5 Stunning Beaches Around Pittsburgh That Look And Feel Like The Ocean
By Beth Price-Williams|Published June 17, 2018
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.
Are you ready for those hot, humid, and downright sticky summer days in the Burgh? Well, they’re just around the corner. And, there’s really only one good place to spend those sweltering days: At the beach. While Pittsburgh might not be nestled near the ocean, it is within driving distance of some stunning beaches and, if you close your eyes, you’ll feel as though you’re right at the ocean’s edge.
Soak up the sun and stay cool in the chilled water of Lake Erie at one of the beaches at Presque Isle State Park. That's right. You've got your choice of more than a handful of beaches to spend the day. Join other beach goers, for example, at Pettinato Beach. The guarded beach boasts a concession stand, picnic areas in a wooded area, and a bathhouse.
Presque Isle State Park is located at 301 Peninsula Dr., Erie, PA 16505.
Road trips and summer just go hand-in-hand. So, hit the road for Conneaut Lake, an hour and a half from downtown Pittsburgh. The town, popular for Conneaut Lake Park, promises a beautiful sandy beach with all the activities you'd expect to find near the ocean: Boating, sunbathing, volleyball, and strolling along a picturesque boardwalk. Of course, you might also want to save some time to visit Conneaut Lake Park while you're in town.
Conneaut Lake is located in Conneaut, PA 16316.
Only one beach near Pittsburgh can make you feel as though you've been transported to the ocean in the middle of nowhere. Laurel Hill State Park in Somerset features a pristine 1,200-foot sandy beach surrounding a 63-acre lake. Stroll down the pier before jumping into the cool lake water, which is only five feet at its deepest. Other popular activities at the beach, which also hosts a concession stand, include boating and kayaking.
Laurel Hill State Park is located at 1454 Laurel Hill Park Rd., Somerset, PA 15501.
Stay cool all summer long at Moraine State Park, just a 40-minute drive from downtown Pittsburgh. The sprawling park boasts the massive 3,225-acre Lake Arthur and two fabulous beaches. Both Pleasant Valley Beach on the south shore and Lakeview Beach on the north shore promise plenty of warm sand, a concession stand, and showers. Pleasant Valley Beach also offers a playground and a sand volleyball court.
Moraine State Park is located at 225 Pleasant Valley Rd., Portersville, PA 16051.
Raccoon Creek State Park just might be the closest beach, at a state park at least, to downtown Pittsburgh. Hit the road for the 30-mile trek from downtown Pittsburgh. Throw your favorite beach towel down on a slice of the 500-foot sandy beach or opt for a more private spot on the grass. The sandy beach leads to the cool water of Raccoon Lake. Bring your own picnic lunch, or buy food and drinks from the beach's concession stand.
Raccoon Creek State Park is located at 3000 PA-18, Hookstown, PA 15050.
Sure, we might not be near the ocean in the Burgh. But, that doesn’t mean we can’t feel as though we are when we visit these stunning beaches near Pittsburgh, right? A great way to experience the beaches near Pittsburgh is to hit the road on this road trip.
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