Keystone Park Beach
Derry, Pennsylvania · on Keystone Lake · Keystone State Park
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- No fee found
- SEASON
- May
About Keystone Park Beach
Keystone Park Beach is the designated swimming beach on Keystone Lake within Keystone State Park, a 1,200-acre Pennsylvania state park in Derry Township, Westmoreland County, near New Alexandria. The 78-acre lake is a man-made impoundment originally built in 1909 as an industrial water source for a coal-washing operation before the park was established in 1945, an unlikely origin for a swimming hole. The beach itself is an official, developed swim facility with a sand beach and food concession, open seasonally from late May through Labor Day.
Keystone Lake sits within a 1,200-acre state park along US Route 22 near New Alexandria in Derry Township. The lake was originally created by a dam built in 1909 by the Keystone Coal and Coke Company to wash coal from the nearby Salem No. 1 Mine; the former coal-company executive lodge on the property is now the park's James A. Kell Visitor Center, which displays mining artifacts and natural history exhibits. Only non-powered and electric boats are permitted on the lake, and an ADA-accessible trail (Lakeside Loop, 2.0 miles) circles the water, passing a causeway and dam.
Swimming at Keystone Park Beach
Swimming is at an official, developed sand beach on Keystone Lake, open daily 8 a.m. to sunset from late May through Labor Day. It is a swim-at-your-own-risk area (no lifeguard service indicated) with rules posted for beachgoers, and a food concession operates during the season selling hot and cold food and sundries. Food, beverages, pets, and smoking are prohibited on the beach itself.
How to get to this swimming hole
The park is located off US Route 22 in Derry Township, Westmoreland County, near New Alexandria, PA (address 1150 Keystone Park Rd, Derry, PA per park listing). The beach has its own developed area within the park separate from the boat launch and camping areas.
The hike in
No hike is needed to reach the swimming beach; it is a developed, drive-up facility. The park's ADA-accessible Lakeside Loop trail (2.0 mi) circles Keystone Lake and passes the causeway and dam for those who want to walk, but per DCNR's official trail list this and the park's other trails do not gate access to the beach itself.
Confirmed via DCNR's official hiking page trail list (no trail funnels exclusively to the beach) and the swimming page's description of a standard developed sand-beach facility.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Official sand beach on a calm 78-acre lake (gentle impoundment, not a river) makes for an easy, shallow-feeling entry typical of PA state park beaches, but DCNR designates it swim-at-your-own-risk with no lifeguard service mentioned, so young kids need direct supervision.
Parking
Free
PA DCNR does not charge day-use or parking fees at its state parks generally, and no Keystone-specific fee is mentioned anywhere, so paid=false is a reasonable inference from statewide policy language on the park overview page. However, the exact beach parking lot location/size was not confirmed on any fetched page (only the boat-launch lot, which has EV charging, is explicitly described).
Hours
Beach itself: late May through Labor Day, 8:00 a.m. to sunset (per PA DCNR swimming page). The park overall is open every day of the year, sunrise to sunset, with day-use areas closing at dusk.
On the water
Restrictions: Electric motors only, slow no-wake speed; gas motors prohibited. Motorboats need current PA registration; non-powered vessels need a boat registration, a PA state park launching/mooring permit, or a PA Fish & Boat Commission permit. Public launch and mooring area is on the north shore by the dam breast. PA Fish and Boat Commission regulations apply.
Confirmed via PA DCNR's Keystone State Park boating page.
Rentals nearby
Kayak rentals and tube floats
Has a location inside Keystone State Park itself (370 Slag Road, New Alexandria, PA), in addition to a separate 'Lazy River' location on the Conemaugh River/Loyalhanna Creek at 3253 State Route 981, Saltsburg, PA. Keystone-location phone: 724-691-3652.
Backstory
Keystone Lake originated as an industrial impoundment: the Keystone Coal and Coke Company built the dam in 1909 to create a water supply for washing coal extracted from the nearby Salem No. 1 Mine, and built a stone lodge for company executives. Pennsylvania acquired the property in 1945 and converted it into a state park; the former lodge is now the James A. Kell Visitor Center housing mining and natural history exhibits.
Keystone Park Beach: FAQ
Is Keystone Park Beach kid friendly?
Official sand beach on a calm 78-acre lake (gentle impoundment, not a river) makes for an easy, shallow-feeling entry typical of PA state park beaches, but DCNR designates it swim-at-your-own-risk with no lifeguard service mentioned, so young kids need direct supervision.
Do I need to hike to reach Keystone Park Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Keystone Park Beach?
PA DCNR does not charge day-use or parking fees at its state parks generally, and no Keystone-specific fee is mentioned anywhere, so paid=false is a reasonable inference from statewide policy language on the park overview page. However, the exact beach parking lot location/size was not confirmed on any fetched page (only the boat-launch lot, which has EV charging, is explicitly described).
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Keystone Park Beach?
Confirmed via PA DCNR's Keystone State Park boating page.
When is the best time to visit Keystone Park Beach?
Late May through Labor Day (official swim season); park itself is open year-round sunrise to sunset for other activities.
What are the rules at Keystone Park Beach?
Swim at your own risk; follow posted rules; no food, beverages, or pets allowed in the beach/swimming area; beach and swimming area are smoke-free (no cigarettes, pipes, cigars, or e-cigarettes); beach open only during posted seasonal hours (late May-Labor Day, 8 a.m. to sunset).
What water body is Keystone Park Beach on?
Keystone Park Beach is on Keystone Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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