#38 of the LakePA 100 · Northeast
Beltzville Lake
Carbon County · Northeast region · 949 acres
Checked Oct 2026
- Size
- 949 acres as listed by the state park's boating page
- Boat traffic
- Busy water possible: no motor limit, so expect powerboats and wakes. As listed by 58 Pa. Code § 111.13, checked Oct 2026.
- Permit
- PA boat registration or a PFBC/State Parks launch permit is required to launch here. Paddling rules →
- Dam
- This lake is held back by a dam. Stay well away from the dam, spillway and outlet structures.
Where to put in
Beltzville State Park launch
Ramp
Launch point from DCNR's state park map data.
40.86733, -75.60882 (about ±50 m)
PA boat registration or a PFBC/State Parks launch permit is required to launch here.
Pine Run access area
Ramp · paved ramp, dock
40.86347, -75.61853 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
Run by Beltzville State Park (Pennsylvania DCNR). Check its rules. (PA's launch-permit rule applies at PFBC and state park/forest launches.)
Preachers Camp access area
Ramp · paved ramp, dock
40.87423, -75.57493 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
Run by Beltzville State Park (Pennsylvania DCNR). Check its rules. (PA's launch-permit rule applies at PFBC and state park/forest launches.)
Access notices
No access notice on file (we last checked Oct 4, 2026). Check Beltzville State Park alerts (DCNR) before you go.
About Beltzville Lake
Number 38 on the LakePA 100 is Beltzville Lake, a 949-acre reservoir in Carbon County (Northeast region). The acreage comes from the state park's boating page. There is no motor limit, so expect powerboats and their wakes. (Boat rules as listed by the county boating rules in 58 Pa. Code § 111.13.) There are three put-ins on our list for this lake, among them Beltzville State Park launch, Pine Run access area and Preachers Camp access area. Beltzville State Park launch has a launch ramp. At Fish and Boat Commission and state park launches your boat needs a Pennsylvania registration or a PFBC or State Parks launch permit. It is held back by a dam: stay well clear of the dam, the spillway and the outlet structures. It counts toward the Northeast region milestone. In a straight line, it is about 20 miles from Allentown to the nearest put-in. Check the operator's notices, the weather and posted signs before you launch.
Rules for paddlers
Pennsylvania's paddler rules (permits, life jackets, whistle and light) are on one dated page. Paddling rules →
Safety
Paddling has real risks. Wear your life jacket. Pennsylvania requires it to be worn on canoes, kayaks and paddleboards from Nov 1 through Apr 30, and by children 12 and under all year. Check the weather, posted signs and the operator's notices before you launch. Stay well away from dams, spillways and outlet structures. You paddle at your own risk.
Nearby on the list
Straight-line distance between the lakes, not driving distance.
Questions about Beltzville Lake
Where do I put in at Beltzville Lake?
Beltzville Lake has three listed put-ins: Beltzville State Park launch, Pine Run access area, Preachers Camp access area. Beltzville State Park launch is at 40.86733, -75.60882 with state park launch.
Are motorboats allowed on Beltzville Lake?
Busy water possible: no motor limit, so expect powerboats and wakes. As listed by 58 Pa. Code § 111.13, checked Oct 2026.
Do I need a launch permit at Beltzville Lake?
Yes, at the state park launch: a Pennsylvania boat registration or a PFBC or State Parks launch permit is required.
Source: PFBC, “Registration vs. Launch Permit”, checked 4 Oct 2026.
How big is Beltzville Lake?
949 acres, as listed by the state park's boating page.
Sources
- DCNR park boating page — checked Oct 4, 2026
- 58 Pa. Code § 111.13 (Carbon County) — checked Oct 4, 2026
- USACE National Inventory of Dams (Beltzville Dam, PA00010) — checked Oct 4, 2026
- DCNR State Parks GIS (park boat launches) — checked Oct 4, 2026
- Fish and Boat Commission access map — checked Oct 4, 2026
- USGS National Hydrography Dataset — checked Oct 4, 2026
Every fact on this page comes from these public sources. Posted signs and official notices always control.
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