#59 of the LakePA 100 · Southwest
Yellow Creek Lake
Indiana County · Southwest region · 720 acres
Checked Oct 2026
- Size
- 720 acres as listed by the state park's boating page
- Boat traffic
- Some motorboats: gas motors allowed with a size limit. As listed by 58 Pa. Code § 111.32, 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
Yellow Creek State Park (site 1)
Ramp · paved ramp, dock
40.57957, -79.03661 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
PA boat registration or a PFBC/State Parks launch permit is required to launch here.
Yellow Creek State Park (site 2)
Ramp · paved ramp, dock
40.57253, -79.01843 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
PA boat registration or a PFBC/State Parks launch permit is required to launch here.
Yellow Creek State Park (site 3)
Ramp · paved ramp, dock
40.57344, -79.01313 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
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 Yellow Creek State Park alerts (DCNR) before you go.
About Yellow Creek Lake
Yellow Creek Lake is number 59 on the LakePA 100: a 720-acre reservoir in Indiana County, in our Southwest region. The acreage comes from the state park's boating page. Gas motors are allowed with a size limit, so expect some motorboats. That rule is as listed by the county boating rules in 58 Pa. Code § 111.32. There are three put-ins on our list for this lake, among them Yellow Creek State Park (site 1), Yellow Creek State Park (site 2) and Yellow Creek State Park (site 3). Yellow Creek State Park (site 1) has a paved ramp, 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. It counts toward the Southwest region milestone. In a straight line, it is about 18 miles from Johnstown 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 Yellow Creek Lake
Where do I put in at Yellow Creek Lake?
Yellow Creek Lake has three listed put-ins: Yellow Creek State Park (site 1), Yellow Creek State Park (site 2), Yellow Creek State Park (site 3). Yellow Creek State Park (site 1) is at 40.57957, -79.03661 with paved ramp, dock; parking: 10 spaces or more.
Are motorboats allowed on Yellow Creek Lake?
Some motorboats: gas motors allowed with a size limit. As listed by 58 Pa. Code § 111.32, checked Oct 2026.
Do I need a launch permit at Yellow Creek 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 Yellow Creek Lake?
720 acres, as listed by the state park's boating page.
Sources
- DCNR park boating page — checked Oct 4, 2026
- 58 Pa. Code § 111.32 (Indiana County) — checked Oct 4, 2026
- USACE National Inventory of Dams (Yellow Creek, PA00282) — 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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