Keystone State Park
Camp next to water
The 1,200-acre Keystone State Park is great for day-trips and family vacations year-round. Camping, modern cabins, many trails and a lake are all within walking distance, providing an ideal setting for wildlife watching or outdoor adventures. The park is within easy driving distance from the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, the Laurel Highlands and their many attractions.
The 1,200-acre Keystone State Park is great for day-trips and family vacations year-round. Camping, modern cabins, many trails and a lake are all within walking distance, providing an ideal setting for wildlife watching or outdoor adventures. The park is within easy driving distance from the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, the Laurel Highlands and their many attractions.
Seasons and Hours: The park is open every day of the year, sunrise to sunset. Day use areas close at dusk. The park office is open specific hours. The beach, overnight areas, and other areas are open specific seasons and hours. Contact the park office for facility seasons and hours.
Picnicking: Several picnic areas in the park offer picnic tables, parking, drinking water and restrooms. Two pavilions have charcoal grills, drinking water and electric outlets. Please keep these areas clean and dispose of hot charcoal in proper receptacles.
Pavilion #1 is on the north side of the lake, closer to the beach, and Pavilion #2 is below the breast of the dam. The picnic area adjacent to the boat concession offers charcoal grills and drinking water. Picnic pavilions can be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee. Unreserved pavilions are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Make a reservation.
Swimming: A sand beach is open from late-May to Labor Day, 8 a.m. to sunset. Swim at your own risk. Please follow posted rules.
To keep this area clean and safe, no food, beverages or pets are allowed on the sand area of the beach.
Smoking is prohibited on the beach and in the swimming area. For visitors who smoke and still want to use this beach, designated areas adjacent to the beach are provided. The restriction includes cigarettes, pipes, cigars, e-cigarettes or other handheld, lighted smoking devices.
Explore swimming for more information.
A food concession is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day when the beach is open and offers hot and cold food and a variety of sundry items.
Recycling: Keystone State Park recycles all glass, aluminum, bimetalic cans, and plastics 1 and 2. Please deposit recyclables in labeled dumpsters throughout the park.
Boating: electric motors only
The 78-acre Keystone Lake has a public boat launch and mooring area on the north shore by the breast of the dam.
Motorboats must display a current boat registration. Non-powered boats must display one of the following: boat registration; launching permit or mooring permit from Pennsylvania State Parks, available at most state park offices; launching permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission laws apply. Complete information on boating rules and regulations in Pennsylvania is available from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.
Boat Rental: Near the main boat launch on Keystone Lake, Northwest Kayak and Canoe rents boats and sells bait, basic camping supplies, firewood and ice. In the summer the concession is open Sunday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday, Saturday and holidays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., unless otherwise posted. 724-668-0044
Fishing: The 78-acre Keystone Lake has warm water and cold water fishing, with trout stockings throughout the year. Warmwater fish are largemouth bass, tiger muskellunge, black crappie, yellow perch, carp and brown bullhead catfish. A fishing area by the spillway is ADA accessible. Fishing is prohibited at the beach, boat launches and mooring areas. Keystone Lake is a Big Bass Lake and special regulations apply.
Keystone Lake Depth Black-and-white Map (.pdf) (2,460 kb, 8/15)
Keystone Lake Depth Color Map (.pdf) (2,842 kb, 8/15)
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission laws apply. Complete information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania is available from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.
Hunting and Firearms: About half of Keystone State Park is open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, turkey, squirrel, pheasant and grouse. Hunting on the lake and surrounding area is prohibited.
Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day through March 31 in designated hunting areas. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Game Commission rules and regulations apply. Contact the park office for ADA accessible hunting information.
Use extreme caution with firearms at all times. Other visitors use the park during hunting seasons. Firearms and archery equipment used for hunting may be uncased and ready for use only in authorized hunting areas during hunting seasons. In areas not open to hunting or during non-hunting seasons, firearms and archery equipment shall be kept in the owner’s vehicle or enclosed trailer. Exceptions include: law enforcement officers and individuals with a valid Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms are authorized to carry a firearm concealed on their person while they are within a state park.
Complete information on hunting rules and regulations in Pennsylvania is available from the Pennsylvania Game Commission Web site.
