Beltzville State Park
Beltzville State Park is a Pocono Mountains gem featuring the 949-acre Beltzville Lake, a 525-foot sand beach, and 15 miles of hiking trails including Wild Creek Falls. This day-use park offers excellent swimming, boating (up to 45 mph!), water skiing, and year-round fishing for trout, bass, walleye, and muskellunge. Note: No camping is permitted at this park—it’s a popular day trip destination from the Lehigh Valley and beyond.
⚠️ Important: No Camping Permitted
- Beltzville is a DAY-USE ONLY park
- No overnight camping or RV parking
- Nearby options: Hickory Run State Park, Allentown Journey KOA
Beltzville Lake – 949 Acres
| Lake Details | Information |
|---|---|
| 📐 Size | 949 acres |
| 🌊 Fed By | Pohopoco Creek |
| ⚓ Max Speed | 45 mph |
| 🎿 Water Skiing | Yes (designated zone, south shore) |
| 🚫 Boating Closed | March 15 – April 30 |
Sand Beach – 525 Feet
| Beach Info | Details |
|---|---|
| 📏 Length | 525 feet |
| 📅 Season | Late May – mid-September |
| 🕐 Hours | 8 AM – Sunset |
| 👀 Lifeguards | 11 AM – 7 PM (Memorial Day – Labor Day) |
| 🚭 Smoking | Smoke-free area |
| Beach Amenities | Available |
|---|---|
| 🚿 Bathhouse | Showers & toilets |
| 🍔 Concession | Food & refreshments (summer) |
Boating & Rentals
| Boating Info | Details |
|---|---|
| ⚓ Boat Ramps | Pine Run East (3-lane), Preacher’s Camp (2-lane) |
| 🚤 Rentals | Paddleboats, canoes, rowboats, pontoons, motorboats |
| 📅 Rental Season | Summer + May/Sept weekends |
| 🚫 No Wake Zones | Pine Run, Wild Creek, Pohopoco Creek Bays |
Hiking – 15 Miles
| Trail Info | Details |
|---|---|
| 📏 Total | 15 miles |
| 🌲 Terrain | Wooded paths, old roads, fields |
| 💧 Falls Trail | Leads to Wild Creek Falls |
| 🌊 Views | Lake overlooks available |
Fishing – Year-Round
| Fishing Info | Details |
|---|---|
| 🐟 Species | Trout, striped bass, largemouth/smallmouth bass, walleye, muskellunge, perch |
| 🎣 Pohopoco Creek | Trout stocked below dam |
| ❄️ Ice Fishing | Permitted (check ice thickness) |
| 2026 Fish-for-Free Days | Date |
|---|---|
| 🎉 Day 1 | Sunday, May 24, 2026 |
| 🎉 Day 2 | Saturday, July 4, 2026 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you camp at Beltzville State Park?
No. Beltzville State Park is a day-use only park. Overnight camping or sleeping in vehicles is strictly prohibited. For overnight stays, nearby options include Hickory Run State Park (about 20 minutes away) which has full camping facilities, or Allentown Journey KOA. Contact the park office for additional recommendations.
When is the beach open?
The 525-foot sand beach is typically open from late May to mid-September, 8 AM to sunset. Lifeguards are on duty from 11 AM to 7 PM daily between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day. Note: The beach closed in 2022 due to low water levels, so conditions can vary—call ahead to confirm.
Is water skiing allowed?
Yes! Water skiing is permitted in a designated ski zone along the south shore from sunrise to sunset. Boats must operate counter-clockwise. On weekends and holidays (Memorial Day through Labor Day), only one water-ski device may be towed at a time. Kite skiing and parasailing are prohibited.
When is boating closed?
Boating is prohibited on the entire lake from March 15 through April 30. This closure protects the lake during the spring spawning season. Outside this period, boats up to 45 mph are permitted. Motorboats need PA registration; non-powered boats need a state park or Fish & Boat Commission permit.
What fish can you catch at Beltzville?
Beltzville Lake offers excellent fishing for trout, striped bass, largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, muskellunge, and perch. Pohopoco Creek below the dam is stocked with trout. Ice fishing is allowed when conditions permit (ice thickness not monitored—check yourself!). Fish-for-Free Days in 2026: May 24 and July 4!
🏖️ Pocono Mountains Lake Escape
Swim at a 525-foot sand beach, boat on 949 acres, hike to Wild Creek Falls, and fish for trophy muskellunge—all in a single day! Visit the official Beltzville State Park website for beach conditions and boat rental hours.
