You'll find Moraine State Park in Butler County just about 40 miles north of Pittsburgh. It is situated on the south shore of Lake Arthur near Portersville and Prospect, and not too from other popular outdoor spots like McConnells Mill State Park and the Jennings Environmental Education Center. In addition to the park's status as a popular boating destination, it also features miles of trails.
Whether you're just driving through Western Pennsylvania looking for the perfect picnic area or trying to find a park that hosts boat races and regattas, we hope the following information makes your trip a splash!
Map of Moraine State Park
For those seeking Moraine State Park maps, follow this link to the dcnr.pa.gov website. They have a whole collection of valuable maps that cover everything from cabin locations to lake depths. They're all free to look at and pretty easy to understand.
Moraine State Park Cabins
The park has more than ten modern cabins available year-round and can hold up to six souls. They're two bedrooms each and outfitted with conveniences such as showers, heat, and kitchens. If you're interested in staying in one, be sure to make reservations in advance.
Unfortunately, the park has no campgrounds. However, there is a backpacking shelter that backpackers can reserve ahead of time.
Biking and Hiking Trails
RELATED: Hickory Run State Park: Home to the Famous Boulder Field
Both hikers and bikers will enjoy the many hiking and bike trails the park has to offer. The park does bike rentals, making it an excellent place for dabblers who don't have their own set of wheels yet.
Bike rentals and trails are limited to the park's north shore. As for hikers, here's a list of some of the most popular trails Moraine has:
- Sunken Garden Trail: This is one of the most accessible trails in the park. Its head is located near the Pleasant Valley Road parking lot.
- Five Points Trail: Located on the north shore, you can find the starting point of this trail at Lakeview Beach. It's only a little over a mile and considered a mild to moderate trek.
- Glacier Ridge Trail: At nearly 15 miles, this is the park's most challenging trail. It leads from Lake Arthur to the Jennings Center mentioned above.
Boat Rentals
The park's rental roster includes options like kayaks, canoes, and rowboats. While windsurfing is permitted, the park doesn't rent any boards out, so you'll have to bring your own. In addition to rentals, Moraine also has several boat launches that are open to folks with launch permits and other forms of appropriate documentation. For more park information on rules and regulations, be sure to visit the park's website or drop in the park office the next time you're in the area.
- Davis Hollow Marina: The park's main marina welcomes all types of craft, including serious beasts like pontoon boats and motorboats.
- Watts Bay Marina: This marina is for dry mooring catamarans and sailboats only.
Other Attractions and Activities
During the warmer months, visitors can look forward to a range of activities, including but not limited to disc golf, hunting, and horseback riding. And those interested in a bit of bird watching will be happy to hear that park sites like Muddy Creek and Bear Run are excellent spots to view osprey that have been reintroduced to the area thanks to conservancy efforts.
Since the park is open year-round, it's also an excellent destination for Winter weather sports like sledding, snowmobiling, and cross country skiing.
Kettle Moraine State Park
If you're here because you're looking for "Kettle" Moraine State Park, we're sorry to tell you that's a state forest located in Wisconsin. Don't be too hard on yourself, though. A lot of people make this mistake.
What's your favorite thing to do at Moraine State Park? Let us know what wets your whistle on our Wide Open Roads Facebook!
