Looking for someplace to go with your boat and family, but tired of the crowded Susquehanna? Well, how about Raystown Lake? This US Army Corps of Engineers project is only 100 miles from Harrisburg and offers some of the best boating, camping and fishing in the state. The lake has 110 miles of shoreline and is 27 miles long, making it the largest man-made lake in Pennsylvania. Recreation and amusement opportunities abound in this well-maintained resort area and include hunting, fishing, boating, camping, swimming, biking, hiking and even scuba diving.

My family has long been a fan of Raystown and has been visiting the area for over twenty years. My parents liked it so much, in fact, they bought a campground just a mile from the Shy Beaver Boat Launch and have been merrily mucking around up there ever since. So, okay, I’m biased. But, I’m telling you the truth when I say that every time I visit them, I’m always amazed at the growth and new recreation opportunities that have emerged since the last time I was there. The Lake even has tunnel boat (SST 70/60 & SST 120) racing and the mid-atlantic jet ski championships during their annual Raystown Regatta. This year, the Regatta is being held June 5, 6 and 7th and includes concerts, fireworks, crafts, exhibits and demonstrations. Competitors and spectators alike will be converging on the area from all directions, so make your reservations early.

You reach Raystown Lake by travelling the turnpike to the Fort Littleton Exit #13. Once off the exit, turn left onto 475. The next turn is a right onto 655 which then becomes 913. Pick up 26 at Saxton and continue to the blinking lights past the Shy Beaver Pro Shop. Turn right onto Old Plank Road and follow 994 to Lake Raystown Resort which is on the right hand side. If your first stop is Seven Points Marina, follow 22 up along the river then pick up 26 North and follow the signs for Raystown Lake.

This year, we took a road trip with my husband’s brother, sister, their spouses and children. It was the first time for most of the Wanner clan to experience the area, so we made an effort to hit the important points. We, of course, stayed at my parent’s campground, but there are many fine places on or near the lake to stay including, campgrounds, bed & breakfasts, hotels, lodges and even houseboats. (As an aside, in the early years we spent weeks at a time on the lake in the family’s cabin cruiser and it really is an interesting and novel way to experience the area. Seven Points Marina rents several different types of houseboats. You can check out their pictures, descriptions and prices on their website at www.7pointsmarina.com.) The trip took us about two hours with having stopped only briefly at the turnpike concession area for snacks and a bathroom break. We immediately piled out of the various cars and into the van waiting to take us and the boat to the lake. We spent the remainder of the day boating on the cool, green waters while admiring the rolling hills and luscious greenery so typical of central Pennsylvania. We waterskied, boarded and tubed until we got tired then found a peaceful cove with a sandy bottom in which to swim. The kids spent some time hauling in sunnies and carp which are ever plentiful as my dad regaled us with tales of the huge stripers that inhabit the lake. The lake is stocked by the Pennsylvania Fish Commission and includes such species as small and large mouth bass, carp, sunfish, bluegills, muskie, lake and brown trout and the oh so elusive striper bass. The state record striper was pulled out of that lake and weighed 53 pounds 11 oz. Now that’s a fish!

Upon returning to the homestead, we cleaned up and went to the Seven Points Marina where we ate at Seven Points Eatery. The food was good, the buffet choices varied and the service friendly. The view of the lake and marina from the restaurant windows was also quite nice. After dinner, we moseyed down to the docks where many of Seven Points’ great attractions had gathered. Now, I know you’re going to think I’m telling a fish story, but this is the god’s honest truth. Over the years, it just so happens that word has passed through the fish community that there’s good eating at Seven Points Marina, so every carp in the area comes to enjoy a good feed. Now, I’m not talking about 5, 10 or even 50 carp. I’m talking literally hundreds of these bug-eyed behemoths, in all shapes and sizes. And, I DO mean behemoths. Some of those carp easily weigh in at 20-30 pounds, they are absolutely huge and act like starving piranhas. They will happily eat out of your hand and are so eager to do so, that some of them are literally lifted out of the water and are supported on the backs of their fellows in the water below. The marina sells bags of fish pellets for cheap, so you don’t have to bring your own. But, it really is something to see. No matter how many times I go there, I’m still in awe of the numbers of those slimy bottom suckers.

