Headed to the beach? A guide to rentals, trails and more at Presque Isle State Park
Put on your swimwear and grab those sandals and sunscreen. Pack up your fishing gear and strap in your kayak. Hook up the boat, hang the bikes, and don't forget the boogie boards. It's time to get out to Presque Isle State Park as the summer season kicks off at the peninsula.
If you're making your way out for Memorial Day weekend, here are a few things to know:
Open beaches: From Saturday through Monday, Beach 3 (Barracks Beach), Beach 6 (Lyons Beach), Beach 8 (Pettinato Beach) and Beach 11 (Kohler Beach) will be open and guarded from noon to 7:15 p.m.
ADA access: Park officials will have ADA access available at Beach 8 during the weekend.
Swimming info: Three new swimming information signs in the inbound lane of the park provides daily updates as to what beaches are open and guarded for swimming as conditions are subject to change.
General info: For more information, call the Presque Isle State Park office at 814-833-7424 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Food: There are no concession stands open this year. Food trucks were available at various locations at Presque Isle last year through a pilot program, however availability this year was still being determined Thursday. To be safe, you might want to pack a cooler.
More to know about Presque Isle
Dive into all the information Times-News reporters have provided with stories throughout May. Click on the following links to read about:
What's allowed: Pets on a leash are welcome at the park, but what else is and isn't allowed on Presque Isle beaches? Click here to find out what you can bring and what you should leave at home.
A gem in Erie: Where did Presque Isle State Park land among the top 10 most visited state parks of 2023? Find out here.
Bucket list: Fill your sand pail with this inventory of summer activities you can do at Presque Isle.
Lifeguards: Presque Isle State Park is hiring more lifeguards. The park's 2024 swim season runs seven days a week through Labor Day, Sept. 2, with the possibility of allowing weekend swimming into October. Which beaches will be staffed this year?
Beachgoers start early: Park lifeguards were already preparing for swim season leading up to Memorial Day as temperatures soared into the 80s and beachgoers took advantage of it.
Special events: When is Discover Presque Isle this year? Find out details in the GoErie.com festivals calendar and at www.discoverpi.com/events/dpi.
Safety first
Beware of HABs: Keep an eye out for dog swimming advisories as Erie's harmful algal bloom season could arrive soon. Besides posting signs at the locations of the blooms, people can find HAB advisories on the Erie County government website, under "Departments," then "Erie County Department of Health."
E. coli concerns: E. coli bacteria plagued the waters off certain Presque Isle State Park beaches last summer, forcing officials to close Presque Isle beaches often in 2023. The park has undertaken some efforts over the years to reduce E. coli levels.
Emergencies: If you have an emergency situation, we've compiled a list of contacts to help you out. Keep these contacts handy when visiting the park.
Technology, service upgrades
Better reception: Can you hear me now? Presque Isle State Park officials believe a deal with AT&T will improve 5G coverage, helping visitors upload videos and photos to social media faster and also benefiting park services.
Solar power: Presque Isle installed new solar panels at Beach 8, which will save the park money and keep cars cool.
Expansion, construction updates
Trail expansion: Plans to build a multipurpose trail from the Tom Ridge Environmental Center to the multipurpose trail at Presque Isle State Park are on hold. What's the reason?
Pier upgrades: The North Pier, a popular spot for sightseeing and fishing at Presque Isle State Park, is getting a $3.9 million makeover. What are the upgrades and when will they be completed?
Marina update: Five new piers were installed and extensions added extra slips to three piers at the marina, located on the bay side of the park. When will the project be finished?
Boats and bikes
Paddling around: Whether you're a veteran kayaker in the lagoons or newbie looking for a new hobby, here's what you need to know to get the most out of your adventure at Presque Isle State Park.
Pontoon rides: You can explore Presque Isle waters with a free pontoon boat ride from Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Rent a bike: Bike rental places around Presque Isle offer options, prices for all levels of riders
Riding e-bikes: The number of electric bicycles is growing, and they've become a common sight at Presque Isle. Find out about the regulations that exist for e-bikes — and where you can rent or buy one — at the park.
Stay up to date on Erie-area weather
Get the latest AccuWeather forecast details and radar images for your ZIP code at goerie.com/weather. Download the GoErie app for iOS or Android for mobile-friendly forecasts.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Presque Isle State Park: Swimming tips, things to do, events for 2024
