#54 of the LakePA 100 · Southwest
Keystone Lake
Westmoreland County · Southwest region · 78 acres
Quiet Water Small Water Checked Oct 2026
- Size
- 78 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
Keystone State Park Lake
Ramp · ramp, dock
40.37429, -79.38093 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
PA boat registration or a PFBC/State Parks launch permit is required to launch here.
Keystone State Park launch
Ramp
Launch point from DCNR's state park map data.
40.37541, -79.38898 (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 Keystone State Park alerts (DCNR) before you go.
About Keystone Lake
Keystone Lake holds spot 54 on the LakePA 100. It is a 78-acre reservoir in Westmoreland County, part of the Southwest region. The acreage comes from the state park's boating page. It is one of the Small Water lakes, our tier for lakes under a hundred acres. It is Quiet Water: paddle craft and electric-motor boats only. (Boat rules as listed by the state park's boating page.) We list two put-ins, including Keystone State Park Lake and Keystone State Park launch. Keystone State Park Lake has a launch ramp, a dock 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. It counts toward the Southwest region milestone. As the crow flies, the closest put-in is about 24 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 Keystone Lake
Where do I put in at Keystone Lake?
Keystone Lake has two listed put-ins: Keystone State Park Lake, Keystone State Park launch. Keystone State Park Lake is at 40.37429, -79.38093 with ramp, dock; parking: 10 spaces or more.
Are motorboats allowed on Keystone 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 Keystone 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 Keystone Lake?
78 acres, as listed by the state park's boating page.
Sources
- DCNR park boating page — checked Oct 4, 2026
- USACE National Inventory of Dams (Keystone State Park, PA00480) — 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.
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