The Most Beautiful Lake in Pennsylvania That Most People Have Never Heard Of

Ah, summer in the Keystone State, where nature is at its most beautiful — and sometimes, the heat can be overwhelming. There's no seashore access in Pennsylvania, and not everyone's up for a road trip to New Jersey, which means this is the perfect time to find an amazing hidden lake in Pennsylvania and cool off, far away from the biggest crowds in places like Lake Erie. My personal favorite, Lake Jean, is located in one of the state's best natural areas, Ricketts Glen State Park. But due to the park's relatively remote location, many people don't know this little slice of heaven is waiting for them.

Lake Jean is tucked away in the northeastern corner of the state, about an hour west of Wilkes-Barre and Scranton. This is one of the most peaceful areas of the state, where you can drive for miles and miles surrounded by the mountains and forests of the Keystone State. And when you arrive, it feels like you've found an oasis. While the park is fairly popular with hikers, Lake Jean is one of its best-kept secrets, and a day here is the perfect way to refresh the spirit during the dog days of summer.

Why Most People Have Never Heard of This Lake

Ricketts Glen State Park is one of the best parks in the Keystone State, but to get here, you've really got to decide to go out of your way. Few people live in the immediate vicinity, and the park is fairly large at over 13,000 acres. Lake Jean is tucked away in the middle, accessible via the Ricketts Glen Beach Trail, and that makes it one of the state's best-kept secrets.

What Makes This Lake So Beautiful

Lake Jean is a unique hybrid of a natural lake and an artificial formation, having been constructed in 1905 to aid in the local logging industry. That's given it a unique elongated shape, which offers plenty of room to explore. The lake is usually fairly clean, giving it a beautiful blue color, and the trees that surround it offer stunning fall foliage once autumn rolls around.

What You Can Do At This Lake

When you hike the 2.2-mile Ricketts Glen Beach Trail, you'll spend plenty of time along the sandy shore, which is one of the best beaches in Pennsylvania. It makes an amazing launch point for a day on the water, where you'll have the run of the lake. Swimming is allowed, although the lake tends to be fairly shallow. Boating is permitted with all hand-powered and electric motors allowed on the water, and the lake is a top fishing spot known for being stocked with trout.

What To Know Before You Go

Ricketts Glen State Park is open from dawn to dusk 365 days a year, and the beach is open from late May to mid-September. No lifeguards are on duty, so this is a place best for experienced swimmers. Camping is allowed on the park grounds, with 154 total sites, but the park is currently undergoing renovations of its shower facilities, so the campgrounds will be undergoing a phased closure. Details of which campgrounds are currently open can be found on the Reserve America park page.

Have you spent the day on the banks of Lake Jean before? If you'd like to see what makes this hidden lake in Pennsylvania so special, tell a friend about this article and plan a trip! You can see more about the amenities at Ricketts Glen State Park on the Pennsylvania parks website, and make sure to check out our list of the best state parks in Pennsylvania for more places to escape into nature during the summer!

My favorite spot in Pennsylvania happens to be in this area as well — a visit to Lake Jean places you only about an hour from Knoebels, a historic theme park that features some of the best rides and amusement park food in the whole country.