#68 of the LakePA 100 · South Central
Raystown Lake
Huntingdon County · South Central region · 8,300 acres
Big Water Checked Oct 2026
- Size
- 8,300 acres as listed by the Corps of Engineers lake page
- Boat traffic
- Busy water possible: no motor limit, so expect powerboats and wakes. As listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's access map, checked Oct 2026.
- Permit
- Run by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 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
Aitch access area
Ramp · paved ramp, pier, dock
40.37577, -78.16183 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
Run by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Check its rules. (PA's launch-permit rule applies at PFBC and state park/forest launches.)
James Creek access area
Ramp · paved ramp, dock
40.36301, -78.15793 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
Run by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Check its rules. (PA's launch-permit rule applies at PFBC and state park/forest launches.)
Seven Points access area
Ramp · paved ramp, dock
40.38061, -78.07378 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
Run by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Check its rules. (PA's launch-permit rule applies at PFBC and state park/forest launches.)
Shy Beaver access area
Ramp · paved ramp, pier, dock
40.30032, -78.20878 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
Run by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Check its rules. (PA's launch-permit rule applies at PFBC and state park/forest launches.)
Snyder's Run access area
Ramp · paved ramp, dock
40.44288, -78.03911 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
Run by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Check its rules. (PA's launch-permit rule applies at PFBC and state park/forest launches.)
Tatman Run access area
Ramp · paved ramp, dock
40.31164, -78.17343 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
Run by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Check its rules. (PA's launch-permit rule applies at PFBC and state park/forest launches.)
Show all 7 put-ins
Weaver's Falls access area
Ramp · paved ramp, dock
40.24458, -78.23304 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
Run by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 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 Corps of Engineers lake page before you go.
About Raystown Lake
Raystown Lake is number 68 on the LakePA 100: an 8,300-acre reservoir in Huntingdon County, in our South Central region. The acreage comes from the Corps of Engineers lake page. It counts toward the Big Water tier, which means wind and long crossings can matter on a paddle here. Motors are not limited by size here, so expect powerboats and wakes. That rule is as listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's access data. There are seven put-ins on our list for this lake, among them Aitch access area, James Creek access area and Seven Points access area. Aitch access area has a paved ramp, a pier, a dock and parking listed as 10 spaces or more. The listed launches are run by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 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. Logging it moves you toward the South Central region milestone. As the crow flies, the closest put-in is about 16 miles from Altoona. 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 Raystown Lake
Where do I put in at Raystown Lake?
Raystown Lake has seven listed put-ins: Aitch access area, James Creek access area, Seven Points access area, Shy Beaver access area and 3 more. Aitch access area is at 40.37577, -78.16183 with paved ramp, pier, dock; parking: 10 spaces or more.
Are motorboats allowed on Raystown Lake?
Busy water possible: no motor limit, so expect powerboats and wakes. As listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's access map, checked Oct 2026.
Do I need a launch permit at Raystown Lake?
Raystown Lake's listed launches are run by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; check its rules. Pennsylvania's launch-permit rule applies at PFBC and state park or forest launches.
How big is Raystown Lake?
8,300 acres, as listed by the Corps of Engineers lake page.
Sources
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake page — checked Oct 4, 2026
- Fish and Boat Commission access map — checked Oct 4, 2026
- USACE National Inventory of Dams (Raystown Dam, PA00004) — checked Oct 4, 2026
- 58 Pa. Code § 111.31 — 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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