#49 of the LakePA 100 · Southwest
Raccoon Lake
Beaver County · Southwest region · 101 acres
Quiet Water Checked Oct 2026
- Size
- 101 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
Raccoon State Park
Ramp · paved ramp, pier, dock
40.50319, -80.38961 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
PA boat registration or a PFBC/State Parks launch permit is required to launch here.
Raccoon Creek State Park launch
Ramp
Launch point from DCNR's state park map data.
40.50886, -80.38808 (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 Raccoon Creek State Park alerts (DCNR) before you go.
About Raccoon Lake
Number 49 on the LakePA 100 is Raccoon Lake, a 101-acre reservoir in Beaver County (Southwest region). You may also see it called Main Lake. That acreage is the figure given by the state park's boating page. Only paddle craft and electric-motor boats may use it, so it counts as Quiet Water. (Boat rules as listed by the state park's boating page.) There are two put-ins on our list for this lake, among them Raccoon State Park and Raccoon Creek State Park launch. Raccoon State Park has a paved ramp, a pier, a dock 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. Logging it moves you toward the Southwest region milestone. In a straight line, it is about 22 miles from Pittsburgh to the nearest put-in. 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 Raccoon Lake
Where do I put in at Raccoon Lake?
Raccoon Lake has two listed put-ins: Raccoon State Park, Raccoon Creek State Park launch. Raccoon State Park is at 40.50319, -80.38961 with paved ramp, pier, dock; parking: 10 spaces or more.
Are motorboats allowed on Raccoon 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 Raccoon 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 Raccoon Lake?
101 acres, as listed by the state park's boating page.
Sources
- DCNR park boating page — checked Oct 4, 2026
- USACE National Inventory of Dams (Raccoon Creek, PA00262) — 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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