Tuscarora State Park
- Status
- Status not postedDaily sunrise – sunset
- Entrance fee
- Not posted
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed
- Camping
- YesAlso cabins, yurts
- Official site
- pa.gov(570) 467-2404
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. Details last changed Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
In Schuylkill County, about 5 miles west of Tamaqua, Tuscarora State Park covers about 3,414 acres.
The park supports snorkeling and diving, winter sports, hunting in season, canoeing and kayaking, and boating. On the water side, there is a swimming beach, a boat ramp, a fishing pier, and boat or kayak rentals. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites. There are also cabins and yurts for rent.
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 park office is open specific hours. The beach, overnight areas, and other areas are open specific seasons and hours. Contact the 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
Dogs are permitted in Camping Cottage #1.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Cabins and lodging
- Camping Cottages: 6 units
- Yurts
Camping Cottages
♿ Six camping cottages open in April and close during mid-October.
Each cottage sleeps five people and has:
- Wooden walls and floors
- Windows
- Electric lights and outlets
- Electric heat
- Bunkbeds
- Porch
- Picnic table and fire ring
- Nearby shower house
Dogs are permitted in Camping Cottage #1.
Yurts
Four round, canvas, and wood yurts open in April and close during mid-October.
♿ A yurt sleeps five and has:
- Canvas and wood walls, with windows
- Wood floor
- Four-burner electric range and a microwave oven
- Countertop and cabinets
- Refrigerator
- Table and chairs
- Electric lights and outlets
- Electric heat
- Bunk beds
- Skylight/vent
- Porch
- Picnic table and fire ring
- Nearby shower house
Things to do
Winter sportsSnorkeling and scubaHikingPicnickingBoatingHuntingFishingSwimmingCampingCanoeing and kayaking
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crow Trail | 1.4 mi | Easiest | Recreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: none This old dirt road passes through many habitats, including mature deciduous forest, pine, and larch plantation; grass fields; and overgrown meadow. This trail ends at the southern shore of Tuscarora Lake.Hiking |
| Forest Edge Trail | 0.4 mi | Easiest | Recreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, benches This grass-covered trail winds along the edge of a mature forest and agricultural fields. The trail provides access to Log Trail and the park office and visitor center.Hiking |
| Lake View Trail | 2.3 mi | Easiest | Recreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water, picnic tables, benches One end of Lake View Trail is in the day use area. The other end meets Crow Trail. Lake View Trail runs parallel to Tuscarora Lake, crosses two creeks, and passes through a large rhododendron stand and a hemlock forest. The trail crosses the dam, allowing for spectacular views of the lake. A 5.5-mile loop around Tuscarora Lake can be made by hiking Lake View, Spirit of Tuscarora, and Crow trails.Hiking |
| Laurel Trail | 0.4 mi | Easiest | Recreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: none Accessed from Log Trail or Edge Trail, this grassy road was used to cut trees that died from severe gypsy moth damage. This short loop provides views of mountain laurel and a mature forest.Hiking |
| Locust Mountain Trail | 0.4 mi | More difficult | Recreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: none An old fire access road winding through a mature deciduous forest on a fairly steep slope, this trail takes you from Crow Trail to the top of Locust Mountain.Hiking |
| Old Log Trail | 0.3 mi | Easiest | Recreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenitiesM: none This old logging road winds through a mature deciduous forest. It has a slight grade and connects to Laurel and Forest Edge trails and the west end parking area.Hiking |
| Ravine Trail | 0.4 mi | Easiest | Recreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: none The trail is bordered by low shrubs, pines, and sassafras trees. It connects to Laurel Loop and leads back to the park office parking lot.Hiking |
| Spirit of Tuscarora Trail | 4.5 mi | More difficult | Recreations permitted: hiking Trailhead amenities: none This is a trail of varying terrain and land features. The trail meanders along Tuscarora Lake and Locust Creek and through mature deciduous forest, a mature eastern hemlock stand, a late successional field, a rhododendron thicket, and a wetland meadow. Highlights include: • Year-round seasonal wildflowers • Large milkweed patch for monarch butterflies • Freshwater mussels • Abundant neo-tropical songbirds • “Spirit Tree” for which the trail is namedHiking |
Trail descriptions from the park
The trails wander through several habitats like mature deciduous forest, meadow, and agricultural fields.
Tuscarora State Park Map
Swimming
♿ The sand beach is open from late-May to mid-September, 8:00 A.M. until sunset. Swimming areas are marked with buoys and have a maximum depth of five-and-a-half feet.
Swim at your own risk. Please read and follow posted rules for swimming.
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
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
Water
- Swimming beach
- Boat ramp
- Marina or boat slips
- Boat, canoe or kayak rentals
- Fishing pier
Camping
- Tent camping
Lodging
- Cabins
- Yurts
✓ 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
Tuscarora State Park offers a range of accessibility accommodations to ensure all visitors can enjoy its natural beauty and recreational opportunities.
Camping Cottage 1
Camping Cottage 1 can accommodate up to 5 people and domestic pets are allowed. Guests are reminded to bring their own bed linens, towels, dishes, pots and pans.
Camping Cottage 2
Camping Cottage 2 can accommodate up to 5 people. Guests are reminded to bring their own bed linens, towels, dishes, pots and pans.
Camping Cottage 3
Camping Cottage 3 can accommodate up to 5 people. Guests are reminded to bring their own bed linens, towels, dishes, pots and pans.
Camping Cottage 4
Camping Cottage 4 can accommodate up to 5 people. Guests are reminded to bring their own bed linens, towels, dishes, pots and pans.
Read more from the park
Camping Cottage 5
Camping Cottage 5 can accommodate up to 5 people. Guests are reminded to bring their own bed linens, towels, dishes, pots and pans.
Camping Cottage 6
Camping Cottage 6 can accommodate up to 5 people. Guests are reminded to bring their own bed linens, towels, dishes, pots and pans.
Yurt 2
Yurt 2 can accommodate up to 5 people and domestic pets are allowed. Guests are reminded to bring their own bed linens, towels, dishes, pots and pans.
Pavilion 1
Pavilion 1 can accommodate up to 40 people with 6 picnic tables. Domestic pets are allowed.
Pavilion 2
Pavilion 2 can accommodate up to 40 people with 6 picnic tables. Domestic pets are allowed.
Water Access
The launch in the Day Use Area is accessible.
Fishing Access
An accessible fishing pier is located in the Day Use Area.
Swimming and Beaches
An ADA accessible sand beach is open from late-May to mid-September, 8:00 A.M. until sunset.
There is no ADA parking nearby - drop off only.
Swim at your own risk. Please read and follow posted rules.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 687 Tuscarora Park Road
Barnesville, PA 18214-2810 - Nearest town
- Tamaqua — about 5 mi west (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 40.8092, -76.0206
- Phone
- (570) 467-2404
- tuscarorasp@pa.gov
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
From I-81 northbound, take Exit 131A, right turn onto PA 54 north, and then follow signs to the park. From I-81 southbound, take Exit 131A. Turn right onto Morea Road. Turn right onto PA 54 north and follow signs to the park. GPS DD: Lat. 40.8092 Long. -76.02063
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)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. “Last changed” (Oct 29, 2026) is when the information shown here last differed from the previous check. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology