Electric-Only Lakes at State Parks: The 50-State Directory

Updated July 2026. Every rule below was verified against the official state park agency, boating regulation or administrative code of its state — sources linked in every row, full dataset available as a free download at the end.

On 168+ lakes and ponds inside America’s state parks, you will never hear an outboard start. These are the electric-only and no-motor lakes — waters where gasoline engines are banned by rule, where a trolling motor battery is the only “fuel tank” allowed, and where anglers, paddlers and campers get something increasingly rare: quiet water.

We went through the boating rules of all 50 state park systems — park pages, DNR regulations and administrative codes — and compiled every lake we could verify. The result: 143 electric-motor-only lakes, 25 fully non-motorized lakes and 27 low-horsepower lakes across 44 states, each with its official source. Three states ban gas motors on park waters by default. Use the directory below to find quiet water near you — each state links to our park profiles for trails, fees and campground details.

Key findings

What the rules mean

State park lakes fall into four categories. Electric motors only: gasoline engines are prohibited; a battery-powered trolling motor is allowed, usually at slow, no-wake speed. No motors: paddle, oars or sail only — on the strictest lakes even electric motors stay home. Horsepower limits: small gas motors are allowed up to a posted cap (often 10–20 hp). Statewide rules: some states set one blanket rule for all park waters instead of posting each lake.

One practical note before you launch: in most states, attaching any motor — electric included — legally turns your canoe or jon boat into a motorboat that must be registered. Check your state’s registration rules before your first trip. And rules do change: a handful of Pennsylvania lakes that were electric-only for decades now allow 20 hp motors, so always confirm against the linked official source.

Three states where gas is banned by default

Alabama — Admin Code 220-5-.02 bans motorized vessels on State Parks waters entirely unless the Commissioner grants an exception; only Gulf (Lake Shelby), Lake Lurleen and Frank Jackson are exempted. Everywhere else, electric trolling motors are the ceiling.

Virginia — DCR rule: “Unless otherwise posted, the use of boats propelled by gasoline motors or sail is prohibited at Department-owned lakes, ponds, or streams.” Only 14 Virginia state parks post exceptions.

Pennsylvania — 17 Pa. Code §11.219(f) prohibits internal-combustion boats on state park waters posted electric-only — and DCNR posts nearly every park lake that way, from Black Moshannon to Laurel Hill.

The 50-state directory

Jump to your state: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming

Alabama

Statewide rule: Motorized vessels banned on State Parks waters absent written Commissioner permission (220-5-.02); Lake Shelby/Gulf SP, Lake Lurleen SP, Frank Jackson SP exempted (any motor allowed) (Source: admincode.legislature.state.al.us)

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Chewacla Lake	Chewacla State Park	Electric motors only	alapark.com
Oak Mountain Lake	Oak Mountain State Park	Electric motors only	alapark.com
Lake Grist	Paul M. Grist State Park	Electric motors only	alapark.com

Alaska

Statewide rule: No blanket statewide electric-only rule; motor use is set unit-by-unit in 11 AAC 20 (Chugach 20.025, Denali 20.415, Nancy Lake 20.550, Kachemak Bay 20.115, KRSMA 20.860-870). In units with designation-style regs (Chugach, NLSRA, Kachemak Bay), waters not listed are closed to motors (Source: dnr.alaska.gov)

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Eklutna Lake	Chugach State Park	Electric motors only	dnr.alaska.gov
Byers Lake	Denali State Park	Electric motors only	dnr.alaska.gov
Canoe Lake	Matanuska Lakes State Recreation Area	Electric motors only	dnr.alaska.gov
Irene Lake	Matanuska Lakes State Recreation Area	Electric motors only	dnr.alaska.gov
Kepler Lake	Matanuska Lakes State Recreation Area	Electric motors only	dnr.alaska.gov
Long Lake (Matanuska Lakes)	Matanuska Lakes State Recreation Area	Electric motors only	dnr.alaska.gov
Matanuska Lake	Matanuska Lakes State Recreation Area	Electric motors only	dnr.alaska.gov
South Rolly Lake	Nancy Lake State Recreation Area	Electric motors only	law.cornell.edu
Tanaina Lake	Nancy Lake State Recreation Area	Electric motors only	law.cornell.edu
Freshwater lakes except China Poot, Hazelle, Petrof	Kachemak Bay State Park	No motors — paddle only	law.cornell.edu
(all other NLSRA lakes, incl. canoe-trail lakes)	Nancy Lake State Recreation Area	No motors — paddle only	law.cornell.edu
Kenai River (mainstem below Kenai Lake)	Kenai River Special Management Area	Motors up to 50 hp	law.cornell.edu

