We decided swimming would be fun, and we werent wrong. Blue marsh has a lot of stuff to do and a massive area to do it in. You can hike, bike, ride horses, swim, boat. I did find the water to be fairly clean and clear. We both even got nibbled on by some fish! The swim area does have a beach complete with sand, but we went around the corner to a small inlet at the end of a trail and swam where there were no people. Its a nice day trip. Check it out. read more

It's becoming increasingly harder to navigate around blue marsh, with the ever-growing numbers of jet skis roaming the lake with abandoned. They have no common courtesy, nor do they have any sense for rules of boating. They seem to roam in packs and have no consideration for other than themselves! The other issue is the location of handicapped parking. The only parking place is designated for handicapped parking are located quite a distance from the docking area, and it makes it hard to get close without being dropped off and then going back to get the car later. There are however, handicap spaces marked for trucks or cars with trailers, which are located very close to the docking area, but none designated for just vehicles with handicapped placards. read more

Nice family area Playground,bathrooms,walking path and swimming area Can't ask for more read more

I live near this place, and I have gone camping here, canoed, kayaked, done service projects here, and biked and hiked the trails before. The lake and views are gorgeous and beautiful. There are multiple places at this park where you can park your car and explore, whether it is on foot, bike, kayak, canoe, etc., etc,. I recommend you try them all. You can kayak or canoe all the way from to Grings mill from the dam. The lake border trail is a long scenic trail that you should bike and/or hike. It is also a decent place to camp. I camped here with my Boy Scout troop multiple times, and we have done multiple service projects here, such as constructing picnic tables, building platforms, and observation walls. I was glad to serve this park and my country here. Oh yeah and the rangers and nice and helpful too. read more

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Simply beauteous! If you live anywhere near here, you must visit. It is very large for a lake, i definitely didn't think it would be as clean as it is. They have a boating dock for boats, canoes, kayaks, etc. Saw some people jet skiing and waterskiing. The weather was also perfect as the days before it was in the 70s. It's a huge park so you can miss it. You turn into the "day use area" where they have loads of picnic tables, concessions, playground area, showers, restrooms & even a life vest area where you can borrow one of their life vests. Very smart since there's no lifeguard on duty. There's sand right before you hit the water where kids can build sand castles and play. Come on a weekday, Thursday preferably as there was no one on the beach area near us! Seems like most people come to fish and ride their boats. Will definitely be back! read more

Blue Marsh Lake - View from where I was sitting - Lakes Near Me - Leesport, Pennsylvania

Beautiful place and relaxing scenery very relaxing can't wait see it in spring fl bloom soon read more

Blue Marsh Lake - Lakes Near Me - Leesport, Pennsylvania

This lake is beautiful!!! Plenty of room to jet ski or take boat out fishing, kayakers and paddle boards need to stay along shore line instead of complaining about wake zone!!! Clean beach and water is clean, negative reviews are just unhappy people read more

Spent the day swimming and laying in the sun at Blue Marsh. A nice sized lake that has a beach and lake just large enough for boats and other water craft. A manmade lake built by the Army Engineers with well appointed buildings and well maintained roads. Lots of parking, even on a busy 4th of July weekend. The sand part of the beach could be a bit bigger, but there is a lot of grassy area to throw down a blanket or chair. Plates from NJ, MD & PA makes it an easy spot to drive to, but just minutes to Reading for shopping and food. A quick 45 minute drive to Lancaster on easy roads. Bring some food to have a BBQ. Easy in and out for your boat on the other side of the lake. I hear there are places to rent boats, but did not find the location. Would not mind a return to rent a boat and maybe stay for a few days of R&R. read more

Blue Marsh Lake - Lakes Near Me - Leesport, Pennsylvania

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We spent the afternoon here over the weekend. Overall my experience wasn't bad, though I'm not sure I'll be returning. They had decent enough bathrooms and changing rooms. Not overly clean but better then I've seen in some restaurants. There was a small play area and plenty of picnic tables. The beach itself was very small but clean. The water didn't look as clean as I had expected it to but not so bad that I wasn't willing to go into it. My biggest problem with the place was the bees. They were all over the place and I actually ended up being stung by one within 10 minutes of arriving. This combined with the small size of the beach will probably keep me from coming back. read more

cool spot read more

Blue Marsh Lake - Lakes Near Me - Leesport, Pennsylvania

I love this lake. Well patrolled so we feel safe. Great all around family lake. Everyone at the boat ramp has been decent and helpful to other boaters. read more

I downloaded the app, just to give this place a review from my experience today at the lake. When we arrived, it was obviously packed because Park Rangers were escorting vehicles to the far parking lots... no big deal.. long walk with 3 children, but that's okay. We had an amazing time until we went to the concession stand. The rules are $15.00 minimum if paying with your card. I tabbed my wife's card whilst she was breastfeeding and after about 20 minutes in line, I was told , she needs to be here and show ID, "it's policy". I asked to speak to the manager, because the kid at the window was clueless about policy, just giving me cynical remarks. The disgruntled person, who must've been the manager said it's policy, and we are only "helping you out" to prevent identity theft. I said ma'am, I've been to tons of restaurants, and when I go, they do not ask me for ID. It is a courtesy. If someone was going to steal a credit card, do you Think they want to waste that money on cheap, mediocre tasting food? I think not. After all of the hassle, we got out of line, came back, and the food took about 25 minutes. The food is all frozen, dropped in oil, and served. It was disgusting. I will never eat here again, and I really hope these individuals are not with the Army Corps of engineer. As an Active Duty Soldier, I am ashamed. I will come back to the lake, not to the concession stand. I met a female park ranger who explained I could not use a non coast guard approved floatation device in the water.. she was nice about it, and made me like the place. Those are people I can respect. Overall, good experience, could be better. read more

