Lake Erie was always a part of my childhood growing up in Northeast Ohio — at Cedar Point and Put-in-Bay, or when visiting family near Cleveland. When I visited Erie, PA beaches, and Presque Isle State Park, it was like going home.
It felt nostalgic, comfortable, familiar.
I know I am not the only one who feels this way.
Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA is visited by more than 4,000,000 people every year. They return to the historic peninsula often, camping in their favorite spots, eating at favorite restaurants, and of course spending long lazy days on its beaches.
This post will hopefully encourage you to consider Erie’s beaches as a getaway if you haven’t been to Presque Isle State Park. You might learn something new if you’ve been to Presque Isle. OR, let me know below in the comments if you have anything else to add!
Presque Isle State Park Travel Planner
Presque Isle State Park, a 3,200 acre peninsula of sand that arcs into Lake Erie, is located in Pennsylvania. Presque Isle is located four miles west from downtown Erie. The beaches are located on the north side Presque Isle and stretch for seven miles along Lake Erie’s shoreline.
Presque Isle State Park’s southern shoreline is rocky and has boat launches that lead into Presque Isle Bay, a protected waterway, which is used by tour boats, commercial shipping vessels, private boats, kayakers, wind surfers, and other recreational boats.
Presque Isle State Park, a day-use facility, offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy many recreational activities including fishing, swimming, boating and hiking. The park is open from sunrise to sundown 365 days per year.
There are many vacation accommodation nearby that offer a variety lodging options.
Find Hotels in Erie, PA
Presque Isle State Park has been designated a National Natural Landmark by the Secretary for the Interior because of its exceptional biological and geological resources. Presque Isle State Park was given this designation because of its unique habitats, which contain more endangered, threatened and rare species in Pennsylvania than any other similar-sized area.
It’s an ecosystem with a beautiful diversity that is admired by birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.
Presque Isle State Park offers a variety of seasonal activities to all visitors. Presque Isle offers plenty of activities in the winter. The most popular season in Presque Isle is the summer, so let’s begin there.
Presque Isle State Park: Summer Activities
Swimming At Presque Isle Beaches
Presque Isle beaches are open for swimming between Memorial Day and Labor Day. All summer, visitors flock to the wide sandy beaches with their own lifeguard stations. Many first-time visitors are surprised to discover that Lake Erie is a lake with tides, just like an ocean. There are even waves!
Each beach has a specific number and amenities. Only beaches with lifeguards are allowed to allow swimming. Beach glass hunting is a favorite pastime of beachgoers. The beach glass is hard to come by, but well worth the search.
The dog rules stipulate that dogs are only allowed to be off-leash in areas where there is a guarded beach. Dogs can swim in supervised areas other than guarded beach.
Highlights
- Beach 7 (Waterworks Beach), and Beach 8 are ADA-accessible. This includes restrooms, changing rooms, and a ramp to provide ADA access at the water’s edges. Beach wheelchairs can be rented at the Public Safety Building.
- Beach 6 (Lyons Beach), has sand volleyball court, changing rooms, and food and beverage concessions.
- The Presque Isle Lighthouse is located at Beach 9 (Leslie Beach).
- Beach 11 (Kohler Beach), the smoke-free beach, offers shallow water and is the best protected beach. It also has a large sandy area, changing rooms, restrooms and a concession for food and beverages. Kohler Beach has a playground, picnic area, and pavilion. It is a favorite beach with families.
- Beach 11, Beach 3 and Millroad Beaches are all smoke-free beaches. Each has its own amenities.
Stay for the sunset if you can. Enjoy the sunset on the western horizon.
Educational Activites At Presque Isle State Park
This Erie, PA park offers an array of environmental education programs to suit all ages. Participants learn about Presque Isle’s natural and cultural resources through hands-on activities and guided walks. Evening programs also provide an opportunity to explore the park. The public can participate in a variety of programs throughout the year on topics such as history, art and wildlife.
Families visiting Presque Isle during the summer can take part in educational programs that are offered. Children’s programs are designed to explore nature through structured play, stories, and crafts.
Boating At Presque Isle State Park
Presque Isle State Park and the nearby harbor offer personal watercraft, commercial vessels and boat tours.
Presque Isle Marina is open from May 1 to October 31 every year. It has 493 slips and can accommodate boats of up to 42 feet. The park concessions offer food, refreshments, and sewage pumping station. To reserve a boat dock, contact the park.
This Erie PA state parks offers boat launches, water skiing (ice levels aren’t monitored), and beaching of boats. You can find specific rules on the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website , such as boat registration and safety.