Arizona

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Dankworth Pond	Dankworth Pond State Park (satellite unit of Roper Lake SP)	Electric motors only	azstateparks.com
Dankworth Pond	Dankworth Pond State Park (unit of Roper Lake SP)	Electric motors only	azstateparks.com
Roper Lake	Roper Lake State Park	Electric motors only	azstateparks.com
Dead Horse Ranch lagoons	Dead Horse Ranch State Park	No motors — paddle only	azstateparks.com
Fool Hollow Lake	Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area	Motors up to 10 hp	azstateparks.com

Arkansas

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Walcott Lake	Crowley’s Ridge State Park	Electric motors only	codeofarrules.arkansas.gov
Lake Austell	Village Creek State Park	Electric motors only	codeofarrules.arkansas.gov
Lake Dunn	Village Creek State Park	Electric motors only	codeofarrules.arkansas.gov
Lake Bennett	Woolly Hollow State Park	Electric motors only	codeofarrules.arkansas.gov
Lake Bailey	Petit Jean State Park	Motors up to 10 hp	codeofarrules.arkansas.gov

California

No electric-only or no-motor lake could be verified in California’s state parks as of July 2026. (Best source checked: parks.ca.gov)

Colorado

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Mack Mesa Reservoir	Highline Lake State Park	Electric motors only	cpw.state.co.us
Corn Lake	James M. Robb – Colorado River State Park	Electric motors only	cpw.state.co.us
Island Acres lakes	James M. Robb – Colorado River State Park	Electric motors only	cpw.state.co.us
Lake Hasty	John Martin Reservoir State Park	Electric motors only	cpw.state.co.us
St. Vrain SP lakes (except Blue Heron Reservoir)	St. Vrain State Park	Electric motors only	cpw.state.co.us
Sylvan Lake	Sylvan Lake State Park	Electric motors only	cpw.state.co.us

Connecticut

Statewide rule: No statewide electric-only acreage rule; restrictions are waterbody-specific, listed in the Boater’s Guide launch/local-regulations directory (pp. 43-59); unlisted waters follow general statewide boating rules. Hint waters verified NOT gas-restricted: Mashapaug Lake (10 mph limit only), Burr Pond (8 mph), Mono Pond (8 mph), Hopeville Pond (8 mph); Stratton Brook SP pond has no directory entry (Source: portal.ct.gov)

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Bigelow Pond	Bigelow Hollow State Park	Electric motors only	portal.ct.gov
Breakneck Pond	Bigelow Hollow State Park / Nipmuck State Forest	Electric motors only	portal.ct.gov
Pattaconk Lake	Cockaponset State Forest – Pattaconk Recreation Area	Electric motors only	portal.ct.gov
Pine Acres Lake	James L. Goodwin State Forest	Electric motors only	portal.ct.gov
Mount Tom Pond	Mount Tom State Park	Electric motors only	portal.ct.gov
Hampton Reservoir	Natchaug State Forest	Electric motors only	portal.ct.gov
Ross Pond	Old Furnace State Park	Electric motors only	portal.ct.gov
Green Falls Reservoir (Green Fall Pond)	Pachaug State Forest – Green Falls Recreation Area	Electric motors only	portal.ct.gov
Quinebaug Pond (Wauregan Reservoir)	Quinebaug Lake State Park	Electric motors only	portal.ct.gov
Stillwater Pond	Stillwater Pond State Park	Electric motors only	portal.ct.gov
Lake Wintergreen	West Rock Ridge State Park	Electric motors only	portal.ct.gov
Black Rock Pond	Black Rock State Park	No motors — paddle only	portal.ct.gov
Schreeder Pond (Chatfield Hollow Pond)	Chatfield Hollow State Park	No motors — paddle only	portal.ct.gov
Day Pond	Day Pond State Park	No motors — paddle only	portal.ct.gov
Gay City Pond	Gay City State Park	No motors — paddle only	portal.ct.gov
Norwich Pond	Nehantic State Forest	No motors — paddle only	portal.ct.gov
Uncas Pond (Hog Pond)	Nehantic State Forest	No motors — paddle only	portal.ct.gov
Wharton Pond	Wharton Brook State Park	No motors — paddle only	portal.ct.gov
Killingly Pond	Killingly Pond State Park	Motors up to 10 hp	portal.ct.gov
Lake Waramaug	Lake Waramaug State Park	Motors up to 12 hp	portal.ct.gov

