One of the best lakes to visit in Pennsylvania is Lake Erie. The county seat of Pennsylvania's Erie County is located in the city of Erie on the southern shore of Lake Erie. With a population of 94,831 according to the 2020 census, Erie is the largest city in Northwestern Pennsylvania and the fifth-largest city in Pennsylvania after Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, and Reading. The anticipated population was 93,928 in 2021.

One of Pennsylvania's top tourist lakes is Lake Erie because its Pennsylvanian shoreline resembles an ocean beach more than a freshwater body of water. From Erie, Pennsylvania, located near the northwest tip of the state, Lake Erie is the most easily accessible.

At Presque Isle State Park, you may unwind on any of the 11 miles of sandy beaches and cool off in some of the warmest waters among the five Great Lakes. One of the main draws to Lake Erie is its excellent swimming opportunities, but there are also many other water activities available, including kayaking, fishing, boating, and canoeing. In Erie, it's simple to find places to rent water sports equipment or pick a tour operator for a boat trip.

You can also rent a fishing charter to go after walleye, perch, and steelhead in one of the best angling locations in the state, or go on a sightseeing cruise to catch a beautiful Lake Erie sunset.

Location: Erie County, Pennsylvania

Northeastern Pennsylvania contains the reservoir known as Lake Wallenpaupack. It is the second-largest lake totally confined in Pennsylvania after Raystown Lake. It has a surface area of more than 5,700 acres and 84 kilometers of shoreline, with a length of 21 kilometers and a maximum depth of 18 meters.

One of the nicest lake communities in the state, there is always a celebration going on, including fireworks and festivals. There are four boat launches on Lake Wallenpaupack, and you can rent boats there. Tobyhanna State Park, Wilsonville Recreation Area, Promised Land State Park, and Palmyra Township Public Beach in Hawley all have public beaches.

The lake is a popular location for fishing and water sports, and there are many rental businesses nearby. Additionally, you may go hiking on one of the many trails that encircle the lake or visit Hawley for indoor attractions like museums, quaint shops, and restaurants.

Wally Lake Fest, a three-day weekend of activities on and around the lake as well as in the nearby town of Hawley, is held on the last weekend in August. It includes Wallypalooza, a live music festival staged on floating docks in front of the Tafton Dike. The annual "Ice Tee Golf Tournament," which is played on the frozen Lake Wallenpaupack throughout the winter, is a noteworthy event. The Chamber of the Northern Poconos is hosting the 9-hole competition.

Location: Pike / Wayne counties, Pennsylvania

Located in Pennsylvania's Huntingdon County, Raystown Lake is a reservoir. The largest lake totally contained within Pennsylvania is this one. The Simpson family of Huntingdon constructed the original lake as a hydroelectric plant. The Army Corps of Engineers completed the current 34 km2 Raystown Lake in 1973. The deepest part in Raystown, next to the dam, is around 61 meters deep. The lake was built largely to prevent flooding, supply energy, and facilitate leisure activities. The Raystown Hydroelectric Facility and William F. Matson Generating Station at the Raystown Dam, a 21 MW, two-unit hydroelectric project, are run by Allegheny Electric Cooperative.

The lake has 12 public access spots for boaters, swimmers, and those who just come for a picnic and the scenery. The man-made Raystown Lake has a number of public beaches and a popular campground (Susquehannock Campground).

It is easy to rent a houseboat for the week or a vacation home in nearby communities like Martinsburg and Huntington. The entire Raystown Lake region is known for its outdoor activities, so you will have no problem filling several days with activities like hiking, biking, and fishing at the lake.

Location: Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania

The next position on the list of the best lakes to visit in Pennsylvania is Lake Harmony. In Kidder Township, Carbon County, Pennsylvania, United States, there is a hamlet called Lake Harmony that is not incorporated. 718 people were counted in the population in 2010. One of the state's most pristine and spotless natural glacier lakes is the lovely Lake Harmony. One of its biggest draws is the crystal-clear water that flows from the mountains.

There are numerous cottages and waterfront residences around the lake in the resort area of Lake Harmony. It is a well-liked lake for jet skiing and boating. Due to the natural waters' excellent fishing, you will observe a lot of fisherman reeling in bass, trout, and perch.

