The 3,002-acre Beltzville State Park is in the southern foothills of the Poconos. Pohopoco Creek, an excellent trout stream, feeds the 949-acre Beltzville Lake, which is a rest stop for migrating waterfowl and is a destination for boaters and anglers. The sand beach and picnic pavilions are very popular.
Recreational facilities are a result of a cooperative effort of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DCNR's Bureau of State Parks and the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Hiking at Beltzville State Park
15 miles of trails
The trails follow wooded paths, old roads, and mowed walkways through forests, creek valleys, fields, and by the lake. The trails vary in length.
A short description of each trail can be found in the Beltzville Trail Guide, which is available at the park office.
Saw Mill Trail
This trail is just west of the dam breast and offers a diverse historical hike. The trail passes the remains of a gristmill raceway, a dam and gateways, small ponds, a slate quarry from the 1700s, a wetland, and a stream.
Falls Trail
This trail passes Wild Creek Falls.
Picnicking at Beltzville State Park
Wooded and open picnic areas are in the Pine Run West Day Use Area, which has:
Modern restrooms
Drinking water
Picnic tables
Parking areas
Day-use mooring for boats
Playfields are around the wooded picnic area with an ADA accessible children’s playground between Picnic Pavilion Four and the beach.
Beltzville has four picnic pavilions that may be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee.
Unreserved picnic pavilions are free on a first-come, first-served basis.
This activity or structure is ADA accessible. Picnic pavilions #1, #2, and #4 are ADA accessible.
Swimming at Beltzville State Park
A 525-foot sand beach is open from late-May to mid-September, 8:00 A.M. to sunset.
Swim at your own risk. Please read and follow posted rules for swimming. Recreational scuba diving is prohibited.
A bathhouse with showers is near the beach.
A food and refreshment concession at the swimming beach is open daily, weather permitting, during the summer season, Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Smoke-Free Beach
Smoking is prohibited on the beach and in the swimming area. For visitors who smoke and still want to use the beach, designated areas adjacent to the beach are provided. The restriction includes:
Cigarettes
Pipes
Cigars
E-cigarettes, and other handheld, lighted smoking devices
Wildlife Watching at Beltzville State Park
The 949-acre Beltzville Lake is a rest stop for migrating waterfowl, especially in the spring when rafts of ducks can be seen.
The forests of the eastern and western ends of the lake are good habitat for warblers.
Boating at Beltzville State Park
Unlimited horsepower motors
The 949-acre Beltzville Lake has a maximum boating speed of 45 mph. Most types of recreational boats are permitted. Please check with the park office if there is a question as to the type of watercraft permitted.
It is unlawful to operate a boat equipped with inboard engines with out-of-the-transom or straight-stack type exhausts, wet or dry.
Sleeping overnight on watercraft is prohibited. Day use mooring is prohibited in the boat rental cove area.
Fishing at Beltzville State Park
The 949-acre Beltzville Lake is stocked with warmwater and coldwater game fish and panfish.
Common species are:
Trout
Striped bass
Largemouth and smallmouth bass
Walleye
Muskellunge
Perch
Below the dam, Pohopoco Creek is stocked with trout.
Much of the lake’s northern shoreline can be reached from Pohopoco Drive.
Ice Fishing
The 949-acre Beltzville Lake is stocked with warmwater and coldwater game fish and panfish.
Common species are:
Trout
Striped bass
Largemouth and smallmouth bass
Walleye
Muskellunge
Perch
Contact the park office to determine the ice and snow conditions in advance of any planned outing.
Ice thickness is not monitored.
Hunting at Beltzville State Park
During established seasons, more than 1,707 acres are open to:
Hunting
Trapping
Training of dogs
Common game species are:
Deer
Rabbit
Pheasant
Ruffed grouse
Waterfowl
Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day through March 31 in designated hunting areas.
Mountain Biking at Beltzville State Park
2.5 miles of trail
Mountain biking is only permissible on the Christman Trail, which is 2.5 miles long.
Cross-Country Skiing at Beltzville State Park
Many open and rolling fields and nine miles of trail are suitable for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
