MAURICE K GODDARD STATE PARK
The 2,856-acre Maurice K. Goddard State Park features the 1,860-acre Lake Wilhelm, which is very popular with anglers. Many recreational activities attract visitors in all seasons. The large lake, abundant wetlands, old fields and mature forests provide a diversity of habitats for wildlife, especially waterfowl and eagles and ospreys.
Boating: 20 hp motors permitted
The 1,860-acre Lake Wilhelm has a 241-slip marina and a 48-space dry land mooring area available from May 1 to October 31.
The Marina has 250 car parking spaces, 121 car/trailer-parking spaces, a four-lane boat-launching ramp, two courtesy docks, a marina building and fueling station.
A boat rental concession in the Marina rents rowboats, pontoon boats, paddle boats, kayaks and canoes.
In addition to the boat launch area at the Marina, there are seven other launches around the lake. Four are within the state park and three are in the state game lands.
Only non-powered vessels are allowed in the Game Commission section of the lake.
Motorboats must display a boat registration from any state. Non-powered boats must display one of the following: boat registration from any state; launching permit or mooring permit from Pennsylvania State Parks that are available at most state park offices; launch use permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
Maurice K Goddard State Park is located near Franklin, Greenville and Hermitage
Picnicking: Picnic tables and charcoal grills are available throughout the park. Boat Launches 1, 2, 3, 4 and the Marina have restrooms and large picnicking areas. Picnic pavilions can be reserved in advance for a fee by calling 888-PA-PARKS. Unreserved picnic pavilions are free on a first-come, first-served basis.
Biking:
A twelve-mile paved bicycle trail follows the shoreline from Boat Launch 4 to the Marina, and continues to Dugan?s Run. It can be accessed from Launch 4, Marina, Launch 2, Launch 1, Dam and Dugan?s Run. The trail is open to two-way bicycle traffic, hiking, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. Stay to the right while bike riding. Please park bicycles off of the trail to avoid obstructing traffic.
A wide variety of interpretive and educational programs are offered May through September at the Environmental Learning Center in the Marina. Through hands-on activities, guided walks and evening programs, participants gain appreciation, understanding, and develop a sense of stewardship toward natural and cultural resources. Contact the park office for program schedules.
For information on nearby attractions, contact; Mercer County Convention and Visitors Bureau, 800-637-2370, www.mercercountypa.org.
The 2,027-acre State Game Land 270 is adjacent to the park. Its rolling terrain is open, with interspersed wooded areas. A 420-acre portion of Lake Wilhelm is part of this tract. The common game species include, duck, rabbit, turkey, pheasant, squirrel, woodcock, grouse, deer and dove.
For the benefit and safety of all users, please respect posted rules and regulations. Motorboats are not permitted on Lake Wilhelm, west of I-79. Entry upon posted wildlife refuges and propagation areas is prohibited. Motorized vehicles are prohibited on gated roads and trails; snowmobiles are excepted where so designated and posted. For more information contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Northwest Division Headquarters, 877-877-0299.
McKeever Environmental Education Center is a modern facility that provides group programming for one hour, one day or one week. Three dormitories and a dining hall can accommodate 120 people. A discovery building, auditorium, trails and the outdoors complement each other to make an ideal setting for an environmental education experience. For more information, contact; McKeever Environmental Education Center, 724-376-1000.
The park is five minutes from I-79. Take Exit 130 (Sandy Lake-Greenville) and travel west on PA 358 (towards Greenville) for about 0.1-mile, then bear right onto Carpenters Corner Road. At the first stop sign, turn right onto Lake Wilhelm Road, which goes directly to the park.
Would there be any way the park would ever consider side by sides on the trails It could be a fund raiser for the park certain days of the year and snowmobiles ride the trails in the winter.
I would like to see a state campground at the park. There is the beginning of one that was started YEARS ago over by the park office. Now that the park office may move why can,t there be a campground? Look at Pymatunings camps profits Goddard makes no money to support itself. and don,t say well theres vacation land I live local and they are not where I want to camp
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