The Presque Isle park, which is free for anyone to use without entrance or parking charges, draws, on the average, about four million visitors a year, most years over a million more than Yellowstone National Park, according to the Erie County Convention & Visitors Bureau, a division of the Erie Area Chamber of Commerce. In spite of its popularity, the park never seems crowded even on busy days because of its large size and the number of beaches and activities available. In addition to swimming and sunbathing, the Presque Isle peninsula is popular for a wide variety of recreational activities, including wind surfing, fishing, picnicing, boating, kite flying, nature walking or just relaxing while watching a beautiful sunset over Lake Erie. Year-Round Recreation The park boasts year-round recreation, with cross-country skiing, ice boating, ice fishing, kite skiing and other activities available during winter months. A drive around the peninsula in the fall and winter brings fabulous vistas of autumn leaves and ice dunes.
A National Natural Landmark, the peninsula is recognized internationally as an ecological gem, making it important as a research and educational area. With its ever changing wealth of habitats, it is considered the world's best-known place to see and study plant succession. More than 500 species of plants grow on Presque Isle. It is listed in Birder's World magazine as one of the top birding spots in the country, with at least 321 species having been seen. Records exist of 47 species of mammals occurring on the park. "Presque Isle State Park is a great community asset, not only for tourists and researchers, but for residents as well," the Chamber notes. Unlike many of the nation's beaches and lakes, the clean, clear beaches of Presque Isle are regularly monitored for water quality.
One or more beaches are closed occasionally, usually more often due to high waves and inclement weather than to the infrequent runoff from streams that can temporarily close beaches close to the neck of the peninsula. "The fact that water quality at our beaches is monitored is a plus. Most swimming areas in other parts of the country are not, and many swimming locations elsewhere really have unsuitable water," Ben Carter stated. The peninsula surrounds beautiful Presque Isle Bay, creating one of nature's best protected harbors.
The park is reached by PA Route 832 or by boat. The road system within the park forms a loop approximately 14 miles in length. The neck of the peninsula is attached to the mainland four miles west of downtown Erie.Diverse and rare plants and animals attract naturalists: Presque Isle contains a greater number of the state's endangered, threatened and rare species than any other area of comparable size in Pennsylvania. Over fifteen miles of trails appeal to hikers, bicyclists and cross-country skiers. Presque Isle offers swimming, boating, fishing and beautiful sandy beaches to its summer visitors. Winter enthusiasts come to the park to enjoy the outdoors and participate in a variety of ice and snow activities. Boating: Both non-powered and registered powered crafts are permitted. Internal combustion engines are prohibited in the interior lagoons which are defined as the continuous body of water between Misery Bay and Marina Bay, excluding Grave Yard Pond. A boat rental concession is located in the Grave Yard Pond area and provides a variety of powered and non-powered crafts. Beaching of boats along Presque Isle shoreline is permitted except at the Gull Point Special Management Area (between April 1 and November 30) and within 100 feet of designated swimming areas. A slow minimum height swell speed must be observed within all park waters which includes all waters within 500 feet of the shoreline.
A variety of programs are provided for the community, scouts, civic organizations and school groups. Programs focus on historical, natural and environmental issues. Pontoon Boat programs are available at scheduled times from Memorial Day to Labor Day at the Canoe and Boat Livery Concession. Birding: Presque Isle State Park has been rated by Birder's World magazine as one of the top birding spots in the country. Presque Isle's location on the Atlantic Flyway makes it a favorable spot for birds to stop to feed and rest on their migration across Lake Erie. Waterfowl migration occurs in March and in late November through December. Shorebird migration peaks in April and in August. Warbler migration is observed in mid-May and in September. Over 300 different species have been identified on the peninsula. A bird checklist is available at the Stull Interpretive Center.
Winter Activities
The park is open year-round. Popular winter activities include ice-fishing, ice boating, kite skiing and ice skating which occur on Presque Isle Bay, Misery Bay and in the marina area. Contact the park office for conditions and the availability of rental equipment. In addition to recreational activities, experience the natural wonder of Presque Isle during the winter months. Look for the impressive ice dunes, built by the combination of lake ice, wave surge and freezing spray. Take a walk along the beach, and you will likely see animal footprints in the snow. Winter is also a good time to spot the snowy owl.
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