Find Wonder while Getting Lost in Moraine State Park

If you want to rediscover your wonder of the natural world this summer, Moraine State Park — which invokes the vastness of the glaciers which created it—is the place to reignite that spark. The enormous 16,725-acre park (and 3,225-acre Lake Arthur within it) is named after the glacial “moraines” of rocks and soil left behind by a moving glacier. A trip to Moraine State Park can make your summer memories as historic as the last ice age that helped form the ridges and valleys of this awe-inspiring park.

Lake Arthur is the largest manmade lake in the state, restored to the original glacial lake in the 1940s through the efforts of Frank Preston, an engineer and geologist from England. This huge lake provides opportunities to experience every conceivable water activity within its forty stunning miles of shoreline. Visitors can enjoy the lake’s freshwater swimming at one of the two sandy beaches. All kinds of boats under 20 horsepower are permitted and available for rent—including sailboats, kayaks, rowboats, and pontoon boats. If you’re tired of the more conventional water conveyances, try a paddleboard lesson with SurfSUP Adventures, or rent a windsurfing board for something a little more adrenaline-inducing. Or if you want a more relaxing way to experience the water, take an evening cruise on Preston’s Pearl, an enclosed pontoon boat operated by the Moraine Preservation Society. If not speeding across the water on one vehicle or another, consider fishing. With its burgeoning populations of walleye, muskellunge, and striped bass, Lake Arthur is a premier destination for any with a predilection for catching (and eating) fish.

Moraine State Park also offers as diverse an array of land activities. The park has 38 miles of hiking trails, including a section of the 270 mile long North Country Trail, which begins in Ohio and stretches into New York. In addition to trails for hiking, there are miles of paths suitable for biking and horseback riding. Along your way, the park provides opportunities and amenities for birding, picnicking, geocaching, and disc golfing. If you plan your trip to coincide with the Bantam Jeep Festival on June 10th through 12th (a festival celebrating all things Jeep, based just a short drive away at Cooper’s Lake Campground) you can explore more trails from the elevation of America’s iconic off-roading vehicle. 

Book your stay at a nearby Bed & Breakfast.