts many visitors. The guarded pool is open 11 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day unless posted otherwise. A snack bar, sunning area and bathhouse are nearby. A pool-side pavilion is also available for rent. The pool concession offers swimming lessons and summer swimming camps.

For more information on the pool, pavilion, and swimming lessons please go to www.marshcreekparkpool.com or call 610-458-8535.

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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, kayaks, surfboards and sailboats throughout the summer and weather permitting, on weekends during the spring and autumn. 610-458-5040 www.marshcreeklake.com

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

Complete information on boating rules and regulations in Pennsylvania is available from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.

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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.

Complete information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania is available from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.

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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.

Complete information on hunting rules and regulations in Pennsylvania is available from the Pennsylvania Game Commission Web site.

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

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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

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Winter Activities

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Explore the Winter Report for the current snow and ice depths.

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

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Ice thickness is not monitored. For your safety, be sure the ice is at least four inches thick and carry safety equipment.

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Ice Fishing: Ice fishing is permitted on the 535-acre Marsh Creek Lake. The lake is designated a big bass lake and specific regulations apply.

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Ice Skating: Ice skating is permitted on the natural ice.

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Iceboating: Iceboating is permitted on the natural ice. Iceboats must display a state park mooring or launching permit.

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Access for People with Disabilities

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

 

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

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. 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.

Keep in Touch

Add yourself to the DCNR's online community to receive info on this park, or parks in general.

Volunteering

Like to spend time in the outdoors, meet friendly people and help make Pennsylvania State Parks great? Volunteering at a park might be for you.

Becoming a Conservation Volunteer is easy.

• Sign up to be a Conservation Volunteer
  OR
• Contact your local state park directly and ask for the Conservation Volunteer coordinator - you'll be hooked up with an interesting and appropriate project in Pennsylvania's natural resources.
   

Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation

Believing that each generation is responsible for leaving behind a better legacy of good conservation, the Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation (PPFF) was created in 1999 to give supporters and users of Pennsylvania's parks and forests a positive way to contribute to the conservation of our publicly-owned properties. The Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation welcomes the support of individuals and businesses who share a commitment to conserving, protecting, and enhancing the natural, scenic, and recreational areas of this commonwealth. www.paparksandforests.org

Make a Donation

To a park - find this park's address below

To a park or the Bureau of State Parks - Pennsylvania Parks and Forestry Foundation www.paparksandforests.org

Through a purchase at a park gift shop

Thank you for your support!

Education Programs

We love when young people ask us how to get involved!

DiscoverE has programs for young people ages 4 to 17, provided by Pennsylvania State Park educators. By combining recreation and education, we hope to motivate children to learn more and return often, leading to a lifetime of outdoor enjoyment and conservation leadership. 

In Watershed Education, teachers and students assess water quality of a local stream on a quarterly basis and develop strategies to solve local water quality problems. 

ECO Camp - Exploring Careers Outdoors - is a week-long residential camp for a cross-section of high school youth from across Pennsylvania, sponsored by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). Participate in action-packed, hands on activities and recreational adventures in Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests that expose youth to conservation, recreation and careers in natural resources. Learn how people make a living working in the outdoors.

Explore education for more information on these and other programs.

Explore the Calendar of Events to find a program near you.

iConservePA

Do you take conservation personally? iConservePA is a Web site managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources whose vision is to inspire citizens to value their natural resources, engage in conservation practices and experience the outdoors. Take conservation personally.

Come Work with Us

Pennsylvania State Parks and the Department of Conservation and Natrual Resources offer a wide range of civil service and non-civil service jobs, from foresters, to rangers, to engineers, to educators, to botanists and so much more. Learn what is currently available.

Tell us What You Think

Contact this park with compliments, concerns and issues about the park.

Marsh Creek State Park

Nearby Attractions

Information on nearby attractions is available from the Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau www.brandywinevalley.com

or Chester Springs Surrounds www.chesterspringssurrounds.org

Maps and Downloadables

Below are many of the maps and publications for this park. You can read them or download them and might need special software (all free) to view the publications.

You must have the free Adobe Reader to view the maps and brochures that are in pdf format (.pdf).

Alternate versions of the text of the brochures are in rich text and text formats. Click on the files to view them. To download (.rtf) files:
For Windows users, right click on the link then left click on "Save target as" to download the file to your computer. For Mac users, hold down the "Options" button and click on the link, then select "Save" to download the file to your computer.

Recreational Guide

Marsh Creek State Park Map (.pdf) (1,487 kb, 11/11)
Marsh Creek State Park Recreational Guide (.pdf) (322 kb, 3/11)
    large print version of the guide text (.rtf)

Interactive GIS Map

The Interactive GIS Map uses Geographic Information Systems to create a map that does not need to be downloaded and features driving directions, searchable park amenities and customizable maps. Please note that the background maps are maintained by a variety of public sources and driving directions usually go to the nearest large road.

Bird Checklist

Marsh Creek State Park Bird Checklist (.pdf) (2,965 kb, 3/11)