National and State Parks - Recreational Areas
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Beltzville State Park
State Park Information
State Park Overview
In Carbon County, the 2,972-acre Beltzville State Park is developed around the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood control project, Beltzville Dam. Beltzville Lake is 949 acres with a shoreline of 19.8 miles. The park is along the Pohopoco Creek with recreation areas around the lake.
Recreational facilities are a result of a cooperative effort of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources-Bureau of State Parks and the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Trails
When you travel Beltzvilles 15 miles of trails, you will see wooded pathways, old roads and many creek valleys. Saw Mill Trail, which is just west of the dam breast, offers a diverse historical hike. The trail has remains of a gristmill raceway - dam and gateways, small ponds - slate quarry from the 1700s - wetland and a stream.
The trails vary in length. A short description of each trail can be found in the ?Beltzville Trail Guide.? A copy of the guide is available from the park office.
Picnicking
Boating
The 949-acre Beltzville Lake has a maximum boating speed of 45 miles per hour. Most types of recreational boats are permitted on the lake. Please check with the park office if there is a question as to the type of watercraft permitted. It is unlawful to operate a boat equipped with inboard engines with out-of-the-transom or straight stack type exhausts, wet or dry. Sleeping overnight on watercraft is prohibited. Day use mooring is not permitted in the boat rental cove area. The areas east of Preacher?s Camp launch and Pine Run Cove are excellent for canoeing and other non-powered watercraft.
The areas east of Preachers Camp launch and Pine Run Cove are restricted to ?no wake? speed.
Boat Rental
A boat rental concession, west of the swimming beach, is open daily during the summer season and weekends in May and September. It rents paddleboats, canoes, rowboats, pontoons and
small and large motorboats.
Launching and Mooring
A three-lane boat launching ramp -ccessible courtesy dock, wide gravel beaching area and
parking for cars and trailers are at Pine Run East Launch along the northern shore of the lake. A two-lane launch ramp and parking for cars and boat trailers are at Preacher?s Camp launching area on the southern shore. Seasonal mooring of canoes is available at Preacher?s Camp. An accessible courtesy dock and lifter is in the day use area - the beach.
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.
Swimming
Fishing and Hunting
Fishing
The 949-acre Beltzville Lake is stocked with warm-water and cold-water game fish and panfish. Favorite species are trout, striped bass, largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, muskellunge and perch. Below the dam, Pohopoco Creek is stocked with trout. Much of the lake?s northern shoreline can be reached from Pohopoco Drive. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission laws apply.
Hunting
Over 1,707 acres are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, rabbit, pheasant, ruffed grouse and waterfowl. Contact the park office for accessible hunting information.
The adjacent Pennsylvania Game Commission?s Beltzville Wildlife Management Project has 469 acres open to hunting.
Hunting woodchucks -lso 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.
Use extreme caution with firearms at all times. The park is used by other visitors during hunting seasons. Firearms and archery equipment 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 owners car, trailer or camp.