Story and photos by Robin O’Neal Smith (unless otherwise indicated)
15 Places to Play Around The Raystown Lake Region
The beauty and quiet solitude of central Pennsylvania are available year-round in the beautiful Raystown Lake Area. Surrounded by lush mountains and fresh air, the Raystown Lake offers recreation and fun for everyone from the tiny tots to the senior citizens. If picnicking, boating, camping, swimming, fishing, hiking, biking, or just enjoying nature are on your radar, consider a visit to the Raystown Lake area where you can get away from it all in nature’s playground.
Enjoy a Day on the Lake in a Boat
Boating and watersports are a big deal around the Raystown Lake area. The lake offers 8,300 acres of water along 118 miles of picturesque shoreline. They do not have limits on size or horsepower, but once on the lake, you can find many “no wake” areas and quiet coves to enjoy some peaceful relaxation on the water.
If you have your own boat, there are eight public boat launches providing visitors a wide range of access to Raystown Lake. Every launch offers unique features. From as far south as Weaver’s Falls to the Snyder’s Run boat launch. The map shows all the places you can put your boat in.
If you don’t have a boat, you can rent one. Both Raystown Resort and Seven Points Marina have boat rentals. At Raystown Resort, you can rent fishing and pontoon boats. Seven Points Marina offers houseboats, fishing boats, and pontoons.
Imagine spending a week’s vacation on the lake in a houseboat! Seven Points Marina is the only place in PA where you can rent a houseboat and live on the lake.
Only boats with factory-installed sleeping facilities and U.S. Coast Guard approved pump-out sanitation systems are welcome to spend the night on the water.
Slide Into Excitement at the WildRiver Waterpark
The Wildriver Waterpark at Raystown Resort features two 380-foot twisting slides, the White Water Innertube Ride, the Atomic Blaster, a pool, a water area, and slides for smaller children. There is also a concession stand and an eighteen-hole mini-golf course. Golfing is a separate fee allowing you can play without entering the waterpark.
3101 Chipmunk Crossing, Entriken, PA 16638 https://lakeraystownresort.com/wildriver-waterpark/
Cruise the Lake on the Proud Mary
Board the Proud Mary Showboat at Raystown Resort for a sightseeing or dinner cruise. Enjoy spectacular vistas as you cruise the lake. Daily sightseeing cruises occur in the afternoon, while breakfast and dinner cruises are available on specific days.
Fireworks cruises are available around Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day.
They also continue sailing throughout autumn with their fall foliage cruises. Check the website for specific details.
3101 Chipmunk Crossing, Entriken, PA 16638 https://lakeraystownresort.com/proud-mary-showboat/
Soak Up The Sun and Swim
Enjoy an afternoon playing in the sand or swimming along the beach area at Raystown Resort, Tatman Run, or Seven Points. Seven Points has a public beach area that includes a sandy beach and grassy sunning area. A water trampoline available for bouncy fun at Seven Points Beach area.
There are showers and changing areas as well as playgrounds and a snack bar.
Tatman Run offers a public beach area for swimming. Picnic tables and a public boat launching area are available.
Raystown Resort’s beach is for camping and resort guests only.
Catch Your Limit on the Lake
There are so many fishing opportunities on the lake you will have trouble deciding which to enjoy. Raystown Lake has plenty of places from shallow bays to deep rocky points for fishing.
A variety of fish (17 species) call Raystown Lake home from small sunfish to sizeable striped bass.
Raystown Lake is the Freshwater Striped Bass Capitol of the Northeastern United States. The current record in Pennsylvania for a freshwater striped bass is 53 pounds, 12 ounces – and guess what…it was caught at Raystown Lake!
The carp in the lake are huge, and you can feed them at the feeding stations at both the Seven Points Marina and the Lake Raystown Resort.
Take Your Mountain Biking Skills To a New Level
The Raystown Lake Area has numerous places for mountain biking, but they also have a Skills Level Testing Site. Head to Seven Points and hone your mountain biking skills on the skills park before riding out on the trails. The skills park and trails are open year-round and are for non-motorized bikes.
Speaking of trails, the Allegrippis Trails include 32 miles of smooth, mountain bike track trails designed by mountain bikers and then built by the International Mountain Bicycling Association. The trails wind through areas of remote wilderness surrounding the beautiful Raystown Lake. Each path is rated from beginner to expert. (Reason you should do the skills test first!)
The trails are in stacked loops, so you have endless combinations to combine for your mountain biking adventure.
Seven Points is home to the Raystown Mountain Bike Fest, previously known as Dirt Fest.
Didn’t bring a mountain bike with you, you can rent one at Rothrock Outfitters Lakeside Rentals near Seven Points or Portside Rentals at Raystown Resort.
Bakers Hollow Rd, Hesston, PA 16647
Hiking Through The Raystown Lake Area
There are more hiking trails than you can imagine in the Raystown Lake area including the 2019 Pennsylvania Trail of the Year: the Mid State Trail.
Seven Points boasts the Greenside Pathway, a rubberized walking path that navigates through the park. Enjoy the songbirds as you walk along the Hillside Nature Trail. Learn about the times and ways of life in the past on the Old Logger’s Trail, and if you are into long hikes, the Terrace Mountain Trail is 30 miles long and provides the most picturesque views of the lake while you enjoy quiet solitude
The Raystown Resort also offers a variety of hiking trails for your enjoyment.
Trough Creek State Park Hiking Trails at Raystown Lake
Trough Creek State Park has unique trails that you don’t want to miss. The Great Trough Creek cut a scenic gorge through Terrace Mountain that empties into Raystown Lake. Known for its natural and geological beauty, Trough Creek is one of central Pennsylvania’s most beautiful state parks. Check out the Balanced Rock Trail. At the end, you will see a boulder precariously perched on the edge of a steep cliff.
