NOTICE: Many states are discouraging or banning movement of firewood to control spread of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). Not bringing wood from home to your campsite and not taking unused wood you procure while camping home with you is recommended -- required in some states. Check the following website to learn more: http://www.emeraldashborer.info/
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See the Blue Marsh Lake website for additional information. Primary recreational opportunities are listed below.
Visitor Center
Blue Marsh Lake Visitor Center / Overlook (610) 376-6337
Directions & Lake History/Factoid
Directions: From Reading PA or US Rt. 222, take PA Rt. 183 North to the Bern Church. Turn
left onto Palisades Drive and follow the project signs to the lake's main access areas.
Lake History
Factoid: Blue Marsh Lake is located northwest of Reading, Pa., and is an outdoor recreation hot
spot in Berks County. The 1,150 acre lake is perfect for boating, fishing, and other
watersports activities, while 5000 acres of land contain hiking trails, picnic areas, a
swim beach, and boat launches. Part of the Greater Reading Trail System, Blue Marsh Lake
offers 45 miles of multi-purpose trails which are great for biking, walking, hiking, and
horseback riding. Visitors enjoy the Dry Brooks Day Use Area for its
swim beach, picnic tables, grills, pavilions, public restrooms, and concession stand. The
Visitor Center overlooks the dam tower, delivering a spectacular view of the lake, while
the Stilling Basin, where water is released from the dam, has a universally accessible
fishing pier. Tulpehocken Creek downstream is considered one of the best trout fisheries
in SE Pennsylvania. The surrounding lands also offer great hunting opportunities!
Age & Disability Discount Passes
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Recreation Services Status
Please see the list below for USACE managed areas. Other parks run by state or private marinas are not included in the list below. Please contact the state or private marina for additional information.
Open
Partially Open
Closed
Status Unknown
11 Recreation areas at Blue Marsh Lake
Blue Marsh Lake Visitor Center/Overlook
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Church Road Access Area
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A |
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W
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Dry Brooks Day Use Area
$
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X |
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A GS
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I
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Dry Brooks Launch
$
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D |
A |
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Highland Road Access Area
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Reber's Bridge Access Area
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A |
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Sheidy Ramp
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X
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P |
A |
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Spring Creek Access Area
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State Hill
$
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D |
A |
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I
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Stilling Basin
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P |
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M
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Swiftwater Court Access Area
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A |
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Corps Managed
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Managed by Others in Italics |
$ Corps Fees Collected
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Print Friendly Version
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Camping |
E | Electric Campsites |
N | Non-electric Campsites |
P | Primitive Campsites |
G | Group Camping |
D | Dump Station |
Fishing |
C | Fish Cleaning Stations |
D | Fishing Docks |
P | Fishing Piers |
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Picnic |
A | Picnic Area |
G | Group Picnic |
GS | Group Picnic Shelter |
Swimming |
BE | Beach |
P | Swimming Pool |
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Trails |
B | Bike Trails |
Q | Equestrian Trails |
H | Hiking Trails |
I | Hiking Trails - Interpretive |
R | Off Road Vehicle Trails |
F | Fitness Trails |
W | Water Trails |
S | Snow Mobile Trails |
CC | Cross Country Skiing Trails |
M | Multipurpose Trails |
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The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Army of the Web site or the information, products or services contained therein.