Located in Huntingdon County in Pennsylvania, Raystown Lake was created by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The lake was formed by damming the Raystown Branch Juniata River. The damming of the river took place around 1913 and caused a shallow lake to form in the river valley. The Army Corp of Engineers did not actually complete the creation of Raystown Lake until 1973. Raystown Lake was originally created to provide electricity, control flooding, and provide additional recreational options. The Army Corp of Engineers is still responsible for the operation and maintenance of Raystown Lake.
The Raystown Lake area consists of roughly 29,000 acres, which includes a lake that is approximately 8,000 acres. The lake has twelve public access areas. In addition, there are boat launches, picnic areas, beaches, trails, campgrounds, and concession stands. Visitors are also able to hunt and fish in the area.
Scuba classes are offered on Raystown Lake by several different entities. Mike's Scuba offers classed and a full line of equipment, rentals, service, and dive tips. Mike's Scuba can be reached by calling 814-695-4666. Scuba Escapes Dives Center offers dive training and a full-service dive shop, and the Center can be reached by calling 814-658-2737. Nolt Ventures offers visitors the opportunity to rent jet skis that can be used on the lake. The contact number for Nolt Ventures is 717-629-6211.
Raystown Lake provides guests with the opportunity to boat on the lake. There are no restrictions with regard to the size or horsepower of the boats permitted on the lake. In addition to larger privately-owned boats, jet skis, canoes, small fishing boats, and inner tubes are often used on the lake. Since the lake rarely freezes, boaters are able to use the lake almost year round. There are two marinas on the lake that provide boat rentals to visitors.
Fishing is a prominent activity at the lake. Raystown Lake is home to carp, striped bass, rock bass, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, catfish, perch, crappy, smelt, Atlantic salmon, blue gill, and several different types of trout. Hunters are able to hunt a variety of game, including whitetail deer, turkeys, grouse, gobbler, geese, and bear.
For the nature enthusiasts, there are four hiking trails available at Raystown Lake: the Hillside Nature Trail, the Riverside Nature Trail (which is located below the dam), the Old Logger's Trail, and the Terrace Mountain Trail. The Terrace Mountain Trail is an extensive 18-mile long trail that offers hikers solitude and scenic views of the lake. The trails provide an ideal vantage point for watching the wildlife in the area. For those interested in biking, the Allegrippis Trails consist of over 30 miles of multi-use trails. The Allegrippis Trails were built by the Army Corp of Engineers and Raystown Lake volunteers. These trails were actually designed by mountain bikers and include overlooks of the lake. The Allegrippis Trails are made up of 24 trail segments that were designed in stacked loops.
Anyone interested in obtaining additional information about Raystown Lake can call 814-658-3405. Visitors with disabilities who may require an accommodation in order participate in activities at the Raystown Lake can call the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks at 888-PA-PARKS for assistance or additional details on accommodations.
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