Beltzville State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beltzville State Park |
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IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
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Beltzville Dam, impounding Beltzville Lake in Beltzville State Park
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 Beltzville State Park
Location in Pennsylvania
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| Location | Carbon, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Area | 2,972.39 acres (12.0288 km2) |
| Elevation | 633 ft (193 m) |
| Established | 1972 |
| Named for | the village of Beltzville |
| Governing body | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
Beltzville State Park is a huge park in Carbon County, Pennsylvania. It covers about 2,972.39 acres (1,202.88 ha). The park opened in 1972. It was built around the Beltzville Dam, which helps control floods on Pohopoco Creek. Before the park was made, a village called Big Creek Valley had to move in 1966 to create Beltzville Lake. This lake is about 951.5 acres (385.1 ha) and has 19.8 miles (31.9 km) of shoreline. Beltzville State Park is located about 5 miles (8.0 km) east of Lehighton.
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Fun Activities at Beltzville State Park
Beltzville State Park offers many exciting activities for visitors. You can enjoy fishing, swimming, hiking, and even boating on the lake. The park is a great place to spend time outdoors with family and friends.
Fishing and Hunting Adventures
Beltzville Lake is a very popular spot for fishing. Anglers can try to catch many types of fish. These include striped bass, largemouth and smallmouth bass, trout, walleye, perch, and muskellunge. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission also adds trout to Pohopoco Creek.
Hunting is allowed in certain areas of Beltzville State Park. Hunters must follow the rules set by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Some common animals hunted here are ruffed grouse, squirrels, pheasant, waterfowl, white-tailed deer, and rabbits. However, hunting groundhogs is not allowed.
Swimming and Picnics
The park has a sandy swimming beach that is open from late May to mid-September. The beach is about 525 feet (160 m) long. Near the beach, you'll find a bathhouse with showers, a food stand, and a first-aid building. For safety reasons, scuba diving is not allowed at Beltzville State Park.
Beltzville State Park has four picnic pavilions. There are also many large picnic areas for everyone to enjoy. You'll find playgrounds and open fields near the picnic tables. The park also provides modern restrooms and drinking water. A big parking lot and a boat dock are also close to the picnic areas.
Hiking Trails to Explore
There are about 15 miles (24 km) of hiking trails at Beltzville State Park. These trails follow old roads, paths through the woods, and the banks of small streams. The Saw Mill Trail starts west of Beltzville Dam. This trail takes you on a journey through the park's history. Along the way, hikers can see the remains of an old gristmill, small ponds, an abandoned slate quarry, and a wetland area.
Boating and Water Sports
Beltzville Lake is a favorite place for people who love boating. Boats can go up to 45 miles per hour (72 km/h). However, boats with certain loud exhaust systems are not allowed. Also, you cannot camp overnight on your boat. You will often see canoes and other small boats in the calm coves of Beltzville Lake.
Water skiing is only allowed in a special marked area at the south end of the lake. Boats must travel in a counterclockwise direction in this area. If a boat is not towing water skiers or tubers, it is not allowed to enter the water skiing zone.
Winter Activities
Beltzville State Park stays open during the winter months. When the lake freezes, it becomes a busy spot for ice fishing and ice boating. The park's trails are also open for cross-country skiing when there is snow.
Nearby State Parks
If you enjoy Beltzville State Park, there are many other state parks nearby. These parks are all within 30 miles (48 km) of Beltzville State Park:
- Big Pocono State Park (Monroe County)
- Delaware Canal State Park (Bucks and Northampton Counties)
- Gouldsboro State Park (Monroe and Wayne Counties)
- Hickory Run State Park (Carbon County)
- Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center (Northampton County)
- Lehigh Gorge State Park (Carbon and Luzerne Counties)
- Locust Lake State Park (Schuylkill County)
- Nescopeck State Park (Luzerne County)
- Tobyhanna State Park (Monroe and Wayne Counties)
- Tuscarora State Park (Schuylkill County)
