Swim season is almost upon us. This has many residents throughout the Mid-Atlantic yearning for a long-overdue visit to the beach in the coming days ahead. While most East Coast regions are within convenient, navigable driving range to one of several famed Atlantic shore resort operations, some are a little more land-locked, like Pennsylvania. But that doesn’t mean residents here don’t have their own surprising array of alternate beach options to enjoy throughout the summer months.
From mountainous lakes with sandy beaches to hindered woodland swimming retreats, it may be surprising to learn that Pennsylvania is home to so many beaches. Depending on how far a state resident would be willing to drive, the pickings are plentiful, far and wide. But for this post, I’m keeping things more localized to the state’s Mid-Atlantic region with these eight great beach considerations.
Beach at Beltzville State Park
At 3,002 acres, Beltzville State Park in Lehighton boasts several recreational opportunities. It’s even home to its namesake 949-acre Beltzville Lake and surrounding 525-foot sand beach. A popular pursuit for visitors to delight in all summer, the beach is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset between late May (circa Memorial Day) and Labor Day. Beachgoers even have access to an onsite bathhouse with showers and concessions.
Visitors take note that recreational scuba diving in the lake is prohibited, and all swimming is at your own risk. Smoking is also prohibited on the beach, which is handicap-accessible and pet-friendly.
The site address for the Beltzville State Park is 2950 Pohopoco Drive, Lehighton, PA 18235. Click here to learn more.
City Island Beach
Sometimes hailed as Harrisburg’s hidden gem, City Island is a 63-acre island on the Susquehanna River. Boasting a broad range of recreational endeavors, it’s the ultimate resort retreat you never knew about! From miniature golfing to horse-drawn carriages, baseball games to playgrounds and sandy volleyball courts, there’s much to take in here, including a concrete beachfront to chill out at during the warmer months. This beach also gets its fair share of action during the wintertime, for this is where Harrisburg’s localized version of the Polar Bear Plunge takes place annually.
City Island can be accessed via Market Street Bridge in Harrisburg, PA 17101. To learn more about City Island, and for specific directions on getting here, go to the following website link.
Beach at Colonel Denning State Park
Colonel Denning State Park is an impressive place to visit year-round. It also happens to be home to one of Cumberland County’s greatest swimming spots. Its resident 3.5-acre Doubling Gap Lake may be manmade, but it’s still enough to capture the hearts of nature-loving fun-in-the-sun seekers. And beachgoers take note of the accompanying sandy shores, which are open to the public between late May and mid-September.
Fishing is permitted on the lake—a premium hotspot for trout in particular. You may fish from the shore or via non-motorized watercraft, such as kayaks and canoes.
While pets aren’t allowed directly on the beach, there are plenty of areas throughout the park in close range where they are. Also, guests can access charcoal grills, picnic areas, and other amenities.
Colonel Denning State Park is located at 1599 Doubling Gap Road, Newville, PA 17241. Visit the website for all other additional details.
Fuller Lake
One of two lakes at Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Cumberland County, Fuller Lake is a pristine South Mountain wonder spanning 1.7 acres. Historically, it previously served as the Pine Grove Quarry in Cooke Township. It was made into a recreational swimming spot around the turn of the 20th century when a beach was constructed for guest use.
Fuller Lake is open from May 1 through September 30, between 8 a.m. and sunset. Guests have access to showers and a snack bar during operational hours. Note that the beach is smoke-free.
Pine Grove Furnace State Park is located at 1100 Pine Grove Road, Gardners, PA 17324. Click here for all other information on visiting.
Gifford Pinchot State Park Beach
Gifford Pinchot State Park in Northern York County boasts many marvels. In addition to bucolic forests, trails, and even onsite camping, the Park is home to 340-acre Pinchot Lake. The Lake has three boat launch areas and makes for many an on-the-water excursion or outing. There’s also that relaxing accompanying coastal beach to take to. From swimming to sunbathing, this is your ultimate summertime retreat in the wilderness!
The beach is open from 8 a.m. to sunset daily between late May and mid-September. Note that this is a smoke-free beach. In addition to the aforementioned nearby boat rentals, visitors may access picnic facilities, a snack bar, and a children’s play area while beaching.
Gifford Pinchot State Park is located at 2200 Rosstown Road, Lewisberry, PA 17339. For additional details follow the link here.
Laurel Lake
This other beach at Piney Grove Furnace makes up the banks of Laurel Lake. A much shallower body of water than the aforementioned Fuller Lake, the sandy area here is actually larger for those who enjoy sunbathing. It’s also excellent for wading and has warmer water.
Laurel Lake also features guest-use amenities, including an onsite snack bar. It too is a smoke-free beach and runs during the same calendar season as Fuller Lake Beach.
To get here, you will refer to the same address mentioned above, as well as the aforementioned website link.
Mt. Gretna Lake & Beach
Family-owned and operated in Lebanon, Mt. Gretna Lake & Beach is unquestionably one of the best summertime resort destinations in the immediate surrounding area. With their mission to provide a safe, clean, and courteous recreational environment, visitors are permitted access to the overall recreation facility for a nominal fee (tickets must be purchased online here) starting on Memorial Day weekend. After June 7, the beach will be open daily all summer long.
There’s plenty to do onsite here, from picnicking to volleyball, diving (and high-diving) to checking out the “Kid’s Dock” and much more. There’s even a well-stocked snack bar for when you get hungry. Yet, the fact remains that it is the eight-acre sandy beach that remains the highlight attraction to behold. It stretches along the banks of the namesake Mt. Gretna Lake, which is fed via a mountain stream by the famous Conewago.
Mt. Gretna Lake & Beach is located at 130 Lakeview Drive, Lebanon, PA 17042. Visit the website for all other information.
Seven Points Beach at Raystown Lake
Raystown Lake is one of the most popular attractions in Hesston in Huntingdon County—a premium hotspot that has much to boast about. It’s also prime camping and fishing territory featuring a full marina.
Comprising a massive 8,3000 acres of watery wonderfulness, Lake Raystown even sports its own sandy beach area—Seven Points Beach, which allows for off-shore swimming and wading in addition to sunbathing. Other amenities that beachgoers can access on their visit include public bathrooms, a shower house, and Lighthouse Concessions where you can purchase food.
Seven Points Beach is open from dawn to dusk from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Raystown Lake is located at Hesston, Seven Points Loop, Hesston, PA 16647. Click here to learn more.
Again, these are just some of several fantastic beach options to check out throughout Pennsylvania. There are many, many more explorations up for consideration in addition.