Raystown Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir of about 8,300 acres in central Pennsylvania, on the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River in Huntingdon and Bedford counties. The Corps calls it the largest lake entirely within Pennsylvania, and it reaches about 28 miles up its valley. It is known for clear, deep water, striped bass, houseboats, a large trail system for mountain biking and a shoreline that is mostly public land.
In this guide
- Where Is Raystown Lake?
- What Is Raystown Lake Known For?
- Raystown Lake at a Glance
- History of Raystown Lake
- Raystown Lake Boating Guide
- Raystown Lake Fishing Guide
- Best Things to Do at Raystown Lake
- Best Places to Visit Around Raystown Lake
- Raystown Lake Towns and Communities
- Raystown Lake Vacation Guide
- Raystown Lake Family Activities
- What Should You Bring to Raystown Lake?
- Local Knowledge: The Dam, the Flood and the Valley Under the Lake
- Questions People Ask About Raystown Lake
- Raystown Lake Gifts & Apparel
Where Is Raystown Lake?
Raystown Lake is in south-central Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) places the 8,300-acre reservoir in southern Huntingdon County and northern Bedford County, and says the dam stands on the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River about 6 river miles above where it meets the Juniata. The Corps' Raystown Lake Visitor Center is at 6145 Seven Points Road in Hesston.
The lake is long and narrow, with arms and coves. Most visitor activity gathers around a few places: Seven Points near Hesston, the Lake Raystown Resort marina at Entriken, the Trough Creek State Park area near James Creek, and the south end near Saxton. Check where a marina, launch or campground sits before you book, because the lake is long and the drive from one end to the other takes time.
What Is Raystown Lake Known For?
Raystown Lake is known for its size, its fishing and the public land around it.
- The largest lake entirely in Pennsylvania. The Corps uses that description for the lake, and it says the project includes 21,000 acres of public land.
- Striped bass. The Pennsylvania inland record striped bass, 53 pounds 12 ounces, came from Raystown Lake in 1994, according to the PFBC.
- A deep, two-story lake. The PFBC describes a "two-story reservoir" that holds cold-water and warm-water fish, including stocked lake trout.
- Houseboats and pontoons. Seven Points Marina rents houseboats and pontoon boats.
- Mountain biking. The Allegrippis Trails and a skills park sit beside Seven Points.
- Crowds in season. VisitPA says the lake draws about 1.5 million visitors a year, and the Corps counts about 1.6 million visits, according to a 2024 news report.
Raystown Lake at a Glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Army Corps of Engineers reservoir on the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River |
| Location | Southern Huntingdon County and northern Bedford County, Pennsylvania |
| Surface area | About 8,300 acres, per the Corps and the PFBC (the whole project area is 29,314 acres, including land) |
| Length | About 28 miles, per the Corps (other sources give 26 to 32 miles) |
| Shoreline | About 118 miles, per the Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau (Wikipedia cites 110 miles from a planning figure) |
| Depth | Up to about 200 feet near the dam, per Wikipedia |
| Summer level | 786 feet above sea level, per a Corps notice reported by ABC27 |
| Dam | Authorized under the Flood Control Act of 1962, begun in 1968 and finished in 1973 |
| Dedication | June 6, 1974 |
| Power | William F. Matson Generating Station, 21 megawatts, finished in 1988 |
| Manager | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District |
| Main activities | Boating, fishing, swimming, camping, mountain biking, hiking |
Figures are as published by the Corps, the PFBC, the Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau and Wikipedia, and checked October 2026. Sources use different measuring dates and methods, so the numbers vary.
History of Raystown Lake
Why the lake was built
Raystown Lake was authorized under the Flood Control Act of 1962, according to the PFBC and Wikipedia. The Altoona Mirror reports that the dam was built to reduce flooding on the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River. Congress spent about 25 years debating a new dam before approving money, according to the Visitors Bureau.
Building the dam
Construction of the current dam began in 1968, the PFBC says, and the dam was completed in fall 1973, with full pool reached in 1975. Tropical Storm Agnes struck in June 1972 before the dam was finished, and the partly built dam still held back floodwater, according to the Visitors Bureau and a historical society director quoted by the Altoona Mirror. Vice President Gerald Ford spoke at the dedication on June 6, 1974. The Matson hydroelectric plant was finished in 1988 by a group of rural electric cooperatives and has a capacity of 21 megawatts, per the Visitors Bureau and Wikipedia.
What the lake covered
An earlier, much smaller hydroelectric dam was built on the river in the early 1900s by the Raystown Water Power Company. The new lake flooded part of the town of Aitch and several local landmarks, according to Wikipedia. A local historical society director estimated that 300 to 400 properties were taken, including farms, cottages and homes, and said some people still have hard feelings about it. Wikipedia reports about 1,800 owners sold deeds or easements and 407 graves were relocated. Penn State excavated a Paleo-Indian site in the late 1960s before the lake filled, per the Altoona Mirror.
From construction site to resort lake
Motorboats could use the lake once it reached recreation pool in December 1974, and Seven Points Marina opened in July 1976, according to the Visitors Bureau. The Raystown Lake Visitor Center opened in 1999, and the Allegrippis Trails opened in 2009, per the same history.
Raystown Lake Boating Guide
Raystown Lake is a long, deep Corps reservoir with eight Corps boat launches, two main marinas, designated swimming beaches and a water level that changes with the season and with storms. Boaters need to know where the launches are, which parts of the lake have no wake rules, and which Pennsylvania rules apply. This section covers each one.
Boat launches and public access
The Corps' project page marks eight Corps-managed boat launches on Raystown Lake. The Corps' passes page says there are no entrance fees at Raystown Lake and no fee to launch at Corps-managed launches, though that statement carries a 2011 date, so confirm with the Visitor Center. The project page also marks fees collected at some areas, which may mean camping or other services.
| Launch | Notes |
|---|---|
| Seven Points | At the Seven Points Recreation Area near Hesston, with the Visitor Center, a beach and a campground |
| Tatman Run | Toward the southern end of the lake, with a beach, a picnic shelter and a playground, per the Visitors Bureau |
| Aitch | Corps launch, with a picnic shelter |
| James Creek | Corps launch near the James Creek campground |
| Snyders Run | Corps launch |
| Shy Beaver | Corps launch |
| Weaver Falls | Corps launch, with a picnic shelter |
| Corbins Island | Corps launch on the Raystown Branch, with picnic shelters |
Launches close for high water and for planned drawdowns. In the Corps' fall 2022 drawdown, ABC27 reported that Seven Points, Aitch, Tatman Run and Weaver Falls were expected to close after November 11, while Snyders Run, James Creek and Shy Beaver were expected to stay open. A May 2025 report said the Aitch, Shy Beaver and Weaver Falls launches closed because of flooding. Check the Corps before you go, especially in spring, fall and after heavy rain. The Corps contact is the Raystown Lake Visitor Center at (814) 658-3405.
Marinas and rentals
Raystown Lake has two main marinas. Each sets its own age, deposit and license rules, and each posts its own rates, so this guide does not copy prices. As of October 2026:
| Marina | Where | What it offers | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seven Points Marina | 5922 Seven Points Marina Drive, Hesston | Pontoon boat rentals, houseboat rentals and transient dock rentals for boats up to 24 feet. Its pontoon pages say the driver must be 21 or older with a valid ID, and rentals may not go past mile marker 15 | (814) 658-3074 |
| Lake Raystown Resort marina | 3101 Chipmunk Crossing, Entriken | A full-service marina with over 600 seasonal slips, a fuel dock and pump-out services. Pontoon rentals are booked on the resort's online rental portal. The Marina Cafe overlooks the marina | (814) 658-3500 |
Seven Points Marina lists 15 houseboats that rent for Monday to Friday or Friday to Monday stays. Its site says the lessee and all drivers must be 21 or older, and that drivers need a boating safety certificate from any state or a Coast Guard certificate, or can take a free safety course for a temporary certificate at check-in. The resort's FAQ says boats can be moored to the shoreline on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge, and that overnight marina slips are available for a nightly fee.
Rental prices, hours and seasons are on each business's site and change, so call or check before you plan a trip in the off-season. Heritage Cove Resort in Saxton advertises a boat launch, storage and rentals at the south end of the lake, and Portside Rentals supplies stand-up paddleboards and pedal boats at the resort, according to the resort's amenities page. Captain Randy Fox of Raystown Leisure Boating runs private captained pontoon excursions. His site says he is not a fishing guide, so call (717) 215-6313 for what a trip includes.
Popular areas and navigation
Seven Points is the busiest area, with the Visitor Center, marina, beach, campground and trailheads. The resort at Entriken is the other hub. Quieter spots include James Creek, where the Corps' Nancy's Boat to Shore campground can be reached only by boat, and the south end near Saxton, where Putt's Camp offers primitive camping, according to the Visitors Bureau.
The lake uses mile markers, and some rental rules and closure notices refer to them. We did not find a Corps hazard list for Raystown, so use a current chart or navigation app. The Corps has warned of debris on the surface and underwater after heavy rain, according to a news report on a storm closure.
Water level and how to check it
The Corps manages Raystown Lake for flood control and recreation, so the level changes. ABC27 reported a Corps notice that described the lake's summer level as 786 feet, and that in the fall of 2022 the Corps lowered it in stages to a target of 778 feet to allow work on projects that are normally underwater. The report noted that drawdowns are not an annual event. Storms can raise the lake well above normal, and dry spells can lower it.
Check the live level before you go. The box below shows the latest reading from the U.S. Geological Survey gauge on the lake.
Lake level today: Check today's level on the USGS gauge page.
Swimming areas and no-wake zones
Pennsylvania's special rule for Raystown Lake (58 Pa. Code, section 111.31) sets these lake-specific boating restrictions:
- Slow, no wake speed is required in several areas, including Seven Points, Yocum Bay, Woodcock Valley Cove and James Creek Cove, and from the no-wake buoys between Putts Camp and Weaver Falls Access to the far backwaters, and in any cove or area marked with slow, no wake buoys.
- Water skiing is prohibited between the Route 994 bridge and the point of peninsula number 3 of the Rothrock Recreation Area, about three-quarters of a mile upstream.
The Corps tests the water at the Seven Points and Tatman Run beaches every week, according to a June 2025 report. Outside designated swim areas, a ranger told the Altoona Mirror in 2014 that swimming there is at your own risk.
Boating rules
These are the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) rules most visitors need, as published on the PFBC's boating regulations and read in October 2026:
- Boater education (Boating Handbook): Anyone born on or after January 1, 1982 who runs a boat with a motor of more than 25 horsepower needs a Boating Safety Education Certificate, and every personal watercraft operator needs one at any age. Out-of-state boaters need a certificate from a course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA).
- Age to operate (Boating Handbook): A person 11 or younger may not operate a motorboat of more than 25 horsepower or a personal watercraft. A person 12 to 15 may not run a personal watercraft with passengers 15 or younger aboard.
- Life jackets (Boating Handbook): Every boat must carry a wearable Coast Guard approved life jacket in the right size for each person aboard, and boats 16 feet or longer must also carry a throwable device within reach. Children 12 and younger must wear a life jacket while underway on any boat 20 feet or shorter and in any canoe, kayak or paddleboard. From November 1 through April 30, everyone must wear one on boats under 16 feet and on canoes, kayaks and paddleboards. Skiers, people being towed and everyone on a personal watercraft must wear one, and inflatable types are not accepted for those uses.
- Boating under the influence (PFBC on boating under the influence): It is illegal to operate or be in physical control of a boat while impaired by alcohol or a controlled substance, and a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or more is over the legal limit. Penalties include loss of boating privileges, fines and jail.
- Slow, no wake speed (Boating Handbook): Stay at slow, no wake speed within 100 feet of shorelines, docks, launch ramps, swimmers, downed skiers, people wading, and anchored, moored or drifting boats. Also stay at slow, no wake speed within 100 feet behind or 50 feet beside another underway boat unless you are in a narrow channel, and stay at least 100 feet from an area showing a diver down flag. In a motorboat under 20 feet long, stay at slow, no wake speed while anyone is standing.
- Towing and wake surfing (Boating Handbook): A competent observer besides the operator must be in the boat to watch anyone being towed. Wake surfing must stay at slow, no wake speed within 200 feet of shorelines, docks, launch ramps and swimmers. Do not operate within 100 feet of a person being towed behind another boat. A conventional water ski tow rope may be up to 80 feet, and rope shorter than 20 feet is not allowed except for wake surfing.
- Renting (Boating Handbook): No one 15 or younger may rent a personal watercraft. A boat rental business must give customers a boating safety and operation orientation before rental. Each business sets its own other rules, such as a minimum age and a boating safety certificate, so ask before you book.
- Registration and launch permits (PFBC unpowered boat rules): Every powered boat must be registered and display its registration numbers and decal, regardless of length or motor type. Unpowered boats on PFBC lakes and access areas and on state park and state forest waters must display a boat registration, a PFBC launch permit or a Pennsylvania State Parks launch permit.
- Houseboat toilets (sewage) (58 Pa. Code section 95.8): Discharging sewage into Pennsylvania waters is prohibited, and a vessel with an installed toilet must have a Coast Guard certified marine sanitation device.
More on Raystown Lake
- Launch permits. The PFBC's launch permit rule covers unpowered boats on PFBC lakes and access areas and on state park and forest waters. We did not confirm whether it applies at Corps launches on Raystown, so ask the Corps or the PFBC if you paddle.
- Houseboat sewage. Houseboats with toilets need an approved sanitation device under Pennsylvania rules. Ask your houseboat operator how pump-out works on the lake.
Seasons and kinds of boating
Most boating is pontoon cruising, ski and tube boats, fishing boats, houseboats and personal watercraft. Seven Points Marina posts separate pre-season, in-season and post-season dates, and the busy months run from late spring to early fall. Pennsylvania requires slow, no wake speed within 200 feet of shorelines, docks and swimmers when wake surfing, so the open main lake is the place for it.
Raystown Lake Fishing Guide
Raystown Lake is a deep reservoir known for striped bass, with walleye, smallmouth and largemouth bass, lake trout, muskellunge, crappie and catfish as well. This section covers what lives in the lake, where people fish, the rules, and what to know before eating your catch.
Fish species and seasons
The PFBC says it stocks lake trout, striped bass, walleye, muskellunge and tiger muskellunge in Raystown Lake. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black and white crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, brown bullhead and channel catfish reproduce naturally, and trout and rainbow smelt are present. The PFBC also notes that the Pennsylvania Striped Bass Association and the Keystone Striper Club stock juvenile striped bass.
In a late March 2016 survey, the PFBC netted 88 striped bass from 18 to 38 inches, with the largest about 38 inches and slightly over 21 pounds. The PFBC reported that fish reached 20 inches in about 3 years and 30 inches in about 6. The inland state record striped bass is 53 pounds 12 ounces, caught by Robert Price of Huntingdon in 1994, and the state record landlocked Atlantic salmon, 17 pounds 2 ounces, also came from Raystown Lake in 2001, according to the PFBC's record list.
Where and how people fish
Anglers fish from boats and from the shore near the launches. The PFBC does not publish a spot list for Raystown that we found, so ask at a marina or hire a guide for current patterns. The PFBC's description of a two-story lake explains why anglers target both shallow and deeper water, and why lake trout are part of the fishery.
Regulations and licenses
Check the current Pennsylvania Fishing Summary from the PFBC before you fish, and the water's own entry, because some waters have special rules. The license prices below are the PFBC's 2026 prices; the creel limits come from the Pennsylvania Code table, so confirm them in the 2026 summary:
- License (PFBC license and permit prices): Anglers 16 and older need a Pennsylvania fishing license. As of October 2026, the PFBC's 2026 prices list a resident annual license is $27.97 for ages 16 to 64 and $14.47 for ages 65 and older. A nonresident annual license is $60.97, and a 7-day tourist license is $39.47. Anglers also need a trout permit ($14.97 for a year) when fishing for trout. Prices include agent and transaction fees.
- Black bass: Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass in lakes have a spring period when they cannot be kept, and the size and daily limits change by season, so read the black bass table in the Summary Book before you keep one.
- Walleye: 6 per day, at least 15 inches, with the season open January 1 to March 14 and from the first Saturday in May to December 31.
- Striped bass and hybrids: 2 per day combined, at least 20 inches, open year-round.
- Muskellunge: 1 per day, at least 40 inches.
- Panfish and catfish: Crappie, yellow perch, sunfish and catfish have no minimum size and a combined limit of 50 per day for the group, but some waters have panfish enhancement rules with 9 inch crappie and perch minimums, so check the water's entry.
