Raystown Lake is a beautiful region of Pennsylvania, located in Huntingdon County. There are 118 miles of lake shoreline, which provide many opportunities for family fun. Check out these amazing things to do with kids near Raystown Lake.
Rent a boat and explore the lake
One of the most popular activities at Raystown Lake is boating. The enormous lake’s main marina is Seven Points. At this location, there are boats available for rent, as well as a boat launch if you bring your own.
Be sure to reserve your rental early, as they sell out quickly. They have a variety of boats available, including many types of pontoon boats and houseboats.
Visit DelGrosso’s amusement park
DelGrosso’s amusement park is located in nearby Tipton, Pennsylvania. The amusement park is situated on two sides of the road. One side includes the water park, while the other side of the road is home to the dry rides amusement park.
All-day fun passes are available for both the dry rides and the water park. There’s also ride tickets available, as the dry ride side of the park has free admission. For more information. check out this post about DelGrosso’s amusement park.
Mountain bike on their trails
Across the road from the Raystown Lake Visitor’s Center is Raystown Mountain Bike Skills Park. This is a free biking park that’s open from dawn-to-dusk.
Helmets are required, and there are several trails available ranging from beginner to advanced.
Hike to an overlook
Two amazing overlooks are located close to a parking area and within a few hundred yards of each other. Start by parking at the top of Ridenour overlook. This overlook is directly adjacent to the parking lot that serves as parking for both overlooks.
Ridenour Overlook has a view of the Raystown Lake dam. After viewing this overlook, there’s signage in the far end of the parking lot pointing out the trail to Hawn’s Overlook. This trail is several hundred yards and takes you to another beautiful view of the lake.
For more information about finding these overlooks, check out this post about Raystown Lake Overlooks.
Swim at one of two lake beaches
Raystown Lake features two swimming beaches: Seven Points beach and Tatman Run beach. The larger of the two beaches, Seven Points, has sand and grass areas beside the lake. There’s also a concession stand and playground.
Explore Trough Creek State Park
Trough Creek State Park is located just east of Raystown Lake. The park boasts many unique features, including a waterfall, swinging bridge, balanced rock, and ice mine.
The 541-acre park has many hiking trails, picnic areas, and 29 camping sites. Check out this post for more information about Trough Creek State Park.
Picnic at the lake or grab a bit at the concession stand
There are many opportunities for picnics throughout the Raystown Lake region. For amazing views of the lake, check out the picnic tables near Seven Points marina. Also, Seven Points beach features a concession stand overlooking the lake.
Ride the oldest roller coaster in the world
Lakemont Park in nearby Altoona is home to the oldest operating roller coaster in the world. Leap the Dips is a wooden roller coaster was built in 1902 and may be the only surviving side friction type of roller coaster in the figure-eight configuration.
Lakemont Park is a free admission park. All Day Ride & Play passes are available, as well as individual ride tickets. The park includes several additional kiddie rides, batting cages, paddle boats, go-karts and two 18-hole mini golf courses.
There’s also a second roller coaster, Skyliner, at the park. The park borders the Altoona Curve baseball field, with the roller coaster as a backdrop in the outfield.
Fish the Juniata River
The Juniata River is a great river for kayaking, tubing, and fishing. It’s located within the Raystown Lake region.
Hike 1000 steps (difficult)
1000 steps is a hiking trail located between Huntingdon and Mount Union. The steps are along the Standing Stone Trail, which can be access from a parking area along William Penn Highway, Route 22, just outside of Mount Union.
The steps actually include 1,037 steps, as the hike is very strenuous. There are several places along the steps to sit to take a break, but keep in mind that it’s very steep throughout the trail.
The reward for reaching the top are the views. After reaching the top, follow the sign to the directional sign to the dinky shed. This old shed was previously used as a maintenance shed for the dinky trains that housed rail cars for the quarry at the top of the mountain. Above the shed is another couple sets of steps which lead to the overlook trail.
Looking for more things to do with kids near Raystown Lake?
Check out these fun things to do in the wider region:
