Spending a day at the lake is oh-so-perfect just about any time of the year – from leaf-peeping in the fall and ice skating in the wintertime to swimming in the summer. As the temperatures climb, we’re more likely to spend more time lakeside, especially when that lake offers a sandy beach. Enjoy a sun-soaked day, for example, at Tuscarora Lake in Pennsylvania. It might just become your new favorite warm-weather destination.
With more than 1,600 acres of natural beauty, Tuscarora State Park in Barnesville offers an idyllic backdrop for a day – or a few days – outdoors.
The lush state park offers a full list of amenities all year round – hiking, picnicking, wildlife watching, fishing, and camping.
One of the centerpieces of the state park is, arguably, the 96-acre Tuscarora Lake, which is particularly popular in the summertime. It’s also a popular destination with ice skaters in the wintertime.
An ADA-accessible sandy beach leads right into the crisp water of Tuscarora Lake, where the swimming areas are marked by buoys. If you plan on swimming in the lake, please note that the deepest part of the swimming area is just 5.5 feet deep.
When the beach is open, between late May and the middle of September, grab a bite to eat at the snack bar. The snack bar sells a variety of snacks, hot foods, and ice cream. You’ll also find picnic tables throughout the park.
While the lake is perfect for swimming, you can also explore it by boat, which you can rent right at the park. Choose from a rowboat, kayak, canoe, or paddleboat.
The park also draws anglers who can fish in daylight, after dark, or even through a sheet of ice. You’ll find a variety of fish in the water, including bass, catfish, and yellow perch.
Find more information on the official website of Tuscarora State Park. Or, stop by its Facebook page.
Have you been to Tuscarora Lake in Pennsylvania? Share your experience in the comments! Have you been kayaking? If you’ve always wanted to learn, head over to Swatara Creek, the best place for beginner kayakers in Pennsylvania.
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