I love coastal beaches but I appreciate being able to access some lake beaches close to home just for the day without the long drive and cost of a coastal beach vacation. These beach day trips are a perfect way to relax and cool off in the summer heat, becoming a very enjoyable family summer activity.

This post contains a list of local beaches I am aware of. There are others I would like to visit and maybe I’ll learn about others.

For the most part, these beaches do not have lifeguards and swimming is at your own risk. It’s always a good idea to have life jackets on.

What We Pack

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A quick note about what we tend to pack:

  • Food- We often pack lunches. Some of our favorite on-the-go snacks include pepperoni rolls and peanut butter energy balls. Many of these places offer charcoal grills in the picnic area so you can grill out for the day. We have a portable grill we like to pack if we are going to go all out.
  • Beach blanket – I have something similar to this I found at Aldi. I love that it is self-storing.
  • Sun hats are a must. We love Sunday Afternoon Sun Hats.
  • Toys – sand toys for the kids, frisbee, etc.
  • We tend to haul a lot of our stuff to the beach with our wagon when we can. We don’t have the off-roading tires on our wagon, but that definitely would help when it comes to the beach.
  • Sunscreen and bug spray
  • Footwear – Some beaches are rockier than others, so it helps sometimes to have shoes on. I tend to put my kids in Crocs and I love to wear my versatile Keen Whisper Sandals which I wear pretty much all summer long for a variety of activities, walking, hiking, biking, etc. Other good options include Chacos, Tevas, or water shoes. Flip flops can easily fall off and float away.
  • Lifejackets for everyone
  • Flotation Devices- Sometimes we keep it simple and just take a blanket, some toys, and lifejackets to swim. Sometimes we like to use flotation devices. Many of these beaches offer kayak rentals. But we have some gear we share with my sister’s family.
    • Kayaks– I own some dated Sevylor Inflatable kayaks similar to this which have served us well. My sister has this kayak and likes it. You can also take hard kayaks naturally, we just don’t own one.
    • Stand-Up Paddleboards– My sister’s family has been enjoying their Runwave SUP Board and their Roc SUP Board.
    • Inner Tubes- My dad enjoys his Inner Tube, which he purchased locally at Spotto’s in downtown Connellsville, PA. They have a nice selection of other inflatables.

Ok, let’s take a look at the list of beaches.

Pennsylvania

Youghiogheny River Lake – Youghiogheny Lake Dam – Confluence, PA

  • Directions: I can’t actually find an address for this place, but from 40 East, turn left on 281/Mae West Road heading into the town of Confluence. As you approach Confluence, turn right on Flanigan Road. Keep left at a split onto Hydro Lane where you will actually drive over the top of the dam. Cross the dam and park in the large parking lot at the bottom of the hill on the other side.
  • Features: Large parking area, porta potty at the parking lot, short paved trail to the beach, large pavilion plus other picnic areas with charcoal grills, no lifeguards so swim at your own risk, sandy beach, and roped-off swimming area. I usually haul my stuff to the beach in our wagon.
  • Note: One summer we went for a swim, the lake was closed due to an algae bloom. If you want to refer to the most up-to-date information, check the Facebook page.
  • On the way out we often stop for ice cream at The Outflow Soft Freeze. But we also enjoy other places in Confluence like coffee at Tissue Farm, lunch/dinner at River’s Edge Cafe, plus the GAP bike trail passes right through Confluence.

Youghiogheny River Lake – Yough Lake Campground – Confluence, PA

  • Website
  • Address: 250 Tub Run Rd, Confluence, PA
  • This beach is located in Yough Lake Campground on Yough Lake and is available to campers. But, you can also pay a day-use fee ($5 on weekdays only – last I checked) to access the beach (no lifeguards) which offers a sandy area, a playground, picnic areas, and kayak/canoe rentals. You can also go up and visit people you may know camping and use the beach. It’s probably best to give them a call for the most up-to-date info. Locals tend to refer to this area as “Tub Run.” In the pictures I have here, we visited toward the end of summer when the water in the lake was low, so the water was pretty mucky. But, we visited when the water was higher and it was a nice beach. We have also camped here in one of the smaller cabins and enjoyed our stay.

Laurel Hill Lake – Laurel Hill State Park Beach – Somerset, PA

West Virginia

Cheat Lake – Cheat Lake Park – Morgantown, WV

  • Website
  • Address: Morgans Run Road, Morgantown, WV 26508
  • Features: 4.5-mile bike trail, fish wash station, restrooms, playground, roped-off swimming area (no lifeguards), and areas for kayaking and paddleboarding.
  • The parking area is located at the top of a steep hill, but there is a pick-up/drop-off area at the bottom to drop off your gear. Millstone Point Beach is probably a .25-.5 miles walk from the parking area. The water may be muddy at certain levels which you can check here.

Tygart Adventure Lake – Tygart Lake State Park – Grafton, WV

  • Website
  • Facebook page
  • Address: Tygart Lake, Grafton WV 26354
  • I have actually not been to this lake yet because I’ve been told the inflatables would likely be difficult for my young children and we would have a better time when my kids are older. But my sister and her friends visited and they provided me with some information.
  • You have to purchase a pass to enjoy the 25 inflatables and a sandy beach on the adventure lake. Travel light. There’s a downhill walk from the parking area to the beach. Life jackets are a must. Bring your own or they can provide one. Chairs are available on the beach. Bring your own food and drinks (no glass; no alcohol). My lady friends recommended wearing shorts, maybe board shorts to protect your butt and for some coverage with all the climbing. Some mentioned they wish they wore a rashguard under a life jacket. With all the jumping and sliding, you risk losing your hats and sunglasses in the water so probably best to leave them out of the water.

Maryland

Deep Creek Lake – Deep Creek Lake State Park – Swanton, MD

Lake Habeeb – Rocky Gap State Park – Flintstone, MD

  • Website
  • Address: 12900 Lake Shore Dr, Flintstone, MD 21530
  • I still haven’t been to this lake but my friend has and she shared some information with me. During her last visit, there was an advisory about bacteria in the water. So might want to check in with the park office ahead of time at 301-722-1480. There are two beaches at the state park location with a playground and bathrooms. Fishing is also offered with a live bait vending machine on site. You can rent paddle boards, canoes, and kayaks.
  • Around the lake, there is a campground, Rocky Gap Casino Resort, and hiking trails. You can hike a loop around the lake.

Youghiogheny River Lake – Mill Run Recreation Area – Friendsville, MD

  • Website
  • Address/Directions: I can’t actually find an address for this place also. But from 40 East, make a slight right on Friendsville Road in Addison. Continue about 3.5 miles crossing over from Pennsylvania to Maryland. Make a right on Mill Run Road to the campground and continue to the parking area on the left near the beach.
  • Features: Campground with beach day use available, sandy beach with trees on the beach to offer shade (my favorite part), roped-off swimming area (no lifeguards), playground, and bathrooms. FYI we saw a sign for no pets allowed. I would also suggest being mindful of water levels. We like to visit this area earlier in the summer. As summer gets drier, the water level on the lake often lowers, and if the water lowers below the lake, the water and shore get muddy. If the water is low, I suggest visiting the beach at the Youghiogheny Lake Dam nearby.

Lakes Without Beaches

There are a few lakes I’m aware of without beaches where you can still kayak, canoe, and paddleboard.

Tahoe Lake – Seven Springs Resort – Champion, PA

  • There was no beach and we did not swim but we really enjoyed renting kayaks, paddleboards, and paddleboats with an All Day Adventures Pass at Seven Springs Resort. The adventure pass offers access to several outdoor adventure activities such as the Alpine Slide, rock climbing wall, swimming pool, and more.

Fayette County Parks

Other Places I Want to Visit

Other Water Activities

If you are interested in more water activities my family enjoys, be sure to check out Youghiogheny River Float – Connellsville to Dawson, PA, and A Guide to Spray Parks In and Near Fayette County, PA. If you are interested in other swimming holes in the area, visit Mountain Watershed Association to check in for other ideas and swimming conditions.

I hope you found this guide helpful. If you know of other beaches I’m missing, please let me know! If you go adventuring on the beach, please leave a comment or tag me on Instagram @adventureswkelly. I’d love to see or hear about your beach adventures.