I'd give the place 5 stars, but the bathrooms are disgusting and often times people play their music so loud it's difficult to relax. But that's not the park's fault. I can't even believe what people do to the bathroom. It's not an issue of not cleaning them. I saw people clean them and within a half-hour they were trashed again. The lake itself is a gem. If you sit close to the water that is marked off for swimming, it's not as noisy and is definitely worth experiencing. Once I got into the water alone and was surrounded by a group of men playing with a ball. They started throwing it to me, and before I knew it I'd made 7 new friends and spent the afternoon laughing with them. I meet a lot of great, fun people here. It's definitely a popular spot. If you come on a summer weekend, make sure you arrive by 11 at the latest or you'll wait in a long line just to get to the parking lot. The park rangers are great too--super nice and friendly. read more

The Nude Beach was amazing. They had so many fun activities like ring toss, sack races, and lawn darts.

Lots to do here - hiking, biking, boating, whatever. Great trails, 30 mile loop. Supposedly the remnants of the town that they flooded to create the lake are still under the water.. read more

$3 per car to get in during the summer, free the rest of the year... plenty of picnic tables and BBQ areas, bring your bicycles and swimming gear! Only caveat: the maps are nearly useless and the toll booth operators are not much help either. read more

Beautiful lake. Shows a lot of educational projects for water safety. However, they really do need more signage for location of trails to dicover. read more

Power boaters routinely violate the no wake zones putting paddlers in danger. Many kayakers won't go near this lake.

Really good place for folks to take a morning hike. Great challenging trails for mountain biking. Stumbled along a few sunflower patches that I look forward to seeing in the summer time. Only complaint is that the maps I've come across don't do a good job of showing the elevation changes. read more

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I can't say enough good things about this place. it is very beautiful here. so quiet and peaceful. parking is not a problem. lots of amazing views and of course mosquitos:)) read more

We used to visit this place all the time as kids. Over the years the place just seemed to get dirtier and dirtier (more trash on the beach and things floating in the water) until we just didn't want to come back. Let's hope it's a bit cleaner now! read more

I was really having a great time kayaking at Blue Marsh Lake. Until, towards the end of our kayaking loop, we mistakenly paddled too close to a swimming area. Park Rangers approached our kayak via motor boat and engaged with us in a VERY aggressive and menacing way. As they approached, one greeted us with an aggressively toned, condescending "What does that sign say?!" (Not even a "good afternoon") We were honestly confused by the boat lane bouys and as we tried to get clarification about motor vs non-motorized areas, he became increasingly aggressive and LOUD. He barked over us when we tried to ask questions and was incredibly rude. I actually felt a little unsafe and was shaken up for the rest of the afternoon. It was a really unprofessional interaction and we will probably never visit the lake again. Hopefully the park reevaluates the way it selects and trains its park rangers. read more

If you have a small boat and like to fish. This is a great place to go. Plenty of out coves for fish to hide. Lake is clean and clear. Bass, sunnys (blue gill) are the main fish. A nice peaceful day on the lake. I've never been to the beach there. Maybe this weekend me and the wife will check it out. read more

Blue Marsh is a gorgeous man made reservoir made by the Army Corps of Engineers to combat flooding in downtown Reading. It has a small beach area (I don't recommend it except for laying in the sun and BBQs because there's goose crap everywhere including the water) but they mostly keep the area clean). The hiking, mountain biking trails are excellent - you'll want to pick up a map at one of the Kiosks situated around the park or you can go to the park Visitor Center and get more information. The lake itself is great for fishing (many small and large mouth bass), water skiing, canoeing, kayaking and tubing. It's an unlimited rpm lake so you're free to open her up and hit the gas in certain areas, the smaller inlets are good places to fish and kayak. I've hiked Blue Marsh for years and it's clean, well maintained - my only complaint are the gnats, horseflies, and other stinging pests in the summer - you'll have to wear some Deep Woods Off or some other repellent as it can be pretty bad. There's lots to enjoy at the park, including fireworks on the 4th of July, horseback riding and bird watching. Come to Blue Marsh and enjoy! read more

My dad and stepmom paid to rent a pavilion for a picnic for my stepsister, but all guests were told they needed to wait in line in the side of the road behind a line of 70+ cars to get to our rented pavilion. So basically they said we'll take your money, but your guests will have to wait at least 4 hours to get in. read more

Great place. Very well maintained. Got stuck on the lake and the officers were extremely courteous and professional and towed me to the boat ramp free of charge. Any complaints of lack of cleanliness only reflects the habits of the visitors , not the efforts of the staff who do a great job. I plan to go there as much as possible and highly recommend it to others. Especially nice for children. MICKEY read more

I would not recommend this place. People do NOT pick up after their dogs and so there is a lot of dog feces all over the place. The park RANGERS are on a high trip, they act like they are POLICE OFFICERS! One of the rangers HARASSED my friend to tears told her she had to leave the park immediately because her dog was not on a leash. He then threatened to call the police on her to intimidation her ( yes police hurry lady with her dog not on a leash), he was yelling and screaming saying she needed to give her information to him now! Last time we checked you are nothing more than a security guard and have no authority. So we refused and got in our cars, ranger then FOLLOWED us all the way out of the park and continued to follow us for MILES away for the park. We started to get nervous at this point because he wouldn't stop following us. We were about the call the police ourselves when he finally stopped following us. We called the office to report this person for harassment but we don't believe anything was done about it. I would bet that if we were MEN he would not have HARASSED us the way he did. read more