A limited number of Pennsylvania state parks allow gas-powered motor boats, but at least one is in every region in the state. Parks tend to prohibit the use of gasoline motors for health, safety and environmental reasons. Also, many Pennsylvania state parks have horsepower restrictions on motors as well. Your boat must meet all park requirements before setting off for a day at the lake.
Pennsylvania Great Lakes
All four state parks in this region permit gas motor boat usage to varying degrees. Presque Isle State Park allows gas motors of unlimited horsepower except in the interior lagoons located between Marina Bay and Misery Bay. Grave Yard Pond is excluded from the prohibition, but visitors must rent boats at the concession stand.
Presque Isle State Park
301 Peninsula Drive, Suite 1
Erie, PA 16505
814-833-7424
Pennsylvania Wilds
Parks in this region tend to be more concerned with wildlife preservation, so gas motor boats are prohibited on most waterways. However, East Branch Lake in Elk State Park provides plenty of room for unlimited horsepower boating and includes one boat launch.
Elk State Park
Johnsonburg, PA 15845
814-965-2646
Northeast Pennsylvania Mountains
The Poconos Mountains dominate this region. Many parks feature scenic views and waterways too small for motorized watercraft. Beltzville State Park is the only park in northeast Pennsylvania that allows unlimited horsepower gasoline engines.
Beltzville State Park
2950 Pohopoco Drive
Lehighton, PA 18235
610-377-0045
Pittsburgh and Countryside
Parks in this region feature small lakes that are unsuitable for larger engines. Lake Arthur in Moraine State Park permits both electric and gas engines up to 20 horsepower. It features 10 boat launches and motor boat rentals.
Moraine State Park
225 Pleasant Valley Rd.
Portersville, PA 16051
724-368-8811
Alleghenies and Valleys Region
The region is dominated by the Susquehenna River. This limits the areas where gas motor boating is permitted. Shikellamy State Park boasts the largest lake in the region at 3,060 acres. It is as deep as 15 feet in some places and popular for water skiing. Gas boats of any size are permitted.
Shikellamy State Park
Bridge Ave.
Sunbury, PA 17801
570-988-5557
Dutch Country Roads Region
Many of the lakes in this region are small. None allow unlimited engine sizes for motorboats. Codorus State Park allows gas boats engines up to 20 horsepower. The campground boat launch is for registered state park campers only.
Codorus State Park
2600 Smith Station Rd.
Hanover, PA 17331
717-637-2816
Philadelphia and Countryside
The two parks that do allow gas engines do so with special circumstances. Nockamixon allows boats up to 20 horsepower. Neshaminy State Park allows unlimited horsepower boats powered by gasoline. However, the boat launches along the Delaware River are private and demand is usually high. Contact the park before visiting to check if a launch is available.
Neshaminy State Park
3401 State Rd.
Bensalem, PA 19020
215-639-4538