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Pennsylvania has plenty of lakeside recreational areas that provide an attractive mix of water-based activities and wilderness exploration. Areas like this are specifically designed for visitors to enjoy and connect with nature, featuring\u00a0more facilities, rentals, and infrastructure geared towards comfort and convenience\u00a0than a more standard lakefront spot. One\u00a06,100-acre recreational area\u00a0gives locals and travelers alike the opportunity to explore Pennsylvania’s great outdoors\u00a0at no cost.\u00a0Built and managed by the\u00a0Army Corps of Engineers ever since they dammed the area in 1979 to mitigate flood risk, Blue Marsh Lake Recreation Area is a hub of outdoor fun.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The 1,150-acre Blue Marsh Lake\u00a0is a popular swimming hole that boasts fresh blue waters for visitors to cool off in, for as long as they wish. It also offers boating, paddling, water-skiing, and plenty of other activities to enjoy out on the water, alongside being an excellent fishing spot for eager anglers hoping to catch some of Pennsylvania’s local fish species.\u00a0The scenic trails surrounding the lake provide lots of great options for hiking and birdwatching, including one 30-mile multiuse trail that also supports mountain biking and horseback riding.\u00a0Located in\u00a0Berks County, Blue Marsh Lake Recreation Area is an ideal stop for anyone road-tripping through Pennsylvania’s heavily populated eastern region.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It’s ideally located between Harrisburg and Allentown, both of which are about an hour away by car and have easily accessible international airports for out-of-state travelers (Philadelphia and its airport are about 90 minutes away). The recreational area is\u00a0free to enter\u00a0year-round from 8 a.m.\u00a0until dusk\u00a0(leashed dogs are allowed in designated areas\u00a0for those traveling with their furry friends). There is no camping permitted at Blue Marsh Lake, but travelers can find comfortable and affordable lodging options in the nearby town of Reading,\u00a0Pennsylvania.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Blue Marsh Lake offers endless lake fun<\/p>\n
Getting on the water at Blue Marsh is easy, with three boat launches\u00a0and several\u00a0shores and outcroppings to start from. For those without their own equipment, local rental companies offer boat, kayak, canoe, paddleboard, and waterski rentals. “Love kayaking and fishing here. Has a wake zone where the lake is really open and no-wake zones where it’s a little narrower. Good for all boaters,” one\u00a0Google<\/a> user enthused. Boaters can also venture out to the lake’s deeper waters to fish, but don’t worry, you can cast your line from dry land, too.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Stilling Basin is a popular spot with an accessible fishing platform\u00a0right on the shore (the water from the basin is released from the dam, which attracts an abundance of trout). Anglers can also catch bass, crappie, catfish, and more in these fresh waters.\u00a0“Beautiful Blue-green waters with a woodland backdrop. Plenty of quiet hidden coves, cold water streams feeding the lake. Trout, Stripers & a multitude of panfish to be caught,” a local shared<\/a>. For more fishing on scenic lakes, simply venture\u00a090 minutes southeast to\u00a0Pine Grove Furnace State Park \u2014\u00a0a great Pennsylvania spot for scenic lakes, mountain trails, and fishing<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Swimming is allowed throughout Blue Marsh Lake,\u00a0with dedicated shores, like\u00a0Swim Beach, designed for a relaxing lakeshore beach day. These are great for taking a dip, lounging, sunbathing, or picnicking on the sand. They feature public grills and picnic tables, as well as pavilions for rent (always check availability online<\/a>\u00a0first). As one\u00a0Google<\/a> reviewer enthused, “Great place to swim and enjoy nature. Park rangers patrol the shore regularly and walked up and down the entire length the whole time we were there. The lake itself was in good condition and was being heavily used.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Go hiking and birdwatching on 50 miles of scenic trails<\/p>\n Blue Marsh Lake’s trails are part of the Reading Trail System and offer a scenic way for visitors to explore the wilderness through hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The area boasts over 50 miles of trails that extend far beyond the visitor center. One of\u00a0its top trails is the Lake Border Trail<\/a>,\u00a0a moderately difficult 7.3-mile loop trail along the Tulpehocken Creek that features a handful of elevation changes throughout. “Beautiful, scenic, rural. Absolutely gorgeous. Some great elevation changes make this a good trail to break a sweat,” one impressed\u00a0AllTrails<\/a> user reported.\u00a0Mountain bikers will want to visit\u00a0the\u00a04.3-mile State Hill Loop<\/a> trail, which is full of winding paths and changing elevations that make for a fun ride.\u00a0<\/p>\n If you’re looking for an easier stroll, check out Blue Marsh Loop Trail<\/a>, a shorter, 2.6-mile trek through meadows and fields.\u00a0Over 200 bird species have already been logged in eBird<\/a> at Blue Marsh Lake, making it a must-see destination for birdwatchers. Some of the most common local bird species include hawks, swallows, woodpeckers, finches, swans, sparrows, and even the occasional bald eagle.\u00a0More lakeside birdwatching can be found just 20 minutes away, at Lake Ontelaunee,\u00a0Pennsylvania’s scenic lake for fishing and birdwatching<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Families with small children or those with visual or physical impairments will enjoy the\u00a0Eyes of the Eagle Sensory Trail<\/a>, the area’s shortest trail, a 0.4-mile loop through a lush garden equipped with a guiding rope. For those with pets,\u00a0the 3.5-mile Dog Beach and Switchback Loop<\/a> trail is the best option. “Our golden LOVED swimming at the dog beach,”\u00a0an AllTrails<\/a> user confirmed. After you complete your outdoor adventure at Blue Marsh Lake, check out nearby Reading,\u00a0Pennsylvania’s once-thriving railroad city with a thriving art scene<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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