Locust Lake State Park
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Daily sunrise – sunset
- Entrance fee
- Not posted
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed
- Camping
- 282 campsites
- Official site
- pa.gov(570) 467-2404
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Partial closure We are pleased to announce that both new shower houses have successfully completed the L&I inspection process. Only minor issues were identified during Tuesday's inspection, and all corrections were completed yesterday.… (more)
ed the L&I inspection process. Only minor issues were identified during Tuesday's inspection, and all corrections were completed yesterday. Documentation has been submitted to L&I, and we have been cleared to open the facilities. Our staff are currently completing final preparations, including cleaning and stocking supplies. Both shower houses are expected to be open and available for use by noon tomorrow. We are also happy to share that the reservation block has been removed from the campsites affected by the shower house project, including most of the electric sites. These sites will be available for reservation beginning tomorrow, June 5, 2026. We understand that some visitors may be disappointed that their reservations were affected by the most recent closure extension and that the facilities ultimately opened sooner than anticipated. Because we did not have a firm completion timeline and were dependent upon the L&I inspection and approval process, the reservation block was extended through July 1 as a precaution. A small number of electric sites, along with the new full-hookup sites, will…
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
Locust Lake State Park is a 3,726-acre park in Schuylkill County, about 2 miles southeast of Mahanoy City.
The park supports snorkeling and diving, winter sports, hunting in season, canoeing and kayaking, and boating. The official site lists about 75 miles of trails. Water access includes a swimming beach, a boat ramp, a fishing pier, and boat or kayak rentals. Overnight options include 282 campsites across 2 camping areas, with RV sites and tent sites.
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. The beach, overnight areas, and other areas are open specific seasons and hours. Contact the Tuscarora 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.
Pets
Dogs allowed
Pets are permitted at designated sites for a fee.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camping Locust Lake State Park Campground Map (PDF)
GPS DD:
Lat. 40.78499 Long -76.11921
♿ The 282 campsites are divided into tent or trailer sides of the lake. Tenting only is permitted on the north side of the lake. The campsites south of the lake accommodate tents and trailer camping. There are also walk-to sites which are a short walk from the parking area.
All campsites are in a wooded area and have:
• Parking pad
• Picnic table
• Fire ring
• Cleared area for camping equipment
Pets are permitted at designated sites for a fee.
Campground conveniences include modern restrooms and shower houses. A s | 282 | Showers | — |
| Camp store A camp store/boat rental is near the fishermen’s launching area on the western side of the lake and has basic food and camping supplies like wood and bait, boat rentals, and a public phone. | — | A camp store/boat rental is near the fishermen’s launching area on the western side of the lake and has basic food and camping supplies like wood and bait, boat rentals, and a public phone. | — |
Camping details from the park
Camping
Locust Lake State Park Campground Map (PDF)
GPS DD:
Lat. 40.78499 Long -76.11921
♿ The 282 campsites are divided into tent or trailer sides of the lake. Tenting only is permitted on the north side of the lake. The campsites south of the lake accommodate tents and trailer camping. There are also walk-to sites which are a short walk from the parking area.
All campsites are in a wooded area and have:
- Parking pad
- Picnic table
- Fire ring
- Cleared area for camping equipment
Pets are permitted at designated sites for a fee.
Campground conveniences include modern restrooms and shower houses. A sanitary dump station is on the south side of the lake. Trash and recycling areas are on the north and south sides of the lake.
Three play areas are within the campground. Two playgrounds are in the trailer camping loops and one is near the tent camping area. Playground equipment is designed for a variety of age groups.