Raystown Lake has its own rule for trout and smelt. Under 58 Pa. Code section 65.24, trout (all species) on Raystown Lake and the Raystown Branch from the dam to the Juniata River have no closed season. The daily limit is 5 trout from the first Saturday after April 11 until Labor Day and 3 trout from the day after Labor Day until the first Saturday after April 11 of the next year, according to 58 Pa. Code section 65.24 and the PFBC's 2026 summary, and inland size rules apply. Smelt may be taken from shore or by wading with a dip net no larger than 20 inches, up to 200 smelt or one gallon by volume per day, whichever is greater. The PFBC's biologist report says the lake's other fish follow the Commonwealth inland waters rules.
Eating your catch. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's 2026 advisory says to eat no more than one meal (half a pound) per week of sport fish caught in the state's waterways. The advisory excerpt we read did not list Raystown Lake by name. Pregnant and nursing women, women of childbearing age and children should space out fish meals according to the advisory tables, so read the current advisory before you cook a catch.
Guides and fishing culture
Striper Lore Guide Service runs striped bass charters on Raystown, and its site says the owner supplies the boat, bait and tackle and that trips run from April to the end of November. Rates and booking are on its site or by phone at 814-941-3007. Troll On Guide Service lists Raystown among several lakes where it guides for striped bass. Confirm any guide's license and insurance when you book.
Best Things to Do at Raystown Lake
- Rent a pontoon or houseboat. See the marinas table.
- Fish for striped bass. See the fishing guide.
- Swim at Seven Points or Tatman Run. These are the Corps' designated beaches, and the Corps tests the water there each week.
- Ride the Allegrippis Trails. The Army described a 30-mile stacked-loop trail system in 2016, and the Visitors Bureau lists 24 trails and 36 miles, so mileage varies by source. The Raystown Mountain Bike Skills Park, opened in 2016, covers two acres across from the Visitor Center.
- Walk or bike the Greenside Pathway. It links the Seven Points Recreation Area to the Allegrippis Trail system, per the Visitors Bureau.
- Play disc golf. The Visitors Bureau says Seven Points opened a Pine 9 course in 2021 and a Ravine 18 course in 2023.
- Take a showboat cruise. The Proud Mary runs public sightseeing, brunch and dinner cruises from the Lake Raystown Resort marina on a posted schedule, and reservations are required for some of them. Check the resort's activities page for the schedule and cancellation rules.
- Visit the Visitor Center. The Corps' Raystown Lake Visitor Center is in the heart of Seven Points.
- Hike at Trough Creek State Park. The park borders the lake near James Creek.
Best Places to Visit Around Raystown Lake
| Place | Where | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Seven Points Recreation Area | Seven Points Road, Hesston | The lead recreation area, with the marina, a boat launch, a beach, seven campground loops, picnic shelters and trails |
| Raystown Lake Visitor Center | 6145 Seven Points Road, Hesston | The Corps' information center. Phone (814) 658-3405 |
| Tatman Run | South part of the lake | A boat launch, a beach, a picnic shelter and a playground |
| Trough Creek State Park | 16362 Little Valley Road, James Creek | A state park next to the lake with a historic stone cabin and a campground. Phone 814-658-3847 |
| Lake Raystown Resort | 3101 Chipmunk Crossing, Entriken | A resort with cabins, a marina, dining and the Proud Mary cruises. Phone 814-658-3500 |
| Rothrock Outfitters | 418 Penn St., Huntingdon | A bike and paddle shop with a seasonal Raystown Lake Shack. Phone 814-643-7226 |
Hours, seasons and status change, so check each owner's page.
Raystown Lake Towns and Communities
| Place | County | Known for | Relationship to the lake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hesston | Huntingdon | Seven Points Recreation Area, Seven Points Marina and the Visitor Center | The busiest recreation hub |
| Entriken | Huntingdon | Lake Raystown Resort and its marina | A second hub, with dining and cruises |
| James Creek | Huntingdon | Trough Creek State Park and the James Creek launch | Quieter coves and the state park |
| Saxton | Bedford | Heritage Cove Resort and Putt's Camp | The south end of the lake |
| Aitch | Huntingdon | A partly flooded town, now a Corps launch | The old town sits under the lake's upper end |
| Huntingdon | Huntingdon | Rothrock Outfitters | A town near the lake with shops and services |
Raystown Lake Vacation Guide
When to visit
Late spring to early fall is the main boating and swimming season, and marinas and rentals post seasonal dates. Seven Points Marina's pontoon rentals run in pre-season, in-season and post-season periods. The Corps' beaches are tested each week, and a beach can close for high bacteria after heavy rain, as Tatman Run did in June 2025 before it reopened. Fall brings foliage and anglers, and some Corps campgrounds and launches have limited seasons, so check before you plan around them.
