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
Wildlife & Nature
Beltzville SP — 3,025 acres in the Pohopoco Creek valley — centers on Beltzville Lake, a 949-acre flood-control reservoir. The park’s lake, hemlock ravines, and hardwood forest support white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and black bears. Bald eagles nest near the lake. Osprey dive for fish. Brook trout inhabit the feeder streams.
Nearby Attractions
Lehighton — adjacent. Jim Thorpe — 10 miles east — has the Victorian downtown and Lehigh Gorge. Lehigh Gorge SP — 10 miles east. Pocono Mountains — surrounding.
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.
Explore More Pennsylvania State Parks
Beltzville State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Pennsylvania. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Pennsylvania guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
Keep exploring: The closest neighbors are Hickory Run State Park (a short drive away) and Lehigh Gorge State Park (within about an hour’s drive).
Camping reservations: Book campsites and cabins for Pennsylvania state parks online at pennsylvaniastateparks.reserveamerica.com.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Beltzville State Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are allowed in day-use areas of Pennsylvania state parks and in designated campground sites, but must be physically controlled, attended at all times and leashed, caged or crated.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Leash required at all times; no universal maximum length — inquire at the park office (electronic fences/shock collars not accepted as control)
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets are prohibited in swimming areas and designated beaches
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Dogs allowed in a limited number of designated cabins, cottages and yurts (pilot program); maximum two dogs per unit; dogs must be house-trained and current on rabies vaccination
- Pet fees statewide rule
- No standard statewide pet fee; fees may be assessed for damage in dog-friendly lodging
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Maximum two non-caged pets per campsite; pets prohibited in buildings; pet food may not be left outside camping units
Are dogs allowed at Beltzville State Park?
Pets are allowed in day-use areas of Pennsylvania state parks and in designated campground sites, but must be physically controlled, attended at all times and leashed, caged or crated. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via pa.gov. More: Pennsylvania state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Location
Plan your gear for Beltzville State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
