Located about seven miles north of Pottsville, Locust Lake State Park is in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania. Situated on the side of Locust Mountain, the park's camping area is well-known and a popular destination for park visitors. The park consists of 1,774 acres and is home to Locust Lake, a 52-acre lake located between two campgrounds and surrounded by forests. Hiking, biking, boating, fishing, swimming, and camping are several of the activities that the park offers.
The park has a paved biking trail that circles the lake and is one mile long. There are also several hiking trails located throughout the park. Ridge Trail is an interpretive trail that is .75 miles in length. It is an easy hiking trail that winds along a woodland creek. It passes through a mature forest and young woodland areas. Ridge Trail is a self-guiding trail with markers pointing out different tree species and vegetation. Hemlock Trail is a moderate hiking trail that is 2 miles long and passes a unique geological outcropping. The trail runs through a mature hemlock stand that has a woodland stream flowing through it. Oak Loop Trail is a 4-mile difficult hiking trail. It is a loop trail that circles around a ridge that is located in a deciduous forest.
The park's beach is open from 8:00am to sunset from late-May until mid-September. Swimming is at your own risk. Buoys mark swimming areas that have a maximum depth of 5.5 feet.
Locust Lake provides visitors with fishing opportunities. As one of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's high-intensity trout fishing areas, Locust Lake is stocked with brown and brook trout several times each year. Pickerel, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and panfish are common in the area. A fishing pier is located on the north side of the lake near the program shelter. In winter, ice fishing is allowed, and trout is the primary species caught. While the lake does allow boating, only motorboats with electric motors are permitted. Non-powered boats are also permitted, and boat rentals are available. Boat rentals offered include kayaks, canoes, rowboats, and pedal boats.
Hunting and trapping is permitted in the park during established seasons. The park has roughly 1,730 acres that allow trapping, hunting, and dog training. Deer, turkey, rabbit, squirrel, pheasant, grouse, and dove are some of the common game species found in the area.
The park is home to 282 campsites that include both tent and trailer sites. Tent campsites are available on both sides of the lake, and trailer sites are only available on the south side of the lake. The campgrounds open the Friday before the opening day of trout season, and the campground closes in mid-October. All of the campsites are in wooded areas and include a fire ring, a picnic table, a parking pad, and a cleared area for camping equipment. Some sites allow pets. The campground has wash houses with showers and modern restrooms. Trash and recycling facilities can be found on the south and north sides of the lake. There is a sanitary dump station on the trailer side of the lake.
The park has two playgrounds. One is on the tent side of the lake, and the other is in the trailer loop. The play areas are located away from traffic for safety, and playground equipment is intended for a variety of ages.
Additional information about Locust Lake State Park can be obtained by calling 570-467-2404 or 888-727-2757.
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