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15 Great Things to Do at Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA

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In many ways, Presque Isle State Park seems like God’s apology to Erie for the area’s terrible winters. That’s because Presque Isle is a summer playground that offers a ton of fantastic activities for any outdoor lover. Whether you live in the area or are just looking for a great summer destination, Presque Isle is a great choice.

Presque Isle (which means “almost an island” in French), is a peninsula that juts out into Lake Erie from the city of Erie, Pennsylvania. The peninsula was used by Native Americans prior to the arrival of European settlers and was the site of British, French, and American forts in the 18th and early 19th centuries.

Sunset over the Presque Isle Beaches
Presque Isle is the most visited state park in Pennsylvania.

Today, Presque Isle State Park receives more than four million visitors a year, making it the most visited state park in Pennsylvania. Whether you love relaxing on the beach, learning about history, or being active, there are a lot of great reasons to visit this park in the Great Lakes Region of Pennsylvania.

Here are a few of my favorite things to do at Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA.

The Presque Isle Beaches

There are many miles of beaches at Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA
There are miles of sandy beaches to enjoy at Presque Isle State Park.

If you love beaches, you’ll love Presque Isle State Park. There are a total of 13 different beaches at Presque Isle, each with its own unique character. Whether you love sunbathing, walking the beach, or playing in the sand, Presque Isle’s beaches are sure to provide you with a ton of enjoyment.

The beaches are all on the lake side of the park (as opposed to the bay and city side) and offer waves for those that enjoy playing in the water. Beach 11, which is the furthest beach from the entrance, is protected by the geography of the peninsula and is especially popular with families.

While all the beaches are sandy, they each offer different amenities such as changing rooms, food stands, volleyball courts, and more.

Swimming in Lake Erie

Swimming in Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA
Swimming is allowed in Lake Erie when the lifeguards are on duty.

While the Presque Isle beaches are open daily from dawn to dusk, swimming is only allowed during hours that lifeguards are present.

Swimming in the lake offers the chance to enjoy its surprisingly warm waters and cool off on a hot day. The water here is quite refreshing and the small waves make it very different from swimming in the many other lakes in PA.

Lifeguards are on a duty from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day from noon to 7:30pm. A few of the beaches don’t have lifeguards, so you’ll have to stick to the land in those spots throughout the year.

Presque Isle Boat Tours

Tours on the Lady Kate at Presque Isle State Park
Tours of Presque Isle on the Lady Kate offer a great overview of the area.

Presque Isle Boat Tours’ Lady Kate is a touring boat that docks near the Commodore Perry Monument in Presque Isle State Park. Tours are offered several times daily during the summer months, as well on weekends in spring and September.

Sightseeing tours are approximately 90-minutes long and travel through Misery Bay, Presque Isle Bay, and even out onto Lake Erie. Along the way, guides offer narration of the various sights around Presque Isle and the history of the area.

If you want to get out on the lake and don’t have your own boat, these tours are a great option.

Presque Isle Lighthouse

Presque Isle Lighthouse is one of the best things to do at Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA
Presque Isle Lighthouse is one of the most historic spots in the park.

Presque Isle Lighthouse is one of the most beautiful and historic spots in Presque Isle State Park. This lighthouse dates back to the 1870s and still serves as a navigational beacon for passing ships.

For a small fee, visitors can go inside the lighthouse keeper’s home and learn more about the history of the area and what life was like on Presque Isle before its development. Then, visitors can climb the steps to the top of the tower for a panoramic view of Lake Erie and the park.

Kayaking

Kayking in Presque Isle State Park, Erie, Pennsylvania
Kayaking the peaceful ponds is one of my favorite things to do in the park.

Kayaking in Presque Isle is an absolutely fantastic warm-weather activity. There are many spots to put in your own boat, or you can rent a kayak near Graveyard Pond.

Thanks to the shallow ponds that are located in the interior of Presque Isle State Park, this is a perfect activity for any experience level and allows you to see parts of the park that are unreachable by land.

If you’re feeling a bit braver, you can also take your kayaking out onto Misery Bay, Horseshoe Pond, or Presque Isle Bay.

Bird Watching

Birdwatchers are in for a treat as birding at Presque Isle is another very popular activity. Over 300 different avian species have been documented in the park, making this one of the best spots to go bird watching in all of Pennsylvania.

