Photo by DJ Royal

Pennsylvania is a haven for outdoor recreation. With 124 state parks offering more than 300,000 acres of outdoor fun, there’s something to do year-round. Thirty-five of the state parks have beaches where swimming is permitted.

Beltzville State Park in Lehighton, Carbon County, is a popular destination for family outings, especially during the summer. The park has a 525-foot sand beach with a bathhouse with showers. Residents of eastern PA have long known about this hidden gem. It’s a favorite place to spend the day, enjoy a picnic, or grab some food at the concession stand, which is open daily, when the weather permits. Other water activities, like boating and kayaking, are also allowed on Beltzville Lake.

Beltzville Lake has a maximum boating speed of 45 mph. Most types of recreational boats are permitted. Boaters should check with the park office for questions regarding the kinds of watercraft permitted on the 949-acre lake. Boat rentals are available a short distance from the beach area. Rentals are available by appointment only and reservations must be made 24 hours in advance. Kayaks, stand-up boards, rafts, pedal boats, and pontoons are available for visitors to rent.

If fishing is your thing, the lake is stocked with fish, including Trout striped bass, largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, muskellunge and perch.

The beach is a smoke-free zone but for visitors who smoke there are designated areas where smoking is permitted.

The park, itself is open from sunrise to sunset year-round, with the beach open from late May to Labor Day, 8 a.m. to sunset.

Beltzville’s ADA-accessible Environmental Education Center and Amphitheater is a hub for the education and recreational programs at the park.

For information regarding programs and park rules, visit www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks and search for Beltzville State Park.

The charming town of Jim Thorpe is a 5-mile drive west of Beltzville State Park. The town is known not only for its namesake but for the beauty of the area and the quaint shops, rich history, and recreational opportunities the area provides for visitors.

For information on accommodations visit www.carboncountychamber.org/find-your-fun/

If you go:

Beltzville State Park
2950 Pohopoco Drive
Lehighton, PA 18235-8905 (Directions)

610-377-0045