Known for its popular camping area, Locust Lake State Park nestles on the side of Locust Mountain. The 52-acre Locust Lake is located between two campgrounds and is surrounded by beautiful forests. Hiking and fishing are popular activities in the 1,772-acre park.
Tuscarora State Park is nearby.
Hiking at Locust Lake State Park
6.75 miles of trails
Oak/Ridge Trail
0.75 mile, easiest hiking, white/blue blazes
This interpretive trail winds along a woodland creek, through a mature forest and through young woodland areas. Along the entire loop of this self-guiding trail, species of trees and other vegetation are marked and posted with educational signs.
Oak/Hemlock Trail
2 miles, more difficult hiking, white/yellow blazes
This trail is blazed through a mature hemlock stand through which flows a woodland stream. The trail also passes by a unique geological outcropping.
Oak Loop Trail
4 miles, most difficult hiking, white blazes
The longest of the loop trails, it encircles a ridge covered by a mature deciduous forest.
Bike Trail
1.3 miles of trails
A paved, 1.3-mile long bike trail circles the lake and gives an excellent view of the lake.
Stay the Night at Locust Lake State Park
Camping
Flush toilets, warm showers, some electric hook-ups
GPS DD: Lat. 40.78499 Long -76.11921
This activity or structure is ADA accessible.
The 282 campsites are divided into tent or trailer sides of the lake. Tenting only is permitted on the north side of the lake. The campsites south of the lake accommodate recreational vehicles or tents.
All campsites are in a wooded area and have:
Parking pad
Picnic table
Fire ring
Cleared area for camping equipment
There are also a number of walk-in sites.
Campground conveniences include modern restrooms and washhouses with shower facilities.
A sanitary dump station is on the trailer side of the lake. Trash/recycling areas are on the north and south sides of the lake.
There are three play areas within the campgrounds. Two playgrounds are in the trailer loops and one is on the tent side of the lake. Playground equipment is designed for a variety of age groups.
Swimming at Locust Lake State Park
This activity or structure is ADA accessible.
The sand beach is open from late-May to mid-September, 8:00 A.M. to sunset. Swimming areas are marked with buoys and have a maximum depth of 5.5 feet.
Please read and follow posted rules for swimming.
Swim at your own risk.
Swimmers can buy food and snacks at the campstore/boat rental.
Wildlife Watching at Locust Lake State Park
There are many opportunities to see wildlife, but please observe from a safe distance and do not feed wildlife.
More than 100 species of birds have been identified at Locust Lake, including 16 species of birds of prey. Because of its location in the Appalachian Mountain section of the Ridge and Valley Province, Locust Valley is positioned along the migration route used by many species of birds of prey, including:
Red-shouldered hawk
Red-tailed hawk
Merlin
Osprey
Screech owls and great-horned owls are year-round residents.
Boating at Locust Lake State Park
Electric motors only
The 52-acre Locust Lake has a boat launch.
Fishing at Locust Lake State Park
The 52-acre Locust Lake is a coldwater fishery and receives several stockings of brown and brook trout annually.
Common species are:
Brook trout
Brown trout
Pickerel
Largemouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Panfish
This activity or structure is ADA accessible. There is an ADA accessible fishing pier by the program pavilion on the north side of the lake.
Fishermen who are not camping are required to use the fishermen’s parking area near the park entrance.
Ice Fishing
When conditions permit, ice fishing is permitted on the natural ice of the lake. Trout and panfish are the primary species caught through the ice of the 52-acre Locust Lake.
The ice thickness is not monitored.
Hunting at Locust Lake State Park
During established seasons, about 1,728 acres are open to:
Hunting
Trapping
Training of dogs
Common game species are:
Deer
Pheasant
Rabbit
Squirrel
Turkey
Grouse
Dove
Special regulations areas allowing only bow and arrow and flintlock muzzleloader hunting are in several areas of Locust Lake.
Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day through March 31 in designated hunting areas.
Biking at Locust Lake State Park
1.3 miles of trails
A paved, 1.3-mile long bike trail circles the lake and gives an excellent view of the lake.
Ice Skating at Locust Lake State Park
Skating is permitted on the natural lake ice.
The ice thickness is not monitored.