Delaware

Statewide rule: 7 DE Admin Code 9201 sec 5.2: slow-no-wake on every park pond/lake/canal; no parkwide gas ban — Trap, Lums, Killens ponds allow small motorboats at no-wake; verified 2026-07-11 (Source: regulations.delaware.gov)

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Raccoon Pond	Trap Pond State Park	Electric motors only	regulations.delaware.gov
Trussum Pond	Trap Pond State Park	Electric motors only	regulations.delaware.gov

Florida

Statewide rule: 2025 FL legislation bars state/local agencies from restricting vessel use “based on energy source,” complicating new electric-only mandates going forward; existing full no-motor (human-powered-only) rules at spring runs are framed as manatee/resource protection rather than energy-source bans and remain in place (Source: flseagrant.org)

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Wekiwa Springs run/spring & swim area	Wekiwa Springs State Park	No motors — paddle only	floridastateparks.org

Georgia

Statewide rule: GA Rule 391-5-1-.06(4)(a)(1): Director may limit vessel types, ban motors, or set motor type/power/hours per site; specific electric-only lake list not published in this rule text (Source: rules.sos.ga.gov)

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Parrish Mill Pond	George L. Smith State Park	Motors up to 10 hp	gastateparks.org

Hawaii

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Waiakea Pond	Wailoa River State Recreation Area	No motors — paddle only	dlnr.hawaii.gov

Idaho

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Round Lake	Round Lake State Park	Electric motors only	parksandrecreation.idaho.gov
Winchester Lake	Winchester Lake State Park	Electric motors only	parksandrecreation.idaho.gov

Illinois

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Beall Woods Lake	Beall Woods State Park	Electric motors only	dnr.illinois.gov
Beaver Dam Lake	Beaver Dam State Park	Electric motors only	dnr.illinois.gov
Turner Lake	Chain O’Lakes State Park	Electric motors only	dnr.illinois.gov
Johnson-Sauk Trail Lake	Johnson-Sauk Trail State Recreation Area	Electric motors only	dnr.illinois.gov
Park lakes and ponds (Clear Lake etc.)	Kickapoo State Recreation Area	Electric motors only	dnr.illinois.gov
Lake Le-Aqua-Na	Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area	Electric motors only	dnr.illinois.gov
Lake Defiance	Moraine Hills State Park	Electric motors only	dnr.illinois.gov
Lake Horton	Nauvoo State Park	Electric motors only	dnr.illinois.gov
Ramsey Lake	Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area	Electric motors only	dnr.illinois.gov
Red Hills Lake	Red Hills State Park	Electric motors only	dnr.illinois.gov
Olson Lake	Rock Cut State Park	Electric motors only	dnr.illinois.gov
Lake Siloam	Siloam Springs State Park	Electric motors only	dnr.illinois.gov
Siloam Springs State Park Lake	Siloam Springs State Park	Electric motors only	dnr.illinois.gov
Walnut Point Lake	Walnut Point State Park	Electric motors only	dnr.illinois.gov
Weldon Springs Lake	Weldon Springs State Park	Electric motors only	dnr.illinois.gov
Weldon Springs Lake	Weldon Springs State Recreation Area	Electric motors only	dnr.illinois.gov
Park lakes	Frank Holten State Recreation Area	Motors up to 10 hp	dnr.illinois.gov
Lake Murphysboro	Lake Murphysboro State Park	Motors up to 10 hp	dnr.illinois.gov
Lincoln Trail Lake	Lincoln Trail State Park	Motors up to 10 hp	dnr.illinois.gov
Dawson Lake	Moraine View State Recreation Area	Motors up to 10 hp	dnr.illinois.gov
Lake Carlton	Morrison-Rockwood State Park	Motors up to 10 hp	dnr.illinois.gov
Strip-mine lakes (Boulder Lake etc.)	Pyramid State Recreation Area	Motors up to 10 hp	dnr.illinois.gov
Randolph County Lake	Randolph County State Recreation Area	Motors up to 10 hp	dnr.illinois.gov
Washington County Lake	Washington County State Recreation Area	Motors up to 10 hp	dnr.illinois.gov