The next day, we took the kids to the Wild River Waterpark at Lake Raystown Resort. The price is a bit high, but the kids enjoyed it. The park includes two 380 foot twisting slides, two 70 foot high speed slides, the White Water Innertube ride as well as a children’s splash and play pool. The waterpark has five pavilions where you can hold family reunions or picnics. There’s concessions in the waterpark, but Resorts also has a good restaurant, the Marina Café, which overlooks the lake. It offers a huge breakfast and a selection of steaks, seafood , chicken and italian dishes through the rest of the day. There is also The Bistro for lighter fare such as pizza, subs and ice cream. After the waterpark we hit the lighted 19-hole miniature golf course called the Caddy’s Revenge (I won, of course.) Beside the golf course is also a basketball area for those who may want a different activity. Raystown Resort also offers a 292 site campground, 650 slip marina, 51 rooms and a camp store, for those of you who would want to stay there. This year, they’ve also added 6 new camping cabins which have a full kitchen, cable tv and can sleep up to eight. The campground is clean with cable tv, water and electric hookups and volleyball facilities. You can also rent boats and jet skis at the Resort.

That evening we took the Raystown Belle on a cruise of the lake. The Belle is one of the two touring paddlewheel boats moored at Seven Points Marina that take tourists on an hour and a half ride for $7.00 adults, $3.00 children twelve and under. The tour leaves at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and holidays May through June 21st. Tours are added during the peak season of June 22nd through August on Monday through Friday at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 1:00 and 3:00. Fall foliage tours also run in September and October on the weekends. Both boats also offer a Saturday night buffet cruise. The cruises are a good way for those without a boat to be able to enjoy the impressive scenery. After our cruise, we headed to the Raystown Speedway and Game Land where we raced each other around the gruelingly curved track in our go-karts. I would’ve won, of course, but somebody t-boned me in the second lap and broke my steering column. The nerve of them! Game Land also has bumper boats and is now adding a par three golf course. We followed up our wild ride at the Eat ‘N Treat right near the raceway for some of their fabulous hand-dipped ice cream.

The next day we headed out to Altoona to experience Lakemont Park, one of the oldest amusement parks in America. The great thing about this park is the price. It’s $6..00 per adult for an all day admission. It has all those rides you knew and loved as a kid. The Wild Mouse, a great wooden roller coaster, paddle boats on a lake, the Merry Mixer, a miniature train, etc. It also has a small waterpark with some great slides and a splash and play area for the kids. The waterpark admission is included in your all-day pass. You can’t beat the fun for the price.

For those of you who want a more back-to-nature vacation, Troth Creek State Park offers cool, green shaded camping spots, picnic tables and well-marked and maintained hiking trails. We took the trail across the suspension bridge (where we all hopped up and down like mad, trying to unbalance someone) and followed the winding trail that skipped alongside the sparking, rushing waters of Troth Creek to Balance Rock. This is a huge boulder perched precariously on the edge of a cliff over the creek. Unfortunately, the underside of the rock sported the usual inane graffiti in a rainbow of colors. (What is there about a natural wonder that makes people want to deface it with stupid, spray-painted slogans?) But, Balance Rock is an interesting landmark and well-worth the fifteen minute hike to the top.

Seven Points Marina
Raystown Lake, RD#1
Hesston, PA, (814) 658-3074
www.7pointsmarina.com
(For Campground & Houseboat Rentals)

Nancy’s Camp
Ship-to-Shore, by boat only
Lake Raystown, PA
(First Come, First Serve)

Weaver Ridge Bed & Breakfast
Hesston, PA, (814) 635-3730

Aunt Susie’s Country Inn (B&B)
RR#1, Box 85, Hesston, PA
1-888-2DA LAKE
www.auntsusies.com

Seven Points Eatery
Seven Points Marina
Lake Raystown, Hesston, PA
(814) 658-3074
www.7pointsmarina.com

Seven Points Marina
Raystown Belle & Raystown Queen Lake Cruises
Carp Round-up

Lakemont Park
Altoona, PA