Pennsylvania State Parks That Allow Gas Motor Boats

Pennsylvania State Parks That Allow Gas Motor Boats

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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

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