While many birds summer at Presque Isle, its location along the Atlantic Flyway makes it an especially great spot to visit in the spring or fall when birds are migrating through the park.

Hiking Trails

Hiking trails in Presque Isle State Park
There are 11 miles of hiking trails in Presque Isle State Park.

While most visitors to the park head straight to the water, there are 11 miles of hiking trails in Presque Isle State Park that can be explored.

Given the park’s relatively flat geography, these trails aren’t overly difficult but do offer access to some of the quieter areas of Presque Isle. If you are looking for wildlife or simply want to enjoy some of the park’s unique landscapes, make sure to pack your hiking boots with your swimsuit.

It is worth noting, however, that Presque Isle’s trails can be marshy or entirely underwater when the lake is high, so make sure to check which trails are open before heading out.

The Amazing Sunsets

Presque Isle's beaches are a great spot to watch sunset.
Presque Isle’s beaches are a great spot to watch the sunset.

If there is one thing Presque Isle is known for beyond its great beaches and boating, it’s the amazing sunsets you can see from the park.

From nearly all the beaches, there is an unobstructed view to the west, and many people visit the park in the evenings simply to enjoy watching the sunset over the lake.

While there really isn’t a bad spot from which to watch the sunset, Sunset Point between beaches #9 and #10 is especially popular.

After a fun day exploring the best things to do in Presque Isle State Park, take a few minutes to enjoy a fantastic sunset.

Commodore Perry Monument

Seeing the Commodore Perry Monument is one of the best things to do in Presque Isle State Park in Erie, Pennsylvania
The Commodore Perry Monument commemorates events from the War of 1812.

The Commodore Perry Monument is located along Misery Bay and commemorates the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. While the battle actually occurred off the shores of Put-in-Bay, Ohio, the fleet was based in Presque Isle Bay.

Signage around the monument tells the story of the fleet and its commander, Commodore Oliver Hazzard Perry. While the information here isn’t as complete as what you can find at the Erie Maritime Museum, it offers a great overview and allows you to learn about the history in the spot where it happened.

Pontoon Boat Tours

Pontoon Boat Tours are a great way to spend a day at Presque Isle State Park
The park offers free pontoon boat tours in the summer.

One hidden secret of the park is that there are free boat tours of Presque Isle. Run by park volunteers, the Pontoon Boat Tours leave from a dock adjacent to the kayak rentals near Misery Bay.

Offered four times daily from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day (plus a fifth evening tour on Wednesdays and Fridays), these 50-minute tours take up to 16 guests onto Misery Bay and the ponds in the interior of Presque Isle.

There is no pre-registration for these tours and sign-ups start 30 minutes prior to the tour time, so make sure to arrive early as they fill up quickly.

Fishing

Fishing at Presque Isle State Park
There are a lot of great fishing spots at Presque Isle State Park.

Fishing at Presque Isle State Park is incredibly popular. Throughout the day, many people can be spotted in the prime spots trying to catch some of the many fish that inhabit the waters here. Common species include bass, walleye, perch, and steelhead.

You can also go ice fishing during the winter once the ice is thick enough.

Note that a Lake Erie fishing stamp is required in addition to a standard PA fishing license.

North Pier Light

Seeing the North Point Light in Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA
The North Point Light is a scenic spot at Presque Isle State Park.

The North Pier Light is located, believe it or not, on North Pier. This is along the narrow channel that leads from Presque Isle Bay out to Lake Erie.

In addition to being a very popular fishing location, you can walk out onto the concrete pier for a close look at this navigational beacon.

While you can only see it from the outside, this is an incredibly scenic spot in the park and is also a great spot to watch boats sailing in and out of the harbor.

Biking

Biking in Presque Isle State Park in northwestern Pennsylvania
There are more than 13 miles of bike paths in the park.

Thanks to the flat terrain, there are few better ways to explore Presque Isle than by bicycle. In fact, there are 13.5 miles of bicycling trails throughout the park.

Known as the Karl Boyes Multi-purpose National Recreation Trail, the biking trail at Presque Isle completely encircles that park. The trail follows the main roads through the park but is mostly separated from the road, which makes it safe for the whole family.

For those without a bicycle, Yellow Bike Rentals near the Waterworks Pumphouse rents bikes, tricycles, and even four-wheeled surreys.