Bicycling: Lakeside Trail is excellent for bikes of all types. This two-mile, level trail loops around the lake on park roads and walkways. Mountain bikes must stay on park roads or gravel walkways. All other trails are foot-traffic only.
Hiking: 8 miles of trails
The trails are open year-round for hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. All trails are rated from easiest to more difficult hiking with parking available at most of the trailheads. All trails are foot traffic only, except for Lakeside Trail, which is open to bikes.
Davis Run Trail: 3 miles, easiest hiking
This trail meanders through wetlands before reaching an upland forest of mixed conifers and mature hardwoods. Along part of the trail, the conifers form a scenic tunnel.
Lakeside Loop: 2.2 miles, easiest hiking
This loop goes around the lake on park roads and walkways. This scenic and fairly level path offers an excellent view of waterfowl and other aquatic life. Bikes are permitted.
McCune Run Trail: 0.5 mile, easiest hiking
This short trail leads to an abandoned beaver pond and a wetland meadow. The trail crosses over the remnants of an old beaver dam and connects to Davis Run Trail.
Pine Trail: 0.3 mile loop, easiest hiking
This trail loops through plantations of red, white and table mountain pine trees. About halfway through the trail, hikers can view farm fields and large chestnut oak trees.
Stone Lodge Trail: 1.5 miles, easiest to more difficult hiking
The path starts from the James A. Kell Visitor Center parking lot. This challenging walk starts with a fairly steep climb that winds through hardwoods to ridgetop conifers. Keen-eyed hikers can find remnants of an old springhouse and homestead by large hemlock trees.
Strawcutter Trail: 0.6 mile, easiest hiking
This trail loops through plantations of red, white and table mountain pine trees. About halfway through the trail, hikers can view farm fields and large chestnut oak trees.
Stay the Night
Camping: flush toilets, warm showers, some electric hook-ups
About 100 tent and trailer sites are available from the first Friday in April to the third Sunday of October. Lakeside Campground is adjacent to the lake. Hillside Campground is in a more remote area of the park and accommodates those camping with pets. Both campgrounds have a modern bathhouse. A sanitary dump station is available. Shower facilities may not be available after October 1.
Explore the campground map.
Explore camping for more information.
Make a reservation.
Free Camping for Campground Hosts: 2 host positions
The campground host site amenities include 20, 30 or 50-amp electric service. Hosts are required to assist park personnel for 40 hours per week with varying hours, and a two (2) week minimum stay. There is a possibility of longer stays. Contact the park office for additional information and availability.
Camping Cottages: Three cottages, located in Lakeside Campground, sleep five people in bunk beds. The cottages have wooden floors, windows, electric heat, porch, picnic table, fire ring and electric lights and outlets. One cottage is ADA accessible.
Make a reservation.
Yurts: Two yurts are located in Lakeside Campground. These round, canvas and wood-walled tents have a wooden deck and sleep five people in bunk beds. Yurts have a cooking stove, microwave oven, refrigerator, countertop, table, chairs, electric heat and outlets, fire ring, picnic table and are adjacent to a water pump. One yurt is ADA accessible.
Make a reservation.
Modern Cabins: The 11 modern cabins are available year-round. They are located near the breast of the dam between the two campgrounds. The cabins sleep six people in two bedrooms, one with a double bed and another with two sets of bunk beds. Each cabin contains a modern bathroom with a shower and a kitchen with a stove, refrigerator and microwave oven. Outside is a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Visitors must bring their own kitchen, bath and bedding necessities. Cabin 11 is ADA accessible.
Explore the cabin map.
Explore cabins for more information.
Make a reservation.
Winter Activities
Explore the Winter Report for the current snow and ice depths. Please be safe on the ice.
Cross-country Skiing: Skiing is permitted on park trails.
Sledding: Sledding is permitted on slopes in the park.
Ice Fishing: When conditions permit ice fishing is permitted on the 78-acre Keystone Lake. Ice thickness is not monitored.
Ice Skating: Skating is permitted on the natural ice of the lake. Ice thickness is not monitored.
Environmental Education and Interpretation
The park offers a wide variety of environmental education and interpretive programs March to November. Through hands-on activities, guided walks and informational programs, participants gain an appreciation and understanding of natural and cultural resources. For a schedule of activities or to request a program, call 724-668-2566.