Although Lake Harmony is 2.5 miles long and privately owned, if you want to stay in one of the holiday cottages, you can access it. A swimming beach, marina, and boat launch facility are available at the lake. There are additional attractions close by, including the popular hiking region Hickory Run State Park, golf courses, the Pocono Raceway, and an indoor water park.

Location: Kidder Township, Carbon County, Pennsylvania

Conneaut Lake, the largest natural lake in Pennsylvania, is located in the northwest of the state. It is situated in Conneaut Lake, a community known for its cottages and vacation homes. It is very populous during the summer months with tourists visiting the lake area, some of whom live nearby and spend time at their lakeside homes, and many more who prefer to spend the summer away from home, many of whom are locals of the Pittsburgh area. The area's main attraction, besides the lake itself, has long been Conneaut Lake Park, a well-liked resort with an amusement park.

Visitors who wish to go boating, water skiing, swimming, and fishing frequently visit the 929-acre lake. For those who prefer to rest adjacent to the water rather than on it, it is also a lovely lakeside site.

The Conneaut Lake amusement park is one of the main draws to the area. The park's origins in family summer vacations are still there today, even though it began in 1892. The Blue Streak roller coaster, the 17th-oldest wooden coaster in the United States, is one of the games and attractions on the midway. The park's beachfront setting on Conneaut Lake gives a trip more character and nostalgia.

Location: Crawford County, Pennsylvania

The 168-acre Canadohta Lake, a census-designated place in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, United States, is the second-largest natural lake in Pennsylvania after Conneaut Lake. It is one of the best lakes to visit in Pennsylvania.

Canadohta, which was formerly known as Oil Creek Lake due to its proximity to Drake's Well, has developed into tranquil and thriving fishing and boating town. For its year-round fishing and numerous competitive competitions, Canadohta Lake is well-known. One, in particular, is the yearly Timberland Bait Shop ice fishing competition, which takes place in February. Family-friendly Canadohta Lake is a well-liked destination for the summer holidays. Every year in the winter, there is a well-attended ice fishing competition.

There are many things to do in the area, even if Canadohta Lake's spring-fed waters and water sports are its main draws. The area around the lake is lovely as well, offering hiking, biking, roller skating, golf, and miniature golf. There are rental options near the lake including cottages, cabins, and campsites.

Location: Crawford County, Pennsylvania

The 245-acre Edinboro Lake can be found in Pennsylvania's Erie County. The town of Edinboro encircles it on three sides, and for a short distance, State Route 99 follows the beach. Two well-known beach sections and a public park offer access to the lake for the general public. Edinboro Lake is a nice lake to visit, especially for fishing and swimming in a more private setting, despite being smaller than other lakes in the state.

Anglers prefer the lake since it is just 245 acres in size and has two beaches as well as different species of bass, musky, crappie, and panfish. On Edinboro Lake, boating and kayaking are also popular pastimes.

While staying at Edinboro Lake, you are only a short drive from Presque Isle State Park, where you can spend the entire day swimming or hiking, the Hurry Hill Farm Maple Museum, and the Erie Zoo. You can rent a cottage, a holiday home, or a cabin close to Edinboro Lake for your getaway.

Location: Edinboro, Pennsylvania

Lake Nockamixon, situated in the picturesque hills of Buck County on the eastern side of the state close to Quakertown, is one of Pennsylvania's most delightful lakes. The crowning glory of Nockamixon State Park is the 1,450-acre lake.

On a warm day, you'll witness lots of pontoon boats, windsurfers, canoeists, anglers, and recreational lake visitors having a picnic by the water in one of the shady areas along the coast. The state park has a public pool, however, swimming is not permitted in the lake.

Around Lake Nockamixon, there are four boat ramps where you can launch for the day or overnight in authorized boat anchor places. The state park's numerous miles of trails, which are wonderful for bicycling and hiking, are around the lake.

Due to the park's location along a waterfowl migratory route, bird watching is popular near the lake. After spending the day at the lake, make sure to drive by Knecht's Covered Bridge, a landmark in the neighborhood since 1873 and a good spot to watch the sunset.

