The 595-acre Lyman Run State Park is in scenic Potter County. Maples and cherries dominate a mixed northern hardwood forest that surrounds the 45-acre Lyman Run Lake, making a most scenic setting.
Hiking at Lyman Run State Park
6 miles of trails
The hiking trails link to many miles of trails in Susquehannock State Forest. Unless noted below, all trails are marked with rectangular yellow blazes. There are trailhead and intersection signposts.
Spur Line Trail
Easiest hiking
The bumps on this trail are the remains of old railroad ties from the Goodyear Brothers logging railroad that hauled tan bark and hemlock logs during the lumbering era. Spur Line Trail ascends slowly from Lower Campground up to Rock Run Road. To the right along Rock Run Road is Lyman Run Vista.
Hikers can complete a loop by continuing on the road then turning right onto Rock Run Trail.
Rock Run Trail
More difficult hiking
Along this aptly named trail are very large boulders. Rock Run Trail descends rapidly from Rock Run Road to intersect Spur Line Trail near Lower Campground.
Beehive Trail
More difficult hiking
The massive, old stumps along this trail show signs of ancient wildfires. Beehive Trail was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s and connects Dagget Run Campground and Rock Run Road. Wildcat Trail intersects Beehive Trail making a loop.
Wildcat Trail
More difficult hiking
Along this trail is a small upland bog that has northern cotton grass and several majestic old growth hemlock trees. Wildcat Connector connects Wildcat Trail with Rock Run and Spur Line trails.
Lyman Run Trail
More difficult hiking
Hike from one end of the park to the other following Lyman Run through many habitats and on a railroad trace. Lyman Run Trail can be accessed in Lower Campground, at the spillway, or where it intersects the Susquehannock Trail System. Until a bridge is installed, hikers must make a wet crossing of the creek between Lower Campground and the Spillway.
Susquehannock Trail System
This 85-mile trail loop traverses some of the most rugged, mountainous terrain in northcentral Pennsylvania.
This trail system also passes through Denton Hill State Park, Patterson State Park, and Ole Bull State Park.
Picnicking at Lyman Run State Park
The shaded picnic area has picnic tables, charcoal grills, hot charcoal disposals, modern restrooms, drinking water, and a play area.
One picnic pavilion may be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee. When unreserved, the picnic pavilion is free on a first-come, first-served basis.
Stay the Night at Lyman Run State Park
Camping
flush toilets, warm showers, some electric hook-ups
This activity or structure is ADA accessible.
Daggett Run and Lower campgrounds offer separate camping areas with a total of 35 RV and tent campsites. Each campsite contains a:
Picnic table
Fire ring
Lantern hanger
Twenty-nine campsites have electricity. Six campsites are walk-ins.
The campgrounds have modern shower houses with hot water, flush toilets, and showers.
The campgrounds are open from the second weekend in April to the end of deer season in December.
A sanitary dump station is in the Lower Campground.
Pets are permitted on designated sites in both campgrounds.
Swimming at Lyman Run State Park
The 300-foot sand beach is open from late-May to mid-September, 8:00 A.M. to sunset. A modern bathhouse with flush toilets, changing rooms, snack bar, and boat rental is the centerpiece of the beach area.
Swim at your own risk.
Please read and follow posted rules for swimming.
ATV Riding at Lyman Run State Park
Lyman Run State Park is an access point for the 43 miles of the Susquehannock ATV Trail.
ATVs must be loaded/offloaded in the Lyman Run ATV trailhead parking lot located east of the park office on Lyman Run Road. This lot has space for five vehicles with trailers.
Additional ATV offload/staging areas are available at DCBR’s Bureau of Forestry (Denton Hill) trailhead and the Susquehannock State Forest Rock Run Road trailhead.
Restrooms and the Watercraft and Refreshment Concession at Lyman Run Beach are within walking distance of the joint use “ATV” parking lot located on the Lyman Run dam breast along Lyman Run Road.
Dagget Hollow Road (campground), Park Office Road, Lower Campground Road, and designated day use vehicle parking lots are off limits to ATVs.
Wildlife Watching at Lyman Run State Park
Depending on the season, visitors can see woodland wildlife like:
Bobcat
Coyote
White-tailed deer
Black bear
Wild turkey
During the spring, Lyman Lake is visited by migrating waterfowl like common loon and merganser. A good pair of binoculars is often enough to see nesting:
Pied-billed grebes
Wood ducks
Red-breasted mergansers
Boating at Lyman Run State Park
electric motors only
Boating facilities on the 45-acre Lyman Run Lake include a launching ramp and a courtesy dock. The mooring area holds 60 boats. A permit, available at the park office, is needed for the mooring area.
Fishing at Lyman Run State Park
The 45-acre Lyman Run Lake is noted for its exceptional water quality and provides excellent trout fishing. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission stocks the lake with rainbow and palomino trout throughout the fishing season.
Ice Fishing
When conditions permit, ice fishing is permitted on the natural ice of the lake. Rainbow and palomino trout are the primary species caught through the ice.
The ice thickness is not monitored.
Hunting at Lyman Run State Park
During established seasons, about 505 acres are open to:
Hunting
Trapping
Training of dogs
Common game species are:
Deer
Turkey
Bear
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.
Sledding at Lyman Run State Park
A small sledding hill is on the dam.
Ice Skating at Lyman Run State Park
Lyman Run Lake provides ice skating at the swimming area. Ice thickness is not monitored.
Snowmobiling at Lyman Run State Park
A 43-mile loop trail in Susquehannock State Forest passes through Lyman Run State Park.