The ADA accessible James A. Kell Visitor Center is a historic stone lodge located in the overnight area of the park. The center contains an introduction to the history, flora and fauna of the park, educational handouts and historic artifacts.
Explore the Calendar of Events for a listing of upcoming events.
Explore environmental education and interpretation for more information.
Access for People with Disabilities
If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit.
Picnicking: Several picnic areas in the park offer picnic tables, parking, drinking water and restrooms. Two pavilions have charcoal grills, drinking water and electric outlets. Please keep these areas clean and dispose of hot charcoal in proper receptacles.
Pavilion #1 is on the north side of the lake, closer to the beach, and Pavilion #2 is below the breast of the dam. The picnic area adjacent to the boat concession offers charcoal grills and drinking water. Picnic pavilions can be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee. Unreserved pavilions are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Make a reservation.
Swimming: A sand beach is open from late-May to Labor Day, 8 a.m. to sunset. Swim at your own risk. Please follow posted rules.
To keep this area clean and safe, no food, beverages or pets are allowed on the sand area of the beach.
Smoking is prohibited on the beach and in the swimming area. For visitors who smoke and still want to use this beach, designated areas adjacent to the beach are provided. The restriction includes cigarettes, pipes, cigars, e-cigarettes or other handheld, lighted smoking devices.
Explore swimming for more information.
A food concession is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day when the beach is open and offers hot and cold food and a variety of sundry items.
Recycling: Keystone State Park recycles all glass, aluminum, bimetalic cans, and plastics 1 and 2. Please deposit recyclables in labeled dumpsters throughout the park.
Boating: electric motors only
The 78-acre Keystone Lake has a public boat launch and mooring area on the north shore by the breast of the dam.
Motorboats must display a current boat registration. Non-powered boats must display one of the following: boat registration; launching permit or mooring permit from Pennsylvania State Parks, available at most state park offices; launching permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission laws apply. Complete information on boating rules and regulations in Pennsylvania is available from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.
Boat Rental: Near the main boat launch on Keystone Lake, Northwest Kayak and Canoe rents boats and sells bait, basic camping supplies, firewood and ice. In the summer the concession is open Sunday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday, Saturday and holidays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., unless otherwise posted. 724-668-0044
Fishing: The 78-acre Keystone Lake has warm water and cold water fishing, with trout stockings throughout the year. Warmwater fish are largemouth bass, tiger muskellunge, black crappie, yellow perch, carp and brown bullhead catfish. A fishing area by the spillway is ADA accessible. Fishing is prohibited at the beach, boat launches and mooring areas. Keystone Lake is a Big Bass Lake and special regulations apply.
Keystone Lake Depth Black-and-white Map (.pdf) (2,460 kb, 8/15)
Keystone Lake Depth Color Map (.pdf) (2,842 kb, 8/15)
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission laws apply. Complete information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania is available from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.
Hunting and Firearms: About half of Keystone State Park is open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, turkey, squirrel, pheasant and grouse. Hunting on the lake and surrounding area is prohibited.
Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day through March 31 in designated hunting areas. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Game Commission rules and regulations apply. Contact the park office for ADA accessible hunting information.
Use extreme caution with firearms at all times. Other visitors use the park during hunting seasons. Firearms and archery equipment used for hunting may be uncased and ready for use only in authorized hunting areas during hunting seasons. In areas not open to hunting or during non-hunting seasons, firearms and archery equipment shall be kept in the owner’s vehicle or enclosed trailer. Exceptions include: law enforcement officers and individuals with a valid Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms are authorized to carry a firearm concealed on their person while they are within a state park.
Complete information on hunting rules and regulations in Pennsylvania is available from the Pennsylvania Game Commission Web site.
Bicycling: Lakeside Trail is excellent for bikes of all types. This two-mile, level trail loops around the lake on park roads and walkways. Mountain bikes must stay on park roads or gravel walkways. All other trails are foot-traffic only.
Hiking: 8 miles of trails
The trails are open year-round for hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. All trails are rated from easiest to more difficult hiking with parking available at most of the trailheads. All trails are foot traffic only, except for Lakeside Trail, which is open to bikes.
