#74 of the LakePA 100 · South Central
Opossum Lake
Cumberland County · South Central region · 47 acres
Quiet Water Small Water Checked Oct 2026
- Size
- 47 acres as listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's lake page
- Boat traffic
- Quiet water: paddle craft and electric-motor boats only. As listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's lake 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
Opossum Lake BL #1 access area
Ramp · paved ramp, dock
40.22923, -77.27767 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
PA boat registration or a PFBC/State Parks launch permit is required to launch here.
Opossum Lake BL #2 access area
Ramp · paved ramp
40.23409, -77.28096 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
PA boat registration or a PFBC/State Parks launch permit is required to launch here.
Opossum Lake BL #3 access area
Ramp · ramp
40.23064, -77.28055 (about ±50 m)
Parking: Fewer than 10 spaces
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 PFBC PA Lakes page before you go.
About Opossum Lake
Opossum Lake is number 74 on the LakePA 100: a 47-acre reservoir in Cumberland County, in our South Central region. The acreage comes from the Fish and Boat Commission's page for the lake. 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 Fish and Boat Commission's page for the lake.) We list three put-ins, including Opossum Lake BL #1 access area, Opossum Lake BL #2 access area and Opossum Lake BL #3 access area. Opossum Lake BL #1 access area has a paved 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. A dam holds the water back, so keep well away from the dam, the spillway and any outlet structures. It counts toward the South Central region milestone. In a straight line, it is about 21 miles from Harrisburg to the nearest put-in. 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 Opossum Lake
Where do I put in at Opossum Lake?
Opossum Lake has three listed put-ins: Opossum Lake BL #1 access area, Opossum Lake BL #2 access area, Opossum Lake BL #3 access area. Opossum Lake BL #1 access area is at 40.22923, -77.27767 with paved ramp, dock; parking: 10 spaces or more.
Are motorboats allowed on Opossum Lake?
Quiet water: paddle craft and electric-motor boats only. As listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's lake page, checked Oct 2026.
Do I need a launch permit at Opossum 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 Opossum Lake?
47 acres, as listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's lake page.
Sources
- PFBC lake page — 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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