Lake Erie's Shores Boast A Free-To-Visit Pennsylvania State Park With Scenic Beach Bluffs, Trails, And Views

Being smaller and shallower than some of the other Great Lakes, Lake Erie tends to get less attention as a prime tourist destination. Yet the relatively modest locale does have a surprisingly rich collection of worthwhile lakeside attractions, from New York's fun-filled watersports escape at Buffalo Harbor State Park to Ohio's free amusement park "gem" at Waldameer Park. Between New York and Ohio, however, lies the much shorter Lake Erie coastline of Pennsylvania. Yet Pennsylvania's modest share of Lake Erie is more than enough for some of the best state parks and lakeside attractions, as the gorgeous Erie Bluffs State Park proves. Though it's not quite as large as nearby natural sites, Erie Bluffs is a truly beautiful preserve of the lake's intricate shoreline, boasting both scenic views and important ecosystems. 

Erie Bluffs State Park is located just half an hour west of the lakeside city of Erie, and about two hours north of Pittsburgh International Airport. While it's quite accessible from larger cities and major transportation hubs, Erie Bluffs State Park is probably the closest you can get to an untouched Great Lakes coast anywhere on Lake Erie. As per its name, Erie Bluffs State Park protects a chain of photo-worthy bluffs rising dramatically over the water, interspersed with lovely beaches and wooded areas. In addition to its coastal resources, Erie Bluffs also protects a rich network of forests, sand barrens, and wetlands, all connected by numerous top hiking trails. Even better, Erie Bluffs State Park is completely free!

The most prominent park destination along Pennsylvania's Lake Erie coast is likely the much larger Presque Isle State Park. With sandy beaches and plenty of outdoor recreation, Presque Isle is known as Pennsylvania's "only seashore." Erie Bluffs State Park is much less developed, with wild lakeside forests largely free of modern infrastructure. Yet there's a clear benefit to that, as the park is essentially the last remaining snapshot of the state's wonderful Lake Erie shore prior to large-scale settlement and development. Today, Erie Bluffs consists of a deceptively modest 587 acres. Within that, however, Erie Bluffs packs in some of the most diverse and complex ecosystems within the entire Pennsylvania state park system.

The bluffs that give the park its name rise as high as 90 feet above the lake within the park's roughly one-mile of shoreline. These bluffs present an epic lakeside view that will be a clear darling on your social media reel. Further inland, Erie Bluffs also protects an impressive (and rare) Great Lake ecosystem defined by century-old trees, rare black oak woodland savannahs, and sand barrens. The park's forest contains more threatened and endangered species relative to its size than any other forest in Pennsylvania too. The ecology here is so important that the park has recently joined the Old-Growth Forest Network. For the average visitor, all of these complex ecosystems mean the park puts on quite a show.

Relative to its size, Erie Bluffs State Park could be Pennsylvania's most extraordinary park for outdoor recreation. The park's pristine character makes it an ideal spot for hikers looking to explore one of the state's last remaining stretches of an undeveloped natural environment. Erie Bluffs does have a little over five miles of excellent hiking trails that provide scenic immersion, and many sections of the park's trails take you directly past the bluffs overlooking Lake Erie, offering perhaps Pennsylvania's best Great Lake viewpoints. Away from the lake, the Erie Bluffs trails also take you past charming inland waterways, like the park's Elk Creek and its important steelhead fishery. 

Elk Creek State Park is also one of Pennsylvania's top spots for birdwatching and wildlife viewing. On many days, you can see bald eagles patrolling the skies, or adorable bank swallows emerging from the intricate "honeycomb" nests they dig within the park's sandy bluffs. The park's Elk Creek area has several picnic tables and a pavilion, and depending on your preferences, Erie Bluffs State Park is also a great spot for fishing, hunting, boating, and even geocaching! In the winter, Erie Bluffs is a top spot for cross-country skiing, ice boating, ice fishing, and snowshoeing. As a day-use park, Erie Bluffs does not currently allow camping. However, you can get your outdoor fix at one of the many great campgrounds around Erie — or just enjoy one of Erie's hotels.