Indiana

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Ogle Lake	Brown County State Park	Electric motors only	in.gov
Chain O’Lakes (Long, Sand, Center, etc.)	Chain O’Lakes State Park	Electric motors only	in.gov
Lake Shakamak	Shakamak State Park	Electric motors only	in.gov

Iowa

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Lake Keomah	Lake Keomah State Park	Electric motors only	iowadnr.gov
Pine Lake (upper & lower)	Pine Lake State Park	Electric motors only	iowadnr.gov
Lake Virginia	Waubonsie State Park	Electric motors only	iowadnr.gov

Kansas

No electric-only or no-motor lake could be verified in Kansas’s state parks as of July 2026. (Best source checked: ksoutdoors.gov)

Kentucky

Statewide rule: 301 KAR 1:015 “Boat and motor restrictions” names ~19 lakes electric-trolling-motor-only and 3 no-motor lakes statewide (city/county/WMA lakes plus the two state-park lakes above) (Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov)

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Carter Caves Lake	Carter Caves State Park	Electric motors only	apps.legislature.ky.gov
Lincoln Homestead Lake	Lincoln Homestead State Park	Electric motors only	apps.legislature.ky.gov

Louisiana

No electric-only or no-motor lake could be verified in Louisiana’s state parks as of July 2026. (Best source checked: lastateparks.com)

Maine

Statewide rule: 09-137 CMR ch.13 §7 lists specific Maine ponds/lakes restricted to electric-only or no-motors statewide (e.g. Mt. Blue Pond-Avon, Beaver Pond-Bridgton); none of these named waters confirmed to sit inside a Maine state park boundary (Source: law.cornell.edu)

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Webb Lake	Mount Blue State Park	Motors up to 10 hp	apps.web.maine.gov
Range Pond	Range Pond State Park	Motors up to 10 hp	maine.gov

Maryland

Statewide rule: Many Maryland state park lakes are individually designated electric-motor-only under park-specific regs referencing COMAR 08.07.06 (Use of State Parks); no single blanket statewide clause found, restriction is per-lake (Source: dnr.maryland.gov)

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Hunting Creek Lake	Cunningham Falls State Park	Electric motors only	dnr.maryland.gov
Greenbrier Lake	Greenbrier State Park	Electric motors only	dnr.maryland.gov
Lake Habeeb	Rocky Gap State Park	Electric motors only	dnr.maryland.gov

Massachusetts

Statewide rule: 302 CMR 12.07 “Rules of Conduct on DCR Properties – Boating” names specific DCR ponds/reservoirs restricted to electric motors only; applies across DCR parks/reservations (Source: law.cornell.edu)

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Lake Dennison	Lake Dennison Recreation Area (Otter River State Forest)	Electric motors only	mass.gov
Aaron Reservoir	Wompatuck State Park	Electric motors only	mass.gov

Michigan

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Big Seven Lake, Dickinson Lake, Little Seven Lake, Spring Lake, Mud Lake, Sand Lake	Seven Lakes State Park	Electric motors only	michigan.gov
Marl Lake	South Higgins Lake State Park	Electric motors only	michigan.gov

