Erie Bluffs State Park
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Daily sunrise – sunset
- Entrance fee
- Not posted
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Not stated — check with park
- Camping
- None listed
- Official site
- pa.gov(814) 833-7424
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Alert Firewood AdvisoryInvasive Beetles found in Firewood Threaten Forests! Before bringing firewood to a Pennsylvania State Park, please read the information in the linked… (more)
Invasive Beetles found in Firewood Threaten Forests! Before bringing firewood to a Pennsylvania State Park, please read the information in the linked page about a very real threat to forests in Pennsylvania and all of North America. Firewood Advisory
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
Erie Bluffs State Park is a 624-acre park in Erie County, in Lake City.
The park supports cross-country skiing, winter sports, hunting in season, canoeing and kayaking, and boating. The official site lists about 16 miles of trails. Facilities for water recreation include a boat ramp.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | sunrise – sunset | — |
Official wording
The park is open every day of the year, sunrise to sunset. Day use areas close at dusk. Contact the Presque Isle State Park office for facility seasons and hours.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveAmerica (Aspira), Pennsylvania State Parks contract
- Phone
- 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757)
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Things to do
HikingFishingGeocachingHuntingBoatingWinter sportsCross-country skiingPicnickingCanoeing and kayaking
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Oak Savanna Trail | 0.3 mi | Easiest | Recreations permitted: hiking, cross-country skiing recommended, snowshoeing recommended Trailhead amenities: none This family-friendly trail follows the northern edge of an ancient relic dune and is a known location for Black Oaks to thrive. This is a rare habitat in Pennsylvania.HikingCross-country skiing recommendedSnowshoeing recommended |
| Bluffs Edge Trail | 0.39 mi | Easiest | Recreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: none Traveling along the bluffs edge, there are two overlooks with views of Lake Erie along the trail. One is 90 feet high while the other is 75 feet high.Hiking |
| Duck Run Trail | 0.69 mi | More difficult | Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking Trailhead amenities: none Duck Run Trail connects White Tail Crossing Trail to the shoreline. Unique views of Lake Erie can be seen once hikers reach the beach. The trail crosses duck run, a small flowing creek without a foot bridge.HikingMountain biking |
| Fishermans Footpath | 0.13 mi | Most difficult | Recreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: none This trail goes up and down two ravines and makes its way to an ever-changing sand pit that is at the mouth of Elk Creek. This is a great location for sunset viewing and looking for beach glass.Hiking |
| Lookout Trail | 0.22 mi | More difficult | Recreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: none This trail makes its way through an older growth climax forest with many large black cherry trees, red oaks, tulip poplars and hemlocks overlooks a ravine to the south with beautiful views.Hiking |
| Timber Trail | 0.97 mi | Easiest | Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking Trailhead amenities: none Timber Trail connects Black Oak Savanna, Transition Trail, and West Overlook. Succession can be viewed throughout as hikers traverse through grassland to dense forest.HikingMountain biking |
| Transition Trail | 1.1 mi | Easiest | Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing recommended, snowshoeing recommended Trailhead amenities: none This family-friendly trail starts at the main parking lot and makes its way along the forest edge. It is great for wildlife viewing.HikingMountain bikingCross-country skiing recommendedSnowshoeing recommended |
| West Overlook Trail | 0.57 mi | More difficult | Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking Trailhead amenities: none This trail follows Duck Run from Whitetail Crossing Trail to the shoreline. Beach, creek, and forest habitats can all be viewed while traversing the trail. Some areas of the trail are very steep.HikingMountain biking |
| Whitetail Crossing Trail | 0.6 mi | Easiest | Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing recommended, snowshoeing recommended Trailhead amenities: none This family-friendly trail parallels the railroad tracks to the south and a transitioning farm field. It provides opportunities to view a variety field birds and raptors.HikingMountain bikingCross-country skiing recommendedSnowshoeing recommended |
| Wildflower Way | 0.19 mi | More difficult | Recreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: none This winding trail climbs the hill overlooking Elk Creek and connects to Fisherman's Foot Path that heads towards Lake Erie at the mouth of Elk Creek. Look for wild flowers blooming in spring and summer.Hiking |
Trail descriptions from the park
5.16 miles of trails
A variety of trails allow visitors to explore much of the park with ease. Former farming roads circle vast open fields and savannas. Wooded paths lead to vistas with scenic views of Lake Erie from atop the 90-foot bluff wall.
Visitors are encouraged to stay on existing trails when possible, and travel on durable surfaces to prevent vegetation damage and erosion.
Erie Bluffs State Park Map
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic areas
Water
- Boat ramp
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Erie Bluffs State Park offers a range of accessibility accommodations to ensure all visitors can enjoy its natural beauty and recreational opportunities.
Accessible Picnic Area
Turn into the Elk Creek Access Entrance for ADA picnicking opportunities and an ADA restroom.
Hunting
This park offers accessible hunting options. Visitors holding a DCNR Mobility Device Permit can contact the park office for more information about accessible hunting locations within the park.
DCNR permits visitors with a DCNR Mobility Device Permit to use powered mobility devices on designated state park and forest lands, including administrative roads and trails not normally open to standard motorized vehicles.
Visitors interested in a DCNR Mobility Device Permit can fill out an application and submit it at any state park or forest office.
Utilize the parking lot at the entrance to Erie Bluffs State Park to enjoy a wildlife viewing area.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 11122 West Lake Road
Lake City, PA 16423 - Nearest town
- Lake City
- Coordinates
- 42.0164, -80.3720
- Phone
- (814) 833-7424
- presqueislesp@pa.gov
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
Erie Bluffs is north of PA 5 at Lake City, 12 miles west of Erie. GPS DD: Lat. 42.0164 Long. -80.372 GPS Addresses: • Main Parking Lot, 11122 West Lake Road, Lake City, PA 16423 • Elk Creek Access, 10990 West Lake Road, Lake City, PA 16423
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Pennsylvania State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Sep 3, 2026
- DCNR Find a Park: content-fragment JSON feed used by the pa.gov park finder
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
- Photo: Great Lakes Seaway Trail - Erie Bluffs State Park - NARA - 7718812.jpg — Public domain (US federal government work), Unknown author Unknown author or not provided
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology