Anyone who comes to Erie to visit has to visit the State Park of Presque Isle. The long history is highly debated as to who found the peninsula that juts off into beautiful Lake Erie but most... More

Anyone who comes to Erie to visit has to visit the State Park of Presque Isle. The long history is highly debated as to who found the peninsula that juts off into beautiful Lake Erie but most Erieites agree that it was Joe Root. He now even has a wonderful little restaurant named after him that you can go to and read the history on their menu! The park has access to both lake side and bay side, offering an array of good times for everyone. Boaters will enjoy the Marina area and launch area where you can launch your boat for free. No fees are collected at the gate so visitors are not only welcome, they're encouraged to enjoy the beautiful offerings of Lake Erie, free of charge. There is a place to rent canoes, bikes and even camping at the entrance of the park. Swimming is only allowed on guarded beaches but during the highlight of the summer season there are usually guards on duty from sun up to sun down. A children's park is available. Cabins can be rented for large picnics. Pavilions are available, free of charge on a first come first serve basis. Bikers and hikers alike can enjoy the path that encompasses the vast majority of the park area. Known for one of the most beautiful sunsets around, I encourage you to stay long enough to enjoy a simple, calming sunset after a day of hard play.
Less

Located in Erie Pa this beautiful state park boasts over 26 miles of swimming beaches on its shores. Jutting out into Lake Erie as a Peninsula, the park has a 15 mile bicycle/skate board/ walking... More

Located in Erie Pa this beautiful state park boasts over 26 miles of swimming beaches on its shores. Jutting out into Lake Erie as a Peninsula, the park has a 15 mile bicycle/skate board/ walking paved trail adjoining the regular roadway system in the park. The paved trail is basically flat throughout, so it is easy to navigate for people of all ages. It is also home to a world renown bird sanctuary, of which people come from all over the USA to see. We usually make it a monthly trip to spend the day here. Oh yes, there also is excellent fishing, boating, and sailing available also. Sorry, no camping is permitted in the park, although there is a campground just outside of it's entrance. Try it. You will love it!
Less

Presque Isle is a wonderful state park just north of Erie, PA. In addition to the wonderfully-maintained and paved walking and biking trails, there are numerous sandy beaches, picnic shelters, and... More

Presque Isle is a wonderful state park just north of Erie, PA. In addition to the wonderfully-maintained and paved walking and biking trails, there are numerous sandy beaches, picnic shelters, and boat docks. At the entrance to PI, there's a large sign posting which beaches and beach houses are open. My favorite is Bundy Beach, where there's not only a beach house and plenty of sandy shore, but also a snack pavilion and volleyball court. This is a great destination for the day or the entire weekend. Be sure to check out Presque Isle Days, a yearly festival that brings in a ton of regional traffic.
Less

For the four or five months when visiting Presque Isle in the warmth, expect to be surrounded by a lot of other beach goers. There are dozens of beaches that are maintained using breakwaters and... More

For the four or five months when visiting Presque Isle in the warmth, expect to be surrounded by a lot of other beach goers. There are dozens of beaches that are maintained using breakwaters and sand addition. There are some nice display signs that explain the ecology of the area. There are some nice lighthouses and picnic areas. If you are around in the winter, stop by to see if the ice dunes have formed on the lake by shore - they are very unique.
Less

Don't limit your visits to sunny, warm summer days. This park offers fun in any season. Summertime offers beautiful guarded beaches to relax and swim in. Numerous beach houses allow for a... More

Don't limit your visits to sunny, warm summer days. This park offers fun in any season. Summertime offers beautiful guarded beaches to relax and swim in. Numerous beach houses allow for a quick, but cold, shower to get the icky stuff off from the water and keep the sand out of the car. Concession stands are numerous and offer reasonable snacks but I'd recommend going up to the entrance and hitting one of the places there like Sara's or Joe Roots (now on West 8th Street). Fall offers the obvious beautiful foilage with walks along the bike/hike path. Seasonable festivities at the Nature Center can make most any weekend complete. Boat rentals any time of the week make for a great fishing opportunity or just the ability to see the lake area from the lake itself. Winter time offers ice skating on a decently kept, free ice rink. Ice fishing, when the ice is thick enough, is always a fun way to spend a weekend. Cross Country Ski's are available for rental at the Nature Center and provide hours of fun and exercise in an otherwise dreary time of year for many! Spring welcomes guests with the bike/hike path open for quick jaunts in the sun with the sound of frogs in the ponds and beautiful scenery to enhance your walk. Jogging is always better when done on a great path with nature. Fishing is open all season long and there are often fishing clinics available for those who aren't as experienced. They even offer poles and bait for free and no license is required during the fishing clinics. The park is well maintained and there are always park officials going around the area to help you. The atmosphere is beautiful all the time.
Less

Another Erie summer has come and gone leaving us with nine months of cold weather to deal with. Too bad because now you can't enjoy the beauty that is Presque Isle. Beaches, nature trails,... More

Another Erie summer has come and gone leaving us with nine months of cold weather to deal with. Too bad because now you can't enjoy the beauty that is Presque Isle. Beaches, nature trails, beautiful sunsets, bike paths, and more. What else could you ask for. One of the most beautiful things about the Erie area. You could rent a motel room or a cottage and spend a day or two, a week or more at Presque Isle. Go fishing, swimming, skating, bike riding, walking, running, or go to Waldameer Amusement Park (located right at the entrance). There is so much to do. Many locals don't take advantage of this. Too bad.
Less

This is a great State park with a wonderful Beach right in our backyard. Often times locals will over look this little gem. With so few beaches I don't understand why. It is a great place to... More

This is a great State park with a wonderful Beach right in our backyard. Often times locals will over look this little gem. With so few beaches I don't understand why. It is a great place to spend the day with you family. Talk a walk on the beach and have a picnic. Walk the trails. There is so much to do that it is hard to be bored.
Less

Hundreds of thousands of people from all over flock to Presque Isle each year and here this gem lies right in our back yard! The water is clean and cool, the beaches are sandy and warm, and there... More

Hundreds of thousands of people from all over flock to Presque Isle each year and here this gem lies right in our back yard! The water is clean and cool, the beaches are sandy and warm, and there are nature trails and biking trails that many enjoy. The bay and lake are perfect places for a lazy afternoon of fishing too. But the ultimate beauty is a sunset over Lake Erie. It's not to be missed!
Less