Minnesota

Statewide rule: MN DNR blanket rule: 10 mph speed limit and no waterskiing on every lake lying entirely inside a state park (e.g. Lake Itasca) unless otherwise designated/posted; motors themselves allowed unless posted prohibited (Source: files.dnr.state.mn.us)

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Annie Battle Lake	Glendalough State Park	No motors — paddle only	files.dnr.state.mn.us

Mississippi

No electric-only or no-motor lake could be verified in Mississippi’s state parks as of July 2026. (Best source checked: mdwfp.com)

Missouri

Statewide rule: 3 CSR 10-11.160: MDC (not Missouri State Parks agency) restricts lakes/ponds under 70 acres to electric motors only on its own conservation areas; cited for context, not a Missouri State Parks rule (Source: mdc.mo.gov)

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Lake Boutin	Trail of Tears State Park	Electric motors only	mostateparks.com

Montana

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Lake Elmo	Lake Elmo State Park	No motors — paddle only	fwp.mt.gov

Nebraska

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Five small lakes (Lake 1-5, up to 2.5 acres)	Keller Park State Recreation Area	Electric motors only	outdoornebraska.gov
Lake 1 and Lake 2	North Loup State Recreation Area	Electric motors only	outdoornebraska.gov

Nevada

Statewide rule: Official FAQ: “Boating is restricted to 5 mph (flat wake) at all Nevada State Parks with the exception of Rye Patch, Lahontan, Big Bend of the Colorado and Washoe Lake” — Cave Lake, Eagle Valley, Echo Canyon, Wild Horse, South Fork are flat-wake but gas motors allowed (not electric-only) (Source: parks.nv.gov)

Statewide rule: Official FAQ: “Boating is restricted to 5 mph (flat wake) at all Nevada State Parks with the exception of Rye Patch, Lahontan, Big Bend of the Colorado and Washoe Lake” — Cave Lake, Eagle Valley (Spring Valley SP), Echo Canyon, Wild Horse and South Fork are flat-wake speed-limited but gas motors ARE allowed, i.e. NOT electric-only (Source: parks.nv.gov)

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Spooner Lake	Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park (Spooner Lake & Backcountry unit)	Electric motors only	ndow.org
Spooner Lake	Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park (Spooner Lake & Backcountry)	Electric motors only	ndow.org
Marlette Lake	Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park (Marlette-Hobart Backcountry)	No motors — paddle only	ndow.org

New Hampshire

Statewide rule: NH State Police Marine Patrol maintains restricted-waters list under Saf-C 400 rules; restrictions set per-waterbody, not a single blanket state-park rule (Source: nhsp.dos.nh.gov)

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Everett Lake	Clough State Park	Electric motors only	nhsp.dos.nh.gov
Bear Hill Pond	Bear Brook State Park	No motors — paddle only	nhstateparks.org

New Jersey

Statewide rule: NJAC 7:2 State Park Service Code governs watercraft use in NJ state parks; specific motor limits set per-park (Source: nj.gov)

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
main lake	Parvin State Park	Electric motors only	dep.nj.gov
Swartswood Lake	Swartswood State Park	Electric motors only	njportal.com

New Mexico

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Fenton Lake	Fenton Lake State Park	Electric motors only	emnrd.nm.gov
Morphy Lake	Morphy Lake State Park	Electric motors only	emnrd.nm.gov
Lake Maloya	Sugarite Canyon State Park	Electric motors only	emnrd.nm.gov

New York

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Mohansic Lake	Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park	Electric motors only	parks.ny.gov
Lake Welch	Harriman State Park	Electric motors only	parks.ny.gov
Rockland Lake	Rockland Lake State Park	Electric motors only	parks.ny.gov
Green Lake / Round Lake	Green Lakes State Park	No motors — paddle only	parks.ny.gov
Quaker Lake	Allegany State Park (Quaker Area)	Motors up to 5 hp	parks.ny.gov

