The JournalA 949-acre lake built behind a 1972 flood-control dam, with a guarded sand beach that makes it one of the most full-service state parks near Jim Thorpe.
Beltzville exists because of a dam. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began construction on the Pohopoco Creek flood-control project in 1970, completing it in 1972 and, in the process, requiring the farming village of Big Creek Valley — settled by early European farmers — to be vacated in 1966. What emerged is a 3,002-acre state park built around the 949-acre Beltzville Lake and its 19.8 miles of shoreline.
Pohopoco Creek, an excellent trout stream, feeds the lake, which doubles as a rest stop for migrating waterfowl and a genuine destination for boaters and anglers. The park's guarded sand beach and picnic pavilions are among the most heavily used in the region come summer, and its 15 miles of trails range from easy lakeside walks to more demanding ridge hikes — enough variety for a group with mixed fitness levels to split up and regroup for lunch.
Beltzville sits a short drive from Jim Thorpe and pairs easily with a Mauch Chunk Lake stay — spend the morning on the beach or the water, then head into town for dinner at one of the restaurants we already feature there, or a stop at one of Jim Thorpe's breweries or antique shops on the way back to the residence.