Summer is here, and it’s time to start planning which Pennsylvania swimming holes you’ll head to in order to stay cool all season long. After all, you can only go to the community pool so many times before its rectangular regularity gets a bit… bland. If you’ve been asking yourself, “what are the best swimming spots near me,” look no further! Here are some of the best naturally occurring or at least, lake-ish, swimming holes in Pennsylvania.
- Meadow Run Natural Waterslide, Ohiopyle State Park
Flickr/David Fulmer If you’re up for a bit of hiking and swimming (or gliding, in this case), you can’t go wrong with the natural waterslide at Ohiopyle State Park. Follow the Meadow Run Trail that leads to two waterfalls and this natural waterslide. However, before you go down the waterslide, be prepared to get a few bumps and bruises since you’re sliding on sandstone that’s millions of years old. The natural waterslide can get incredibly busy, especially on hot summer days, and there are no lifeguards on duty. Plan your journey down this natural waterslide in Pennsylvania.
- Perkiomen Creek, Philadelphia
Montgomery County Planning Commission Looking for a beloved swimming hole in PA? Take a dip in this refreshing creek that runs to the southeast of Philadelphia. Be careful on the water, as there are obviously no lifeguards. The creek is also popular with outdoor adventurers on kayaks and on canoes.
- Raccoon Creek State Park, Hookstown
Flickr/Jason Pratt The swimming area at Raccoon Creek State Park offers a refreshing oasis from the summer heat. Spend the day lounging on the sand of the 500-foot beach or wade in Raccoon Lake to cool off. The beach also features a concession stand and a bathhouse. Get a peek at this gorgeous Pennsylvania swimming hole.
- Lake Erie
Andrew Dawes DUH! Of course you should check out the biggest and most impressive body of water that our state has to offer. In fact, you’ll find yourself spoiled with choices at Lake Erie, which boasts 11 pristine sandy beaches. Head to Presque Isle State Park, where you can choose one of the beaches, on which to lounge, that leads straight into the blue water of Lake Erie.
- Salt Springs State Park Montrose, PA
Flickr/Waits With many trails, overnight camping, and three waterfalls to visit, this state park has more than enough activities to fill a summer day and night. While you won’t find an official swimming hole at the park, you can dip your feet in the cool water of the waterfall at Salt Springs State Park.
- Lackawaxen River, Masthope
Flickr/Matthew Hurst Flowing through the Poconos, the Lackawaxen is the perfect place to kick back with some friends and take a dip. If you prefer spending time on the water instead of in the water, consider a day of kayaking down the river. Fishing is also popular at the Lackawaxen River.
- Black Moshannon State Park, Centre County
“Black Moshannon SP Beach House 3” by User:Ruhrfisch - took it myself. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons This beach looks like something straight out of a dream, making it one of the best swimming holes in PA. Find the perfect spot on the sand or on the grass to drop your beach towel or your beach chair. Soak up the sun before heading into the cool lake water. There are no lifeguards at the beach at Black Moshannon State Park, so it’s swim at your own risk.
8. Rock Run, Williamsport
Flickr/David Fulmer
If you’re up for a bit of hiking and swimming (or gliding, in this case), you can’t go wrong with the natural waterslide at Ohiopyle State Park. Follow the Meadow Run Trail that leads to two waterfalls and this natural waterslide. However, before you go down the waterslide, be prepared to get a few bumps and bruises since you’re sliding on sandstone that’s millions of years old. The natural waterslide can get incredibly busy, especially on hot summer days, and there are no lifeguards on duty. Plan your journey down this natural waterslide in Pennsylvania.
Montgomery County Planning Commission
Looking for a beloved swimming hole in PA? Take a dip in this refreshing creek that runs to the southeast of Philadelphia. Be careful on the water, as there are obviously no lifeguards. The creek is also popular with outdoor adventurers on kayaks and on canoes.
Flickr/Jason Pratt
The swimming area at Raccoon Creek State Park offers a refreshing oasis from the summer heat. Spend the day lounging on the sand of the 500-foot beach or wade in Raccoon Lake to cool off. The beach also features a concession stand and a bathhouse. Get a peek at this gorgeous Pennsylvania swimming hole.
Andrew Dawes
DUH! Of course you should check out the biggest and most impressive body of water that our state has to offer. In fact, you’ll find yourself spoiled with choices at Lake Erie, which boasts 11 pristine sandy beaches. Head to Presque Isle State Park, where you can choose one of the beaches, on which to lounge, that leads straight into the blue water of Lake Erie.
Flickr/Waits
With many trails, overnight camping, and three waterfalls to visit, this state park has more than enough activities to fill a summer day and night. While you won’t find an official swimming hole at the park, you can dip your feet in the cool water of the waterfall at Salt Springs State Park.
Flickr/Matthew Hurst
Flowing through the Poconos, the Lackawaxen is the perfect place to kick back with some friends and take a dip. If you prefer spending time on the water instead of in the water, consider a day of kayaking down the river. Fishing is also popular at the Lackawaxen River.
