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Take a hike and conquer the trail system at Ohio Pymatuning State Park for 2025! Participants can do it on their own or join one of the many Naturalist led programs held on the trails. Please note, some closed trails are only accessible with the Park Naturalist. Programming opportunities for access to those trails will be posted on the Ohio Pymatuning State Park website and Facebook page. Participants will be awarded a digital badge upon completion of all the trail check-ins, using the OuterSpatial app. A Pymatuning 2025 - Take a Hike: Master Series pin (pictured above) can be redeemed when the digital badge is shown to the Naturalist at the Pymatuning State Park Nature Center. Nature Center hours change seasonally and can be found on the Pymatuning State Park website and Facebook page. Use the OuterSpatial app for self-guided challenge check-ins, trail maps, and hike details. Download the free app at: https://outerspatial.link/i2knRU2MwIb See you on the trails!

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced February 7, 2025, the appointment of Jessica Fischer as the new park manager for Pymatuning State Park in Crawford County. “Jessica brings extensive experience and deep knowledge to this role,” said Secretary Dunn . “We are confident she will continue to uphold the high standards visitors expect at one of our most popular state parks.” Fischer assumed management of the 16,872-acre park in late December. Pymatuning State Park, home to the 17,088-acre Pymatuning Reservoir—Pennsylvania’s largest lake—offers a wide range of recreational activities, including hiking, biking, boating, fishing, swimming, and camping. An Erie native, Fischer is eager to return to the region after a decade away. “This is truly a full-circle moment for me—coming home to lead the park where I’ve built so many memories,” Fischer said. “I’m excited for this opportunity and look forward to connecting with the community around this incredible natural resource.” Fischer previously managed Little Buffalo State Park in Perry County and has held multiple roles within DCNR, beginning as a seasonal resource ranger at Presque Isle State Park. She later became a park manager trainee and has served at Moraine, Point, and Laurel Hill state parks, as well as assistant park manager at Cook Forest and Clear Creek state parks. Before her most recent assignment, she worked in the operations and training section of DCNR’s Bureau of State Parks. Fischer holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from the University of Pittsburgh and a master’s degree in park and resource management from Slippery Rock University. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, boating, biking, paddling, foraging for mushrooms, reading, exploring new restaurants, and singing. She also looks forward to enjoying outdoor adventures with her husband, Henry, son Leopold, and cat, Taylor. Former Pymatuning State Park Manager Dan Bickel has transitioned to a new leadership role overseeing the Western Plateau Division of State Parks , which includes Jennings Environmental Education Center, Pymatuning, M.K. Goddard, Oil Creek, McConnells Mill, and Moraine state parks. “I’m eager to take on this new role and help managers across the division create stronger connections,” Bickel said. “I grew up at Pymatuning and will miss the daily interactions with staff and visitors, who have become like family. But I have full confidence in Jessica’s leadership and her vision for the park.” Bickel holds a bachelor’s degree in parks and recreation resource management and environmental education from Slippery Rock University. With 29 years of experience in Pennsylvania’s state parks, he has served in various roles, including as an environmental education specialist, park manager trainee, assistant manager at Ohiopyle State Park, and manager at Greenwood Furnace, Prince Gallitzin, and Moraine state parks.

Watch for eagles at any of the launches around the lake Catch a walleye or a crappie from one of the many developed shoreline fishing areas Take a kayak or canoe trip on the Shenango River Feed the carp at the Spillway Rent a pontoon boat at Jamestown, Espyville, or Linesville marinas Explore the history of the swamp, reservoir, and dam at the Gatehouse Spend a weekend at the Jamestown, Tuttle, or Linesville campground Visit the Fish and Boat Commission’s Linesville Fish Hatchery Watch the sunset from the Spillway Trail Stay the night in a modern cabin