Camp store
A camp store/boat rental is near the fishermen’s launching area on the western side of the lake and has basic food and camping supplies like wood and bait, boat rentals, and a public phone.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
FishingBikingSnorkeling and scubaHikingBoatingWinter sportsSwimmingHuntingCampingCanoeing and kayaking
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beach Trail | 0.4 mi | Easiest | Recreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: none Connecting Bicycle Trail to the back loop of the campground, this gravel trail is often used by campers to go to the beach.Hiking |
| ♿ Bicycle Trail | 1.3 mi | Easiest | Recreations permitted: hiking, biking Trailhead amenities: non-flush restrooms, benches This paved path for hikers and bikers loops around Locust Lake. It is ADA accessible and great for strollers. Outdoor fitness stations can be found along the trail.HikingBiking |
| Fireline Trail | 3.6 mi | Most difficult | Recreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: none The trail traverses the mountain over Locust Lake and the Locust Valley as it winds through pine plantations and up and down mountain terrain. This trail connects the campground to Brockton Mountain Road.Hiking |
| Hemlock Trail | 0.2 mi | Most difficult | Recreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: none Accessed from Oak Loop Trail, this trail is commonly used to make a 1.7-mile loop, passing through a mature hemlock stand with a woodland stream and by a unique geological outcropping.Hiking |
| Oak Loop Trail | 2.2 mi | Most difficult | Recreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: benches The longest of the loop trails, it encircles a ridge covered by a mature deciduous forest.Hiking |
| Plantation Trail | 0.8 mi | Easiest | Recreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: none Traverse mature pine plantations along this old logging road. The entire trail loop is 3.4 miles long and relatively flat with level terrain. At the park boundary, the unblazed section of the trail continues on Blythe Township Municipal Authority property before looping back to the park again.Hiking |
| Ridge Trail | 0.2 mi | More difficult | Recreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: none Accessed from Oak Loop Trail, this trail winds along a woodland creek and through forested areas. It is commonly used to make a 0.75-mile loop with sections of Oak Loop Trail.Hiking |
Trail descriptions from the park
6.75 miles of trails
Locust Lake State Park Map
Swimming
The sand beach is open from late-May to mid-September, 8:00 A.M. to sunset. Swimming areas are marked with buoys and have a maximum depth of 5.5 feet.
Please read and follow posted rules for swimming.
Swim at your own risk.
Swimmers can buy food and snacks at the campstore/boat rental.
Limited Parking
Parking is limited throughout Locust Lake State Park. A few, ADA-only parking spots are located adjacent to the swimming area. Dropping off passengers at the beach is prohibited to maintain a safe camping experience and limit unnecessary vehicles.
All day-use visitors must park in the day use visitor parking area located at the entrance to the park. Beachgoers must be prepared to walk approximately 0.5 mile with their belongings or consider visiting the beach at nearby Tuscarora State Park.
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
- Other handheld, lighted smoking devices
Amenities
Facilities
- Park or camp store
Water
- Swimming beach
- Boat ramp
- Boat, canoe or kayak rentals
- Fishing pier
Camping
- Tent camping
- RV camping
✓ 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
Locust Lake State Park offers a range of accessibility accommodations to ensure all visitors can enjoy its natural beauty and recreational opportunities.
Fishing Access
An accessible fishing pier is located on the northern side of the lake near the programming pavilion.
Bicycle Trail
1.3 miles | Easiest hiking | Loop trail | No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, biking
Trailhead amenities: non-flush restrooms, benches
This paved path for hikers and bikers loops around Locust Lake. It is ADA accessible and great for strollers. Outdoor fitness stations can be found along the trail.
Bicycle Trail
1.3 miles | Easiest hiking | Loop trail | No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, biking
Theaters and Amphitheaters
An accessible amphitheater is located on the western part of the lake. It is accessed best via the Bike Trail, with the nearest parking at the beach.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 220 Locust Lake Road
Barnesville, PA 18214 - Nearest town
- Mahanoy City — about 2 mi southeast (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 40.7850, -76.1192
- Phone
- (570) 467-2404
- tuscarorasp@pa.gov
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
From I-81 northbound, take Exit 131B, cross under the I-81 overpass and make an immediate left turn toward New Boston. Travel 1.1 miles to a left turn; follow signs. (Left turn is also signed.) From I-81 southbound, take Exit 131A, left turn then travel 1.0 miles to a left turn; follow signs. (Left turn is also signed.) GPS Directions: Locust Lake State Park, 220 Locust Lake Road, Barnesville, PA 18214 GPS Decimal Degrees: Lat. 40.78499 Long. -76.11921 Limited Parking Parking is limited throughout Locust Lake State Park. A few, ADA-only parking spots are located adjacent to the swimming area, camp store, and boat launch area. Dropping off passengers at the beach is prohibited to maintain a safe camping experience and limit unnecessary vehicles. All day-use visitors must park in the day use visitor parking area located at the entrance to the park. Visitors should be prepared to walk up to one-half of a mile with their belongings to access facilities.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Pennsylvania State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Sep 4, 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: Locustlake.jpg — Public domain (released by the author)
“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