Where to stay
- Corps campgrounds. Seven Points has seven campground loops, Susquehannock offers primitive tent camping on its own peninsula, and Nancy's Boat to Shore at James Creek is tent camping reached only by boat, per the Visitors Bureau. Reservations go through Recreation.gov.
- Lake Raystown Resort. The resort's cabins page lists camping cabins, resort cottages that sleep 2 to 8 and Appalachian cabins that sleep 2 to 8, and some cabins are dog-friendly. Rates are not posted online, so call (814) 658-3500.
- Trough Creek State Park. The park lists one renovated stone cabin, available year-round, and a campground that opens in mid-April and closes in mid-December. Check the park's page for rates.
- Houseboats. Seven Points Marina rents houseboats for weekend and midweek stays.
- Heritage Cove Resort. The south-end resort in Saxton lists cottages, camping, boat rentals and a launch.
Where to eat
The Marina Cafe at Lake Raystown Resort overlooks the marina and offers casual American food, and Best Way Pizza operates at the resort. We could not find a restaurant on the lake that says on its own site that boaters can dock to eat. The Visitors Bureau's listing for Best Way Pizza says to pull up your boat or call ahead, so call before you arrive by water. Near Seven Points, the Visitors Bureau lists Backwoods Smoke Shack and the Lighthouse Concession Stand. Hours and seasons change.
What first-timers should know
- The lake is long. Pick your base on the arm you want, since driving between ends takes time.
- The level changes. Check the live level and the Corps' notices for launch closures.
- There is no entrance fee. The Corps says so on its passes page, though camping, marinas and rentals charge.
- Swim in designated areas. Seven Points and Tatman Run beaches are tested weekly, and swimming elsewhere is at your own risk.
- Wear a life jacket. Pennsylvania requires one for each person aboard, and children 12 and younger must wear one on small boats while underway.
Raystown Lake Family Activities
- Swim beaches. Seven Points Beach and Tatman Run are the designated beaches, and the Corps tests them weekly.
- Playgrounds and picnics. The Visitors Bureau counts 14 playgrounds and over 200 picnic sites around the lake.
- Showboat cruise. The Proud Mary's public sightseeing cruise lasts about an hour and a half.
- Skills park. The Raystown Mountain Bike Skills Park suits riders who want a short, controlled practice area.
- Visitor Center. It is the place to ask rangers about conditions.
- Fishing. Anyone 16 or older needs a Pennsylvania fishing license. Younger children do not.
What Should You Bring to Raystown Lake?
- Life jackets for everyone. Pennsylvania requires one for each person aboard, and children 12 and younger must wear one while underway on boats 20 feet or shorter. Everyone must wear one on small boats and paddle craft from November 1 through April 30.
- Your boating safety certificate if you were born on or after January 1, 1982 and will run a boat with a motor of more than 25 horsepower, or if you will run a personal watercraft at any age (out-of-state boaters can show a NASBLA-approved certificate).
- A Pennsylvania fishing license if you are 16 or older and plan to fish, plus a trout permit if you will target trout.
- Registration and safety gear for your own boat: registration for any powered boat, a throwable device on boats 16 feet or longer, navigation lights from sunset to sunrise, and a fire extinguisher where required. See the PFBC boating regulations.
- A way to check the lake level. The live box above and the Corps' notices show it, and it changes.
- A chart or navigation app. Debris and the changing shoreline matter after storms.
- Reservations and payment for marinas and campgrounds. Many operate seasonally.
- Sun protection, water and a first aid kit. Many coves are far from stores.
Local Knowledge: The Dam, the Flood and the Valley Under the Lake
A dam that was partly finished when the flood came
Tropical Storm Agnes hit in June 1972, before the dam was complete. Wikipedia reports that the project stored about 160,000 acre-feet of floodwater during the storm and lowered river crests at Lewistown and Newport. The Altoona Mirror quotes a local historian saying the partly built dam helped prevent damage downstream.
The old dam under the new lake
Before the Corps' dam, the Raystown Water Power Company built a hydroelectric dam on the river in the early 1900s, according to Wikipedia. The Altoona Mirror reports that the earlier dam now sits underwater, and Wikipedia lists part of the town of Aitch, Fink's Bridge and Schell Bridge among the places the new lake covered.
