Best Places to Paddleboard in the United States – Pennsylvania 2021
1: Lake Erie
If you’ve been following our fifty state series, you know how much we love Lake Erie, especially since it made our list of top fifteen paddleboarding locations in the United States. Lake Erie is worth visiting while you’re in Pennsylvania, no matter if you only paddled it once or a dozen times already.
Outside of the great water, Erie city (named after the lake and the Erie Native American tribe) hosts several fun activities on and near the water, making paddleboarding there unique. Concerts are held on the shoreline throughout the year at night, and during the day, you can explore the harbor for cool and famous ships, such as the 1812 warship Niagara.
You’ll also want to visit the many paddleboarding experts and vendors who live in the area. They rent out the latest paddleboards on the market and provide great touring adventures or private lessons. By visiting Lake Erie, you’ll have a fantastic adventure and leave a better paddleboarder for it.
Average Clear Weather Days per Year: 157
Distance to Major Cities: Direct Access to Erie
Motor Vehicles Allowed: Yes
Paddleboard Rentals Available: Yes
2: Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir
The Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir is a calm, mostly flat water lake with over 1,700 acres of water to explore. Part of the greater Bald Eagle State Park, there is plenty to do on and off the water, making this one of the more popular places to take a paddleboard in the state.
The calm water is very beginner-friendly, and a great place to practice yoga as you gaze upon the abundant Pine, Oak, and Chestnut trees. If you want to fish, Sunfish, Catfish, and Bass are the most popular game fish, with fishing tournaments held throughout the year at the reservoir.
Lastly, this is the most popular reservoir for students studying at Penn State University, so you’re likely to meet plenty of students taking part in paddling clubs while you’re there. Located in the state’s center, family paddlers or those looking for a more tranquil lake will have an enjoyable experience at Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir.
Average Clear Weather Days per Year: 178
Distance to Major Cities: 30 Minutes to State College
Motor Vehicles Allowed: Yes
Paddleboard Rentals Available: Yes
3: Blue Marsh Lake
Located within the southeastern quadrant of Pennsylvania, Blue Marsh Lake is an excellent option if you are in the Reading or Philadelphia area. The 1,147-acre lake is very popular in the summer and has several vendors who help beginners improve their SUPing ability while keeping the latest SUPs stocked at their stores.
Blue Marsh Lake is also well lit, so paddleboarding is often just as fun during the day as it is in the evening and early at night. Crappie, Bass, and Perch are some of the fish you can expect to catch here, though you’ll probably spend more time touring and exploring the islands on the lake, such as the ghostly Bern Township.
Whatever your favorite paddleboarding activity, you’ll have a ton of fun paddleboarding on Blue Marsh Lake.
Average Clear Weather Days per Year: 203
Distance to Major Cities: 15 Minutes to Reading, 1 Hour and 15 Minutes to Blue Marsh Lake
Motor Vehicles Allowed: Yes
Paddleboard Rentals Available: Yes
4: Yellow Creek
One of the more popular lakes for Pittsburg residents, Yellow Creek, is a 720 square acre lake within Yellow Creek State Park and another beginner-friendly option. While smaller than the Foster Reservoir, Yellow Creek State Park has a 20 HP limit for motorboats on the lake. This helps the water stay extra calm for visitors.
Outside of practicing yoga, it’s fun to cruise around the lake and view the Deer and Black Bear that can be occasionally spotted around the water, along with the numerous state-protected groundhogs. Trout are stocked year-round by the state, with Pike, Muskellunge, and Bass other notable catches you’ll find if you have the right equipment.
You’ll also find several cottages, campgrounds, and yurts on the shoreline, which will make staying overnight extra convenient and comfortable. Whether it’s a short trip or a long run, we think you’ll have a fantastic time paddling Yellow Creek.
Average Clear Weather Days per Year: 160
Distance to Major Cities: 1 Hour and 15 Minutes to Pittsburgh
Motor Vehicles Allowed: Limited
Paddleboard Rentals Available: Yes
5: Allegheny River/Ohio River
If you’re in Pittsburgh and don’t feel like leaving the city, you can paddle right on the Allegheny/Ohio River! These rivers cut right through downtown Pittsburgh, giving you a new perspective on the commercial district without competing with the heavy foot traffic in the city.
For paddlers looking for a challenge, Class I to Class III rapids can be found paddling through and on the edge of the city, with beautiful (but tricky) falls once you leave the city. The Allegheny River is 325 miles long, most of which can be paddled within the Pennsylvania territory. If you are looking for something a bit more challenging, or are hoping to stay within the city, take a paddleboard out onto the Allegheny and Ohio River in Pennsylvania.
Average Clear Weather Days per Year: 160
Distance to Major Cities: Direct Access to Pittsburgh
Motor Vehicles Allowed: Limited
Paddleboard Rentals Available: Yes
Conclusion: Plan Your Paddle Board Trip and Have Fun!
Thank you so much for reading our top recommended paddleboarding destinations in Pennsylvania! We are working hard to develop lists for other states as part of our series, but be sure to let us know how we did this one. If you have a favorite paddleboarding destination in Pennsylvania or want to talk about the places we listed above, please leave a comment below or send us an email with your thoughts.
While you’re here, you can also find our latest paddleboard reviews, beginner and expert instructional guides, and videos discussing some of the most popular paddleboards on the market.
Thank you again for visiting SUPBoardGuide.com, and let us know what you think of paddleboarding in Pennsylvania!
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