Let your feet sink into the sandy beach. Watch as the golden sunlight dances off of the water. Or, hit the water to swim or to sail. Pack up your bags and gas up your car for a leisurely day trip or a quick weekend getaway to this sapphire lake near Pittsburgh.
Journey just over two hours to northern Pennsylvania, home to perhaps the most perfectly blue lake in the state, and one of America’s Great Lakes.
Flickr/Penn State
Lake Erie passes through three states - New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio - and promises spectacular views and plenty on its shores.
Flickr/Ken Lund
Discover unspoiled views of Lake Erie from Erie Bluffs State Park, home to predominately undeveloped land along the water.
Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli
Stand atop 90 foot bluffs for a seemingly endless view of the stunning blue water. Fishing and boating are permitted in Erie Bluffs State Park while swimming is prohibited.
Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli Erie Bluff State Park is located at 11100 West Lake Road, Lake City, PA 16423.
More breathtaking views and myriad of activities await at Presque Isle State Park, which boasts more than half a dozen separate beaches stretching 11 miles.
Flickr/Ken Lund
Each beach, protected by a lifeguard, promises sweeping views of Lake Erie as well as parking.
Flickr/Jon-Rieley Goddard
Amenities - including bathhouses, restrooms, concession stands, picnic areas, playgrounds, and volleyball courts - vary by beach.
Flickr/sgilsdorf
Indulge in one of childhood’s favorite activities by running across the sandy beach as your kite flies high above you.
Yelp/Stephanie L.
Spread out your favorite beach towel in the warm sand and soak up the rays. Or, jump in the water to cool down.
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn
Stroll along the beach for views that rival those that you would find on an artist’s canvas.
Yelp/Troy B.
Soak up the jaw dropping beauty of a summer sunset behind Lake Erie. Presque Isle State Park’s beaches are open daily from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Yelp/Jas L.
Address:
Flickr/Penn State
Flickr/Ken Lund
Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli
Erie Bluff State Park is located at 11100 West Lake Road, Lake City, PA 16423.
Flickr/Jon-Rieley Goddard
Flickr/sgilsdorf
Yelp/Stephanie L.
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn
Yelp/Troy B.
Yelp/Jas L.
Presque Isle State Park 301 Peninsula Drive #1 Erie, PA 16505 814-833-7424 Click here for more information.
Fall in love with this spectacularly blue lake near Pittsburgh when you visit Erie. If you don’t have time for the journey to Erie, plan a visit to this beautiful lake that promises plenty to do during the summer months.
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