Locust Lake State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Locust Lake State Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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A view of Locust Lake
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 Locust Lake State Park
Location in Pennsylvania
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| Location | Ryan, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Area | 1,089 acres (4.41 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,749 ft (533 m) |
| Established | June 10, 1972 |
| Named for | Locust Lake |
| Governing body | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
| Website | Locust Lake State Park |
Locust Lake State Park is a super cool place to visit in Pennsylvania! It's a state park that covers about 1,089 acres in Ryan Township, Schuylkill County. The park is home to a beautiful 52-acre lake.
You can find Locust Lake State Park about 7 miles north of Pottsville. It's also about 3 miles south of Mahanoy City. This park is a great spot for hiking, camping, boating, and fishing. Plus, there are lots of other fun activities to enjoy all year round!
Contents
Park History: From Forests to Fun
The land where Locust Lake State Park now sits has a long history. It was first home to the Lenape people. Later, other Native American groups like the Susquehannocks and the New York Iroquois League of Five Nations lived here.
Coal and Changes
In the mid-1800s, people found a special type of coal called anthracite coal in the area. This discovery brought many new settlers hoping to mine for coal. Even though the land wasn't perfect for mining, it was still part of the big changes happening during the Industrial Revolution.
The forests here were cut down for lumber and other wood products. Trees like white pine and hemlock were used by tanneries to make leather. By the early 1900s, most of the original forests were gone. Some farmers even cleared the land to grow crops.
How the Park Began
Later, a family called the Marchalonis Brothers bought the land. They started digging a lake and found an old dam with a water wheel buried under lots of dirt and leaves! They turned the area into a popular spot for fishing and picnics.
In 1966, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania bought the land from the Marchalonis Brothers. Finally, Locust Lake State Park officially opened its doors on June 10, 1972. It has been a favorite outdoor spot ever since!
Fun Things to Do at Locust Lake
Enjoying Locust Lake
The 52-acre Locust Lake is perfect for water activities. You can bring your own motorboat if it's registered in any state. If you have a non-powered boat, like a canoe or kayak, you'll need a state registration or a special permit from Pennsylvania State Parks. Don't have a boat? No problem! You can rent one right at the park.
The park has 282 campsites, which are great for tents or trailers. These campsites are spread out all around the lake, so you're always close to the water.
Fishing and Swimming
Fishing is a popular activity all year long at Locust Lake. The lake is stocked with brown and brook trout several times a year. You can also catch pickerel, bass (both smallmouth and largemouth), and panfish. In winter, you can even go ice fishing, but remember to be careful as the ice thickness isn't checked by the park.
When it's warm, you can go swimming at the park's beach. Swimming is allowed from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The swimming areas are marked with buoys, and the deepest part is about 5 feet 6 inches. Just know that there aren't lifeguards on duty.
Hunting and Wildlife
About 1,045 acres of the park are open for hunting. You might spot animals like ruffed grouse, woodcocks, doves, Common pheasants, Eastern gray squirrels, wild turkeys, eastern cottontail rabbits, and white-tailed deer. Hunting is only allowed in certain parts of the park and the nearby state forest.
There's even a special area where you can only hunt with a bow and arrow or a flintlock muzzle loader. However, hunting groundhogs is not allowed. If you have a hunting dog, you can train it in designated areas from the day after Labor Day until March 31.
Explore Nearby State Parks
If you love Locust Lake State Park, you might also enjoy these other state parks. They are all within 30 miles of Locust Lake:
- Beltzville State Park in Carbon County
- Hickory Run State Park in Carbon County
- Lehigh Gorge State Park in Carbon and Luzerne Counties
- Nescopeck State Park in Luzerne County
- Swatara State Park in Lebanon and Schuylkill Counties
- Tuscarora State Park in Schuylkill County
