Beltzville State Park
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Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Beltzville State Park is a popular tourist destination located in the state of Pennsylvania.
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Summary
It is a 3,002-acre park that offers a wide range of recreational opportunities to visitors. The park is known for its scenic beauty and diverse wildlife.
One of the main reasons to visit Beltzville State Park is for its stunning natural beauty. The park features a large lake that is popular for swimming, boating, and fishing. There are also several hiking trails that wind through the park and offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Additionally, the park is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and birds of prey.
There are several points of interest to see within Beltzville State Park. One of the most popular attractions is the Beltzville Dam, which was built in the 1970s to control flooding in the area. Visitors can take a guided tour of the dam and learn about its history and construction. Other notable attractions include the Wild Creek Nature Preserve, which is home to several rare plant and animal species, and the Pohopoco Creek, which offers excellent opportunities for fishing and kayaking.
Interesting facts about Beltzville State Park include its history as a former mining area. The park was created in the 1960s after the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection reclaimed the land from a former coal mine. Today, the park is a popular destination for outdoor recreation and relaxation.
The best time of year to visit Beltzville State Park depends on the activities you are interested in. Summer is the busiest season, with the lake and beach area attracting large crowds. Fall is a popular time to visit for hiking and leaf-peeping, while winter offers opportunities for skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing. Spring is a great time to visit for bird-watching and wildflower viewing.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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Lower Park
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