
Locust Lake State Park Pennsylvania
A scenic 52-acre lake surrounded by hiking trails and camping, offering year-round outdoor recreation in Pennsylvania.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Ideal for swimming and boating

Locust Lake State Park Pennsylvania
Best Time
Ideal for swimming and boating
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A scenic 52-acre lake surrounded by hiking trails and camping, offering year-round outdoor recreation in Pennsylvania.
"Locust Lake State Park is a campers' park with a beach, boating, fishing, and hiking."

🚗 Confirm Campsite Suitability
Call ahead to ensure your RV or trailer fits, as some sites are not RV-friendly.
🚶♀️ Day-Use Beach Walk
Be prepared for a walk from the park entrance to the beach if you're not camping.

Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Locust Lake
Central lake
A peaceful 52-acre lake perfect for kayaking, swimming, and enjoying scenic views.

Broad Mountain Trail
Northern section
Offers challenging hikes with rewarding mountain and creek views, especially beautiful in winter snow.

Oak Loop Trail
Around the lake
A well-marked trail perfect for walking or hiking around the entire lake, offering diverse scenery.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Campground Realities
Day-Use Beach Access
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Confirm Campsite Suitability
Call ahead to ensure your RV or trailer fits, as some sites are not RV-friendly.
🚶♀️ Day-Use Beach Walk
Be prepared for a walk from the park entrance to the beach if you're not camping.
🛶 Kayak & Paddle Fun
Enjoy the lake by kayak for a peaceful outdoor adventure.
🎒 Pack Your Own Snacks
Bring your own food and drinks for a more enjoyable and cost-effective visit.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Confirm Campsite Suitability
Call ahead to ensure your RV or trailer fits, as some sites are not RV-friendly.
🚶♀️ Day-Use Beach Walk
Be prepared for a walk from the park entrance to the beach if you're not camping.
🛶 Kayak & Paddle Fun
Enjoy the lake by kayak for a peaceful outdoor adventure.
🎒 Pack Your Own Snacks
Bring your own food and drinks for a more enjoyable and cost-effective visit.
👟 Well-Marked Trails
Explore the park's hiking trails, which are clearly marked for easy navigation.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Locust Lake State Park is a popular, free destination for families and campers, praised for its scenic lake, well-maintained trails, and year-round activities. However, potential campers, especially those with RVs, should be cautious about campsite suitability due to terrain and tree growth, and day-use beach access requires a walk from parking.
"Its a free place you can take the whole family for fishing bike trails and swimming i would suggest to bring your own food and drinks"
Shelby (Shelynn)
"Locust Lake State Park is a campers' park. The beach is in the far end of the north campers' area with no parking. For day use, you would have to park at the park entrance and walk in. There is also separate visitor and camper boat launches. With over 280 campsites, the park is rather compact and includes separate tent and camper areas.
The park includes a camp store, modern facilities, three playgrounds, boating, fishing and hiking. A bicycle path encircles the lake. There is seasonal hunting and ice skating and fishing when the ice is thick enough.
For day use, nearby Tuscarora State Park can be a better choice.
For more information: pa parks and forest
See the you tube video at thePAparksman"
Charles J
"For our 1st time there, we enjoyed our time. The trails are well marked and we walked all the way around the lake. The staff are very friendly and courteous, assisting with everything we needed."
Sylvester Gotaskie
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Locust Lake State Park is located in Barnesville, PA. It's accessible by car, and GPS navigation is recommended. The park is situated in Schuylkill County.
Public transportation options are limited for reaching Locust Lake State Park. Driving is the most common and convenient method for visitors.
While specific directions vary by starting point, the park is generally accessible via major roadways in eastern Pennsylvania. Using a GPS or mapping app is advised.
Yes, there are parking facilities available. For day use, parking is typically at the park entrance, and you may need to walk to certain areas like the beach.
While you can bike within the park on designated paths, reaching the park itself by bicycle depends on your starting location and local road networks.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Locust Lake State Park is a free public park, meaning there is no general entrance fee for day use.
The park is generally open year-round from dawn to dusk for day-use visitors. Specific facilities like campgrounds or visitor centers may have seasonal hours.
Yes, booking campsites in advance is highly recommended, especially during peak season, as the park has over 280 sites and can fill up quickly.
The park is animal-friendly, but specific regulations regarding pets, especially on beaches or in certain facilities, should be checked with park management.
Refund policies can vary. Some visitors have reported difficulty obtaining full refunds for unsuitable campsites, so it's important to understand the terms when booking.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
Activities include hiking on well-marked trails like the Oak Loop, swimming at the beach, boating and fishing on the lake, camping, and enjoying the scenic beauty.
Yes, Locust Lake State Park offers excellent hiking opportunities with trails like the Oak Loop and routes up Broad Mountain, suitable for various skill levels.
Yes, swimming is permitted at Locust Lake State Park during the designated season. The beach is located in the north camping area.
Locust Lake State Park is known as a 'campers' park' with nearly 300 campsites, including separate areas for tents and RVs.
The park offers modern facilities, a camp store, playgrounds, and a campground with numerous sites. However, some sites may not be suitable for larger RVs or travel trailers.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
There is a camp store that offers some provisions. However, it's highly recommended to bring your own food and drinks as dining options within the park are limited.
Yes, picnicking is a popular activity. There are designated areas, and bringing your own food is encouraged.
While there are no extensive dining facilities within the park, nearby towns may offer local restaurants and eateries. It's best to plan for meals beforehand.
The camp store typically offers basic necessities, snacks, and convenience items. It's not a full-service restaurant.
Many campsites are equipped for personal grilling. It's advisable to check specific campsite amenities when booking or bring your own portable grill.
📸 📸 Photography
The lake itself offers beautiful reflections, especially during sunrise and sunset. Hiking trails provide scenic forest and mountain vistas.
Golden hours, shortly after sunrise and before sunset, offer the most dramatic lighting for landscape photography around the lake and trails.
The shoreline of Locust Lake provides classic lake views. Higher points on trails like Broad Mountain offer panoramic vistas of the surrounding landscape.
Nature photography, landscape shots, and capturing seasonal changes like fall foliage or winter snow are very popular.
Drone usage regulations can vary by state park. It's essential to check the official Pennsylvania State Parks policy on drone operation before flying.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
While the park is animal-friendly, always check specific rules for pets. For day-use visitors, be aware that the beach access might involve a walk from the main parking area. Consider visiting Tuscarora State Park nearby if beach access without a long walk is a priority.
🏕️ Campers
🚶♀️ Hikers and Nature Lovers
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Navigating Campsite Challenges
While the park offers modern facilities and a camp store, the campsite experience can be a mixed bag. Some visitors have found sites to be perfectly adequate, while others have encountered significant difficulties. Understanding the layout and potential limitations of specific sites is key to a successful camping trip here. Planning ahead and communicating with park staff can help mitigate these issues and ensure a more enjoyable stay.
Experiencing the Lake and Trails
For those seeking more challenging hikes, the trails leading up Broad Mountain provide rewarding views and a more strenuous workout. These trails are beautiful year-round, offering different experiences from lush greenery in summer to snow-covered landscapes in winter. The park's commitment to maintaining these trails ensures they are accessible and enjoyable for a range of hikers.
Seasonal Activities and Appeal
Winter brings a different kind of charm, with opportunities for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and even ice skating on the frozen lake when conditions are safe. The park's year-round appeal means visitors can enjoy its natural beauty and recreational activities regardless of the time of year, from the warmth of summer to the crispness of fall and the quiet serenity of winter.






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