Tom Ridge Environmental Education Center

Tom Ridge Environmental Center is one of the best things to do at Presque Isle on a rainy day
The Tom Ridge Environmental Education Center does an excellent job highlighting the geology and history of the region.

Located adjacent to the entrance to Presque Isle State Park is the Tom Ridge Environmental Education Center. Not only does this serve as the park office, but it also features a fantastic museum, observation tower, and movie theater.

The museum and observation tower are free and offer a chance to learn more about the history and geology of Presque Isle. The museum is incredibly well done and offers information and activities for both kids and adults.

The movie theater is nearly as large as an IMAX screen and shows a variety of educational programs throughout the day for a small fee.

If you happen to be in Erie on a rainy day, this is one of the best things to at Presque Isle State Park when the weather isn’t cooperating.

Winter Activities

Presque Isle Lighthouse lit up for Christmas in Erie PA
Presque Isle Lights is a great way to enjoy the park during the off-season.

While Presque Isle State Park is most popular during the summer, it’s also a fun place to visit during the winter.

During this time of year, the park and lake are typically covered by ice and snow, creating many unique ways to explore the area.

Popular wintertime activities at Presque Isle include cross-country skiing, ice fishing, and ice skating. There is also a great holiday season light display, known as Presque Isle Lights that you can check out in December.

Where to Stay Near Presque Isle State Park

Waterfront hotel near Presque Isle State Park
There are many great campgrounds and hotels near Presque Isle State Park.

With so many things to do at Presque Isle State Park, you might be wondering where to stay overnight.

Unfortunately, there is no campground at Presque Isle State Park, but there are many places to stay in Erie just minutes away from the park.

I’ve personally stayed at the Sheraton Erie Bayfront and the Cobblestone Inn and Suites, both of which offer great views of Presque Isle State Park from some rooms and are a short drive from the park.

If you want to be as close to the park as possible, Red Carpet Inn and Comfort Inn are both just a few blocks from the entrance and have good reviews.

If you are looking for somewhere to camp at Presque Isle, Sarah’s Campground is located adjacent to the park and offers camping sites (including some on the beach) and RV spots. Sarah’s also features a very popular spot to eat near Presque Isle.

Looking for more things to do in Erie? Check out Waldameer Park, the Erie Bicentennial Tower, Erie Bluffs State Park, the best breweries in Erie, and the covered bridges in Erie.

Great places to stay in Erie


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9 thoughts on “15 Great Things to Do at Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA”

  1. You did a great job of covering all the highlights of my favorite place! I might suggest going out there before the sun comes up. The colors right before the sunrise are breathtaking. Thank you!

    Reply
  2. I’m 65 and have been visiting Presque Isle and Erie since I was three. It was my family’s “go to” place for our vacations. As an adult, I shared the Erie experience with my friends and children, going to Waldemeer Park, playing miniature golf nearby, riding bicycles the whole circuit of the park and enjoying the experience of staying in a vintage “tourist home” or a small bungalow along the main street into the park (They’re no longer there, unfortunately); when too much time has passed since my last visit, I ache to return.
    As an aging adult, I especially like the photo ops in the area: lighthouses, tree-lined pathways, foliage, beaches, kite competitions, sunrises and sunsets, wind-swept and sandy areas for picnics. There are great fishing spots, boat rides to take, and plenty of peaceful, open areas waiting to be explored.
    I am especially fond of going in the “off” season when moody, gray skies and windy weather kick up the whitecaps on the lake…breathtaking!

    Reply
  3. Coming to Erie to visit friends and family and want to have a picnic is there any picnic tables on the beach side to go early and reserve for fun

    Reply
    • You can reserve a shelter which has several picnic tables under it. But there are many picnic tables throughout the park and on the beaches. If you are there on a weekend go early to get a picnic table in a location you like.

      Reply
    • In my experience it’s pretty much first come first served (Beach #1, 3, 6, 7). Keep in mind the beach can be really pretty windy. Most picnic tables are in the area with trees between the parking lots and sand. Some have grills, and some are closer to bathrooms than others. I would try the day in advance if that is remotely possible to find your target top 3 tables, then locate someone or a small group (1 adult, as many teens as want too) there at the beach opening time. Here’s more relevant info from the park website: https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/PresqueIsleStatePark/Pages/Swimming.aspx which describes the beaches a little and lists reservable pavillions (Beach #7, #11)

      Reply

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