#84 of the LakePA 100 · Southeast
Middle Creek Lake
Lancaster County · Southeast region · 361 acres
Quiet Water Checked Oct 2026
- Size
- 361 acres as listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's PA Lakes map
- Boat traffic
- Paddle-only water: no motors of any kind. As listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's access map, checked Oct 2026.
- Permit
- Run by Pennsylvania Game Commission. 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
Middle Creek Lake access area
Ramp · paved ramp
40.26874, -76.23528 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
Run by Pennsylvania Game Commission. 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 Middle Creek Lake
Middle Creek Lake is number 84 on the LakePA 100: a 361-acre reservoir in Lancaster County, in our Southeast region. Some sources list it as Middle Creek Reservoir. That acreage is the figure given by the Fish and Boat Commission's PA Lakes map. No motors of any kind are allowed, so this is paddle-only water and part of the Quiet Water tier. That rule is as listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's access data. You launch at Middle Creek Lake access area, which has a paved ramp and parking listed as 10 spaces or more. The listed launches are run by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, so check its rules before you go. A dam holds the water back, so keep well away from the dam, the spillway and any outlet structures. It counts toward the Southeast region milestone. As the crow flies, the closest put-in is about 16 miles from Lancaster. Before you go, check posted signs, the weather and the operator's notices.
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 Middle Creek Lake
Where do I put in at Middle Creek Lake?
Middle Creek Lake has one listed put-in: Middle Creek Lake access area. Middle Creek Lake access area is at 40.26874, -76.23528 with paved ramp; parking: 10 spaces or more.
Are motorboats allowed on Middle Creek Lake?
Paddle-only water: no motors of any kind. As listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's access map, checked Oct 2026.
Do I need a launch permit at Middle Creek Lake?
Middle Creek Lake's listed launches are run by Pennsylvania Game Commission; check its rules. Pennsylvania's launch-permit rule applies at PFBC and state park or forest launches.
How big is Middle Creek Lake?
361 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 (Middle Creek, PA00731) — 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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