Sayers Dam Beach
Howard, Pennsylvania · on Foster Joseph Sayers Lake · Bald Eagle State Park
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- reservoir
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- No fee found
- SEASON
- Fall
About Sayers Dam Beach
Sayers Dam Beach is the designated swimming beach at Bald Eagle State Park in Howard, Pennsylvania, on the shore of Foster Joseph Sayers Lake, a 1,730-acre reservoir formed by a 1969 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood-control dam. The 1,200-foot sand and turf beach is an official, seasonal swim area operated by PA DCNR with no lifeguard on duty.
The beach sits on the shore of Foster Joseph Sayers Lake, a roughly 1,730-acre reservoir with about 23 miles of shoreline surrounded by forested mountains (Bald Eagle Mountain and the surrounding ridges), with especially notable fall foliage views in October.
Swimming at Sayers Dam Beach
This is a designated, open lake swimming beach (not a creek or natural swimming hole) with a 1,200-foot sand and turf shoreline. It is a swim-at-your-own-risk area with no lifeguard, suited to casual family lake swimming rather than technical or adventure swimming; the lake is also used as an open-water swim course for a regional triathlon, indicating clear, swimmable open water.
How to get to this swimming hole
Parking: On-site parking is provided at the beach area, per the official park swimming page.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up beach with a dedicated parking area adjoining the swim area, no hike is needed to reach the water. The park separately has about 14.5 miles of hiking trails elsewhere in Bald Eagle State Park, but none is described as required to access this beach.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
It's a designated lake beach with sand/turf entry (not a rocky or cliff site), but it is swim-at-your-own-risk with no lifeguard on duty, and the park explicitly requires that children age 10 or younger be accompanied by someone at least 14. Fine for families who supervise closely; not a lifeguarded or fenced-in kiddie area.
Parking
Free
On-site parking area at the beach itself (PA state parks do not charge day-use parking fees); the official page lists parking as a beach amenity but does not give a walk distance or stall count.
Restrooms
Yes
Public restrooms and changing rooms are provided at the beach, per the official Bald Eagle State Park swimming page.
Hours
Beach/swim area: 8:00 A.M. to sunset, Memorial Day through Labor Day, unless otherwise posted. The park overall is open every day sunrise to sunset, with day-use areas closing at dusk; the beach itself only operates in-season (contact the park office at 814-625-2775 for exact seasonal opening dates).
On the water
Restrictions: Unlimited horsepower motors are allowed and the posted lake speed limit is 45 mph; boats with certain prohibited exhaust types are not allowed. Six boat launches serve the lake (Hunter Run West/East, Winter Launch, Bald Eagle Boat Launch, and two Greens Run launches); some are 24-hour access, and launch availability can be affected by seasonal Army Corps of Engineers winter drawdowns.
369 seasonal marina dockage slips are also available for rent on Foster Joseph Sayers Lake.
Rentals nearby
Canoes and kayaks for touring, and pontoon boats with tow bars for tubing/water-skiing; bicycles are also rented. This is the park's official boating concessionaire and also sells gasoline.
182 Marina Rd., Howard, PA 16841, at the Foster Joseph Sayers Lake marina within Bald Eagle State Park. · May 15-Memorial Day: weekends only, 8 AM-7 PM. Memorial Day-Labor Day: daily, 8 AM-8 PM. September-October: weekends only, 9 AM-7 PM. Hours subject to change for weather.
Backstory
Foster Joseph Sayers Dam was built in 1969 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood control, creating the reservoir; Bald Eagle State Park opened around the new lake on July 4, 1971. The reservoir is named for Pfc. Foster Joseph Sayers, a Centre County native and WWII Medal of Honor recipient killed in action near Thionville, France in 1944. The park itself is named for Chief Woapalanne ("Bald Eagle"), a Munsee Lenni Lenape leader who lived nearby in the mid-1700s.
Sayers Dam Beach: FAQ
Is Sayers Dam Beach kid friendly?
It's a designated lake beach with sand/turf entry (not a rocky or cliff site), but it is swim-at-your-own-risk with no lifeguard on duty, and the park explicitly requires that children age 10 or younger be accompanied by someone at least 14. Fine for families who supervise closely; not a lifeguarded or fenced-in kiddie area.
Do I need to hike to reach Sayers Dam Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Sayers Dam Beach?
On-site parking area at the beach itself (PA state parks do not charge day-use parking fees); the official page lists parking as a beach amenity but does not give a walk distance or stall count.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Sayers Dam Beach?
369 seasonal marina dockage slips are also available for rent on Foster Joseph Sayers Lake.
When is the best time to visit Sayers Dam Beach?
Beach season runs Memorial Day through Labor Day, with posted hours of 8:00 A.M. to sunset; October is highlighted for fall foliage views from the beach.
What are the rules at Sayers Dam Beach?
Swim at your own risk (no lifeguard on duty); children age 10 or younger must be accompanied by a person at least 14 years old; pets are prohibited in the swimming area; smoking (including e-cigarettes) is restricted in the beach/swim area; soft water toys such as inner tubes and noodles are generally permitted unless otherwise posted.
What water body is Sayers Dam Beach on?
Sayers Dam Beach is on Foster Joseph Sayers Lake, a natural reservoir verified in USGS hydrography data.
More swimming holes near Howard
Black Moshannon State Park
Philipsburg, Pennsylvanialake
🛶🏄🚤
Raymond B. Winter State Park
Mifflinburg, Pennsylvanialake
⛺
Greenwood Furnace State Park
Huntingdon, Pennsylvanialake
🛶
Greenwood Lake Dam NRHP
Huntingdon, Pennsylvanialake
⛺🛶
Parker Dam State Park
Penfield, Pennsylvanialake
⛺🛶🏄🚤
Lyman Run State Park Office
Galeton, Pennsylvanialake
🛶🏄🚤