The Pymatuning Lake area has a long history in agriculture, particularly with the humble onion. Each year, Pymatuning State Park hosts the Onion Festival to honor that history. Pymatuning State Park Onion Festival At one time, Linesville was the onion capital of the United States, distributing its fragrant produce via the Erie & Pittsburgh Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Prior to the creation of the lake, the area was known as Pymatuning Swamp. Little would grow in the mucky swamp soil, but local farms found they could grow onions, and that the onions would grow well. Some grew to eight inches in diameter! By 1918, half of all of the state’s onions were grown in the Linesville area. As a nod to this history, Pymatuning State Park and the Pymatuning Lake Association partner to hold the annual Onion Festival on the second weekend in July. This free community event features local craft vendors, live music, and delicious food, including the massive Bloomin' Onions. Multiple organizations also participate and available activities include kayaking, paddleboarding and archery. Please fill out the form below to be a vendor for the Pymatuning Lake Association annual Onion Festival. More information about being a vendor can be found below. Please fill out the form below to be a vendor for the Pymatuning Lake Association annual Onion Festival on Friday, July 10th from 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM & Saturday, July 11th, from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Please see the following information about vending at the Festival: Artisan Craft Vendor Booth 10 FT x 10 FT space is $50. Food Vendor Booth 20 FT x 20 FT space is $100. Please return your Check or Money Order payable to “Pymatuning Lake Association” for the total cost of space(s) with “2026 Onion Festival” in the Memo to PO BOX 78, Westford, PA 16134. Payments are non-refundable. Alternatively, payments can be made online here . All forms and payments must be received no later than July 1st, 2026, or $25 late fee is charged. The Onion Festival is held at Linesville Beach, at the north end of Pymatuning Lake. Vendors MUST provide their own shelter, tables, and displays. All crafters, artisans, demonstrators and food vendors will be permitted to set-up their booths on Friday July 11th 2024, beginning at 8 am. All vehicles must be out of the vendor area by 12:00 Friday. In the interest of the safety, all displays must remain open, with an attendant present during event hours, until 4:00pm Saturday unless other arrangements are made in advance. Vendors may choose to leave items set up overnight. While park staff is not responsible for lost or stolen items, Park Rangers will be in the area overnight. Booth spaces will be assigned by staff on a first come first serve basis as well. State regulations do not permit raffles in the state park. Therefore, you may not conduct raffles of any kind in your booth. Health inspection license must be attached with all food vendor forms. No projectile toys, weapons, fireworks are permitted to be sold. RV’s, self-contained campers, are permitted in the designated vendor parking area. Please notify us prior to your visit to make arrangements if you intend to stay in the area. No hook-ups are available. Questions? Message us here or contact Assistant Park Manager Sean Benson at 724-932-3142. Calling all Vendors! Interested in the 2026 Onion Festival? Apply below! Onion Festival Vendor Form

Pymatuning Lake Association was founded in 1945 to support and preserve the Pymatuning Lake region. Our Story At the Pymatuning Lake Association (PLA), we strive to make Pymatuning Lake a place that people of all ages can enjoy. Since 1945, we have partnered with the Ohio and Pennsylvania Pymatuning State Parks to preserve the lake and promote the Pymatuning Lake area. By giving each penny we raise back to the community, we hope generations for years to come can make great memories on the shores of Pymatuning Lake. We are 100% volunteer, and every penny goes right back into making the lake a great place to fish, hike, boat, or sit back and enjoy. We have supported work to install benches, handicap parking, handicap rails for boaters to get in and out of their boats, pavilions, cemented boat ramps, installed cribs (fish habitat), completed shoreline cleanups, and supported hosts of other projects over the years. These projects cost thousands of dollars, and are primarily funded through memberships, grants, and donations. Meet the Board President - Dave Slozat Vice President - Katie Wickert Treasurer - Kathy Brooks Secretary - Celene Brooks David Sherrange Bob Fink Dave Gayhart Don Brooks Ron Forsythe LuAnn Dugan Charles Lederer Recent Projects Purchase & installation of playground equipment at the Espyville Boat Launch. Annual habitat building project with local students, Fish & Boat Commission, and both the PA & OH parks. Received a grant to conduct a shoreline stabilization project at McArthur Day Use Area, Bradford Woods, and Grandview. Partnered with State Park Staff to support veterans staying at the park through Project Healing Waters.

Looking for maps or information about Pymatuning Lake? Check out our Maps & Publications page. Listed below are a variety of maps and publications related to Pymatuning Lake Pymatuning Lake Water Depth Map Pymatuning State Park Linesville Campground Map Pymatuning State Park Guide Pymatuning State Park Cabin Map Pymatuning State Park Jamestown Campground Map DCNR Interactive GIS Map Pymatuning State Park Tuttle Campground Map Pymatuning State Park Map Pymatuning State Park Recreation Guide