Location: Bucks County, Pennsylvania

The next position on the list of the best lakes in Pennsylvania is Dutch Springs. A spring-fed lake called Dutch Springs can be found in the Pennsylvanian city of Bethlehem. The region has been used as a for-profit recreation area with scuba diving amenities since 1980. Dutch Springs intended to shut down operations and sell the land to a warehouse company. The Dutch Springs commercial diving and training center reopened as "Lake Hyrda" in 2022.

Dutch Springs' spring-fed waters are a well-liked destination for diving and other water sports. Although the lake is wonderful for swimming and boating and boat rentals are available, its family-friendly Aqua Park is arguably what makes it most well-known. The Aqua Park offers water inflatables including slides, trampolines, and balancing beams as a fun way to enjoy the lake.

Dutch Springs is a 50-acre lake with a 100-foot depth that was originally utilized for limestone extraction, making it the ideal location for scuba diving. Divers can investigate submerged automobiles and aircraft. Due to its ecosystem, which supports a variety of species, including perch, largemouth bass, and bluegill, Dutch Springs is also a great fishing location.

Location: Northampton County, near Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Pymatuning Reservoir is a man-made lake on land that was formerly a sizable marsh in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, and Ashtabula County, Ohio. Pymatuning State Park in Ohio and Pymatuning State Park in Pennsylvania both contain significant portions of it. With about 17,000 acres, Pymatuning Lake is sizable. The lake is situated in Pymatuning State Park, which is part of Jamestown. Since it is one of Pennsylvania's most popular state parks, swimmers, boaters, and fishermen frequently visit the lake.

If you want to make the most of your trip by spending the entire weekend outside, there is also a fantastic campground nearby. Three public beaches are available at Pymatuning Lake throughout the summer. On the lake, boating is simple because there are three marinas and many concession stands.

For kayakers and canoers, there is a fantastic water trail. Starting right below the dam and continuing for nine miles to Greenville is the Shenango River Water Trail. You may complement your water activity with some land-based activities at the state park because it has more than 21,000 acres of land. For example, you could go hiking on some of the seven miles of trails.

Location: Crawford County, Pennsylvania

Just south of Lake Wallenpaupack in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania's Pike County is a 0.78 km2 natural lake called Fairview Lake. The lake can go as deep as 48 feet. A ridge that runs across the center of the lake, over which the water is only three to five feet deep, is one of the state's most remarkable land formations.

One of the best fishing lakes in the state is Fairview Lake, which is located in Palmyra Township in eastern Pennsylvania. It has a number of distinctive natural features that make it an ideal habitat for many different fish species.

It is a small, 169-acre natural lake. It has a maximum depth of 48 feet, but a ridge that runs through it has a distinctive geological structure where the depth only drops to roughly three feet. Bass anglers travel to Fairview Lake in hopes of finding some fishing success because of the lake's connection to fishing fame.

According to the locals, Mike Iaconelli, the winner of the Bassmaster Classic, caught his first bass on Fairview Lake when he was a little child. Fairview Lake is a family-friendly lake with many vacation houses available and boating activities, aside from the angling legends and fish.

Location: Palmyra Township, Pike County, Pennsylvania

A reservoir called Antietam Lake is situated entirely within Antietam Lake Park in Berks County, Pennsylvania. The city of Reading originally owned the lake. Berks County acquired it in 2006. 643 acres of parkland encircle the lake. Lake is a naturally scenic background for picnics and hikes.

On your walk into Antietam Lake Park, you'll pass past a stunning cascade that was created by the dam. There is also a historic spring house in the park. It is still intact and is thought to be older than 150 years. It is one of the park's primary historical attractions. A historic house on the grounds known as Bingaman House has also been renovated and serves as a center for environmental education.

The park's 12 miles of interconnected walking trails are available for use. The park reflects an effort to safeguard the state's natural resources, therefore there are environmental activities conducted year-round at the Angora Fruit Farm, which comprises 22 acres in the center of the park.

The stone house and wooden bridge, which were restored and lend a sense of history to the lake, are its most charming features. They were built in the middle of the 1800s. The old caretaker's house, which is still present on the land and dates back to 1880, can be seen if you go about the park.

Location: 230 Angora Road Reading, Pennsylvania