Nockamixon State Park RV & Campground Guide

Lake Nockamixon is an excellent place to go fishing. Cast your line for white perch, crappie, striped bass, walleye, muskellunge and bluegill. Other fish you can catch include chain pickerel, largemouth and smallmouth bass as well as channel catfish. Younger anglers can head over to the Children’s Fishing Pond to gain some experience. Ice fishing is available during the winter. You'll also need a Pennsylvania fishing license.

You'll have to hike a bit to find them, but there are at least two geocaches hidden somewhere within Nockamixon State Park. Check out the clues on your geocache app and have fun exploring the park on the hunt for hidden treasure. Bring a pen to sign the logbook once you find it, and be sure to re-hide the cache well after you are done.

For the best view of the dam, there's an overlook along South Park Road just to the west of a bridge that passes over the creek. Birds that enjoy relaxing near the dam include sandpipers, herons, killdeer, great egrets and kingfishers. The Sentinel Rock formation along the biking trail is also a unique geological feature that might pique your interest.

Public star-watching parties are held regularly at the park in partnership with the local Bucks-Mont Astronomical Association. You can come out during a meteor shower or any astronomical event to learn more about the heavens above and to enjoy peeking through a high-quality telescope.

Hardwood forests, open fields and pine plantations line the areas around the lake, and you'll find lots of grasslands filled with native Indian grass, bluestem and switchgrass. Waterfowl such as geese, swans, grebes, ducks, loons and more stop by the lake regularly. Raptors can be seen in the spring and the fall. Black bears are occasionally spotted within the park as well, though you're more likely to spot rabbits and wild turkeys.

Enjoy a scenic view of the lake and pass by an old quarry and the remnants of a former summer camp while enjoying a stroll along the trail at this picturesque state park. There are several trails to choose from, including the popular Old Mill Trail, which is rated as moderate and spans just over a mile long. The Quarry Trail is another popular choice, as it is rated as moderately difficult and extends for 2.65 miles.

Swimming is not allowed in Lake Nockamixon due to algae growth, which affects the fish populations. However, there is a swimming pool at the park, which is open seasonally from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

The lake has five different public boat launch areas. If you have a kayak, check out the time of the dam's daily water release to enjoy paddling in whitewater conditions. Boat rentals are available if you didn't bring your own.

There's a 10-mile off-road mountain biking trail system that cyclists can enjoy. To find the trailhead, head to the eastern end of Haycock Cove. In addition, a 2-mile paved multiuse trail provides cyclists and others with an easy way to navigate within the park. This trail starts near the marina and leads along the day-use area, provides access to the swimming pool and the playground and heads toward a pond and a scenic waterfall.