DCNR Updates Guidance On Swimming At State Parks As Labor Day Approaches

Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Tuesday noted that state park swimming pools and beaches will remain open through Labor Day, and encouraged prospective visitors to check park websites prior to visiting parks for the latest information about operations.

“Swimming is a great way to cool off and enjoy some summer fun and many of our state parks offer swimming for our visitors,” State Parks Director John Hallas said. “We welcome all visitors and encourage everyone looking to swim to plan ahead and check park websites for the latest updates on swimming hours, park capacity, and pool or lake closures.”

Fifteen state parks have pools for the public to enjoy through Labor Day weekend.

As a result of operational issues ranging from lifeguard shortages to Department of Health testing compliance (PDF), swimming schedules may vary.

Beaches at state parks are open and free to the public for swimming from before Memorial Day to after Labor Day, unless otherwise posted.

Under the “open swim” policy, visitors swim at their own risk at unguarded beaches.

Presque Isle State Park in Erie and Fuller Lake in Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Cumberland County are guarded by lifeguards from 11:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M., staffing and weather permitting.

Parks noted with asterisks have lifeguards on duty at swimming pools.

Prospective visitors are encouraged to check individual websites for more information:

• Beltzville
• Bendigo*
• Black Moshannon
• Blue Knob*
• Canoe Creek
• Caledonia*
• Chapman
• Clear Creek
• Codorus*
• Colonel Denning
• Cowans Gap
• Frances Slocum*
• French Creek*
• Gifford Pinchot
• Gouldsboro
• Greenwood Furnace
• Hickory Run
• Hills Creek
• Hyner Run*
• Keystone
• Laurel Hill
• Locust Lake
• Little Buffalo*
• Little Pine
• Lyman Run
• Marsh Creek*
• Moraine
• Mount Pisgah*
• Neshaminy*
• Nockamixon*
• Ole Bull
• Parker Dam
• Pine Grove Furnace
• Presque Isle
• Prince Gallitzin
• Promised Land
• Poe Valley
• Pymatuning
• Raccoon Creek
• Raymond B. Winter
• Ryerson Station*
• Ricketts Glen
• Shawnee
• Sizerville*
• Tobyhanna
• Tuscarora
• Whipple Dam
• Worlds End
• Yellow Creek

Lackawanna State Park’s pool will remain closed for repairs for the remainder of the 2023 swimming season.

Free sunscreen is available at many of Pennsylvania’s state parks, including all parks where swimming is permitted.

For this seventh year, all park costs for this program are covered by the Department of Health’s Cancer Fund, with each park receiving two pole-mounted, battery-operated dispensers, supplying 30+ SPF IMPACT sunscreen applications.

Visit DCNR’s website for more information about state parks and check out DCNR’s Calendar of Events for events on public lands.