Winner of "Pennsylvania's #1 Attraction for 2017" and the “#1 Freshwater Beach in the Country 2016” designation by USA Today Reader’s Choice, Erie’s largest outdoor playground, Presque Isle State Park is a National Natural Landmark nestled between the shores of Lake Erie and beautifulPresque Isle Bay.
Welcoming over 4 million visitors each year, enjoy seven miles of sandy surf beaches to stretch out on, fly a kite, build a sandcastle or just soak in some rays.
Open year-round and free to the public, Presque Isle offers swimming, surfing, hiking, biking, rollerblading, boating, kayaking, surreys, ice-kiting, cross country skiing, canoeing, birding, fishing and world-class sunsets.Recreation equipment rentals are available outside and inside the Park.
Presque Isle State Park is part of the Great Lakes Seaway Trail, an America’s Byway™, a 518-mile scenic driving route that follows the shores of Lake Erie, the Niagara River, Lake Ontario, and the St. Lawrence River in New York and Pennsylvania.
Grab your family or friends and set out for a do-it-yourself outdoor adventure! Here are our suggestions for fun outdoor tours:
Download the FREE Hello Erie mobile app and check out two GPS-based walking tours: Gems of The City, a walking tour of historic (lower) Downtown Erie (Dickson House, Hamot House, Captain John Richard’s House, St. Patrick’s Church and more) and the West Bayfront Walking Tour which includes the Bicentennial Tower, Dobbins Landing, West Canal Basin and more. FOODIES! Eat your way through downtown Erie or the charming town of North East on the Erie Food Tours which includes stops and tastings and a bite of history at the area's most popular restaurants.
Take a self-guided tour of Erie's Mural Arts! Explore over 80 murals located throughout Erie County. Explore by yourself or with family and friends. Make it an adventure in the pursuit of great art! Be inspired by the creativity of our local muralists and residents. Most of the murals are located outside, however, there are a few located inside buildings (specifics can be found in the mural descriptions). The majority of murals are not artificially lit, therefore we recommend viewing them during daylight hours.
Download the Erie County Mural List
Map out your Mural Adventure with our Google Mural Map!
Do you like to hike in the woods, walk in a city park, and take a stroll on the waterfront? Erie County has a vast array of park and recreational opportunities to explore. To find trail locations, go to www.erietrails.org to view trail route maps, photos of venues and terrain, plus upcoming activities and events. Check out the newest trail at Wintergreen Gorge. 1.2 miles of gorgeous scenery including four-mile creek and the gorge overlook.
Pennsylvania's moderate climate and rolling terrain provide some of the best grape growing conditions on the East Coast. Experience the 22 distinct wineries that make up Lake Erie Wine Country which span PA and NY along the southern shores of Lake Erie. With approximately 14,000 acres of grapes, Pennsylvania ranks 4th nationally in the amount of grapes grown and 8th in wine production. The warm waters of Lake Erie are ideal for grape growing.
Learn more at LakeErieWineCountry.org
Pennsylvania’s only Great Lakes City is also known for its port and its porters! The Erie region is home to a variety of breweries that make up the Lake Erie Ale Trail. Each brewery refines their beer from simple ingredients, mixing in a passion for their craft with a personable twist that gives uniqueness to an ever-expanding assortment of flavors, styles and funky names.
Learn more at LakeErieAleTrail.com
This trail is a driving route through western Pennsylvania. Traversing modern highways, the route commemorates young George Washington's first military and diplomatic venture in the Fall and Winter 1753 - 1754. Today, the route follows major roads. However, in some areas there are alternate historic or scenic routes suggested which may more closely align with Washington's travel in the Fall of 1753, and these are likely to be back roads.
The Let’s Move Outside! Erie County Recreational Passport is a collaborative program of Erie Yesterday, Erie County Department of Health and VisitErie. It’s an innovative program promoting healthy living and physical activity through the use of public art, local history and outdoor recreation. Download Let’s Move Outside! Erie County Recreational Passport.
Don’t Give Up the Drip Community Rain Barrel Art Project is simultaneously showcasing Erie’s local art talent while educating the community about the benefits of harvesting rainwater. Take a cool “green” tour throughout Erie County of of 52 locally designed and created rain barrels commissioned by the Erie County Conservation District and Environment Erie. Perfect for those interested in environmental/nature sites.
