Most of us will likely agree that we’re incredibly fortunate to have 121 state parks in Pennsylvania that offer activities – from hiking to wildlife watching – all year round. When winter rolls around, many of the parks welcome hikers, cross-country skiers, snowmobilers, and ice skaters. The natural ice rinks at these Pennsylvania State Parks, in fact, provide a picture-perfect backdrop for a winter’s adventure. If you’re wondering where you can go outdoor ice skating in Pennsylvania, keep reading!
Please note that ice skating is only allowed in designated state parks when the conditions permit. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) advises that the ice should be at least four inches thick if you’re skating solo. However, if there will be more than one skater on the ice, the ice thickness should measure no less than seven inches.
- French Creek State Park – Elverson
Facebook/French Creek State Park Bring your skates and the whole family along for a day of ice skating at French Creek State Park, which boasts two lakes. Both Hopewell Lake and Scotts Run Lake welcome ice skaters when the conditions are right. If you’re visiting after a snowfall, bring your sled, skis (for cross-country skiing), or hiking boots along for a full day of winter fun. Find more on the official website of French Creek State Park. French Creek State Park, 843 Park Rd, Elverson, PA 19520, USA
- Mount Pisgah State Park – Troy
Facebook/Friends of Mount Pisgah State Park Glide along some of the 75 acres of Mount Pisgah State Park. Stephen Foster Lake offers a picture-perfect setting for a day of ice skating. The only spots on the lake that are monitored for ice thickness are the boat launch and the area for fishing. Cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are also popular at the park. Here’s the official website of Mount Pisgah State Park. Mt. Pisgah State Park, 28 Entrance Rd, Troy, PA 16947, USA
- Canoe Creek State Park – Hollidaysburg
Facebook/Canoe Creek State Park Canoe Creek State Park is an ice skater’s paradise, especially if you like choices. You can skate, when conditions allow, on Canoe Lake or on one of the two ponds. Sledding and cross-country skiing are also popular winter activities at the park. Visit the official website of Canoe Creek State Park. Canoe Creek State Park, 205 Canoe Creek Rd, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648, USA
- Cook Forest State Park – Cooksburg
Facebook/Friends of Cook Forest Cook Forest State Park provides an idyllic backdrop for an afternoon or an evening of ice skating. The ice skating area, which you’ll find along River Road, even features lights. Make a day of it by bringing your sled along for a bit of sled riding or by exploring on cross-country skis. Here’s the official website of Cook Forest State Park. Cook Forest State Park – Cooksburg
- Memorial Lake State Park – Grantville
Facebook/Memorial Lake State Park Lace up your ice skates for a day of gliding around a one-acre section of Memorial Lake at this cozy state park. You’ll find the ice skating area at the boat launch on Middle Road. You can also explore the 230-acre state park on cross-country skis or by hiking the two miles of trails. Stop by the official website of Memorial Lake State Park. Memorial Lake State Park, 18 Boundary Rd, Grantville, PA 17028, USA
Facebook/French Creek State Park
Bring your skates and the whole family along for a day of ice skating at French Creek State Park, which boasts two lakes. Both Hopewell Lake and Scotts Run Lake welcome ice skaters when the conditions are right. If you’re visiting after a snowfall, bring your sled, skis (for cross-country skiing), or hiking boots along for a full day of winter fun. Find more on the official website of French Creek State Park.
French Creek State Park, 843 Park Rd, Elverson, PA 19520, USA
Facebook/Friends of Mount Pisgah State Park
Glide along some of the 75 acres of Mount Pisgah State Park. Stephen Foster Lake offers a picture-perfect setting for a day of ice skating. The only spots on the lake that are monitored for ice thickness are the boat launch and the area for fishing. Cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are also popular at the park. Here’s the official website of Mount Pisgah State Park.
Mt. Pisgah State Park, 28 Entrance Rd, Troy, PA 16947, USA
Facebook/Canoe Creek State Park
Canoe Creek State Park is an ice skater’s paradise, especially if you like choices. You can skate, when conditions allow, on Canoe Lake or on one of the two ponds. Sledding and cross-country skiing are also popular winter activities at the park. Visit the official website of Canoe Creek State Park.
Canoe Creek State Park, 205 Canoe Creek Rd, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648, USA
Facebook/Friends of Cook Forest
Cook Forest State Park provides an idyllic backdrop for an afternoon or an evening of ice skating. The ice skating area, which you’ll find along River Road, even features lights. Make a day of it by bringing your sled along for a bit of sled riding or by exploring on cross-country skis. Here’s the official website of Cook Forest State Park.
Cook Forest State Park – Cooksburg
Facebook/Memorial Lake State Park
Lace up your ice skates for a day of gliding around a one-acre section of Memorial Lake at this cozy state park. You’ll find the ice skating area at the boat launch on Middle Road. You can also explore the 230-acre state park on cross-country skis or by hiking the two miles of trails. Stop by the official website of Memorial Lake State Park.
