Pymatuning State Park

Almost everything about Pymatuning State Park is big. At 16,892 acres, it is one of the largest state parks in the commonwealth. The 17,088-acre Pymatuning Reservoir is the largest lake in the commonwealth. Pymatuning is one of the most visited state parks in Pennsylvania.

Perhaps the biggest thing about Pymatuning is the fun you can have boating, fishing, swimming, camping, and enjoying other recreational opportunities. In addition to the state park facilities, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission operates a fish hatchery and visitor center, and the Pennsylvania Game Commission has wildlife viewing areas.

Hiking at Pymatuning State Park

7 miles of trails

There are trails near Tuttle Point and Jamestown Campground. The abandoned railroad grade on the Spillway is a flat, wide trail.

Tamarack Trail
1 mile, more difficult hiking

Located along West Lake Road just past the Century Club, Tamarack Trail is named for the deciduous conifer trees that grow in the area. The trail passes through a mixed deciduous forest of black cherry, maple, and tamarack trees.

As the trail winds along the edge of Beaver Dam Pond, hikers catch a glimpse of great blue herons, red-tailed hawks, or warblers. This loop trail connects with the Beaver Dam Trail.

Beaver Dam Trail
0.5 mile, easiest hiking

This trail is a spur off the Tamarack Trail. It traverses a wetland via a walkway, connecting to a waterfowl observation deck where the quiet observer may watch for basking turtles in the pond, dragonflies, and flycatchers. Trailhead is located along West Lake Road just past the Century Club.

Log Cabin Trail
1 mile, more difficult hiking

To access this trail, use the Tamarack Trailhead along West Lake Road and proceed right at the Y-intersection of Tamarack Trail. Watch for trail markings (yellow blazes) on the trees.

This trail runs behind the Jamestown cabins through a forested area. Just after starting on the trail, there is a large opening in the forest to the right. The blown down trees are from a severe storm in 2012. New growth and signs of forest regeneration can be seen.

After crossing Adams Road, the trail continues past the cabins. Log Cabin Trail ends at West Lake Road; however, the Camp Store Trail can be picked up by turning left and following the road approximately 100 feet before crossing the road. This trail leads to the Jamestown Campground.

Camp Store Trail
0.5 mile, easiest hiking

The Camp Store Trail is accessed in the Jamestown Campground across from the camp store and connects with the Log Cabin Trail.

Pet Connector Trail
0.25 mile, easiest hiking

This trail provides access from the extra car parking lot to the Log Cabin Trail, so that campers with pets do not walk through the non-pet area of the campground.

Sugar Run Trail
1 mile, more difficult hiking

The trailhead begins below the dam at Shelter 1. Follow the trail across the Shenango River and turn right. This hiking and snowmobile trail runs along the beautiful tree-lined Sugar Run. Stop and listen for songbirds, relax by the small rapids, and check out the large sandstone rocks lining the stream bottom and banks.

Spillway Trail
2.5 miles, easiest hiking

The linear Spillway Trail can be accessed at either Fries Road (Linesville) or at the Spillway parking lot. This former railroad bed is now a multi-use trail that is great for walking, biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or snowmobiling. Summer months find yellow warblers darting along the path. Spring brings in the migrating waterfowl where numerous species of ducks, tundra swans, grebes, and eagles can be seen. The sunsets along the trail are some of the best in the park.

Picnicking at Pymatuning State Park

This activity or structure is ADA accessible.
Picnic tables are available in many areas. Jamestown and Linesville beaches have ADA accessible picnic sites complete with grill and table.

There are 10 picnic pavilions that may be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee.

Linesville Pavilion #8 is near the Linesville Beach and Espyville Pavilion #13 is at the Espyville Launch.

The other pavilions are located throughout the Jamestown day use area. From the southeast moving clockwise on the map is:

Ackerman Pavilion #9
Spruce Hill Pavilion #2
Weir Pavilion #1
Carp Point Pavilion #3
Ball Field Pavilion #10
Bay View Pavilion #4
Westinghouse Pavilion #5
Main Beach Pavilion #11
Unreserved picnic pavilions are free on a first-come, first-served basis.

Pets in day-use areas must be kept on a leash or safely restrained, and are prohibited in swimming areas and some overnight areas.

Stay the Night at Pymatuning State Park

Camping
flush toilets, warm showers, some electric hook-ups

This activity or structure is ADA accessible.
There are two camping areas that are open from mid-April through mid-October. Contact the park for specific dates.

All campgrounds are near swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, and have a sanitary dump station.

The maximum stay in all camping areas is 14 days during the summer season and 21 days during the off-season.

Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

Linesville Campground
In the northern part of the park, Linesville Campground has modern facilities, including:

Showers
Flush toilets
ADA accessible campsites
About half of the campsites have electricity.

Pets are permitted on all sites.

Jamestown Campground
On the south side of Pymatuning Reservoir, Jamestown Campground modern facilities, including showers and flush toilets. About half of the campsites have electricity. Some sites have full service hook up, which includes sewer, water, and electricity.

There is a boat launch, beach, camp store, amphitheater, and a playground.

Pets are permitted on designated sites.

