Between Allentown And Lancaster Is Pennsylvania's Pristine Lake Park With A Scenic Waterfall And Trails

Eastern Pennsylvania is rich in history. Despite having some of the state's largest cities, this portion of the Quaker State is also known for its picturesque landscapes, filled with tree-covered hills, clear streams, and mesmerizing waterfalls. All of these elements converge at Antietam Lake Park, a serene escape halfway between Allentown and Lancaster where visitors can immerse themselves in nature and view historical structures at the same time. 

Antietam Lake Park stretches across 665 acres in Berks County, encompassing its namesake lake as well as an impressive waterfall. Located less than 10 minutes from downtown Reading, a former railroad city with a thriving art scene, Antietam Lake Park is a quiet retreat near the state's fourth-largest city. Despite its location within the metro area, this is no urban park. The centerpiece of the park is the lake. This 16-acre reservoir was formed by the Antietam Dam in the 19th century. At that time, it supplied water to the city of Reading, according to Berks Community Television. The city later purchased the surrounding land and several structures, including a gristmill and watchman's house. 

Visitors to Antietam Lake Park can see a handful of historic landmarks dating back to the lake's Civil War-era origin. Among them is the Bingaman House, which now serves as an environmental education center. The Angora Fruit Farm encompasses 22 acres within the park, and also provides nature-related educational programs. The valve house, perhaps the park's most iconic structure, sits on the lake and dates back to the 1880s. Visitors can access over 12 miles of multi-use trails to view these historical structures, along with an array of natural features. 

While Antietam Lake Park has an impressive array of historical structures, it also has hundreds of acres of forested land. One of the primary reasons this tract of land was converted to a park was to preserve the natural ecology of the area. The density of the trees here date back to a massive reforestation effort that began in 1915. Given it is just one county over from Bucks County, Pennsylvania's top fall foliage destination, it's no surprise that visitors to Antietam Lake Park are also treated to a kaleidoscope of colors come fall.

Trails crisscross the park, leading visitors to a number of water features. Antietam Lake Falls is a popular site where the waters of Antietam Creek fall over 60 feet of rock. There is no trail access to the waterfall, but it can be viewed from Angora Road near the park's entrance. Sections of trail also cut along the creek and reservoir. The Antietam Reservoir Trail is an easy 2.4-mile hike around the water that leads to many of the park's historic sites. Along the way, visitors can encounter a variety of birds and animals, including deer, foxes, and rabbits. Antietam Lake itself is a popular fishing spot, with trout and largemouth bass being the most common species, according to Fishbrain. There is even an ADA-accessible fishing area on the lake shore.

Antietam Lake Park is open year-round. In fact, there are many activities available here in the winter. The trails are used for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and once the lake freezes over, many anglers begin ice fishing. Regardless of the season, those who appreciate the park's mix of history and nature can also check out Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, which preserves America's earliest industrial heritage and is just 15 miles away.