#79 of the LakePA 100 · South Central
Pinchot Lake
York County · South Central region · 340 acres
Quiet Water Checked Oct 2026
- Size
- 340 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
Pinchot State Park - Boat Mooring #1
Ramp · ramp
40.06868, -76.90837 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
PA boat registration or a PFBC/State Parks launch permit is required to launch here.
Pinchot State Park - Boat Mooring #2
Ramp · paved ramp, dock
40.08278, -76.88379 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
PA boat registration or a PFBC/State Parks launch permit is required to launch here.
Pinchot State Park - Boat Mooring #3
Ramp · paved ramp, dock
40.07938, -76.88096 (about ±50 m)
Parking: Roadside Parking (No Lot)
PA boat registration or a PFBC/State Parks launch permit is required to launch here.
Pinchot State Park Campground
Ramp
Launch point from DCNR's state park map data.
40.06494, -76.89729 (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 Gifford Pinchot State Park alerts (DCNR) before you go.
About Pinchot Lake
Pinchot Lake is number 79 on the LakePA 100: a 340-acre reservoir in York County, in our South Central region. The acreage comes from the state park's boating page. It is Quiet Water: paddle craft and electric-motor boats only. (Boat rules as listed by the state park's boating page.) We list four put-ins, including Pinchot State Park - Boat Mooring #1, Pinchot State Park - Boat Mooring #2 and Pinchot State Park - Boat Mooring #3. Pinchot State Park - Boat Mooring #1 has a launch ramp and parking listed as 10 spaces or more. Launching at a Fish and Boat Commission or state park site requires a Pennsylvania boat 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. As the crow flies, the closest put-in is about 11 miles from York. 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 Pinchot Lake
Where do I put in at Pinchot Lake?
Pinchot Lake has four listed put-ins: Pinchot State Park - Boat Mooring #1, Pinchot State Park - Boat Mooring #2, Pinchot State Park - Boat Mooring #3, Pinchot State Park Campground. Pinchot State Park - Boat Mooring #1 is at 40.06868, -76.90837 with ramp; parking: 10 spaces or more.
Are motorboats allowed on Pinchot 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 Pinchot 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 Pinchot Lake?
340 acres, as listed by the state park's boating page.
Sources
- DCNR park boating page — checked Oct 4, 2026
- USACE National Inventory of Dams (Pinchot Lake, PA00335) — 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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