Alternate A29 · South Central
Lake Williams
York County · South Central region · 220 acres
Quiet Water Checked Oct 2026
- Size
- 220 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 58 Pa. Code § 111.67, checked Oct 2026.
- Permit
- Run by York County Parks. Check its rules. (PA's launch-permit rule applies at PFBC and state park/forest launches.) 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
Lake Williams access area
Ramp · paved ramp, dock
39.89004, -76.72085 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
Run by York County Parks. Check its rules. (PA's launch-permit rule applies at PFBC and state park/forest launches.)
Access notices
PFBC's maps list Lake Williams as 'Lake under drawdown' and 'lake drained' (checked 4 Oct 2026). Check with York County Parks before you go.
Access notice from the operator, published Oct 4, 2026.
About Lake Williams
Lake Williams is alternate A29 for the LakePA 100: a 220-acre reservoir in York County, in our South Central region. The acreage comes from the Fish and Boat Commission's PA Lakes map. It is Quiet Water: paddle craft and electric-motor boats only. That rule is as listed by the county boating rules in 58 Pa. Code § 111.67. The one listed put-in is Lake Williams access area, with a paved ramp, a dock and parking listed as 10 spaces or more. The listed launches are run by York County Parks, so check its rules before you go. It is held back by a dam: stay well clear of the dam, the spillway and the outlet structures. It is an alternate this season because of a dated closure or drawdown notice, so read the notice box before you plan a trip. Logging it moves you toward the South Central region milestone. As the crow flies, the closest put-in is about 5 miles from York. 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 Lake Williams
Where do I put in at Lake Williams?
Lake Williams has one listed put-in: Lake Williams access area. Lake Williams access area is at 39.89004, -76.72085 with paved ramp, dock; parking: 10 spaces or more.
Are motorboats allowed on Lake Williams?
Quiet water: paddle craft and electric-motor boats only. As listed by 58 Pa. Code § 111.67, checked Oct 2026.
Do I need a launch permit at Lake Williams?
Lake Williams's listed launches are run by York County Parks; check its rules. Pennsylvania's launch-permit rule applies at PFBC and state park or forest launches.
How big is Lake Williams?
220 acres, as listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's PA Lakes map.
Is there a notice for Lake Williams?
PFBC's maps list Lake Williams as 'Lake under drawdown' and 'lake drained' (checked 4 Oct 2026). Check with York County Parks before you go. Source: the operator, published Oct 4, 2026.
Sources
- PFBC PA Lakes map (lake layer) — checked Oct 4, 2026
- 58 Pa. Code § 111.67 (York County) — checked Oct 4, 2026
- USACE National Inventory of Dams (Lake Williams, PA00338) — 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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