Sometimes referred to as Pennsylvania’s best kept secret, Raystown Lake, located in the heart of Huntingdon County is a nature-lover’s dream. Nestled on 29,000 acres of land and maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers, the area features camp grounds, trails, picnic areas and the region’s crown jewel, an 8,000-acre lake enjoyed by boaters and fishermen. A state record breaking 53-pound striped bass was caught at the lake, but you don’t have to enjoy fishing, or even own your own boat, to have fun at Raystown Lake. Area outfitters will be happy to supply you with the equipment needed to spend a cool day on the water enjoying Mother Nature’s beauty.
Take a Leisurely Ride in a Kayak
According to Evan Gross, Energies Coordinator at Rothrock Outfitters, kayak rentals are extremely popular and first-timers are able to master the art of kayaking in no time. “The water is flat, or slow moving, so it’s perfect for first-time paddlers,” he said.
The company makes it easy to begin and end your kayaking adventure. “We schedule a trip for one to three hours and shuttle customers to the lake, put the boat in and pick them back up later,” said Gross.
Kayaks are also popular at Raystown Resort Lodge and Conference Center according to Samantha Kozak, General Manager. “It’s a great way to enjoy the wilderness. The tree lines and mountains are very beautiful,” she said.
Observe the Scenery from a Paddle Board
Gross said that although kayaks are the most popular item, customers are intrigued by the stand-up paddle boards. “For the first-time paddle boarder, Raystown is ideal. I recommend trying it in water deep enough to swim in if you fall off,” he said. The boards range from nine to 16-feet long and can help the user build a strong core if they’re interested in a bit of a workout. “It helps with whole body balance,” said Gross.
Those who use the paddleboards are also able to view the scenery just a little differently than the rest of the visitors. “They get a higher vantage point to view what’s up ahead and see down through the water,” said Gross.
Behold the Bald Eagles
Birders should bring the binoculars because Bald Eagles are now part of the scenery as well. “In 1999 we discovered the first Bald Eagle nest on Raystown Lake and since then we have discovered four active nests, which can easily be observed from lake or land,” said Tara Whitsel, Park Ranger. “The easiest nest to see is in the public recreation area at the Raystown Dam. It’s visible with binoculars, or a spotting scope,” she said.
Summer’s just begun, so there’s still time to schedule a visit to this verdant and versatile vacation destination. Learn more here: http://raystown.org/.
(A special thank you to Raystown Lake Region for the photos that ran with this story.)
Sidebar
Rockhill Trolley Museum Celebrates Its 60th Anniversary
When you’re in the Raystown area, be sure to visit the Rockhill Trolley Museum located in Rockhill Furnace, Pa.
The museum celebrates its 60th anniversary this year and touts a collection of many one-of-a-kind trolleys from Johnson, York, Scranton, Philadelphia and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to name a few. “We’re the first operating trolley museum in Pennsylvania and one of the oldest in the country,” said volunteer Valerie Robbins-Rice.
Visitors can hop aboard one of the trollies and enjoy a scenic ride through the countryside while learning the history of how people traveled during days of yore.
Those who aren’t content to observe can take control themselves. For $50, a volunteer will teach adults how to operate a trolley, which isn’t too difficult according to Robbins-Rice. “Stopping it is the problem” she said with a chuckle.
The museum is open weekends from 11 a.m. to 4:20 p.m. starting on Memorial Day weekend and continuing through October.
For more information, visit http://www.rockhilltrolley.org.
Excellent article and photos!