Welcome to Raystown Lake! Nestled within the picturesque Appalachian Mountain ranges of Central Pennsylvania, Raystown Lake is the largest manmade lake entirely within Pennsylvania. The Raystown Lake project is owned and operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers for the primary purpose of flood damage reduction, but the multipurpose lake also provides outdoor recreation activities, natural resource opportunities, and hydropower generation.
The Raystown Lake Dam was constructed from 1968-1973, replacing a smaller, privately owned hydropower dam of the same name that still sits at the bottom of the lake. The lake was dedicated and opened for recreation on June 6th, 1974, by then Vice President Gerald Ford, kickstarting a 50+ year legacy of fun for an average of 1.2 million visitors annually. The lake encompasses 8,300 surface acres, encircled by 21,000 acres of pristine, forested slopes, offering visitors an unparalleled connection with the great outdoors. The lake runs 28 miles through breathtaking mountains and valleys of Huntingdon and Bedford County, featuring 118 miles of unspoiled shorelines and vistas.
Commonly referred to as Pennsylvania’s “hidden gem”, Raystown is a paramount provider of outdoor recreation and natural resource opportunities in the mid-Atlantic region. Raystown Lake caters to a diverse array of outdoor enthusiasts who travel from far and wide to take advantage of premiere striped bass fishing and white-tailed deer hunting, unsurpassed mountain biking on the world-renowned Allegrippis Trail System, picturesque waterfront camping, endless boating and water-based recreation, excellent disc golfing on two highly rated courses, and so much more! Come discover what Raystown has for you!