Explore Boating!
Presque Isle boat rental near Perry Monument offers pontoons and motor boats as well as canoes. rowboats, paddleboards, and other equipment for day visitors at Erie’s state park. The company is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day and on weekends in October. The outfitter offers guided tours as well.
Biking At Presque Isle State Park
This Pennsylvania state park is popular for biking. This 13.5-mile-long, ADA-accessible trail is popular among bikers, joggers, and in-line-skaters.
The bike path at Presque Isle is a part of the Pennsylvania Seaway Trail which runs along the Lake Erie shore from Ohio to New York and passes through Erie, PA.
From Memorial Day through Labor Day, bike rentals are available near the Waterworks Pumphouse on Presque Isle State Park. There are many rental options, including tricycles and surrey bicycles. Contact Yellow Bike Rentals by calling 814 835-8900 for more information.
Hiking At Presque Isle State Park
Presque Isle State park is more geared towards beginners than for rugged hikers. These same trails are used for bicycling, but you can “hike” and explore nature at close range. There are many options, from short walks (about 2/10ths a mile), to the 13-mile loop. The trail is paved and ADA compliant. It’s also suitable for strollers.
Presque Isle State Park Winter Activities
This Erie, PA State park is popular in winter, especially among locals. The park rangers provide programming all year long. You can find the schedule on their website.
Cross-country skiing, ice fishing, and ice skating are all popular winter activities in Presque Isle. For the more adventurous, ice boating is a popular activity.
Note: Park rangers DO NOT monitor the thickness of ice. It is up to those who choose to do winter sports on the lake.
Presque Isle State Park Offers a Variety of Activities All Year Long
Visit the Lighthouse at Presque Isle State Park
The Presque Isle Lighthouse was built in 1873 and is still an active lighthouse that aids ship navigation near Erie. The lighthouse is open to the public every day during summer. This is an easy climb with only 78 steps. The cost of the house tour and tower climb with a beautiful view of Lake Erie is $7. Admission is $3 for those who only want to see the house (and not climb the stairs).
The lighthouse may not be open everyday in the winter and fall, but it makes for a fantastic photo opportunity!
Visit Perry Monument at Presque Isle State Park
The Perry Monument is located at Presque Isle at about the midway point of the drive. The park has a large parking area, bathrooms and picnic areas.
Signs explain why Oliver Hazard Perry was honored and the importance of the area during the War of 1812, as well as the significance of the Perry Monument.
Quick history lesson: At the beginning of our nation’s existence, the British remained a threat to American liberty, especially along the Great Lakes. Captain Daniel Dobbins was a US Navy sailing master who recognized this threat and identified the importance of the area that is now Erie Bay, Presque Isle, and Presque Isle. He suggested that warships be built here, and the city was born. Here were six of the nine Navy ships that fought in the Battle of Lake Erie. Oliver Hazard Perry strategically used the bay to protect his crew and ships from the British. The US eventually won the war. A replica of the USS Niagara (one of the ships that took part in the battle) is moored at the Erie Maritime Museum, and it’s open for tours seasonally.
While visiting Presque Isle State Park you can stroll the paved pathways under the canopy of trees and learn about the hardships that Perry and his crew faced during the war and in the winters following. Discover what Perry meant by saying, “Don’t Give Up the Ship!” Enjoy the views and Lake Erie breezes at the base.
There are many things to do near the Erie, PA State Park
Presque Isle State Park Dining and Shopping
Summer concessions are available at the Erie, PA State park. Grilling is allowed at the grilling stations throughout the park. For restaurant dining, visitors must leave the Isle Peninsula and travel to Erie. Nearby, you’ll find some of the best restaurants in the area.
- Bayfront Grille, Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel – yes, it’s a hotel! The airy dining area has floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Presque Isle Bay. This restaurant serves incredible breakfasts cooked to order. Come for the views, stay for the food. This is the perfect place to start the day.
- Icing on Lake Located in Erie’s West End and not far from the State Park, Icing on Lake is a charming bakeshop with sweets for the entire family. Picnicing by the bay? A delicious dessert is available at this location. Celebrate a special occasion? Celebrate the occasion with a tasty snack. I confess that I tried their cake pops, macarons, cupcakes, and cookies. After doing my due diligence, I loved every bite!
