Blue Marsh Lake
🌤 Weather at Blue Marsh Lake by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29–72 °F | 58–85 °F | 32–77 °F | 20–42 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Blue Marsh Lake, 0 mi away, elevation 350 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Blue Marsh Lake near Reading in Berks County is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake project, not a Pennsylvania state park. The Corps runs its recreation areas: a 1,150-acre lake and about 5,000 acres of land with hiking trails, picnic areas, a swim beach and boat launches.
🏆 Tulpehocken Creek — Army Corps of Engineers lake northwest of Reading with 45 miles of multi-purpose trails
Blue Marsh Lake lies northwest of Reading, Pennsylvania. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lists a 1,150-acre lake for boating, fishing and other water sports, and about 5,000 acres of land with hiking trails, picnic areas, a swim beach and boat launches. As part of the Greater Reading Trail System, the lake offers 45 miles of multi-purpose trails for biking, walking, hiking and horseback riding.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Berks County, PA (northwest of Reading) |
| Operator | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
| Entry Fee | Fees at some areas (Dry Brooks Day Use Area, Dry Brooks Launch, State Hill) |
| Size | 1,150-acre lake, about 5,000 acres of land |
| Trails | 45 miles of multi-purpose trails |
About Blue Marsh Lake
The Corps visitor center overlooks the dam tower and the lake. Below the dam, the Stilling Basin, where water is released, has a universally accessible fishing pier. The Corps calls Tulpehocken Creek downstream one of the best trout fisheries in southeastern Pennsylvania.
Things to Do
Swim at the Dry Brooks Day Use Area, which has a swim beach, picnic tables, grills, pavilions, restrooms and a concession stand. Launch a boat at Dry Brooks Launch or Sheidy Ramp, paddle from the 183 Union Canal Paddle Launch, and bike, walk, hike or ride on the 45 miles of multi-purpose trails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Marsh Lake a state park?
No. Blue Marsh Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project, and the Corps runs its recreation areas. It is not part of Pennsylvania’s state park system.
How long are the trails at Blue Marsh Lake?
The Corps lists 45 miles of multi-purpose trails, part of the Greater Reading Trail System, open to biking, walking, hiking and horseback riding.
Nearby parks: If you have extra time, Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center is a short drive away, and Conrad Weiser Memorial Park is a short drive away.
🌊 Visit Blue Marsh Lake
Trails, swim beach and boat launches — run by the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Why this page changed
Editor’s note (October 2026): This page used to be titled “Blue Marsh State Park”, a name no agency uses for this site. It now carries the Corps name, Blue Marsh Lake. We replaced the earlier lake, land and trail figures with the figures the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers publishes, and removed details we could not confirm with the operator, such as wildlife counts and distances to nearby attractions.
Park Map
Plan your gear for Blue Marsh Lake
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