“Black Moshannon SP Beach House 3” by User:Ruhrfisch - took it myself. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
This beach looks like something straight out of a dream, making it one of the best swimming holes in PA. Find the perfect spot on the sand or on the grass to drop your beach towel or your beach chair. Soak up the sun before heading into the cool lake water. There are no lifeguards at the beach at Black Moshannon State Park, so it’s swim at your own risk.
Backpacker magazine named Rock Run one of the best watering holes in the United States, and after you watch this video, I bet you’ll agree.
We’ve got some pretty amazing swimming holes in PA, don’t we? What are your favorite Pennsylvania swimming holes? Let us know in the comments! Be sure you also add Pennsylvania’s largest outdoor swimming pool (at Mountain Pines Campground) to your must visit list this summer.
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Address: PA-381, Ohiopyle, PA, USAAddress: 4733 Hanoverville Rd, Bethlehem, PA 18020, USAAddress: Perkiomen Creek, Pennsylvania, USAAddress: Raccoon Creek State Park, 3000 PA-18, Hookstown, PA 15050, USAAddress: Lake Erie, Lake ErieAddress: Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Rd, Montrose, PA 18801, USAAddress: Lackawaxen River, Pennsylvania, USAAddress: Black Moshannon State Park, 4216 Beaver Rd, Philipsburg, PA 16866, USAAddress: Loyalsock State Forest, Fox Township, PA 18616, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Pennsylvania Swimming Holes May 27, 2020 Beth Price-Williams What are the most beautiful beaches in Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania might not be on the coast, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have some breathtaking beaches. In fact, you’ll find some of the best swimming spots in Pennsylvania at our beaches. Parker Dam State Park, home to Parker Lake, offers an idyllic setting for a summer day. Drop your beach towel on the sandy beach that’s perfect for building sandcastles and sunbathing. If you like crystal clear swimming spots, head over to Beltzville State Park, home to a 525-foot sandy beach. Bring a picnic along, or stop by the concession stand for a quick bite to eat. If you prefer to spend your time on the water, go kayaking or paddle boating. Where can I go tubing in Pennsylvania? For summer outdoor adventures in Pennsylvania, consider spending a day tubing on the water. You can meander down several lazy rivers in Pennsylvania, including Stonycreek River in Johnstown. Slip into the water with Coal Tubin’, which offers several adventures and welcomes children. If you prefer hanging out at waterparks instead of on the river, you can’t go wrong with the Runaway River Lazy River at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom. The beautiful lazy river meanders 1,600 feet . While you’ll enjoy a relaxing glide down the river, be prepared to spin right under a few waterfalls.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Pennsylvania Swimming Holes
May 27, 2020
Beth Price-Williams
What are the most beautiful beaches in Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania might not be on the coast, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have some breathtaking beaches. In fact, you’ll find some of the best swimming spots in Pennsylvania at our beaches. Parker Dam State Park, home to Parker Lake, offers an idyllic setting for a summer day. Drop your beach towel on the sandy beach that’s perfect for building sandcastles and sunbathing. If you like crystal clear swimming spots, head over to Beltzville State Park, home to a 525-foot sandy beach. Bring a picnic along, or stop by the concession stand for a quick bite to eat. If you prefer to spend your time on the water, go kayaking or paddle boating. Where can I go tubing in Pennsylvania? For summer outdoor adventures in Pennsylvania, consider spending a day tubing on the water. You can meander down several lazy rivers in Pennsylvania, including Stonycreek River in Johnstown. Slip into the water with Coal Tubin’, which offers several adventures and welcomes children. If you prefer hanging out at waterparks instead of on the river, you can’t go wrong with the Runaway River Lazy River at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom. The beautiful lazy river meanders 1,600 feet . While you’ll enjoy a relaxing glide down the river, be prepared to spin right under a few waterfalls.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Pennsylvania might not be on the coast, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have some breathtaking beaches. In fact, you’ll find some of the best swimming spots in Pennsylvania at our beaches. Parker Dam State Park, home to Parker Lake, offers an idyllic setting for a summer day. Drop your beach towel on the sandy beach that’s perfect for building sandcastles and sunbathing.
If you like crystal clear swimming spots, head over to Beltzville State Park, home to a 525-foot sandy beach. Bring a picnic along, or stop by the concession stand for a quick bite to eat. If you prefer to spend your time on the water, go kayaking or paddle boating.
Where can I go tubing in Pennsylvania?
For summer outdoor adventures in Pennsylvania, consider spending a day tubing on the water. You can meander down several lazy rivers in Pennsylvania, including Stonycreek River in Johnstown. Slip into the water with Coal Tubin’, which offers several adventures and welcomes children.
If you prefer hanging out at waterparks instead of on the river, you can’t go wrong with the Runaway River Lazy River at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom. The beautiful lazy river meanders 1,600 feet . While you’ll enjoy a relaxing glide down the river, be prepared to spin right under a few waterfalls.
