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Swimming at Presque Isle State Park

The sandy beaches, washed by the clear waters of Lake Erie, provide visitors with the only surf swimming within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Beaches are open daily from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day, unless otherwise posted.

The regular hours are 12:00 P.M. to 7:30 P.M.

People may not swim outside designated guarded zones; however, they may wade up to the knees -- no more than 10 feet from the shore.

For more information, call the park office at 814-833-7424.

Swimming Area Pet Guidelines

Inside designated guarded zones, leashed dogs are permitted in the tree line area only.

Outside of designated guarded zones, leashed dogs are permitted on the sand and in the water.

In addition, dogs must never be left unattended, and owners are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs.

Smoke-Free Beaches

Smoking is prohibited on several Presque Isle State Park beaches. For visitors who smoke and still want to use the beach, designated areas adjacent to the beach are provided. The restriction includes:

  • Cigarettes
  • Pipes
  • Cigars
  • E-cigarettes
  • Other handheld, lighted smoking devices

Presque Isle State Park Beaches

Beach 1

This long stretch of sand is located near the park entrance and has restrooms and a reservable pavilion.

Beach 3 (Barracks Beach)

Near Beach 1, this beach has restrooms and three first-come, first-served picnic pavilions.

This is a smoke-free beach.

Beach 6 (Lyons Beach)

This large beach has sand volleyball courts, a beach house with changing areas, and restrooms.

Beach 7 (Waterworks Beach)

In addition to restrooms, this beach features a ramp that provides access to the water’s edge. Beach wheelchairs are available at the Public Safety Building. This beach is adjacent to picnic areas, including playground equipment, the Rotary Pavilion, and other reservable picnic shelters.

Beach 8 (Pettinato Beach)

This activity or structure is ADA accessible.

In addition to changing areas and restrooms, this beach features a ramp that provides ADA access to the water’s edge. Beach wheelchairs are available at the Public Safety Building.

Mill Road Beaches

Stone Jetty, Short Jetty, Saw Mill, Ainsworth, Goddard

These beaches allow visitors to enjoy unspoiled, relatively quiet shoreline. Restrooms are at Saw Mill. Swimming is prohibited at the Mill Road Beaches. Visitors may walk the shoreline and use the shaded picnic areas.

This is a smoke-free beach.

Beach 9 (Pine Tree)

This beach has picnic facilities, a reservable picnic pavilion, and a restroom.

Beach 10 (Budny Beach)

Equipped with a beach house with changing areas and restrooms, this beach lies between the Sunset Point area (popular with kite flyers and wind surfers) and Gull Point.

Beach 11 (Kohler Beach)

This is the most sheltered beach and features shallow water, a large sandy beach, and a beach house with changing areas and restrooms. Beach #11 is adjacent to picnic areas, playground equipment, and a picnic pavilion.

This is a smoke-free beach.