Blue Marsh Lake Day Use Area
Open — Open year-round with hours from 8:00 AM to dusk. During peak season (May 17 through September 30), hours are reduced to 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM with limited services due to staffing shortages. The swim beach operates during summer months and closes at 5:00 PM when open. Group picnic shelters are available for reservation through Recreation.gov.
Wind Advisory issued December 30 at 1:31AM EST until December 30 at 1:00PM EST by NWS Mount Holly NJ
* WHAT...West winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. * WHERE...Portions of northern Delaware, New Jersey, and southeast Pennsylvania. * WHEN...Until 1 PM EST this afternoon. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
About
Located at Blue Marsh Lake northwest of Reading, Pennsylvania, the Dry Brooks Day Use Area serves as a hub for outdoor recreation on this 6,100-acre U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project. The area features three group picnic shelters available for reservation through Recreation.gov, set within mowed grass areas with convenient parking. The Lakeview and Hillside shelters include water and electricity, while the Vista shelter does not. Visitors can enjoy a small swimming beach with a bathhouse, open during the summer season. The day use area provides access to over 30 miles of multi-use trails that permit hiking, biking, and horseback riding around the lake's perimeter. Blue Marsh Lake itself is an unlimited horsepower lake popular for boating and waterskiing, with boat launches nearby. The 1,147-acre lake and surrounding 5,000 acres of land also support paddle sports, fishing, bird watching, and seasonal hunting. The area is surrounded by natural beauty, with the lake formed by an earthfill dam on Tulpehocken Creek. During summer months, the water level is maintained at 290 feet above sea level, while winter drawdowns provide additional flood storage capacity. The facility has experienced service reductions in recent years, with reduced hours during peak season and some amenities unavailable at certain times.
Directions
Blue Marsh Lake is located 7 miles northwest of Reading, PA. Take Route 183 north and make a left on Palisades Drive. Travel one mile and the Dry Brooks Day Use Area will be on your right.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | — |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | — |
| Wifi | — |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | Yes |
| Electric Hookups | Yes |
| Water Hookups | Yes |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | Yes |
| Price | $90 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | — |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (610) 376-6337 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Availability
Photos
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