About Raystown Lake at raystown.org

Raystown Lake is an 8,300-acre man-made impoundment of the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River. The dam, completed in 1973, backs up water for over 30 miles. Raystown Dam is operated by the United States Army Corps of Engineers as a flood control dam protecting populated areas from flooding from Huntingdon, Pennsylvania to the mouth of the Susquehanna River as it flows into the Chesapeake Bay. Raystown Dam has saved property owners and municipalities tens of millions of dollars in flood damage that would have occurred since construction was started in 1971.

Click here for updated water levels, air temperatures and water temperatures at Raystown Lake.

Click here for updated Raystown Lake Fishing Report weather forecasts from The Weather Channel.

Raystown Lake Recreation Area is made up of all of the lakeshore property (118 miles of shoreline) that was created by the dam. The recreation area is the property of the United States Government and is operated by the Army Corps as a public recreation facility. Throughout the property there are three privately developed areas operating on leases with the Corps.

Raystown Dam and Vicinity

The Raystown Dam is located in the Northern Lake Area, 5 miles south of Huntingdon, PA. There is a picnic shelter at the dam. Below the dam is located Branch Camp, and the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission’s Point Access boat launch for the Raystown and Main Branches of the Juniata River. The Riverside Trail meanders along the tailwaters of the dam, as they meet up with the Main Branch of the Juniata River.

Also located in the Northern Lake Area, accessible from a turn off of Route 22 near Sheetz convenience store in Huntingdon, are Snyder’s Run Boat Launch and two scenic overlooks. Snyder’s Run Boat Launch is the closest launch on Raystown Lake to Huntingdon. Ridenour Overlook provides stunning views of the Dam, and the Raystown Branch gorge, and was voted by The Camping Club of America as one of the Top 100 Scenic Views in America. A 300-yard walk from Ridenour Overlook is Hawn’s Overlook that looks upstream over Raystown Lake and the Snyder’s Run inlet. The views from both overlooks are not to be missed.

Seven Points

The hub of the Northern Lake Area is the Seven Points Recreation Area in Hesston, PA. Within Seven Points Recreation Area, is the Administration Building for the Army Corps of Engineers Raystown Lake Project. The Seven Points Entrance Station serves as the office for the campgrounds at Seven Points, which were named among the Top 100 Family Campgrounds by The Camping Club of America.

In addition to the campgrounds, Seven Points is where the Raystown Lake Visitors Center can be found. The Visitors Center is a great place to start a RAYcation. The Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau, and Army Corps’ Raystown Lake Ranger staffs are both located in the Visitors Center and are eager to help folks make the best of their visit to the area. The center is where to purchase annual passes and launch permits for Raystown Lake. To learn more about the Raystown Lake Project, check out the Exhibition Area in the Visitors Center for interactive exhibits that are both fun and educational for the whole family.

Seven Points has trailheads for the Old Loggers Trail, the Hillside Nature Trail, and the Allegrippis Trails at Raystown Lake. The Allegrippis Trails are a new addition to the Raystown Lake Recreation Area. The 26 trails in the Allegrippis system were designed and built by mountain bikers to be a 32-mile, non-motorized, multi-use trail system like none other in the northeastern United States. A ride, hike, run, or ski on these trails will take you to some spectacular views of Raystown Lake, and The Alleghenies, and is sure to be a lot of fun!

Seven Points is also home to the Raystown Lake Amphitheater. Every Friday and Saturday evening from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, there are live music performances, movies, and other programs that are free and open to the public. The Amphitheater is also available to rent for special events, like weddings.

Picnics can be had at Seven Points in any of the picnic shelters, or dozens of picnic tables around the area, and at Seven Points Beach. Seven Points Beach is a popular area throughout the summer, featuring a sandy beach, lots of grassy area, a snack bar, water trampolines, and great scenery.

Seven Points Marina is the largest marina in Pennsylvania, and is one of the privately operated properties on Raystown Lake. Check out the Seven Points Marina page on Raystown.org by clicking the link.

Seven Points Boat Launch is one of the three public access points in the Northern Lake Area, and is located on the loop of Seven Points Road just past the marina.

Susquehannock

Just north of Seven Points on Baker Hollow Road is Susquehannock Campground featuring primitive lakeside campsites. Susquehannock is the main access point for the Allegrippis Trails at Raystown Lake, and the Old Loggers Trail.

Aitch

South of Seven Points off of Route 26 is Aitch Boat Launch. Near the launch is a fishing pier, which is one of the best places on Raystown to fish from the shore. Aitch is the closest public area to a Pennsylvania Game Commission Waterfowl Propogation Area which is protected from human interference.

Entriken, Shy Beaver and Vicinity

James Creek Boat Launch is the northern tip of the Raystown Lake Region’s Southern Lake Area. James Creek Boat Launch is the most convenient launch if you plan to camp at Nancy’s Boat-To-Shore Campground. James Creek also has the largest parking area of all of the boat launches on Raystown Lake.

Route 994 has one of only two bridges that span Raystown Lake. West of the bridge along Route 994 are two scenic overlooks, Coffee Run Overlook and Entriken Bridge Overlook.

South of the Intersection of Route 994 along Route 26 is an area known as Shy Beaver, which contains a boat launch and fishing pier.

East of the Entriken Bridge along Route 994, you will find Lake Raystown Resort, Lodge and Conference Center (click for link), Tatman Run Recreation Area, and Trough Creek State Park (click for link). Tatman Run contains picnic areas, a boat launch and a public beach.

Putt’s Boy Scout Camp is a hike-in or boat-in camping area available to scout troops and other organized groups. Contact the Army Corps’ Rangers for more details.

Weaver Falls and Saxton

Weaver Falls Picnic Area is located a few miles north of the town of Saxton, along Weaver Falls Road. Weaver Falls is a remote and quiet place on the headwaters of Raystown Lake to launch a boat, and have a family picnic.

Heritage Cove Resort is the furthest point from the dam, that is still considered part of Raystown Lake. Heritage Cove Resort is home to a public boat launch and more. Click their link to find out more about Heritage Cove Resort.