Presque Isle

Presque Isle is a day-use park that provides year-round recreational opportunities. Overnight accommodations are available nearby. Over 15 miles of trails appeal to hikers, bicyclists and cross-country skiers. Presque Isle offers swimming, boating, fishing and beautiful sandy beaches to its summer visitors. Winter enthusiasts come to the park to enjoy the outdoors and participate in a variety of ice and snow activities. Presque Isle has a unique history and continues to provide an ever-changing, diverse ecosystem.

TREC also features a number of outdoor and lab learning opportunities for school groups, youth organizations and others. Be sure to take a look at our new Get Outdoors PA brochure for schools!

BEACHES

BEACH 1 (guarded):
• Popular beach...first beach you come to
• Used by many families and singles
• Bath house
• Adequate room for sandy shores
• Protection from any east winds
• More than enough parking

BARRACKS BEACH (guarded):
• Popular beach
• Limited parking (Do not park in the Stull Interpretive Center lot...save that for those visiting the Center.)

BEACH 2 (unguarded):
• Limited parking along main road

BEACH 6 (guarded):
• Most popular site for teens
• 8 volleyball courts
• Concession stand
• Reasonable parking on most days.

BEACH 7 (Waterworks Beach) (guarded):
• In much demand for picnics, reunions, family groups
• Ideal as alternate site for kids who don´t especially like the water
• Playground adjacent to beach
• Rest rooms
• Fishing available in two large groups
• Parking more limited

BEACH 8 (Pettinato Beach) (guarded):
• Concession stand
• Bath house
• More than enough parking
• Ideal for families

MILL ROAD BEACHES (guarded):
• Parking is only along the road but very close to beach
• One restroom

BEACH 9 (guarded):
• Bathhouse
• Very wide beach
• Adequate parking

SUNSET POINT (unguarded):
• Popular with wind surfers, boaters and kite flyers
• Limited parking
• No facilities

BEACH 10 (guarded):
• More than enough parking
• Actual beach has been diminished because of erosion
• Popular with boaters and all age groups
• Concession stand
• Bathhouse

BEACH 11 (guarded):
• Undergoing change because of sand spit formation. Use may change, but in past has been popular as protected and shallow area during high westerly winds
• Adequate parking
• Concession stand
• Bathhouse
• Ideal for little kids because of shallow water
• Parking area has playground

Biking

Presque Isle State Park is a great place for enjoying a bike ride. It is a flat, seven-mile long peninsula jutting out into Lake Erie.

The Karl Boyes Multipurpose trail travels a 13.5-mile loop around the park. You will ride along the Presque Isle Bay and return along the lakeside. Many stops along the way offer outdoor exhibits, restrooms and water. The mileage is marked along the trail pavement and plenty of parking is available along the trail.

The park has a "share the road" policy in place and it is permitted to ride along the roadway with traffic. It is important to obey all the rules of the road for your safety.

The Stull Interpretive Center and the Ranger Station are stops to make for more information.

Bike rentals are available at the park entrance and at the Waterworks area.

Bird Watching

Presque Isle State Park is one of the nation’s premiere bird watching destinations. The 3,200-acre sandy peninsula arches into Lake Erie and features approximately 320 species of birds in six distinct ecological zones, each with a different plant and animal community.

The peninsula's location along the Atlantic Flyway and the diversity of natural habitats make Presque Isle State Park a unique haven for bird life. In fact, Birder's World magazine has named Presque Isle as one of the top birding spots in the country.

Shorebird migration peaks in April, and the weeks following National Wildlife Week will be peak time for warbler and songbird migration, making it one of the best times of year to visit Presque Isle.

Boating

Both non-powered craft and registered motorboats are permitted. Internal combustion engines are prohibited in the interior lagoons, which are defined as the continuous body of water between Misery Bay and Marina Bay, excluding Grave Yard Pond. A boat rental concession is located in the Grave Yard Pond area and provides a variety of powered and non-powered craft. Beaching of boats along Presque Isle shoreline is permitted except at the Gull Point Natural Area between April 1 and November 30, and within 100 feet of designated swimming areas. A slow minimum height swell speed must be observed within all park waters which includes all waters within 500 feet of the shoreline. For more information go to: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/presqueisle.aspx

Fishing

Common species are smelt, perch, bass, walleye, trout and salmon in Lake Erie, and panfish, perch, bass, muskellunge, walleye, northern pike, crappies, smelt, and salmon in Presque Isle Bay.
More on fishing in Erie

For more information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, go to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission website.

