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Sandy Lake, PA
Change City

Maurice K. Goddard State Park

684 Lake Wilhelm Road
Sandy Lake, PA 16145

724-253-4833

Hiking at Maurice K. Goddard State Park16 miles of trailsThe trails pass near the lake, through forests and fields.John C. Oliver Multi-Purpose Trail Loop12 miles, more difficult hiking, paved trail and roadway​This scenic loop is composed of two trail sections.Trail parking can be accessed along the trail at boat launches or the marina. The main trail parking area is on Lake Wilhelm Road between the bridge and the park office.Along the north shore, the scenic loop is open to hiking, biking, and snowmobiling. This section contains short, steep runs that may be difficult to climb for some bikers. The north shore has many vistas that overlook the lake.The trail on the south shore is open to hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing. The south shore of the lake has areas of trail that share the road with motor vehicles. The trail runs from the dam to Lake Wilhelm Road.To complete the loop, hike Lake Wilhelm Road to connect the south and north portions of the trail.Falling Run Nature Trail0.7-mile loop trail, yellow blazes, more difficult hikingThis self-guided nature trail follows some of the old logging roads as it winds its way to the hemlock forested Falling Run Ravine.Falling Run drops 90 feet in elevation in less than 1,000 feet, cascading over a small waterfall. Hikers will find signs of a pioneer settlement of the George Y. Stright family, including the spring house and mill pond near the trailhead. Signs of the log cabin, old gristmill, and sawmill have all but vanished.Goddard Mckeever Hiking Trail2.84 miles within the park (3.14 miles total), yellow blazes, more difficult hikingThis trail connects Maurice K. Goddard State Park to McKeever Environmental Learning Center’s trail system. A sealed coal mine shaft is near the top of Coal Hill.Picnicking at Maurice K. Goddard State ParkThis activity or structure is ADA accessible.Picnic tables and charcoal grills are available throughout the park. Boat launches #1, #2, #3, #4, and the marina have restrooms and large picnic areas.Picnic pavilions can be reserved in advance for a fee. Unreserved picnic pavilions are free on a first-come, first-served basis.Wildlife Watching at Maurice K. Goddard State ParkThe large lake, abundant wetlands, old fields, and mature forests provide a diversity of habitats that attracts wildlife in all seasons.Once pushed to the edge of extinction, bald eagles and ospreys have rebounding populations. Both of these fish eating raptors nest near Lake Wilhelm.The combination of old fields and mature forests are home to many birds, including:American woodcockCommon snipeCommon nighthawkMany species of warblersIn the spring and fall, waterfowl by the thousands stop at the lake for a quick rest and snack. Some of the noteworthy waterfowl, include:LoonTealMerganserGoldeneyeBuffleheadThe winter is a good time to see the many woodpeckers, including the pileated woodpecker.In the summer, turtles are abundant in the quiet waters by the Marina. The wetland across Lake Wilhelm Road from the marina entrance has a waterfowl observation station and is a great place to see osprey and beaver.Boating at Maurice K. Goddard State Park20 horsepower motors permittedThe 1,680-acre Lake Wilhelm has a 241-slip marina and a 48-space dry land mooring area available from May 1 to October 31.The marina has:250 car parking spaces121 car/trailer parking spacesFour-lane boat-launching rampCourtesy dockMarina buildingFueling stationIn addition to the marina, there are seven other boat launches around the lake. Four are within the state park and three are in the state game lands.Spaces on the kayak/canoe storage rack at Launch #3 can be reserved in advance for a fee.The 240-acre portion of the lake northwest of Interstate 79 is managed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission as part of State Game Lands 270, while the remaining 1,440 acres is managed by Maurice K. Goddard State Park.Only electric-powered and non-powered vessels are permitted in the Game Commission section of the lake.Motorboats must display a current boat registration.Fishing at Maurice K. Goddard State ParkThe 1,680-acre Lake Wilhelm is a warmwater fishery.Common species are:Largemouth bassWalleyeCrappieMuskellungeBluegillCatfishPerchSunfishThis activity or structure is ADA accessible. An area called the “Rounded Point,” near the marina parking lot, has an ADA accessible fishing pier.A bait and fishing tackle concession is available at the marina.Ice FishingIce fishing accounts for many of the larger fish caught in Lake Wilhelm. Ice thickness is not monitored.Hunting at Maurice K. Goddard State ParkDuring established seasons, more than 1,155 acres of Maurice K. Goddard State Park and Lake Wilhelm are open to:HuntingTrappingTraining of dogsCommon game species are:DeerRing-necked pheasantWaterfowlHunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day through March 31 in designated hunting areas.Biking at Maurice K. Goddard State Park12 miles of trailsThe paved John C. Oliver Multi-Purpose Trail Loop follows the shoreline. It can be accessed from boat launches #1, #2, and #4, the marina, the parking lot below the park office, the dam, and Dugan Run.The trail is open to:Two-way bicycle trafficHikingSnowmobilingCross-country skiingStay to the right while bike riding.Please park bicycles off of the trail to avoid obstructing traffic.Sledding at Maurice K. Goddard State ParkThere is a one-acre hill for sledding at the dam.Cross-Country Skiing at Maurice K. Goddard State ParkThere are about six miles of trails marked for cross-country skiing for beginner to expert skiers.Ice Skating at Maurice K. Goddard State ParkLaunch #3 has an unmaintained ice skating area. Ice thickness is not monitored.Snowmobiling at Maurice K. Goddard State ParkSnowmobiling is permitted on approximately six miles of the paved bike trail on the north side of Lake Wilhelm (from the park office to the dam), conditions permitting. The trail can be accessed from the Boat Launch #4 and the park office parking areas.A minimum six-inch snowpack is required. Studded track snowmobiles are prohibited.

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