The Best Places to Go Boating in Pennsylvania

Are you planning to go boating in Pennsylvania? This State is packed with lakes that provide beautiful scenery.

It offers endless adventures for visitors, sitting amongst parks and forest areas. Most of the lakes offer campgrounds and boat launches. Visitors can fish, hike, boat, swim, and enjoy the wildlife. 

Where should you go to launch your pontoon or fishing boat and enjoy some time on the water? Keep reading for some of our best picks for boat adventures in Pennsylvania.

This stunning lake is surrounded by rolling hills and greenery. It is the centerpiece of the Nockamixon State Park.

Located in the southeast corner of the State, it is relatively close to Philadelphia. The lake covers 1,450 acres and is formed by Haycock Run, Three Mile Run, and Tohickon Creek.

It is a popular place for fishing, offering walleye, bass, pickerel, and carp. The waters provide an excellent opportunity to go boating and windsurfing. You can also take a pontoon boat ride and experience the lake that way. 

The shores provide areas for picnicking, and there are hiking and mountain biking trails.

Marsh Creek Lake is a man-made lake created by the damming of the Marsh Creek River. It sits within Marsh Creek State Park and is surrounded by trees and wildlife. 

The lake and the surrounding areas are tucked away in the beautiful hills of Chester County. It’s an excellent place for sailing, windsurfing, and kayaking. It is very popular with boaters, and two boat rental places also offer lessons.

Marsh Creek State Park has a pool for the little ones to splash around. It also offers numerous educational nature programs. These include nighttime programs, guided walks, and interactive activities.

Fishing is quite popular at Marsh Creek Lake. Catch a largemouth bass, black crappie, and channel catfish. There are also numerous panfish that often swim around.

Lake Wallenpaupack is the third largest lake in the State and was artificially built in 1926. It covers 5,700 acres and has a depth of 18 meters with 52 straight miles of shoreline to enjoy.

This lake is a freshwater lake that sits in the Pocono Mountains and is a popular vacation destination. The lake is a top recreational spot, with fishing, boating, and swimming. Lake Wallenpaupack has six recreation centers featuring camping, hiking, walking, wildlife watching, and water sports like wakeboarding, kayaking, jet skiing, and parasailing.

The shoreline surrounding the lake includes a wooded area. It offers plenty of hiking trails and cottages for rent.

In the past, Lake Wallenpaupack was the home of the Lenape Indians. They named the area Wallenpaupack, which means “The Stream of Swift and Slow Water.”

Raystown Lake is a beautiful 20-square-mile lake known for its serenity and recreational activities. It features 12 public access areas, beaches, boat launches, picnic areas, and camping grounds. Its beautiful surrounding area offers hiking and mountain biking.

This lake has some archaeological significance. Scuba diving is another attraction of the lake due to its historical significance. Human remains were found around the lake that date back as far as 12,000 years ago.

Today, this site is home to the Susquehannock Campground.

Stay Safe When Boating in Pennsylvania (or Anywhere You Boat)

Boating in Pennsylvania is popular for locals and visitors alike. However, no matter where you plan to boat, make sure you understand how to stay safe on the water to protect yourself and others. 

BOATsmart! offers fun and informative online courses that meet state regulations for boater education. Through our course, you’ll learn boating basics and safety essentials to help you navigate the waters and avoid accidents and injuries every season. 

So, before hitting the water, make sure you’ve taken a course, passed the exam, and received your boating license! You’ll have more fun on the water when you put safety first. 

Originally published in May 2019. Content most recently reviewed and updated for accuracy and relevancy September 27, 2024.