Learn More
NEW! Lake Erie was ranked #3 out of the Top 100 Best Bass Lakes of the Decade by Bassmaster Magazine. View the slideshow here. Fishing enthusiasts are presented with a variety of options in the spring. Steelhead is plentiful from late September to early May in Lake Erie tributaries and creeks. In April, pan fish and bass are found in smaller ponds, while pike and muskies are seen in Presque Isle Bay depending on the ice melt. April also brings the arrival of trout season plus the appearance of bass and walleye in Lake Erie. All of the above mentioned fish species are available in May with the exception of Steelhead. Smallmouth bass travel to Presque Isle Bay in May to spawn and June is heavy with trout, bluegill and inland pike.
For more interesting fish bits:
Charge your boat battery at any of the following locations (visit our Stay page for contact info):
Bayfront Inn, Ramada by Wyndham Bel-Aire Hotel, The Presque Isle Hotel, Courtyard Bayfront Marriott, Glass House Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn Express (Peach St.), Quality Inn & Suites Presque Isle, Riviera Motel, Sheraton Erie Bayfront, SpringHill Suites, Steelhead Inn, Sunset Motel, TownePlace Suites, Wingate by Wyndham.
814-835-5356
4105 Asbury Road
Pet friendly (outside trails only)
Erie, PA 16506
724-321-6729
5 State Street
Erie, PA 16507
814-774-9416
8600 West Lake Road
Lake City, PA 16423
716-736-4418
5811 Welch Hill Road
Ripley, NY 14775
814-833-7424
11100 West Lake Road
Lake City, PA 16423
814-864-4091
423 West 38th Street
Erie, PA 16508
800-922-1219
6960 West Ridge Road
Fairview, PA 16415
814-454-1770
150 East Front Street, Ste 300
Erie, PA 16507
814-453-5323
1501 West 6th Street
Erie, PA 16505
814-453-6387
34 State Street
Erie, PA 16507
814-789-3251
25164 State Highway 27
Meadville, PA 16335
814-796-2767
10760 Donation Road
Waterford, PA 16441
814-734-1641
14510 Mt. Pleasant Road
Cambridge Springs, PA 16403
814-725-8244
11950 Lake Road
North East, PA 16428
716-782-2845
11 Rock Hill Road
Panama, NY 14767
716-355-4141
1405 Olde Road
Clymer, NY 14724
1-87-PA-ROUTE6 (877-276-8836)
814-452-2628
402 West Bayfront Parkway
Erie, PA 16507
814-836-0201
Perry Monument at Presque Isle
Erie, PA 16501
814-833-3604
Presque Isle State Park, east of Beach 6
Erie, PA 16505
814-838-5138
301 Peninsula Drive Suite 2
Erie, PA 16505
814-833-7424
Foot of Peninsula Drive
Erie, PA 16505
814-453-2627
2 State Street
Erie, PA 16507
724-880-1283
Captain John E. Lampe Marina, Foot of Port Access Road
Erie, PA 16507
814-459-9696
Foot of State Street/Dobbins Landing
Erie, PA 16507
877-817-1009
220 Peninsula Drive
Erie, PA 16505
814-860-1385
110 East Dobbins Landing
Erie, PA 16507
724-321-6729
5 State Street
Erie, PA 16507
724-316-2529
35 State Street
Erie , PA 16507
724-880-1283
Captain John E. Lampe Marina, Foot of Port Access Road
Erie, PA 16507
724-679-4510
Ft. of, Port Access Rd
Erie, PA 16507
814-866-0641
6050 Old Zuck Road
Erie, PA 16506
814-898-4653
3730 Harbor Ridge Trail
Erie, PA 16510
814-725-9644
Private club. Limited availability
North East, PA 16428
814-796-2767
10760 Donation Road
Waterford, PA 16441
716-355-4141
1405 Olde Road
Clymer, NY 14724
814-838-9942
7214 Grubb Road
Erie, PA 16506
814-725-8244
11950 Lake Road
North East, PA 16428
814-874-0698
34 State St.
Erie, PA 16507
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