A Great Vacation...Cheap!

Good Friday Morning - Dan Wells writing, I hope this note finds you well and in good spirits.

ATTENTION, ATTENTION...I have the perfect "CHEAP" vacation spot for you this summer.

DISCLAIMER: I vacation there myself...I worked at this park for years...and it's pretty much one of my favorite places on Earth!

Yup, it's in Pennsylvania...the good ole "The Keystone State." Don't stop reading...here's the pitch below...I promise you will love it, then when you do...write me back and tell me I was right!

DRUM ROLL.....

Presque Isle State Park, is a national natural landmark and ecological gem, it's Pennsylvania's only "seashore" and its great!

It's a 32,000-acre sandy peninsula that juts into Lake Erie and offers a unique mix of nature and recreation, including more than 7 miles of pristine beaches, over 320 bird species, a War of 1812 historic site and a paved multipurpose trail.

So What to Expect:

Presque Isle is a day use park with year-round recreational opportunities. The Karl Boyes National Recreation Trail provides nearly 14 miles of paved pathways along Presque Isle Bay and Lake Erie for walkers, joggers, bicyclists and in-line skaters. The sandy beaches and CLEAR waters of Lake Erie offer great swimming, boating, fishing, water-skiing and scuba diving during the summer.

Historic Lighthouses:

Presque Isle is actually a sand spit peninsula, not an island. Even its name is French for "almost an island." Because it juts out so far into Lake Erie, lighthouses are necessary to warn boats away. Presque Isle Lighthouse, built in 1872, is still in operation, but not open to visitors. You can get a good look at it from the beach, however. At the eastern tip of the peninsula the Presque Isle North Pierhead has been shining since 1858. Only the grounds are open to the public.

Beaches & Swimming:

The sandy beaches and clear waters of Presque Isle State Park offer the only surf swimming in Pennsylvania, and have earned a place in the nation's "Top 100 Swimming Holes" listed by Condé Nast Traveler magazine. Presque Isle beaches are open daily from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Regular hours are 10am to 7:30pm. Beaches 1, 6, 7 and 11 offer fairly shallow swimming areas and the best facilities for families. You can check the current beach conditions and water quality at Earth 911.

Boating & Fishing:

Fishing - Presque Isle Bay and the park's many ponds, bays and piers attract anglers for bass, walleye, northern pike and crappie, while Lake Erie offers some of the best game fishing on the lower Great Lakes. A special Lake Erie fishing permit is required to fish in Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay or their tributaries.

Boating - Four launching areas are available in the park for both non-powered and registered powered craft. If you don't have a boat, a variety of powered and non-powered boats, canoes and other watercraft are available from a rental concession on the park's southeast shore.

Birding & Bird Watching:

Presque Isle State Park is a great stop for bird watching, rated by Birder's World magazine as one of the top birding spots in the country. Presque Isle's location along the Atlantic Flyway and its ecological diversity support over 320 recorded species of migrating and indigenous birds. Exhibits and displays detailing these birds and other natural wonders can be seen at the Stull Interpretive Center, located near Barracks Beach.
Presque Isle Scenic Boat Tours:

Places to Stay Near Presque Isle State Park:

Visitors to Presque Isle State Park enjoy a variety of lodging options, including everything from upscale hotels to a tent by the lakeshore.

Directions to Presque Isle State Park:

Presque Isle State Park can be reached by PA Hwy 832 or by boat.

From Cincinnati:

Take I-71N towards Cleveland....then merge on I-271 N and W... towards Erie Follow I-90 to Hwy 832 (Peninsula Drive). Take a left off the exit and follow about 8 miles directly to the park.

Have a great weekend~!
Dan