North Carolina

Statewide rule: Official rules page: “Boat motor horsepower, motor type and the use of gasoline-powered motors on designated lakes completely contained within parks and recreation areas may be restricted” — restrictions set per park; NCAC 07-13C governs the seven State Lakes (Source: ncparks.gov)

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Hanging Rock Lake	Hanging Rock State Park	No motors — paddle only	ncparks.gov

North Dakota

No electric-only or no-motor lake could be verified in North Dakota’s state parks as of July 2026. (Best source checked: gf.nd.gov)

Ohio

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Hargus Lake	A.W. Marion State Park	Electric motors only	codes.ohio.gov
Findley Lake	Findley State Park	Electric motors only	codes.ohio.gov
Lake Alma	Lake Alma State Park	Electric motors only	codes.ohio.gov
Mt. Gilead Reservoir	Mt. Gilead State Park	Electric motors only	codes.ohio.gov
Punderson Lake	Punderson State Park	Electric motors only	codes.ohio.gov
Stonelick Lake	Stonelick State Park	Electric motors only	dam.assets.ohio.gov
Wolf Run Lake	Wolf Run State Park	Motors up to 10 hp	ohiodnr.gov

Oklahoma

No electric-only or no-motor lake could be verified in Oklahoma’s state parks as of July 2026. (Best source checked: travelok.com)

Oregon

Statewide rule: Oregon State Marine Board maintains a statewide map/list of nonmotorized and electric-motor-only waterbodies under ORS 830.180; restrictions are set water-by-water (Source: oregon.gov)

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Coffenbury Lake	Fort Stevens State Park	Electric motors only	stateparks.oregon.gov

Pennsylvania

Statewide rule: 17 Pa. Code §11.219(f): internal-combustion boats prohibited on state park waters posted electric-only or above posted max hp; most DCNR park lakes are posted electric-only (Source: pacodeandbulletin.gov)

Statewide rule: 17 Pa. Code 11.219(f): internal-combustion boats prohibited on park waters posted electric-only or over posted max hp; most DCNR park lakes posted electric-only; verified 2026-07-11 (Source: pacodeandbulletin.gov)

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Black Moshannon Lake	Black Moshannon State Park	Electric motors only	pa.gov
Canoe Lake	Canoe Creek State Park	Electric motors only	pa.gov
Chapman Lake	Chapman State Park	Electric motors only	pa.gov
Cowans Gap Lake	Cowans Gap State Park	Electric motors only	pa.gov
Frances Slocum Lake	Frances Slocum State Park	Electric motors only	pa.gov
Hopewell Lake	French Creek State Park	Electric motors only	pa.gov
Scotts Run Lake	French Creek State Park	Electric motors only	pa.gov
Pinchot Lake	Gifford Pinchot State Park	Electric motors only	pa.gov
Hills Creek Lake	Hills Creek State Park	Electric motors only	pa.gov
Keystone Lake	Keystone State Park	Electric motors only	pa.gov
Lackawanna Lake	Lackawanna State Park	Electric motors only	pa.gov
Laurel Hill Lake	Laurel Hill State Park	Electric motors only	pa.gov
Holman Lake	Little Buffalo State Park	Electric motors only	pa.gov
Locust Lake	Locust Lake State Park	Electric motors only	pa.gov
Marsh Creek Lake	Marsh Creek State Park	Electric motors only	pa.gov
Stephen Foster Lake	Mount Pisgah State Park	Electric motors only	pa.gov
Parker Lake	Parker Dam State Park	Electric motors only	pa.gov
Laurel Lake	Pine Grove Furnace State Park	Electric motors only	pa.gov
Poe Lake	Poe Valley State Park	Electric motors only	pa.gov
Lower Lake	Promised Land State Park	Electric motors only	pa.gov
Promised Land Lake	Promised Land State Park	Electric motors only	pa.gov
Raccoon Lake	Raccoon Creek State Park	Electric motors only	pa.gov
Lake Jean	Ricketts Glen State Park	Electric motors only	pa.gov
Shawnee Lake	Shawnee State Park	Electric motors only	pa.gov
Tuscarora Lake	Tuscarora State Park	Electric motors only	pa.gov
Lake Marburg	Codorus State Park	Motors up to 20 hp	pa.gov
Lake Arthur	Moraine State Park	Motors up to 20 hp	pa.gov
Lake Nockamixon	Nockamixon State Park	Motors up to 20 hp	pa.gov
Glendale Lake	Prince Gallitzin State Park	Motors up to 20 hp	pa.gov
Pymatuning Reservoir	Pymatuning State Park	Motors up to 20 hp	pa.gov
Yellow Creek Lake	Yellow Creek State Park	Motors up to 20 hp	pa.gov

Rhode Island

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Olney Pond	Lincoln Woods State Park	Motors up to 10 hp	riparks.ri.gov

South Carolina

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Lake Craig	Croft State Park	Electric motors only	southcarolinaparks.com
Lake Oolenoy	Table Rock State Park	Electric motors only	southcarolinaparks.com
Lake Placid	Paris Mountain State Park	No motors — paddle only	southcarolinaparks.com

South Dakota

Statewide rule: SD defines “electric motor zones” (motors except electric-powered prohibited) in ARSD 41:04:01:06; per-lake restriction list published in annual GFP Boating Handbook (gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/nav/BoatingHdbk2023.pdf) (Source: gfp.sd.gov)

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Legion Lake	Custer State Park	Electric motors only	gfp.sd.gov
Sylvan Lake	Custer State Park	Electric motors only	gfp.sd.gov

Tennessee

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Lake LaJoie	Chickasaw State Park	Electric motors only	tnstateparks.com
Fall Creek Falls Lake	Fall Creek Falls State Park	Electric motors only	tnstateparks.com
Lake Acorn	Montgomery Bell State Park	Electric motors only	tnstateparks.com
Brown’s Lake	Natchez Trace State Park	Electric motors only	tnstateparks.com
Cub Creek Lake	Natchez Trace State Park	Electric motors only	tnstateparks.com
Maple Creek Lake	Natchez Trace State Park	Electric motors only	tnstateparks.com
Big Ridge Lake	Big Ridge State Park	No motors — paddle only	tnstateparks.com
Arch Lake	Pickett State Park	No motors — paddle only	tnstateparks.com

Texas

Statewide rule: TPWD sets boating rules per park; no published gas-motor bans on other park lakes — small lakes use idle-only/no-wake or 5-mph rules with gas motors legal (Purtis Creek: 50 motorized boats, idle-only + no-wake; Huntsville/Lake Raven: idle speed only; Lake Abilene: no-wake; Daingerfield, Tyler, Bonham: 5-mph limit) (Source: tpwd.texas.gov)

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Tucker Lake	Palo Pinto Mountains State Park	No motors — paddle only	tpwd.texas.gov

Utah

Statewide rule: No single statewide electric-only rule found for state-park lakes beyond Palisade; most UT state park reservoirs (Rockport, Jordanelle, Deer Creek, Steinaker, etc.) allow full gas motors per individual park pages — checked but none-found for additional electric-only state park lakes within search budget (Source: stateparks.utah.gov)

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Palisade Reservoir	Palisade State Park	Electric motors only	recreation.utah.gov

Vermont

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Green River Reservoir	Green River Reservoir State Park	Electric motors only	fpr.vermont.gov
Emerald Lake	Emerald Lake State Park	No motors — paddle only	vtstateparks.com
Osmore Pond	New Discovery State Park (Groton State Forest)	No motors — paddle only	dec.vermont.gov

Virginia

Statewide rule: DCR rule: “Unless otherwise posted, the use of boats propelled by gasoline motors or sail is prohibited at Department-owned lakes, ponds, or streams”; only 14 VA state parks post exceptions allowing full motorboating (Source: dcr.virginia.gov)

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Bear Creek Lake	Bear Creek Lake State Park	Electric motors only	dcr.virginia.gov
Douthat Lake	Douthat State Park	Electric motors only	dcr.virginia.gov
Fairy Stone Lake	Fairy Stone State Park	Electric motors only	dcr.virginia.gov
Holliday Lake	Holliday Lake State Park	Electric motors only	dcr.virginia.gov
Swift Creek Lake	Pocahontas State Park	Electric motors only	dcr.virginia.gov