An archaeological site before the water
Wikipedia says the Sheep Rock Shelter was excavated before flooding and contained remains up to 12,000 years old. The Altoona Mirror says Penn State excavated a Paleo-Indian site in the late 1960s.
A lake monster story
A 2024 magazine piece reposted by the Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau mentions a lake monster legend, with a "may (or may not)" hedge. Treat it as folklore.
Questions People Ask About Raystown Lake
Who runs Raystown Lake, and what is it for?
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, manages Raystown Lake. Congress authorized the dam in the Flood Control Act of 1962, and the lake reduces flooding on the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River. It also supports recreation and a 21-megawatt hydroelectric plant.
How big and how deep is Raystown Lake?
The Corps and the PFBC both give about 8,300 acres of water, and the Corps says the lake extends about 28 miles. Wikipedia gives a maximum depth of about 200 feet near the dam.
Is Raystown Lake the biggest lake in Pennsylvania?
The Corps calls it the largest lake entirely within Pennsylvania. Lake Erie is larger but is shared with other states and Canada.
Why does the water level on Raystown Lake change?
The Corps manages the lake for flood control. A Corps notice reported by ABC27 describes a summer level of 786 feet, and the Corps has lowered the lake in some falls for projects that need low water. Storms raise it and droughts lower it. Check the live level box before you go.
What is under Raystown Lake?
The lake covers part of the town of Aitch, farms, homes, cottages and an earlier hydroelectric dam from the early 1900s, according to Wikipedia and the Altoona Mirror. Wikipedia reports 407 graves were relocated, and an archaeological site was excavated before flooding.
Does it cost money to get into Raystown Lake or launch a boat?
The Corps says there are no entrance fees at Raystown Lake and no fee at Corps-managed launches, though its statement is dated 2011, so confirm with the Visitor Center. Camping, marinas, rentals and some other services charge their own fees.
Where can I swim on Raystown Lake, and is it safe?
The Corps' designated beaches are Seven Points and Tatman Run, and the Corps tests the water at both every week. In June 2025, high E. coli levels led the Corps to stop swimming at Tatman Run until a second test came back in the safe range. Swimming outside designated areas is at your own risk.
What fish live in Raystown Lake, and do I need a license?
The PFBC lists stocked lake trout, striped bass, walleye and muskellunge, and naturally reproducing largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegill, perch and catfish. Anglers 16 and older need a Pennsylvania fishing license, plus a trout permit to fish for trout.
Can I rent a boat or houseboat on Raystown Lake?
Seven Points Marina rents pontoons and houseboats, and Lake Raystown Resort rents pontoons through its online portal. Drivers generally must be 21 or older at Seven Points, so ask each business about its rules.
Where can I camp or stay at Raystown Lake?
Options include the Corps campgrounds at Seven Points and Susquehannock, the boat-in Nancy's campground, Lake Raystown Resort cabins and cottages, a stone cabin and a campground at Trough Creek State Park, houseboats at Seven Points Marina, and Heritage Cove Resort.
Raystown Lake Gifts & Apparel
Lake Life Designs makes lake-specific products for people who love this lake. Our Raystown Lake collection has tees, hoodies, long sleeve shirts, a Dri-Fit long sleeve, a trucker hat, a canvas print and a ceramic ornament. Our back-printed tees and long sleeves carry the lake on the back and a small Lake Life Designs logo on the front. Looking for a gift for someone who loves the lake? See our guide to Raystown Lake gifts.
Details last verified October 2026. Parks, launches, rentals, rules and the lake itself change with the season, so check the linked official pages before you go.
Sources: Corps, Raystown Lake, Corps, Raystown passes and fees, PFBC, Raystown Lake biologist report, PFBC, state record fish, PFBC, boating regulations, PFBC, fishing summary book, 58 Pa. Code section 65.24, 58 Pa. Code section 111.31, Pennsylvania DEP, fish consumption advisories, Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau, 50 years of growth, Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau, recreation areas, Altoona Mirror, 50 years of Raystown Dam, WPSU, Tatman Run beach, ABC27, Raystown drawdown, VisitPA, Raystown Lake, Wikipedia, Raystown Lake, Seven Points Marina, Lake Raystown Resort, Trough Creek State Park