Locust Lake State Park

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Locust Lake State Park, Pennsylvania, USA
IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
Locust Lake State Park, Pennsylvania, USA
Map of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania showing the location of Locust Lake State Park
Map of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania showing the location of Locust Lake State Park
Location: Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, USA
Nearest city: Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania
Coordinates: 40°47′00″N, 76°08′30″W
Area: 1,089 acres (6.5 km²)
Established: June 10, 1972
Governing body: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Locust Lake State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania in the United States. Locust Lake State Park is located approximately seven miles north of Pottsville, three miles south of Mahanoy City, eight miles west of Tamaqua. and six miles west of Tuscarora State Park. The park is 1,089 acres, with the lake being 52 acres. The park offers hiking, camping, boating, fishing, swimming, biking, and a wide array of other seasonal activities.

Contents

[edit] History

The Locust Valley area was originally claimed by the Lenni Lenape. Their land was conquered by the Susquehannocks, then later controlled by New York Iroquios League of Five Nations. In the mid 1800s, settlers discovered anthracite coal in the area which lead to thousands of immigrants swiftly arriving to the area to mine coal. Although the area was not suitable for coal mining, it did not escape the Industrial Revolution. The forest was quickly turned into a shrubbery area prone to flooding and fires after loggers turned the trees into lumber, shingles, tool handles, and other wood products. Tanneries used the white pine and hemlock bark for tanning leather. The forests were gone by the early 1900s, with some farmers clearing and tilling the land. After its purchase by the Marshalonis Brothers, Locust Lake became a fishing spot and picnicking area. While they were digging a lake, they found a dam with a water wheel under seven feet of debris and leaves. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania purchased the land from the Marshalonis Brothers in 1966. Locust Lake officially opened on June 10, 1972.

[edit] Recreation

[edit] Biking

A one mile long bike trail encircles the lake, giving you an excellent view.

[edit] Boating

Looking over the lake from the dam
Looking over the lake from the dam

Motor boats are allowed as long as you have a boat registration from any state. Non-powered boats may either have a boat registration from any state, or a launching or mooring permit from Pennsylvania State Parks. Boat rentals are available at a nominal fee.

[edit] Camping

Locust Lake has 282 campsites divided into tent or trailer sites. The campsites encircle the lake. For more information about the camping facilities, go to the PA DCNR website.

[edit] Fishing

Fishing is available year round. The lake is stocked several times a year with brown and brook trout. Pickerel, bass (smallmouth and largemouth), and panfish are also able to be caught year round. Ice fishing is permitted, but the ice is not monitored for safety.

[edit] Hunting

Roughly 1,045 acres are available for hunting. Ruffed grouse, woodcock, doves, ring-necked pheasants, squirrels, wild turkeys, rabbits, and white-tailed deer are common species and frequently spotted. Although there is ample room for hunting, it is restricted to designated areas of the park and surrounding state forest. A bow and arrow and flintlock muzzle loader only hunting area is located in the park. Hunting groundhogs (woodchucks) is prohibited. Dog training is permitted from the day after Labor day until March 31 in designated hunting areas. For more information on Pennsylvania hunting rules and regulations, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission website.

[edit] Playgrounds

There are two playgrounds safely located away from traffic with activities for all ages. There are tire swings, a seesaw, and other miscellaneous playground equipment.

[edit] Swimming

Swimming is permitted from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Lifeguards are on duty from 11:00 A.m. to 7:00 PM. Swimming areas are marked with buoys, and the deepest area is 5.5 feet.

[edit] Nearby state parks

The following state parks are within 30 miles (48 km) of Locust Lake State Park:

[edit] References

Flag of Pennsylvania Protected Areas of Pennsylvania
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
State Parks Allegheny Islands | Archbald Pothole | Bald Eagle | Beltzville | Bendigo | Benjamin Rush | Big Pocono | Big Spring | Black Moshannon | Blue Knob | Boyd Big Tree | Buchanan's Birthplace | Bucktail | Caledonia | Canoe Creek | Chapman | Cherry Springs | Clear Creek | Codorus | Colonel Denning | Colton Point | Cook Forest | Cowans Gap | Delaware Canal | Denton Hill | Elk | Erie Bluffs | Evansburg | Fort Washington | Fowlers Hollow | Frances Slocum | French Creek | Gifford Pinchot | Gouldsboro | Greenwood Furnace | Hickory Run | Hillman | Hills Creek | Hyner Run | Hyner View | Jacobsburg | Jennings | Joseph E. Ibberson | Kettle Creek | Keystone | Kings Gap | Kinzua Bridge | Kooser | Lackawanna | Laurel Hill | Laurel Mountain | Laurel Ridge | Laurel Summit | Lehigh Gorge | Leonard Harrison | Linn Run | Little Buffalo | Little Pine | Locust Lake | Lyman Run | Marsh Creek | Maurice K. Goddard | McCalls Dam | McConnells Mill | Memorial Lake | Milton | Mont Alto | Moraine | Mt. Pisgah | Nescopeck | Neshaminy | Nockamixon | Norristown Farm | Nolde Forest | Ohiopyle | Oil Creek | Ole Bull | Parker Dam | Patterson | Penn-Roosevelt | Pine Grove Furnace | Poe Paddy | Poe Valley | Point | Presque Isle | Prince Gallitzin | Promised Land | Prompton | Prouty Place | Pymatuning | R. B. Winter | Raccoon Creek | Ralph Stover | Ravensburg | Reeds Gap | Ricketts Glen | Ridley Creek | Ryerson Station | S. B. Elliott | Salt Springs | Samuel S. Lewis | Sand Bridge | Shawnee | Shikellamy | Sinnemahoning | Sizerville | Susquehanna | Susquehannock | Swatara | Tobyhanna | Trough Creek | Tuscarora | Tyler | Upper Pine Bottom | Varden | Warriors Path | Whipple Dam | White Clay Creek | Worlds End | Yellow Creek
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