Tom Ridge and Family hike along the beach at Presque Isle

Gov. Tom Ridge and his family hike along Presque Isle beach near the TREC facility

Hiking

What better way to discover the uncommon than on foot? More than 11 miles of hiking trails at the park—15 different trails‑ offer short hiking experiences to see special areas of the park. Click here for a description of the trails. Bicycling and in-line skating are not permitted on hiking trails. The Karl Boyes Multi-purpose Trail makes a 13.5-mile circuit of the park. This paved trail is designated as a National Recreation Trail. This ADA accessible trail is popular with bicyclists, in-line skaters and joggers.

Picnics

Picnic facilities with tables, grills and charcoal disposals are available throughout the park.

Picnic Pavilions: A limited number of picnic pavilions are available for rental. Please make advance reservations at the park office. Pavilions that are not reserved are available free of charge on a "first-come, first-served" basis.

Cookhouse: A large picnic pavilion structure with an enclosed electric, water and food preparation area. This large facility can accommodate 200 people. The Cookhouse is located near the waterworks ferry dock.

Day-use Shelters: Also available are three enclosed day-use shelters in the Waterworks area. Shelters include electric, water, picnic tables, and a fireplace. Advanced reservations must be made at the park office.

Rotary Pavilion: Long, enclosed pavilion structure with large kitchen, water and food prep area. Accommodates 150 people. Located directly across from Beach 7. Reservations may be made by calling the Park office at 814-833-7424 or visiting http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us

Rollerblading

Presque Isle State Park is a great place for rollerbladers of all levels. The Karl Boyes Multipurpose trail offers a flat 13.5-mile loop around the park. You will begin along the Presque Isle Bay and return along the lakeside. Many stops along the way offer outdoor exhibits, restrooms and water. The mileage is marked along the trail pavement and plenty of parking is available along the trail.

Please use safety precautions when rollerblading at the park. Safety equipment (helmet, elbow pads, knee pads and wrist guards) are not mandatory but are advised.

Swimming

The seven miles of sandy beaches, washed by the clear waters of Lake Erie, provide visitors with the only surf swimming within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The guarded beaches are open from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day unless otherwise posted.

Winter Activities

In addition to recreational activities, experience the natural wonder of Presque Isle during the winter months. Look for the impressive ice dunes, built by the combination of lake ice, wave surge and freezing spray. Take a walk along the beach, and you will likely see animal footprints in the snow. Winter is also a good time to spot the snowy owl.

ICE BOATING: Obviously this sport requires an ice boat, most of which come from the Erie Yacht Club. Fun to watch as they zoom around the bay.

ICE SKATING: The frozen bay and the Waterworks ponds are ideal sites, but this sport is highly dependent on the weather and ice conditions.

CROSS COUNTRY SKIING: Rent skis at Shelter Two at Waterworks or bring your own. Trails are plentiful starting at Shelter Two.

ICE FISHING: You only need a pole, some bait, and an auger to drill a hole. Experienced ice fishermen usually bring a wind break or tent as well.

WALKING: Most people like the multipurpose trail, but there are miles of inland trails that are in demand by those who favor a true nature walk. Try the solitude of a true beach walk at any of the unguarded beaches. Pick up a park map for directions.

PARK AND WALK: The most frequent activity in all seasons is a simple walk along the multipurpose trail. Many park at the three "vista" areas on the right as you enter the park. However, there are even better places if you go further into the park...such as the Perry Monument area, Niagara Launch area, or even the East Pier area.

WIND SKATING: Fantastic to watch or to do...wind skating involves ice skates and what looks like a big kite...and those who know seem to really enjoy the speed and the rush!