Loyalhanna Lake
440 Loyalhanna Dam Road
Saltsburg, PA  15681-9302
(724) 639-9013
Daily Lake & Recreation Information:
(724) 639-3785

• Lake & Dam Statistics

• Vicinity Map

• Recreation

• Current Events

• Facilities & Activities

• Campers Corner

• Links of Interest

• Shoreline Management

Authorized by the Flood Control Acts of 1936 and 1938, Loyalhanna Lake is one of 16 flood control projects in the Pittsburgh District.  An important link in a system of flood control projects, Loyalhanna provides flood protection for the lower Loyalhanna Creek and Kiskiminetas River valleys as well as the lower Allegheny and upper Ohio Rivers.  Since its completion in 1951, Loyalhanna has prevented over $514 million in flood damage.  The project has the capability to store the equivalent run-off of 6.16 inches of precipitation from its 290 square mile drainage area.  When compared to the flood prevention benefits which have resulted, the construction cost of $5.5 million appears small.  During dry periods, additional water from Loyalhanna Lake is released downstream to improve water quality and quantity for domestic and industrial use, navigation, recreation, esthetics and aquatic life.

Lake & Dam Statistics

Vicinity Map

Recreation
Located in southwestern Pennsylvania, among terrain characterized by its diversity, Loyalhanna Lake provides a mixture of scenery and recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District invites you to visit the Loyalhanna project and enjoy its natural settings.

Lake visitors will discover topography that ranges from rolling foothills of the Laurel Highlands, from which the headwaters of Loyalhanna Creek flow, to the steep, wooded hillsides, and ravines found in the vicinity of the dam site.  In the midst of these surroundings, visitors to Loyalhanna Lake can enjoy various outdoor activities either on the water, or around the water.

Fishing is extremely popular at Loyalhanna with an abundance of inlets, coves and backwater areas to entice the angler.  The lake contains plentiful amounts of crappie, bullhead, catfish, bluegills, largemouth bass and carp.  Aside from these abundant species, anglers have the opportunity to battle a trophy-sized musky or tiger musky, land a walleye in the outflow and feel the hard hit of an occasional tiger trout from the headwaters.  There are also small, but established populations of northern pike in the lake.  Fishing is particularly good in the area where Serviceberry Run flows into the lake, and in the fast-paced waters of the outflow area below the dam.

For boaters the project offers many fine opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.  A three-lane boat launching ramp is provided for powerboats and water-skiing enthusiasts.  Canoeists can float Loyalhanna Creek, as it meanders on its sinuous course towards the lake, providing paddlers with beautiful scenery and a chance to observe nature along the way.  Canoes can be launched at the Sanderson Bridge on Derbytown Road, or the Bush Recreation Area.

Boaters and canoeists at Loyalhanna also have the opportunity to venture along the Black Willow Water Trail.  This unique trail is a self-guided boating trail with designated stations marking natural and man-made features.  Highlights of the trail include observing the osprey diving for a fish, mingling with a family of wood ducks and studying the exotic erosion patterns of headwater sandstone cliffs.  A trail brochure supplies additional information and is available at the Ranger Booth at the Bush Recreation Area.

If a quiet spot for an afternoon picnic with family and friends is what you are looking for, Loyalhanna has it.  The Dam Site Picnic Area, with its shaded woodland setting, is especially popular, along with the picnic area located at the Bush Recreation Area.  Both day-use picnic areas are equipped with a pavilion, picnic tables, charcoal grills, drinking fountains and restroom facilities.

Loyalhanna has a beautiful campground on the upper end of the lake at the Bush Recreation Area.  There are 44 campsites, a majority of which are in a woodland setting and have a majestic view of the lake; twelve of these campsites have water and electricity hookups and are equipped for larger RVs.  All sites have adequate tent space, a picnic table, lantern holder and fire ring.  The campground also contains restroom facilities, showers, a playground, volleyball court and a sanitary dump station.  A primitive group campground, located at the Kiski Area, is available to organized groups by contacting the Park Office.  The Kiski Group Campground is secluded and excellent for scout groups.

If a day of exercise and adventure is what you are looking for, Loyalhanna has nearby attractions that offer a variety of hiking and biking trails.  The West Penn Trail, operated and maintained by the Conemaugh Valley Conservancy, follows the historic Pennsylvania Main Line Canal and West Penn Railroad that were in operation during the mid 19th Century.  The Conemaugh River Lake, just a short drive away from the Loyalhanna, also offers a visitors center, history exhibits and trails for outdoor enthusiasts, such as the hiking trails along Bow Ridge and the Woodchuck Nature Trail.

The Corps of Engineers leases 2,894 acres of project lands to the Pennsylvania Game Commission for wildlife management purposes and public hunting.  Hunters will discover that the project's surrounding countryside holds an abundance of different game species.  Deer and small game, such as rabbits and squirrels, abound.  There is also a variety of game birds including turkey, grouse, pheasants and doves for hunters with a keen eye.  Several hunters' parking lots have also been developed to provide access to hunting areas.  Maps showing the different access areas and designated hunter parking lots can be accessed by contacting the Park Office.

Current Events
Annual Day Use Pass
Fees of up to $4/day are charged at many U.S. Army Corps of Engineers day use areas, including beaches and boat launch ramps.  Annual passes allow visitors to avoid having to pay day use fees each time they visit any U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operated day use area nationwide.  Annual passes, available at the Park Office of any site where fees are charged, cost $30 per pass and are valid for 12-months from the month of purchase.  Individuals with a valid Golden Age/Access Passport or a America the Beautiful Senior/Access Pass receive 50% off Annual Day Use Passes, including fees for camping and pavilion reservations.  Passes can be purchased in person at the Loyalhanna Park Office or by mail using an Annual Pass Request Form.

Pavilion Reservations
Reservations are being accepted for the Dam Site and the Lakeview Pavilion located at the Bush Recreation Area.  The rental fee is $40 per day.  Pavilions can be reserved by calling or visiting the Park Office or by mail using a Loyalhanna Reservation Request form.

Facilities & Activities

Campers Corner
Camping Fees for Loyalhanna

• Primitive Site – $16 per night

• Water and Electric Site – $22 per night

Basic Rules & Safety Reminders for Loyalhanna

• Alcoholic beverages are prohibited at all times.  Pets must be on a leash at all times.

• Sites are limited to one camping unit per site.  A second tent may be used only for children 18 years of age or younger.

•  No more than two vehicles per site, additional vehicles can park in the day use lot.

• Parking on campsite grass is prohibited.

• Help yourself to all DEAD wood in the campground vicinity.|

• Quiet hours after 10:00 p.m.  All visitors must leave the campground by this time.

• All visitors must see a Park Ranger for a visitor parking permit.

• Swimming is permitted; swim at your own risk.

• Fishing, swimming and loitering at the boat launch and dock area is prohibited at all times.  Dock and ramp are for loading   and unloading only.

• Use provided dumpsters and garbage cans to dispose of your trash.

• Make sure to be equipped with properly sized PFDs for boating and canoe safety.  Loyalhanna boaters ARE REQUIRED to follow all Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission rules and regulations.

• Keep radio/sound devices at a level that is considerate of others.

• Campground sites are first-come, first-served basis.  Putting a tag on a site post without visual occupancy is prohibited.
  Leaving boats at the dock for an extended amount of time is prohibited.  Boaters are permitted to pull boats onto the sand strip shoreline.  However, boaters are responsible for watching their boats.

• The speed limit in the park is 10 mph.  Exceeding the 10 mph speed limit is prohibited at all times.
  Follow signs for day use and boat trailer parking options.

Links of Interest

• Loyalhanna Lake's Corps Lake Visitor's Gateway

• The Reel Report

• Current Weather Conditions at Loyalhanna

• West Penn Trail

• Pennsylvania Game Commission

• Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission

• And for the kids, the Freddie the Fish Coloring Book!