Muskrat Beach

Patton, Pennsylvania · on Glendale Lake · Prince Gallitzin State Park

Verified · 3 independent sources

WATER: lake
ACCESS: Designated swim area
FEE: No fee found
SEASON: May

About Muskrat Beach

Muskrat Beach is the main designated swimming beach at Prince Gallitzin State Park, located on the east side of the park along Glendale Lake near Patton, Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania DCNR officially operates the beach on this 1,635-acre reservoir, with modern bathhouses and a set seasonal schedule. It is a developed, drive-up lake beach rather than an informal or hike-in swimming hole.

Glendale Lake is a 1,635-acre reservoir with 26 miles of shoreline, formed by a dam (completed in 1960, 1,964 feet long and 60 feet high) built after a 1955 proposal from the Patton Chamber of Commerce and Sportsmen's Club. The lake sits in forested hills of the Allegheny Plateau within Prince Gallitzin State Park and also serves as a wildlife habitat and migratory rest stop in spring and fall.

Swimming at Muskrat Beach

Muskrat Beach is a designated, developed swimming beach on Glendale Lake, open seasonally from late May through mid-September, 8:00 A.M. until sunset. Swimming is at visitors' own risk (no lifeguard presence is mentioned on the official page), with modern bathhouses and dressing rooms on site, making it suited to casual family lake swimming and day-use rather than a backcountry or adventure swim.

How to get to this swimming hole

From within Prince Gallitzin State Park, continue on Glendale Lake Road to Marina Road to reach the east side of the park, the Park Office, and Muskrat Beach.

The walk in

No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. Muskrat Beach is a drive-up, developed state park beach reached directly by road (Marina Road); no hike is required to reach the swimming area.

Plan your visit

Bringing kids

OK with supervision

Muskrat Beach is a developed, sandy day-use lake beach with bathhouses, but the official park page states swimming is 'at your own risk' and does not mention lifeguards, shallow-entry slope, or roped-off depth zones. Treat as supervised swimming rather than a lifeguarded beach.

Parking

Lot

Beach is reached via Glendale Lake Road to Marina Road on the east side of the park, near the Park Office; a public lot serves the developed day-use area. Exact lot capacity and any parking cost were not stated on the official pages found (PA state parks generally do not charge a day-use admission fee, but this was not explicitly confirmed for this specific lot).

Restrooms

Yes

Modern bathhouses and dressing rooms on site at Muskrat Beach; additional restrooms are available at Prince Gallitzin Marina on the same (south/east) side of the lake.

Hours

Muskrat Beach swim season is late May to mid-September, 8:00 A.M. until sunset. The park itself is open year-round, every day, sunrise to sunset (day-use areas close at dusk). Park office hours: 8:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M. Monday-Friday year-round, plus Saturday/Sunday 2:00-4:00 P.M. between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

On the water

KayaksCanoesPaddleboardsSailboatsMotorboats

Restrictions: Lakewide motor limit of 20 hp / 15 kWh; watercraft may not operate within 100 feet of swimming areas or buoy-marked zones, and swimming or diving from watercraft is prohibited.

Glendale Lake has nine public boat launches around the park, including Prince Gallitzin Marina (south side, trailer parking, slips to 28 ft) and Beaver Valley Marina (north side, slips to 28 ft); shoreline mooring and boat racks run April 1-October 31, marina slips May 1-October 31.

Rentals nearby

Prince Gallitzin Marina (park concession)

Watercraft rentals (the marina concession page describes 'watercraft rentals, emergency towing, sale of fuel'); specific boat/kayak types not itemized on the official page

South side of Glendale Lake at Prince Gallitzin Marina, within Prince Gallitzin State Park · Seasonal concession, daily 8:00 A.M.-7:00 P.M., Memorial Day through Labor Day

Backstory

Glendale Lake's dam was proposed in 1955 by the Patton Chamber of Commerce and Sportsmen's Club, announced by Governor George M. Leader in 1957, and completed in 1960 at a cost of about two million dollars funded through the Oil and Gas Lease Fund. Crooked Run Campground and Beaver Valley Marina opened in 1970.

Muskrat Beach: FAQ

Is Muskrat Beach kid friendly?

Do I need to hike to reach Muskrat Beach?

No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.

Where do I park for Muskrat Beach?

Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Muskrat Beach?

When is the best time to visit Muskrat Beach?

Late May through mid-September (official designated swimming season); park itself is open year-round sunrise to sunset.

What are the rules at Muskrat Beach?

Swim at your own risk and follow posted rules; pets are prohibited in the beach and swimming area (ADA service/guide dogs exempted); smoking (including e-cigarettes and other lighted smoking devices) is prohibited on the beach and in the swimming area, though a designated smoking area is provided adjacent to the beach; watercraft may not operate within 100 feet of swimming areas or buoy-marked zones, and swimming/diving from watercraft is prohibited.

What water body is Muskrat Beach on?

Muskrat Beach is on Glendale Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.