Swimming at Pymatuning State Park

Three public beaches, Linesville, Main Beach, and Beach Two; and the beach for campers in Jamestown Campground are open the weekend before Memorial Day through Labor Day, weather and conditions permitting.

Swim at your own risk.

Please read and follow posted rules.

Smoke-Free Beaches
Smoking is prohibited on the beaches and in the swimming areas. For visitors who smoke and still want to use the beaches, designated areas adjacent to the beaches are provided. The restriction includes:

Cigarettes
Pipes
Cigars
E-cigarettes
Other handheld, lighted smoking devices

Wildlife Watching at Pymatuning State Park

Winter
Winter can be difficult on wildlife as food may be scarce and there are fewer hours of daylight available to find food. With the leaves gone from the trees, birds are easier to find and fresh snow can be a great place to look for tracks and signs left by animals.

Waterfowl may be easier to spot as they congregate in open water on the frozen lake. Owls, eagles, and woodpeckers begin courtship and nest-building during the winter months.

Spring
As the trees begin to leaf out, the warmer, longer days bring life to the world of nature. Bird, frog, and toad songs can be heard throughout the day and night. Spring is the perfect time to catch glimpses of migrating birds in peak breeding plumage. Wild animals become more active while caring for their newborn young.

While it is tempting to get up-close and personal with young wildlife, or assume that young animals alone have been “abandoned,” people should not interfere. Watching wildlife from a distance helps keep both people and wildlife safe.

Summer
With the added hours of daylight, there is ample time to explore the trails and shoreline of the park. Since many wildlife species take a break during the heat of the day, the best hours for wildlife observation are nearest sunrise and sunset. This is also the best time for photography.

Visit the wetlands to watch dragonflies and damselflies darting through the air or glimpse a turtle basking on a log. Hummingbirds and butterflies take advantage of nectar-filled native wildflowers at the plant garden located at the Environmental Classroom.

Check out the bat condo near the Jamestown cabins to watch the bats and their acrobatic flights as they chase night-flying insects.

Autumn
A tree, plant, or shrub that produces fruit, seeds, or nuts is a great place to watch for feeding animals. As the days grow shorter and the food supply changes, the local wildlife also changes. Some birds arrive while others leave on migration.

Year-round residents prepare for the arrival of winter. Late fall marks the mating season for white-tailed deer, so their activity and movement increase. A brisk walk on the trails in the crisp fall air is wonderful exercise and lets you enjoy the color explosion of autumn foliage.

Eagle Watching
Pymatuning is the only known place in Pennsylvania where bald eagles have nested continuously, even throughout the years of their population decline. Today, park visitors can spot eagles nesting and soaring over the lake throughout the year.

During winter months, eagles can often be seen sitting on the ice near the dam, while in the summer months they tend to favor the northern area of the lake.

Boating at Pymatuning State Park

maximum 20 hp motors permitted

This activity or structure is ADA accessible.
The 17,088-acre Pymatuning Reservoir has many boat launches along the shores, including an ADA accessible launch in the Jamestown Marina and Manning Boat Launch.

Fishing at Pymatuning State Park

The 17,088-acre Pymatuning Reservoir is a warmwater fishery.

Common species are:

Walleye
Muskellunge
Carp
Crappie
Perch
Bluegill
Largemouth and smallmouth bass
This activity or structure is ADA accessible. There is ADA accessible fishing access in the Jamestown Day Use Area and ADA accessible fishing piers at the Espyville and Linesville marinas and the Shenango River.
When fishing by boat, fishing licenses issued by either Ohio or Pennsylvania are honored anywhere on the lake.

When fishing from the shore, only Ohio licensed fishermen can fish from the Ohio shore and Pennsylvania licensed fishermen from the Pennsylvania shore.

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission regulations and laws apply.

Ice Fishing
Walleye, perch, and crappie are most often caught through the ice.

Ice thickness is not monitored.

Hunting at Pymatuning State Park

During established season, about 10,300 acres are open to:

Hunting
Trapping
Training of dogs
Common game species are:

Deer
Turkey
Rabbit
Squirrel
Waterfowl
This activity or structure is ADA accessible. Contact the park office for ADA accessible hunting information.
Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day through March 31 in designated hunting areas.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Wildlife Management Area has controlled shooting during the annual waterfowl season. Special areas are also established for duck hunting.

Public hunting is available in many areas surrounding the controlled shooting section.

A propagation area comprising 2,500 acres of water provides a protected location for migratory waterfowl during their flights north and south.

Disc Golfing at Pymatuning State Park

An 18-hole, par 66, disc golf course is located in the Jamestown Day Use Area near the park office.

Score cards are available at the first and tenth hole tees along the road leading to Beach #2 and Pavilion #4.

The course is set up in two loops (Front 9 and Back 9) starting and ending at Pavilion #4.

Sledding at Pymatuning State Park

The slopes of the dam are good for sledding.

Cross-country Skiing at Pymatuning State Park

Most open areas of the park are open to cross-country skiing.

Snowmobiling at Pymatuning State Park

Fries Road Trail by Tuttle Point and the abandoned railroad grade by the spillway provide five miles of trails for snowmobiles.

In the Jamestown area, there are additional trails and open fields.