Beltzville State Park covers 3,002 acres in the southern foothills of the Poconos, five miles east of Lehighton. Its centerpiece is 949-acre Beltzville Lake, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood control lake fed by Pohopoco Creek. The lake has no horsepower limit, so powerboats and water-skiers share it with kayaks and canoes. The park also has a 525-foot sand beach, four picnic pavilions and about 15 miles of trails. Entry is free.
It's an easy trip from our homes in Jim Thorpe and Lehighton, and a longer drive from Albrightsville, Indian Mountain Lake and Towamensing Trails. From Lake Harmony it's about 35 to 40 minutes.
Boating on Beltzville Lake
- There is no horsepower limit. The top speed on the lake is 45 mph. Most types of recreational boats are allowed; ask the park office if you're unsure about yours.
- Boats with inboard engines that have out-of-the-transom or straight-stack exhausts are not allowed.
- Pine Run East Launch on the north shore has a three-lane ramp, an ADA accessible courtesy dock, a wide gravel beaching area and trailer parking.
- Preacher's Camp Launch on the south shore has a two-lane ramp and trailer parking. Canoes and kayaks can be moored there for the season.
- The lake east of the Preachers Camp launch and Pine Run Cove are no-wake areas, good for kayaks and canoes.
- Water-skiing is allowed sunrise to sunset in the marked ski zone along the south shore. Boats in the zone go counterclockwise. On summer weekends and holidays, a boat may tow only one skier or tube. Kite-skiing and parasailing are banned.
- Motorboats need a current registration. Kayaks, canoes and paddleboards need a registration, a state park launch or mooring permit, or a Fish and Boat Commission launch permit.
- No sleeping on boats overnight. No day-use mooring in the boat rental cove.
Boat rentals
A rental stand west of the swimming beach is open daily in summer. It rents kayaks, paddleboats and pontoon boats. Pontoons need a reservation in advance.
The swimming beach
- A 525-foot sand beach is open from late May to Labor Day, 8 a.m. to sunset.
- DCNR's rule here is "swim at your own risk," so keep a close eye on kids. Follow the posted swim rules.
- There's a bathhouse with showers and a food stand that's open daily in summer, weather permitting.
- A beach wheelchair can be borrowed from the first aid station, first come, first served.
- The beach is smoke-free (including vapes). Pets aren't allowed in swimming areas, and scuba diving is not allowed.
Trails and Wild Creek Falls
- The Falls Trail (1 mile loop, more difficult) starts at the Wild Creek Trailhead, crosses the Wild Creek Falls Bridge and heads upstream to the falls.
- The Cove Ridge Trail (2.4 mile loop) starts at the same bridge and follows the wooded ridge above Wild Creek Cove.
- The Sawmill Loop Trail (2 miles) follows Sawmill Run past big hemlocks, old dams, the remains of a grist mill race and an old slate quarry.
- The Trinity Gorge Trail (4.1 miles) is the longest, with an optional lakeshore loop. The Preachers Camp Trail (2.4 miles out and back) climbs a steep hillside and follows Pohopoco Cove.
- Easy walks: Ground Pine Trail (1.2 mile loop behind the park office), Pine Run Cove Trail (0.7 mile loop from Parking Lot A) and the short Tree ID and Bird Blind trails.
- Mountain bikes are allowed only on the Christman Trail.
- The 1841 covered bridge, moved here from Pohopoco Creek, now sits between the picnic areas and the beach. It's for walkers only.
Fishing
- The lake is stocked with warmwater and coldwater fish. Common catches are trout, striped bass, largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, muskellunge and perch.
- Pohopoco Creek below the dam is stocked with trout.
- Much of the lake's north shore can be reached from Pohopoco Drive. Fish and Boat Commission rules apply, and the park has water depth maps online.
Picnics and pavilions
- Four picnic pavilions can be reserved up to 11 months ahead for a fee. Unreserved pavilions are free, first come, first served. Pavilions 1, 2 and 4 are ADA accessible.
- An accessible playground sits between Pavilion 4 and the beach.
- The Pine Run West day use area has wooded and open picnic spots, restrooms, drinking water and day-use mooring for boats.
Winter at Beltzville
- Nine miles of trails plus open, rolling fields work for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
- Ice fishing and iceboating are allowed on natural ice. Iceboats need a state park launch permit.
- The park does not monitor ice thickness. DCNR says at least 4 inches for one person, 7 inches for a small group and 6 inches for iceboating. Check the state parks Winter Report and call the office first.
Hunting season
About 1,700 acres of the park are open to hunting in season, and the Game Commission's 469-acre Beltzville Wildlife Management Project is next door. Other visitors share the park during hunting seasons, so wear bright colors on the trails during hunting seasons.
Good to know
- Address: 2950 Pohopoco Drive, Lehighton, PA 18235. Phone 610-377-0045. From the Turnpike Northeast Extension, take Exit 74 and follow the signs.
- Entry is free. The park is open every day, sunrise to sunset. From Memorial Day to Labor Day the beach and day use area are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; the rest of the year the day use area is open 8 a.m. to dusk.
- No camping or overnight stays of any kind, including on boats. Alcohol is not allowed.
- Pets are welcome on a leash outside the swimming areas and buildings. Pick up after them.
- Cell service is spotty. Download the park map before you go.
- The nearest hospital is St. Luke's Gnaden Huetten in Lehighton (610-377-1300).