Pose for a photo in front of the Rainbow Falls. Walk across a swinging bridge that has stood the test of time since the 1930s. If you visit in the spring, enjoy the floral wonders of the Rhododendron Trail. Another item not to miss is the Ice Mine.
Climb the 1,037 Steps Up Thousand Step Trail
A challenging hike can be found nearby at the Thousand Step Trail near Mount Union. The trail is part of the Standing Stone Trail, and this difficult hike involves climbing 1037 steps to the top for a magnificent view. Every 100 steps are marked so you can gauge your progress. If you have children or grandchildren, you want to play out, take them here. I guarantee they will sleep well that night.
Kayaking the Lake
Exceptional placid water kayaking is enjoyed on Lake Raystown. There are rentals available at both the Raystown Resort and Seven Points. You can rent kayaks, paddleboards, and canoes at Seven Points from Rothrock Outfitters Lakeside Rentals. Portside Rentals at Raystown Resort offers kayaks, paddleboards, and if you are searching for a bit more excitement, Waverunner jet skis.
Enjoy a Free Welcome Reception
The Raystown Lake Visitor Center is host to a free reception each Tuesday at 9:30 AM. Get area information, tour planning advice, maps, discount coupons, and more. Stay till the end of the reception, and you might win a fantastic door prize. While you are there, visit the gift shop that carries all kinds of Raystown Lake apparel and souvenirs.
Chill Out in a Cave at Lincoln Caverns
Nature’s handiwork is on display at Lincoln Caverns and Whisper Rocks. All ages will enjoy exploring the winding passageways and impressive rooms housing massive flowstones, pure white calcite, sparkling crystals, and thousands of delicate stalactites.
Staff at Lincoln Caverns provide a one-hour educational tour of both caverns. The caves’ temperature is approximately 58 degrees year-round, so it is a great place to visit on a hot afternoon.
Outside the caves, you can pan for gems, enjoy a picnic at their pavilion, walk the nature trails and visit the gift shop featuring Raystown Rocks, central PA’s largest selection of rocks, minerals, and fossils.
Through the year, Lincoln Caverns and Whisper Rocks host annual events such as their famous Ghosts & Goblins Tours, Santa in the Cave, BatFest, Black Light Adventures, and photography tours.
7703 William Penn Hwy, Huntingdon, PA 16652 https://lincolncaverns.com/
Get an Alpaca Kiss
Visit the Terrace Mountain Alpaca Farm and see 40+ alpacas. Terrace Mountain Alpacas is a family-owned Alpaca farm that allows you to “get up close and personal” with the alpacas. You can pet them, and they might even kiss you. Learn all about alpacas, their care, the shearing process, and what you can make with the alpaca fiber.
You can also check out the products available in their farm store made from alpaca fiber.
7110 John Bum Rd, Huntingdon, PA 16652 https://www.facebook.com/TerrraceMountainAlpacas/
Ride into History on a Trolley
Ride in an old fashioned electric trolley on a three-mile trip back to when the railroad and trolleys were a way of life. See a variety of trolleys from Pennsylvania cities and learn about travel before many had a personal automobile at the Rockhill Trolley Museum.
Coming soon right next door to the East Broad Top Railroad will be a new Steam Locomotive take visitors for a ride.
430 Meadow St, Rockhill, PA 17249 http://rockhilltrolley.org/
Isett Heritage Museum
Learn about yesteryear at this sprawling campus museum. The Isett Heritage Museum encompasses five buildings with over 40,000 historical treasures from the 1800s to the 21st century. You can find everything from vintage cars, to toys, to military artifacts.
The Isett Heritage museum brings local history alive with local exhibits and documents. A lifesize replica of a gunsmith and cobbler shop are on display.
Isett Heritage Museum is excellent for all ages. If you go, be sure to check out the player piano and the jukebox.
11941 Stone Creek Ridge Rd, Huntingdon, PA 16652 http://isettacres.com/
Tee It Up at the Huntingdon Country Club
A 20-minute drive from the lake, the Huntingdon Country Club is open to the public and offers a 9 and 18 hole golf course, pro shop and grill room.
Huntingdon Country Club’s 18-hole golf course provides the perfect blend of challenging golf, a scenic landscape, and a relaxing atmosphere. The course features 6,288 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 71. The course consists of five par-3s, nine par-4s, and four par-5s.
It is a beautiful course and a great way to spend the day.
10305 Raystown Rd, Huntingdon, PA 16652 https://www.huntingdoncountryclub.com/
The Playhouse at McConnellstown
Desiring a bit of entertainment, check out The Playhouse at McConnellstown. Huntingdon County’s community theater has been entertaining audiences for over 35 years. They usually have five different shows throughout the year. It is quality acting and great for a night out. Shows are generally Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees. Check their website to see what might be on stage when you are in the area.
11680 Raystown Rd, McConnellstown, PA 16660 http://littletheater.com/wp2016/
Other Nearby Places to Play In The Raystown Lake Area
Huntingdon and Broad Top – Rails to Trails
Warriors Path State Park
Holiday Bowl
Penn’s Cave
Altoona Curve Baseball
Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark
Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum
Swigart Antique Automobile Museum
Lower Trail – Rails to Trails
Come Once to Raystown Lake – and You’ll Be Sure to Keep Coming Back
There is so much to see and do in the Raystown Lake Region, one visit probably won’t be enough. Once you visit and fall in love with the serene natural setting and the lake, you will want to visit again and again.
