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    Little Pine State Park

    Winter Recreation

    Pennsylvania state parks are open 365 days a year, even in the winter. The Winter Report provides ice and snow depth information for state parks.

    Enjoy the Winter

    Park trails are open for cross-country skiing, however Lake Shore Trail is recommended. The five-mile Lake Shore Trail follows level terrain and parallels the lake and headwaters and then returns to the starting location. Motor vehicles and snowmobiles are prohibited in this area.

    Please check the trail difficulty rating before adventuring on the trails.

    When conditions permit, ice fishing is permitted on the natural ice of the lake. Trout are stocked in the 45-acre Little Pine Lake for ice fishing.

    Ice thickness is not monitored. For your safety, make sure ice is at least 4” thick for a single angler and 7” thick for a small group. 

    Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission regulations and laws apply.

    In the main day use area, two acres of slopes extend across the lake. Ample parking is by the bathhouse. Ice must be four inches thick before the run is opened.

    Park trails are open for snowshoeing. Please check the trail difficulty rating before adventuring on the trails.

    Ice Safety

    • Test ice thickness with an auger before recreating. For your safety, make sure ice is at least 4” thick for a single user and 7” thick for a small group. For iceboating, make sure ice is at least 6” thick.
    • Always carry safety equipment and know how to use it.
    • Spread out. Crowds can put too much weight onto one area.
    • Be aware of changes in ice thickness across a body of water. Perimeter ice is weaker due to shifting, expansion and sunlight reflecting off of the bottom.
    • Avoid areas with protruding logs, brush, plants, and docks. These structures absorb heat, weakening the surrounding ice.
    • Avoid areas with multiple or intersecting cracks, and standing water over ice.
    • Venturing out on ice alone is not advisable. Take a friend along for fun and for safety.
    • Wear a personal flotation device (life jacket).
    • Check the weather and plan accordingly. Several days with temperatures above freezing will weaken the ice.