Aerial view of Loyalhanna Lake dam 

Loyalhanna Lake

440 Loyalhanna Dam Road

Saltsburg, PA  15681-9302

(724) 639-9013

Daily Lake & Recreation Information:

(724) 639-3785

 icon and link to Loyalhanna facebook page

 

GIS Coordinates - Bush Recreation Area 40 degrees, 26' 49.16" N, 79 degrees, 26' 40.34" W

The Bush Recreation Area Boat Launch will open for the 2020 season May 1st, restrooms on May 15th, and the campground will open May 22, 2020.

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 1942, Loyalhanna has prevented more than $531 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.

Recreation, Events, Facilities & Activities

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 ranging from the rolling foothills of the Laurel Highlands, from which the headwaters of Loyalhanna Creek flow, to the steep, wooded hillsides, and ravines found near the dam. 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. Camping is available from Memorial Day Weekend to September. 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.

 

Annual Day Use Pass

Loyalhanna Lake no longer requires launch passes and will not be selling Annual Passes.

 

Campsite Power

30 amp sites---11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 41, 42, 44.

50 amp sites---21, 22, 23, 28.

All sites also have 20 amp GFI's.

 

Pavilion Reservations

Reservations have been centralized for the Dam Site and the Lakeview Pavilion located at the Bush Recreation Area and can now only be made through the NRRS 877-444-6777 or www.recreation.gov.

 

Campers Corner  -  Camping Fees for Loyalhanna

Primitive Site -- $23.00 per night

Electric only -- $26.00 per night

Water & Electric Site -- $28.00 per night

Basic Rules & Safety Reminders for Loyalhanna

Camper's Checklist 

 

  

 Facilities and Activities Bush

Recreation

Area 

New Alexander Access Area

Kiski

Group

Camping

Area

Loyalhanna

Dam Site
Campground X      
Camper Dump Station X      
Drinking Water X     X
Group Camping     X  
Launch Ramp X    
Picnic Area X     X
Picnic Shelters X     X
Playground X     X
Restrooms X     X
Accessible Restrooms X     X
Trails       X

 

 
 

 

 

 

Loyalhanna Lake News Releases

Corps waives day use fees at recreation areas in observance of Veterans Day
11/2/2023
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District announced today it will waive day-use fees at recreation areas at its 16 reservoirs in observance of Veterans Day, Nov. 11.
Army Corps of Engineers waives fees and invites volunteers to participate in National Public Lands Day, Sept. 24
9/20/2022
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today that it will waive day-use fees typically charged at boat launch ramps and swimming beaches at its recreation areas nationwide in recognition of National Public Lands Day (NPLD) on Saturday, Sept. 24.
Corps recreation sites host Earth Day celebration events
4/20/2022
In recognition of Earth Day, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District will host events at several reservoirs across its multistate region. We invite the public to join us as we clean up the environment, plant trees and restore local ecosystems to support the earth for years to come.