Memorial Lake State Park, 18 Boundary Rd, Grantville, PA 17028, USA
Here’s a list of all of the state parks in Pennsylvania that offer outdoor ice skating. Do you have a favorite Pennsylvania state park to go to ice skate? Which one? Join the conversation in the comments! For a one-of-a-kind ice skating adventure, make your way to BlueCross River Rink in Philadelphia.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
outdoor ice skating in Pennsylvania November 12, 2022 Sarah M. What are some other places for outdoor ice skating in Pennsylvania? In addition to the outdoor ice skating offered at the above state parks in Pennsylvania, Blue Cross RiverRink is a perennial PA favorite! For nearly 30 years, Winterfest has been Philadelphia’s favorite winter tradition on the Delaware River Waterfront, inviting visitors for a chance to indulge in flights of fancy under thousands of sparkling lights in a winter wonderland with spectacular views of the Delaware River. Cozy up in comforting warming cabins, fire pit stations, boardwalk rides and games for the young and young-at-heart, delicious food and hot beverages, the signature holiday tree, and, of course, outdoor ice skating on an NHL-sized rink in the heart of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! What are some fun winter activities in Pennsylvania? Here in Pennsylvania, we love getting out and making the most of the seasons – whatever weather they throw our way! A perfect example of this is the famous Eagles Mere Toboggan Slide, an epic ice slide that cruises down Lake Avenue in Eagles Mere, PA! Another fun way to recreate during the winter in Pennsylvania is a good, old-fashioned tubing adventure. Spend a thrilling two hours zipping down Camelback Mountain on a snow tube. Even better? Camelback Mountain offers both day and evening sessions (sessions are two hours each). Billing itself as the largest snow tubing park in the United States, the mountain resort features 42 snow tubing lanes, promising an epic experience. Because really, we don’t have to stop playing outside in the snow just because we’re adults, right?
The OIYS Visitor Center
outdoor ice skating in Pennsylvania
November 12, 2022
Sarah M.
What are some other places for outdoor ice skating in Pennsylvania? In addition to the outdoor ice skating offered at the above state parks in Pennsylvania, Blue Cross RiverRink is a perennial PA favorite! For nearly 30 years, Winterfest has been Philadelphia’s favorite winter tradition on the Delaware River Waterfront, inviting visitors for a chance to indulge in flights of fancy under thousands of sparkling lights in a winter wonderland with spectacular views of the Delaware River. Cozy up in comforting warming cabins, fire pit stations, boardwalk rides and games for the young and young-at-heart, delicious food and hot beverages, the signature holiday tree, and, of course, outdoor ice skating on an NHL-sized rink in the heart of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! What are some fun winter activities in Pennsylvania? Here in Pennsylvania, we love getting out and making the most of the seasons – whatever weather they throw our way! A perfect example of this is the famous Eagles Mere Toboggan Slide, an epic ice slide that cruises down Lake Avenue in Eagles Mere, PA! Another fun way to recreate during the winter in Pennsylvania is a good, old-fashioned tubing adventure. Spend a thrilling two hours zipping down Camelback Mountain on a snow tube. Even better? Camelback Mountain offers both day and evening sessions (sessions are two hours each). Billing itself as the largest snow tubing park in the United States, the mountain resort features 42 snow tubing lanes, promising an epic experience. Because really, we don’t have to stop playing outside in the snow just because we’re adults, right?
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
In addition to the outdoor ice skating offered at the above state parks in Pennsylvania, Blue Cross RiverRink is a perennial PA favorite! For nearly 30 years, Winterfest has been Philadelphia’s favorite winter tradition on the Delaware River Waterfront, inviting visitors for a chance to indulge in flights of fancy under thousands of sparkling lights in a winter wonderland with spectacular views of the Delaware River. Cozy up in comforting warming cabins, fire pit stations, boardwalk rides and games for the young and young-at-heart, delicious food and hot beverages, the signature holiday tree, and, of course, outdoor ice skating on an NHL-sized rink in the heart of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania!
What are some fun winter activities in Pennsylvania?
Here in Pennsylvania, we love getting out and making the most of the seasons – whatever weather they throw our way! A perfect example of this is the famous Eagles Mere Toboggan Slide, an epic ice slide that cruises down Lake Avenue in Eagles Mere, PA! Another fun way to recreate during the winter in Pennsylvania is a good, old-fashioned tubing adventure. Spend a thrilling two hours zipping down Camelback Mountain on a snow tube. Even better? Camelback Mountain offers both day and evening sessions (sessions are two hours each). Billing itself as the largest snow tubing park in the United States, the mountain resort features 42 snow tubing lanes, promising an epic experience. Because really, we don’t have to stop playing outside in the snow just because we’re adults, right?
