Boating at Marsh Creek State Park

Electric motors permitted; slow, no-wake speed

The 535-acre Marsh Creek Lake has two boat launches and 244 seasonal mooring slips.

The lake is especially popular with sailboaters who take advantage of the combination of good natural terrain and prevailing winds.

Boating Registration

Motorboats must display a current boat registration.

Non-powered boats must display one of the following:

Boat registration
Launching permit or mooring permit from Pennsylvania state parks -- available at most state park offices
Launching permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission

Weather permitting, rentals may be offered on weekends during the spring and autumn.

Iceboating is permitted on the natural ice of the lake.

Iceboats must display a state park launch permit.

Ice thickness is not monitored.

Test ice thickness with an auger before recreating. Four inches of solid ice is the minimum recommended thickness for a single person. Seven inches of solid ice is the minimum recommended thickness for small group. Ice should be six inches thick for iceboating.
Always carry safety equipment and know how to use it.
Spread out. Crowds can put too much weight onto one area.
Be aware of changes in ice thickness across a body of water. Perimeter ice is weaker due to shifting, expansion and sunlight reflecting off of the bottom.
Avoid areas with protruding logs, brush, plants, and docks. These structures absorb heat, weakening the surrounding ice.
Avoid areas with multiple or intersecting cracks, and standing water over ice.
Venturing out on ice alone is not advisable. Take a friend along for fun and for safety.
Wear a PFD (life jacket).
Check the weather and plan accordingly. Several days with temperatures above freezing will weaken the ice.