Mahoning Creek Lake is located just 12 miles southeast of New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. You can find it among steep-sided valleys and luscious forests and hillsides. The scenery surrounding the area is absolutely breathtaking, including clean water, plenty of wildlife, a variety of different plants, and more.
Mahoning Creek Lake is one of a number of flood control projects in the Pittsburgh area. It is maintained by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. It was completed in 1941 and has prevented over $686 million worth of flood damages. The construction cost $6 million, saving the area plenty of money in the long run. It's an investment that most locals agree was well worth it.
It's also important to note that Mahoning Creek Lake stores and releases water as necessary during dry periods. This can improve the overall water quality and quantity along with improving navigation, recreational activities, and aquatic life in the area.
Located northeast of Pittsburgh, Mahoning Creek Lake can be found. It is closest to New Bethlehem and Dayton, Pennsylvania. You can easily find it by following the brown Mahoning Creek Lake directional signs along the route. Because Pennsylvania does experience winter, it is best to check online for road closures during the colder months.
You can take Route 36 or Interstate 80 to get to Mahoning Creek Lake. Some roads are paved, while others are made of gravel. The roads and trails in and around the campground are nearly all gravel. The roads leading to the campground and lake are paved and an easy drive for most vehicle types.
Milton Loop Campground is a beautiful campground right near Mahoning Creek Lake. There are plenty of restrooms with showers, water access points, and electric hook-ups available. Camping is available on a first-come, first-serve basis and can be done so with a tent or RV.
There are 62 campsites in total, including nine tent-only sites, 12 electric-only sites, 32 electric and water hook-up sites, and five 50-amp sites. It is perfect for solo or group campers. This campground is pet-friendly and has picnic tables, grills, and Wi-Fi available for all campers. There are recreational trails to hike on, along with a camp store to buy any necessities.
Camping here, you're just a short walk away from boating, fishing, hiking, and paddling. If you're sensitive to heat, you can request a shaded campsite. You'll be surrounded by forest as well as having easy access to the lake. This is a great place to get away while visiting Mahoning Creek Lake.
Mahoning Creek Lake is well known by fishermen and anglers of all types. It owes its popularity to how clean the water is. There is a thriving fish population all year round and several trophy-winning sized pikes have been caught here. In addition to pike, you can also find her a lot of walleye, channel catfish, bass, muskie, and crappie in Mahoning Creek Lake. You can fish from a boat, from the shore, a dock, or many other areas.
There are hundreds of acres of land and water provided to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. With that being said there are plenty of water sports that take place on Mahoning Creek Lake, thanks to the Army Corps of Engineers. There are plenty of boat ramps located off of Route 839, these boat ramps can also be used for shore fishing spots as well as canoe launching.
Speaking of canoes, you can canoe, kayak, paddleboard, along with just about any type of water sport on Mahoning Creek Lake. It is a great place to take in the scenery and cool off during the warm summer months.
Everybody needs to eat and the area around Mahoning Creek Lake is set up for just that! In the area around the dam, the Corps has a facility that the public is welcome to use. This facility has plenty of picnic areas that are covered in shade from the surrounding trees. There are modern and clean restrooms nearby, along with grills, a playground for children, picnic tables, and overlooks, and plenty of walking trails. You'll also find an area nearby that is accessible by wheelchair and includes restrooms, picnic tables, fishing access, and a pavilion.
An off-season activity you can take part in is hunting. There are 1280 acres available for public hunting as well as wildlife management thanks to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. It is important to note that hunting and trapping are allowed in all areas of the project unless they are developed recreational areas or have posted signs.
Like anywhere else you'd hunt, all federal, state, and local laws apply while hunting there. There are several different types of animals that can be found in the area, including black bears, squirrels, rabbits, upland game birds, and white-tailed deer. Keep in mind that ATVs are not allowed in the area.
If you can hunt it you can also observe it at Mahoning Creek Lake. Make sure to bring your binoculars with you when packing the RV. If you'd like to take the memories with you, be sure to also pack a camera to take photographs of all of the great wildlife you see. You can view animals like bears, deer, rabbits, and different types of birds. You'll be able to quietly view all types of wildlife in their natural habitat. It is important that you do not disturb any animals for your own safety.
Since Mahoning Creek Lake is in an area that has steep valleys along with lush hillsides, it's perfect for hiking. And there are plenty of different trails around if you're looking for a calm and relaxed walk in the woods. On the other hand, if you're looking for an intense hike, there is plenty of rugged terrain available.
There are also plenty of trails available at the nearby campground. Whether you're taking a pathway in the woods, a trail, or small inlets near the shoreline, you're bound to come across some beautiful scenery.
