#64 of the LakePA 100 · South Central
Gordon Lake
Bedford County · South Central region · 146 acres
Quiet Water Checked Oct 2026
- Size
- 146 acres as listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's PA Lakes map
- Boat traffic
- Quiet water: paddle craft and electric-motor boats only. As listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's access map, 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
Gordon Lake Boat Access (west)
Ramp · paved ramp
39.75382, -78.69147 (about ±50 m)
Parking: Dirt/Mud
PA boat registration or a PFBC/State Parks launch permit is required to launch here.
Gordon Lake Boat Access (east)
Ramp · ramp
39.75337, -78.67918 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
Run by Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (access area). 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 PFBC PA Lakes page before you go.
About Gordon Lake
Gordon Lake is number 64 on the LakePA 100: a 146-acre reservoir in Bedford County, in our South Central region. You may also see it called Lake Gordon. The acreage comes from the Fish and Boat Commission's PA Lakes map. Only paddle craft and electric-motor boats may use it, so it counts as Quiet Water. That rule is as listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's access data. We list two put-ins, including Gordon Lake Boat Access (west) and Gordon Lake Boat Access (east). Gordon Lake Boat Access (west) has a paved ramp. Launching at a Fish and Boat Commission or state park site requires a Pennsylvania boat 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. Logging it moves you toward the South Central region milestone. As the crow flies, the closest put-in is about 41 miles from Johnstown. 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 Gordon Lake
Where do I put in at Gordon Lake?
Gordon Lake has two listed put-ins: Gordon Lake Boat Access (west), Gordon Lake Boat Access (east). Gordon Lake Boat Access (west) is at 39.75382, -78.69147 with paved ramp; parking: Dirt/Mud.
Are motorboats allowed on Gordon Lake?
Quiet water: paddle craft and electric-motor boats only. As listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's access map, checked Oct 2026.
Do I need a launch permit at Gordon Lake?
Yes, at the Fish and Boat Commission 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 Gordon Lake?
146 acres, as listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's PA Lakes map.
Sources
- PFBC PA Lakes map (lake layer) — checked Oct 4, 2026
- Fish and Boat Commission access map — checked Oct 4, 2026
- USACE National Inventory of Dams (Lake Gordon, PA00242) — 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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