Moraine State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Moraine State Park is a popular destination located in western Pennsylvania.
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Summary
The park covers over 16,000 acres and features a 3,225-acre lake with 42 miles of shoreline, making it a great place to enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities.
One of the main attractions at Moraine State Park is the lake itself. Visitors can swim, boat, fish, and even scuba dive in the clear waters. The park also has several beaches and picnic areas that are perfect for a day trip with family and friends.
For those who prefer to stay on land, there are over 28 miles of hiking trails that meander through the park's forests and grasslands. These trails range in difficulty from easy to challenging, so there's something for everyone.
Other notable points of interest at Moraine State Park include the Davis Hollow Marina, where visitors can rent boats, kayaks, and paddleboards, and the Moraine Camper Cabins, which offer a unique camping experience with modern amenities.
Interesting facts about the park include the fact that it was created in the 1970s as part of a flood control project, and that it is home to several rare and endangered species of plants and animals, including the Bald Eagle.
The best time of year to visit Moraine State Park depends on your interests. Summer is the busiest season and offers the most opportunities for water-based activities. Fall is a popular time to visit for the beautiful foliage and cooler temperatures, while winter offers opportunities for ice fishing and ice skating. Spring is a great time to see wildflowers and migrating birds.
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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.
Related References
McConnells Mill State Park
State Game Lands 216
Butler Township Park
Butler Memorial Park
Edco Park