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Locust Lake State Park RV & Campground Guide

Pennsylvania

Sitting on the side of Locust Mountain, Locust Lake State Park is an outdoor oasis with some of the most stunning scenery in Pennsylvania. The park sits on 1,772 acres and has a 52-acre lake. Forests surround the park, providing shade and tranquility far from the city lights and sounds. Throughout the year, park team members provide educational and recreational programs through hands-on activities, guided walks, and evening programs. The park is open every day from sunrise to sunset, giving guests a chance to explore it in any season.

Nearby Cities:

  • Barnesville, PA

  • Pottsville, PA

  • Frackville, PA

  • Shenandoah, PA

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Weather
Spring 44–69 F
Summer 75–80 F
Fall 47–70 F
Winter 31–36 F
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RV Resorts & Campsites in Locust Lake State Park

Campground Accommodations

Locust Lake State Park Campground

  • Water hookup: No

  • Electrical hookup: Yes

  • Sewer hookup: No

  • Wi-Fi: No

  • Pet-friendly: Yes

  • Max RV length: 40 feet

  • Other amenities: Modern restrooms, showers, dump station, camp store, playground, picnic table, fire rings, trash and recycling, firewood sales

Twin Grove RV Resort & Cottages

Twin Grove RV Resort & Cottages is a wonderful campground located in Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, that you should take into consideration. It offers a variety of reliable sites that come equipped with a full hook-up, as well as 50-amp service. The premises of the RV park include two swimming pools with slides, a restaurant, social pavilions, a basketball court, and an arcade. A few conveniences you can look forward to if you stay here are laundry service, well-kept bathrooms and showers, and a pet-friendly policy.

Christmas Pines Campground

Christmas Pines Campground is a fantastic RV park you can look at in Auburn, Pennsylvania. With a welcoming atmosphere and seasonal activities available, the campground provides the sense of a general community. It offers both 30-amp and 50-amp sites that come equipped with sewer, electricity, and water. Some amenities you can enjoy here include a basketball court, horseshoes, hot showers, a basketball court, a gift shop, and laundry facilities.

RV Rentals Near Locust Lake State Park

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What to Do at
Locust Lake State Park

Bring your hiking shoes, bicycle, and fishing pole, and gear up for all types of recreation at Locust Lake State Park. Head out to one of the many trails designed for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Cast your line in the 52-acre lake, and take away ample fish for dinner around the fire pit in your campsite. Locust Lake State Park is a popular destination for camping, with more than 200 sites and modern facilities.

Bring your boat, or rent one from the camp store, and set out for a water adventure on Locust Lake. Hiking, wildlife watching, and swimming are also popular in the park during the warmer seasons.

Inside Locust Lake State Park

There's a boat launch that leads into Locust Lake, and you can access the lake for activities such as fishing and swimming. The swimming areas are indicated by buoy markers, and they stay open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Hunting is a very popular activity at the state park, and some of the game you can find includes woodcock, doves, Common pheasants, Eastern gray squirrels, and wild turkeys. If you want to enjoy a relaxing afternoon with the whole family, you can head to the beach to swim or simply enjoy the breeze. Quality concession stands and a general store are also located on the state park's premises, offering supplies to help you make it through.

Fishing Fishing

Locust Lake is home to brook trout, brown trout, pickerel, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and panfish. Fish the lake from the shore or by boat. Ice fishing is also permitted when the lake freezes in winter.

Geocaching Geocaching

Download the official Geocaching app and find hidden treasures in the park. Be sure to have your GPS ready and explore nature and wildlife as you hunt.

Nature Watching Nature Watching

Bird-watching is popular at Locust Lake, with more than 100 avian species identified in the area. Migratory birds like the red-shouldered hawk, red-tailed hawk, merlin, and osprey journey through the park and surrounding forests each year. Screech owls, great-horned owls, hawks, and eagles live in the park all the time.

Stargazing Stargazing

Get out near the lake and in the clearing of the fields and prairies to catch a look at the clear night sky. Spot constellations and planets, with the help of a stargazing app if you like.

Flora and Fauna

Locust Lake State Park is a mix of forests and wetlands with some fields and prairies. The forests are made up of hemlock, white pine, northern red oak, chestnut oak, white oak, sycamore, yellow birch, red maple, white ash, and tulip poplar. Shrubs and wildflowers covering the land include ironwood, spicebush, black locust, flowering and silky dogwood, mountain laurel, rhododendron, blueberry, and serviceberry. Throughout the park, you can spot deer, squirrels, chipmunks, bears, turkeys, snakes, salamanders, and many small insect species. Avian species include hawks, owls, great blue herons, and ospreys. Turtles, frogs, crayfish, and many other animals thrive in and near the lake.

Hiking Hiking

Locust Lake State Park has 6.75 miles of trails that beckon visitors to get out and explore the area. The seven trails range from easy to challenging, giving beginners and experienced hikers a variety of paths to choose from.

Boating

Electric motors and hand-powered crafts are allowed on the lake. There is one boat launch on each side of the dam. The boat rental concessions have canoe, kayak, paddleboard, pedal boat, and rowboat rentals during the summer.

Swimming Swimming

A sand beach for swimming is marked with buoys and has a maximum depth of 5.5 feet.

Biking

The Bicycle Trail runs 1.3 miles and is paved with fitness stations along the way, giving you several ways to exercise during your visit.

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How to Get to
Locust Lake State Park

Traveling northbound on I-81, take exit 131B, then cross under the overpass and turn left toward New Boston. Follow the road for 1.1 miles, then turn left and follow the signs to the park.

Heading southbound on I-81, take exit 131A. Turn left for 1 mile to another left turn. Follow the signs to the park.

Entering Locust Lake State Park

Parking is limited. There are a few ADA-accessible parking spots near the beach, camp store, and boat launch. All day-use visitors should park in the designated area near the entrance. Expect to walk a short distance during your visit.

As with all the other gorgeous state parks in Pennsylvania, no entry fee is required.

Locust Lake State Park Per Vehicle (1-4 adults) : $0.0

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Frequently Asked Questions About Locust Lake State Park

What is the best time of year to visit Locust Lake State Park?

The warmer temperatures of late spring, summer, and early fall are best for recreation at Locust Lake. Autumn months bring in fall colors of red, orange, and purple as well as migratory birds such as hawks and ospreys.

What kind of wildlife can be found in Locust Lake State Park?

The many animal species found at Locust Lake include deer, foxes, squirrels, bears, turtles, snakes, shrews, chipmunks, and butterflies. Additionally, more than 100 species of birds live and migrate through the area.

Are there designated RV camping spots in Locust Lake State Park?

There are 202 designated RV camping spots on the south side of the lake. The campsites on the north side of the lake are for tents only.

Do you have to reserve a camping spot at Locust Lake State Park and what is the cost?

Reservations are strongly encouraged for camping at Locust Lake. You may make a reservation online or by phone up to 11 months in advance of your stay. You may also pay for an open spot when you arrive. The nightly camping fee is $22 to $27.

Are pets allowed at Locust Lake State Park?

Pets are allowed at Locust Lake State Park and in certain designated camping spots. They are not allowed inside buildings or at the swimming beach.