Davis Run Trail: 3 miles, easiest hiking
This trail meanders through wetlands before reaching an upland forest of mixed conifers and mature hardwoods. Along part of the trail, the conifers form a scenic tunnel.
Lakeside Loop: 2.2 miles, easiest hiking
This loop goes around the lake on park roads and walkways. This scenic and fairly level path offers an excellent view of waterfowl and other aquatic life. Bikes are permitted.
McCune Run Trail: 0.5 mile, easiest hiking
This short trail leads to an abandoned beaver pond and a wetland meadow. The trail crosses over the remnants of an old beaver dam and connects to Davis Run Trail.
Pine Trail: 0.3 mile loop, easiest hiking
This trail loops through plantations of red, white and table mountain pine trees. About halfway through the trail, hikers can view farm fields and large chestnut oak trees.
Stone Lodge Trail: 1.5 miles, easiest to more difficult hiking
The path starts from the James A. Kell Visitor Center parking lot. This challenging walk starts with a fairly steep climb that winds through hardwoods to ridgetop conifers. Keen-eyed hikers can find remnants of an old springhouse and homestead by large hemlock trees.
Strawcutter Trail: 0.6 mile, easiest hiking
This trail loops through plantations of red, white and table mountain pine trees. About halfway through the trail, hikers can view farm fields and large chestnut oak trees.
Stay the Night
Camping: flush toilets, warm showers, some electric hook-ups
About 100 tent and trailer sites are available from the first Friday in April to the third Sunday of October. Lakeside Campground is adjacent to the lake. Hillside Campground is in a more remote area of the park and accommodates those camping with pets. Both campgrounds have a modern bathhouse. A sanitary dump station is available. Shower facilities may not be available after October 1.
Explore the campground map.
Explore camping for more information.
Make a reservation.
Free Camping for Campground Hosts: 2 host positions
The campground host site amenities include 20, 30 or 50-amp electric service. Hosts are required to assist park personnel for 40 hours per week with varying hours, and a two (2) week minimum stay. There is a possibility of longer stays. Contact the park office for additional information and availability.
Camping Cottages: Three cottages, located in Lakeside Campground, sleep five people in bunk beds. The cottages have wooden floors, windows, electric heat, porch, picnic table, fire ring and electric lights and outlets. One cottage is ADA accessible.
Make a reservation.
Yurts: Two yurts are located in Lakeside Campground. These round, canvas and wood-walled tents have a wooden deck and sleep five people in bunk beds. Yurts have a cooking stove, microwave oven, refrigerator, countertop, table, chairs, electric heat and outlets, fire ring, picnic table and are adjacent to a water pump. One yurt is ADA accessible.
Make a reservation.
Modern Cabins: The 11 modern cabins are available year-round. They are located near the breast of the dam between the two campgrounds. The cabins sleep six people in two bedrooms, one with a double bed and another with two sets of bunk beds. Each cabin contains a modern bathroom with a shower and a kitchen with a stove, refrigerator and microwave oven. Outside is a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Visitors must bring their own kitchen, bath and bedding necessities. Cabin 11 is ADA accessible.
Explore the cabin map.
Explore cabins for more information.
Make a reservation.
Winter Activities
Explore the Winter Report for the current snow and ice depths. Please be safe on the ice.
Cross-country Skiing: Skiing is permitted on park trails.
Sledding: Sledding is permitted on slopes in the park.
Ice Fishing: When conditions permit ice fishing is permitted on the 78-acre Keystone Lake. Ice thickness is not monitored.
Ice Skating: Skating is permitted on the natural ice of the lake. Ice thickness is not monitored.
Environmental Education and Interpretation
The park offers a wide variety of environmental education and interpretive programs March to November. Through hands-on activities, guided walks and informational programs, participants gain an appreciation and understanding of natural and cultural resources. For a schedule of activities or to request a program, call 724-668-2566.
The ADA accessible James A. Kell Visitor Center is a historic stone lodge located in the overnight area of the park. The center contains an introduction to the history, flora and fauna of the park, educational handouts and historic artifacts.
Explore the Calendar of Events for a listing of upcoming events.
Explore environmental education and interpretation for more information.
Access for People with Disabilities
If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit.