#93 of the LakePA 100 · Southeast
Hopewell Lake
Berks County · Southeast region · 68 acres
Quiet Water Small Water Checked Oct 2026
- Size
- 68 acres as listed by the state park's boating page
- Boat traffic
- Quiet water: paddle craft and electric-motor boats only. As listed by the state park's boating page, 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
Hopewell Lake-French Creek State Park
Ramp · paved ramp, pier
40.20029, -75.78451 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
PA boat registration or a PFBC/State Parks launch permit is required to launch here.
French Creek State Park launch
Ramp
Launch point from DCNR's state park map data.
40.19947, -75.78922 (about ±50 m)
PA boat registration or a PFBC/State Parks launch permit is required to launch here.
Access notices
No access notice on file (we last checked Oct 4, 2026). Check French Creek State Park alerts (DCNR) before you go.
About Hopewell Lake
Hopewell Lake is number 93 on the LakePA 100: a 68-acre reservoir in Berks County, in our Southeast region. The acreage comes from the state park's boating page. Under a hundred acres, it belongs to the Small Water tier. It is Quiet Water: paddle craft and electric-motor boats only. That rule is as listed by the state park's boating page. There are two put-ins on our list for this lake, among them Hopewell Lake-French Creek State Park and French Creek State Park launch. Hopewell Lake-French Creek State Park has a paved ramp, a pier and parking listed as 10 spaces or more. 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. Logging it moves you toward the Southeast region milestone. As the crow flies, the closest put-in is about 12 miles from Reading. Check the weather, posted signs and the operator's latest notices 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 Hopewell Lake
Where do I put in at Hopewell Lake?
Hopewell Lake has two listed put-ins: Hopewell Lake-French Creek State Park, French Creek State Park launch. Hopewell Lake-French Creek State Park is at 40.20029, -75.78451 with paved ramp, pier; parking: 10 spaces or more.
Are motorboats allowed on Hopewell Lake?
Quiet water: paddle craft and electric-motor boats only. As listed by the state park's boating page, checked Oct 2026.
Do I need a launch permit at Hopewell 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 Hopewell Lake?
68 acres, as listed by the state park's boating page.
Sources
- DCNR park boating page — checked Oct 4, 2026
- USACE National Inventory of Dams (Hopewell, PA00724) — checked Oct 4, 2026
- Fish and Boat Commission access map — checked Oct 4, 2026
- DCNR State Parks GIS (park boat launches) — 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.
Share this lake
Download the lake card (1080×1350)
For your post or story. #LakePA100