Washington

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Anderson Lake	Anderson Lake State Park	Electric motors only	parks.wa.gov
Battle Ground Lake	Battle Ground Lake State Park	Electric motors only	parks.wa.gov

West Virginia

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Watoga Lake	Watoga State Park	Electric motors only	wvstateparks.com
Moncove Lake	Moncove Lake State Park	Motors up to 5 hp	wvstateparks.com

Wisconsin

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
Beckman Lake	Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area	Electric motors only	dnr.wisconsin.gov
Zander Lake	Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area	Electric motors only	dnr.wisconsin.gov
Devil’s Lake	Devil’s Lake State Park	Electric motors only	docs.legis.wisconsin.gov
Cox Hollow Lake	Governor Dodge State Park	Electric motors only	dnr.wisconsin.gov
Twin Valley Lake	Governor Dodge State Park	Electric motors only	dnr.wisconsin.gov
Mirror Lake	Mirror Lake State Park	Electric motors only	dnr.wisconsin.gov

Wyoming

Lake	Park	Motor rule	Source
North Crow Reservoir	Curt Gowdy State Park	No motors — paddle only	wyoparks.wyo.gov
Crystal Reservoir	Curt Gowdy State Park	Motors up to 15 hp	wyoparks.wyo.gov

Gear up for quiet water

On an electric-only lake, your battery is your range. Our new trolling motor guide for electric-only lakes covers thrust sizing and shaft length for exactly these waters, and our trolling motor battery guide compares LiFePO4 and AGM options sized for exactly these waters — and explains why lithium’s weight savings matter most on lakes with hand-launch ramps like the ones above. Planning the rest of the trip? See fishing in state parks for license rules and our state park packing lists before you go.

Methodology

We reviewed the boating rules of all 50 U.S. state park systems in July 2026, using only official sources: state park agency pages, DNR/DEC boating regulations, angler guides and administrative codes (e.g. Ohio OAC 1501:47-3-17, Pennsylvania 17 Pa. Code §11.219, Alabama Admin Code 220-5-.02). Every row in the directory cites its source. We list only waters managed within state park systems — city, county, WMA and national forest lakes are excluded. Horsepower-limited lakes are included where they help complete a state’s picture. Rules change; if you spot one we should update, tell us.

FAQs

Can I keep my gas motor mounted if I only use the electric one?

It depends on the state. Indiana explicitly allows a gas motor to remain on the boat as long as it is not operated at Chain O’Lakes State Park. Other states write their rules as “no internal combustion engines on the water” — on those lakes the safest reading is to leave the outboard at home. The linked source for each lake has the exact wording.

Do I need to register a boat with an electric trolling motor?

In most states, yes — attaching any motor, electric included, makes your craft a motorboat for registration purposes. Some states also require a launch permit for unpowered boats on park lakes. Check your state’s boat registration page before your first launch.

Why do state parks ban gas motors?

Small impoundments share space with swimmers, rental fleets and shoreline anglers; banning combustion engines removes wakes, noise and fuel spills, and it protects fishing quality — several of these lakes are managed as trophy or heritage fisheries precisely because the water stays calm.

Are electric-only lakes good fishing lakes?

Often they are the best fishing in the park system: stable, quiet water and lower pressure. Minnesota manages Annie Battle Lake as a designated Heritage Fishery, and Nevada’s Marlette Lake is catch-and-release backcountry water. See our state park fishing guide for license basics.

How big a battery do I need for a day on an electric-only lake?

For a typical 30–55 lb thrust trolling motor, a 100Ah deep-cycle battery covers a full day of fishing at mixed speeds on lakes this size. Our trolling motor battery guide runs through the math and current picks.

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Researched and compiled in July 2026 by the America’s State Parks Editorial Team from official state sources. See our editorial methodology. Dataset licensed CC BY 4.0.