LIST: Pennsylvania state parks closed to swimming

(WHTM) — If you’re looking to swim, you won’t be able to at several state parks across the Keystone State, including some in our area.

Beaches at eight state parks are closed to swimming as of Thursday, primarily due to bacteria counts and water testing results.

Cowans Gap State Park, Fulton County

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), swimming is prohibited at Cowans Gap Lake at its namesake state park on the Fulton/Franklin county line.

DCNR says routine water testing has found an elevated coliform count and the park will test water daily and reopen for swimming when bacteria counts are acceptable.

The day use area as well as fishing and boating activities remain open.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, fecal coliform bacteria are “present in virtually all warm-blooded animals,” and E. coli represents about 97% of all the coliform bacteria in human feces.

Gifford Pinchot State Park, York County

Gifford Pinchot State Park posted on Thursday morning that swimming is “prohibited” at the Pinchot Lake beach after routine water testing showed an elevated coliform count.

The Quaker Race Day Use Area remains open for swimming, and other activities such as boating and fishing are permitted at this time.

The park says they will test the water daily and reopen the campground swimming beach “when bacteria counts fall into acceptable levels.”

Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Cumberland County

Pine Grove Furnace State Park shared that Laurel Lake is closed for swimming due to elevated E.coli counts.

Last month, Laurel Beach was closed for a couple of days after heavy rain brought debris into the water.

The day use area remains open. The park will test the water daily and re-open swimming when bacteria counts fall into acceptable levels. Fuller Lake remains open as well, DCNR said.

Canoe Creek State Park, Blair County

DCNR says swimming is not permitted at Canoe Creek State Park due to recent water sampling results.

“Water testing is continuing, and the area will reopen as soon as water quality returns to acceptable levels,” DCNR said in an alert.

Canoe Creek State Park is just east of Altoona.

Gouldsboro State Park, Wayne County

The beach at Gouldsboro State Park closed Thursday due to water sample failures, DCNR said in an alert.

They said the beach will remain closed until acceptable results are received.

Nearby Tobyhanna State Park Beach is open daily from 8am until sunset.

Laurel Hill State Park, Somerset County

The swimming are at Laurel Hill State Park west of Somerset is closed “due to high turbidity from recent storms.”

DCNR says the swimming area will reopen when conditions improve.

Ricketts Glen State Park, Sullivan County

The beach at Ricketts Glen State Park near Lopez is closed due to “unacceptable levels of bacteria” in the lake.

DCNR expects the beach to reopen after the weekend, around July 23.

“The picnic area and the sandy beach area itself may be used during the closure, but entering the water is not permitted,” DCNR says.

The park’s boat rental concession – Sunnyside Marina – will remain open as normal. 

Worlds End State Park, Sullivan County

The beach at Worlds End State Park is closed due to high water levels, DCNR said.

“We will continue to monitor and reopen the beach as soon as possible,” DCNR added.

For updates on any of the closures or at your local state park, visit DCNR’s website and check the park’s advisories.