Home > Travel > State Parks > Pennsylvania > Locust Lake State Park

Directions

Located seven miles north of Pottsville, three miles south of Mahanoy City, eight miles west of Tamaqua and six miles west of Tuscarora State Park. The park is two miles southwest of Exit 131A (Hometown) of I-81.

Recreational Opportunities

Pets Advisory: During the camping season, the only pets permittted are those brought by campers following the pet camping rules. Day use visitors can only bring pets to the park when the campground is closed.

Camping: modern sites, some with electricity
The 282 campsites are divided into tent or trailer sides that encircle the lake. Tenting is permitted on the north side of the lake and the trailer facilities are located on the south side of the lake. All areas are within easy access to swimming, boating, fishing and hiking facilities.

All campsites are located in a wooded area and have a parking pad, picnic table, fire ring and a cleared area for camping equipment. There are also a number of walk-in sites.

Campground conveniences include modern restrooms and wash houses with shower facilities. A sanitary dump station is located on the trailer side of the lake. Trash/recycling areas are located on both the north and south sides of the lake.

Playgrounds: Two playgrounds are provided in the trailer loop and one playground is situated on the tent side of the lake. Playground equipment is designed for a variety of age groups. The play areas are safely located away from the flow of traffic.

Biking: A paved bike trail one mile long circles the lake and gives an excellent view of the lake.

Boating: Boats may use electric motors. 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.

Rowboats, canoes and pedal boats are available through boat rental concessions at each park.

Fishing: Locust Lake is one of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's high-intensity trout fishing areas and receives several stockings of brown and brook trout annually. Pickerel, bass (largemouth and smallmouth) and panfish give anglers action in all seasons. Fishermen who are not camping are required to use the fishermen's parking area near the park entrance. Locust Lake has an accessible fishing pier that is located by the picnic pavilion on the north side of Locust Lake.

Ice fishing is permitted during the winter season with trout being the primary species caught at both lakes. The ice is not monitored for safety. Be sure that the ice is at least four inches thick and carry safety equipment.

Swimming: Swimming is permitted from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. Lifeguards are on duty from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. throughout the season unless otherwise posted. Swimming areas are marked with buoys and have a maximum depth of 5 1/2 feet.

Hunting and Firearms: About 1,045 acres are available. Common species are white-tailed deer, rabbits, squirrels,wild turkeys, ring-necked pheasants, woodcock, doves and ruffed grouse. Hunting in both the park and adjacent state forest lands is restricted to designated areas. A special regulations area allowing only bow and arrow and flintlock muzzleloader hunting, is located in areas of the park.

Hunting woodchucks, also 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. Contact the park office for accessible hunting information.

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, firearms and archery equipment must be kept in the owner's car, trailer or camp.

Winter Activities: Special winter season activities in the parks include ice skating, ice fishing and sledding. It is recommended that you contact the park office to determine ice and snow conditions at the parks. The ice thickness is not monitored. For your safety, be sure the ice is four inches thick and carry safety equipment.

Concession: The concessions are open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day and weekends during the spring and fall.

Rowboats, canoes and specialty craft like pedal boats are available for rent on an hourly or daily basis at the boat rental concession.

Locust Lake has a campstore/boat rental concession that is located near the fishermen's launching area on the western side of the lake. Basic food and camping supplies like wood and bait can be purchased at the campstore.

Hiking Trails

Oak/Ridge Trail: 0.75 mile, easy hiking, white/blue blazes,
This interpretive trail winds along a woodland creek and through a mature forest and young woodland areas. Along the entire loop of this self-guiding trail, species of trees and other vegetation are marked, and posted signs offer information about each species.

Oak/Hemlock Trail: 2 miles, moderate hiking, white/yellow blazes
This trail is blazed through a mature hemlock stand through which flows a woodland stream. The trail also passes by a unique geological outcropping.

Oak Loop Trail: 4 miles, difficult hiking, white blazes
The longest of the loop trails, it encircles a ridge located in a mature deciduous forest.

Environmental Education and Interpretation

Tuscarora and Locust Lake state parks offer a wide variety of environmental education and interpretive programs. Through hands-on activities, guided walks and evening programs, participants gain appreciation, understanding and develop a sense of stewardship toward natural and cultural resources.

Curriculum-based environmental education programs are available to schools and youth groups. An environmental education specialist is available to develop EE curriculums and sites, and provide teacher workshops and additional teacher and community services.

Group programs must be arranged in advance and may be scheduled by calling the park office.

Programs are offered March to November. For more detailed information contact the park office.

Access for People with Disabilities

Locust Lake has a fishing pier by the campstore. Three sites in the campground are equipped with 20-amp electricity and there is a fully accessible wash house.

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks:
888-PA-PARKS (voice)
888-537-7294 (TTY)
711 (AT&T Relay Services)

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