Mountain Lake Swimming and Camping in the Bald Eagle State Forest — 695-Acre State Park Within the Bald Eagle State Forest in Central Pennsylvania, Halfway Lake With Sandy Beach and Swimming Area Fed by Mountain Streams, Hand-Laid Native Sandstone Dam Creating the Mountain Lake, Campground With Rustic Cabins and Tent Sites in Hemlock Forest, Fishing for Trout in Rapid Run and the Lake, Hiking Trails Connecting to the Bald Eagle State Forest Trail System, Cross-Country Skiing and Winter Activities, Near Hartleton Union County Central Pennsylvania
R.B. Winter State Park is a 695-acre state park within the Bald Eagle State Forest near Hartleton, Union County, central Pennsylvania, managed by Pennsylvania DCNR. Named for Raymond Burrows Winter, a state forester, the park features Halfway Lake — a mountain lake with sandy beach and swimming area fed by cold mountain streams, a hand-laid native sandstone dam creating the lake — built by the CCC in the 1930s, a campground with rustic cabins and tent sites nestled in hemlock forest, trout fishing in Rapid Run and the lake, hiking trails connecting to the extensive Bald Eagle State Forest trail system, cross-country skiing on groomed and ungroomed trails in winter, and a classic Pennsylvania mountain park experience surrounded by dense state forest.
The sandstone dam is a work of art — built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s using hand-laid native sandstone, it creates Halfway Lake with a craftsmanship that modern concrete dams can’t match. The dam itself is worth a visit just to admire the CCC stonework.
The hemlock forest setting creates a cool, shaded atmosphere even on the hottest summer days. Combined with the cold mountain-fed lake water, R.B. Winter stays noticeably cooler than the surrounding valleys — making it a natural air conditioner for central Pennsylvania campers and swimmers.
Things to Do
- Swimming — sandy beach, mountain lake
- Camping — cabins + tent sites
- Trout fishing — Rapid Run
- Hiking — forest trails
- CCC dam — handcut sandstone
- XC skiing — winter trails
Park Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Near Hartleton, Union County, PA |
| Size | 695 acres |
| Lake | Halfway Lake — CCC sandstone dam |
| Forest | Within Bald Eagle State Forest |
| Camping | Rustic cabins + tent sites |
| Managed By | Pennsylvania DCNR |
| Coordinates | 40.9500° N, 77.2000° W |
Frequently Asked Questions
Wildlife & Nature
R.B. Winter SP — centered on Halfway Lake — features the Snyder-Middleswarth Natural Area. 500-year-old virgin hemlocks tower over the forest. Brook trout inhabit the cold streams. Black bears and bobcats roam.
Nearby Attractions
Bald Eagle SF — surrounding. Mifflinburg — nearby.
Can you swim at R.B. Winter State Park?
Yes — R.B. Winter State Park near Hartleton, Pennsylvania features Halfway Lake with a sandy beach and designated swimming area. The mountain lake is fed by cold streams and contained by a hand-laid CCC sandstone dam from the 1930s. The 695-acre park within Bald Eagle State Forest also offers camping with rustic cabins, trout fishing in Rapid Run, hiking trails, and winter cross-country skiing. Managed by Pennsylvania DCNR.
The park’s trail connections to the Bald Eagle State Forest system open up hundreds of miles of hiking through wild central Pennsylvania mountain terrain. While the park itself feels intimate and family-friendly, stepping onto the forest trails quickly leads to remote, rugged backcountry where you might not see another person for hours.
Last updated: May 2026
Make it a road trip: Pair a visit with Susquehanna Riverlands State Park (a short drive away) or Samuel Lewis State Park (a short drive away).
Camping reservations: Book campsites and cabins for Pennsylvania state parks online at pennsylvaniastateparks.reserveamerica.com.