- Sara’s Restaurant Located just outside of the park’s gates, Sara’s is a favorite among state park visitors for many decades. The retro diner offers local favorites like Smith’s Hot Dogs, burgers and fried perch sandwiches. It also serves ice cream. Vanilla-orange swirl ice cream is a favorite. Restaurant is open all year round, and offers outdoor dining as well as drive-through options. I had a Smith’s Hot Dog and Onion Rings, and it lived up to its hype.
- Glass Growers Gallery – Open in Erie, Ohio since 1974, Glass Growers Gallery offers a variety of handcrafted items including jewelry, pottery and art. It’s located downtown, next to the Art Museum.
- Relish Owner Jennifer Reed grew up collecting beach glass on the shores of Lake Erie. She developed a passion for creating jewelry using beach glass. She has a degree in jewelry design. She owns Relish, which showcases her custom-made jewelry pieces and art by local artists. Each piece is unique. Relish can be found near the Erie State Park at 3835 W. 12th Street.
Places To Stay Near Presque Isle State Park
Camping, hotels, and vacation rental homes are all options for accommodation near Presque Isle State Park.
Reservations are recommended for those who want to camp near Presque Isle State Park. Consider these three options:
- Sara’s Campground , located just outside the park gates in Erie, PA is the closest campground to it. Sara’s Campground is located just outside of the park’s gates. It offers both tent and RV camping. Beach tent camping is popular and available on a space-available basis. If you want to reserve a space, make your request early (fall the year before would be a good time).
- Lampe Campground & Marina are located across Presque Island Bay from Erie’s state park. The campground offers 42 waterfront campsites, a boat launch that is free and bike trails to Erie’s Bayfront District and the state park.
- The Erie KOA Holiday Campground , located approximately 20 minutes from the state park. This campground is included because it’s a KOA and has many amenities. This “kid-friendly” campground features heated pools, pedal cars and bikes, and a catch-and release pond. On holidays, there are DJ dance parties, ice-cream socials and movies. When it rains, head to the rec room and play air hockey, pool or ping-pong.
If these campgrounds don’t work for you, there are plenty more near Presque Isle state park. Please share your favorite campground in the comments section below and I’ll add it to this list. Tell me what you love about it.
There are many hotels near the park in Erie, PA for those who want a more rustic experience.
Some of the best hotels are convenient to the Erie, PA state park and Erie Bayfront entertainment area. Some of our favorites include:
- Sheraton Bayfront Hotel Located between the marina, and Presque Isle Bay. The hotel offers water views on both sides. Dobbins landing and other attractions are just a few steps away. Breakfast is also available at the restaurant.
- Hampton Inn & Suites Erie Bayfront – This hotel has been open for a little over a year and offers rooms and suites that offer views of either the Erie Maritime Museum or the marina. Oliver’s Rooftop Restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy a sunset and dinner, while Oliver’s Beer Garden offers casual food and an enjoyable atmosphere.
- SureStay Plus by Best Western – Located just a few block away from Presque Isle State Park this hotel offers comfort on a budget. Each stay includes free WiFi and breakfast.
Attractions Near Presque Isle State Park
To fully experience this Erie, PA treasure, I suggest a visit of three days. One day should be dedicated to the beach. Another for exploring the trails by bike or foot. And the third for boating, tours, or fishing.
I would recommend spending a few extra days exploring other attractions in the area of Erie, PA State Park!
- Tom Ridge Environmental Center – This educational center, also known as “TREC”, is dedicated to educating visitors about the 3,200 acres Presque Isle peninsula and its many forms of life. The hands-on exhibits help kids absorb the information. Visitors can take in the beauty of the surrounding area through the large windows and viewing tower.
- Hagen History Center Located near downtown Erie this center has recently acquired the San Francisco office the architect Frank Lloyd Wright. It is also included in the ” Great Wright Road Trip“, which highlights the storied architect’s career. The Hagen History Center is spread over four buildings and features a wide range of exhibits, including a children’s museum, Civil War exhibition, and many exhibits that highlight early Erie history.
- Waldameer and Water World – This retro style amusement park, located near the entrance of Presque Isle State Park is open on a seasonal basis. There are more than 75 rides in the park, including water slides, roller coasters, kiddie rides and classic family rides. The park admission is free. Guests pay for rides using tickets. I like a park that doesn’t charge non-riders to hold their bags.
- Lettie Howard This historic schooner sails out of Dobbins landing (on the Erie Bay side) and offers a casual sailing day around the Erie Bay Area, sharing the fascinating history about the schooner.
This post is meant to inspire you to visit Presque Isle State Park in Pennsylvania and the historic city of Erie. This is a lively little city, proud of its history and eager to share it.