Tour the park

Walk #1 Bay and Old Lake Road Loop

Description

This bay and lakeside walk uses the Karl Boyes Multi-Purpose National Recreational Trail and the Old Lake Road. The bay side portion offers a wonderful view of the entire Presque Isle Bay. The lake side presents a chance to either walk on a paved road surface or move to the water's edge for a more intense walk in the sand.

Route

This walk starts at Beach #1 parking lot and follows the Karl Boyes Multi-Purpose Trail along Presque Isle Bay to the 2-mile marker. Cross the main road, and begin your walk on the outbound section of the Multi-Purpose Trail at the 11.2-mile marker. Follow the trail along the Old Lake Road, which parallels the lake shore to the 12.9-mile marker and the Beach #1 parking lot. This last section of the walk can also be done on the lake shoreline.

Special Features:

1. Views of the city
2. Sunrise vistas
3. Bird watching
4. Sculling practice on bay (spring and summer mornings)
5. "The Feather" viewing platform

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Walk #2 Swan Cove and Waterworks Loop

Description

This is a bay side and interior Multi-Purpose Trail walk. It is a closed loop and uses the Karl Boyes Multi-Purpose National Recreational Trail and the Waterworks walk bisecting the Waterworks Park area from the Ferryboat Landing to the beach road and the outbound section of the Multi-Purpose Trail. On this walk, there are many interesting attractions along the way luring you into straying off on side trips to explore, play, or relax.

Route

This walk starts at the Swan Cove Parking Lot and travels east, to the left, down the Karl Boyes Multi-Purpose Trail from the 2.1 mile marker. Stay on this trail to the 2.8 mile marker at Waterworks Park. Turn left onto the wide sidewalk that bisects the park. Walk the entire length of this sidewalk. It ends at the Lake Road. This is the return portion of the Multi-Purpose Trail, and you will join it at the 10.5-mile marker. At this point, it intersects with the main road and Multi-Purpose Trail crossover. Turn left and cross the road. Again, turn left, and return to your car, just fifty yards away.

Special Features:

1. City view
2. Picnic grounds
3. Children's playground
4. Ferryboat landing
5. Simulated scenic lighthouse
6. Cookhouse
7. Sand volleyball courts
8. Handicapped beach ramp
9. Fishing pier
10. Waterworks ponds
11. Historical buildings
12. Lily Pond
13. Rustic cabins

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Walk #3 Cranberry Loop

Description

This walk uses portions of four of Presque Isle's interior trails.  They are: 1. Sidewalk Trail  2. Marsh Trail  3. Ridge Trail  4. Fox Trail.  By using all or portions of these four trails, the walk becomes a closed loop.  While the walk can be done in forty-five minutes, many walkers find that it will become an hour or more jaunt.  I suggest that you take your time and enjoy observing nature on this walk.  Wildlife is plentiful in this part of Presque Isle.  Along the way, you will see evidence of coyotes, an active beaver lodge, and if you are quiet, you might catch a glimpse of wild turkeys.  Plant life is varied and plentiful.

Route

This walk begins at the Presque Isle Lighthouse and Sidewalk Trail parking lot.  Follow the Sidewalk Trail a short distance to the juncture of three other trails.  Turn right onto Marsh Trail, and follow it to its end where it meets Ridge Trail.  Turn right onto Ridge Trail and walk to its end on the Presque Isle State Park Maintenance Road.  Walk to your right on this road until you come to the entrance of Fox Trail and turn right again.  This pathway weaves its way back to the junction you encountered on the Sidewalk Trail.  Turn left and return to your car. 

Special Features

1. Interior marshlands
2. Beaver marsh
3. Possible wildlife experiences
4. Woodland beauty
5. Oak and maple forest (great in fall)

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Walk #4: Graveyard Pond Trail

Description

This is a short and easy walk. If you like to fish, there are many stops to dip your line for perch, large and small mouth bass, and northern pike. The trail follows the Presque Isle Lagoon's Graveyard Pond and Big Pond. At two points along the walk there are picnic tables at the water's edge; therefore, if you have time, packing a lunch might make this a special walk. The area is rich in bird life and waterfowl. With the closeness of Perry Monument and Misery Bay, a photographer can spend hours with the unique scenery.

Route

This walk starts at the Perry Monument parking lot. Cross the main road to the trailhead. Follow the pathway to its end and return by retracing your steps.

Special Features:

1. Turtles
2. Picnic area
3. Beavers
4. Fishing
5. Photography
6. Birding

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Walk #5: Long Pond Trail Walk

Description

This walk uses a small part of the Multi-Purpose Trail before it moves inland along Long Pond. It features a few great fishing areas, so if you are interested, take a casting rod and reel.

Route

This walk begins at the East Pier parking lot. Cross the main road to the Karl Boyes Multi-Purpose Trail at the 4.7-mile marker. Turn right and follow this walkway to the entrance to Long Pond Trail, 3/10 of a mile to the east. Turn left onto Long Pond Trail and follow it for its entire length. This path will rejoin the Multi-Purpose Trail at the 4.6-mile point. Turn left, and return to your car, just 1/10 of a mile down the walkway.

Special Features:

1. Fishing areas
2. Photographic vistas
3. Places to relax
4. Old-growth climax forest
5. Handicapped accessible fishing pier

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Walk #6: Old Gas Well and Duck Pond Loop

Description

This is a walk with many variations and is 2.45 miles long, but can easily be shortened to 1.75 miles by not walking the out and back portions. The walk is rough in a few areas, so good shoes are necessary. Much awaits the walker here- solitude, active snags, turkeys, a view of Presque Isle Marina Lake and a bit of history. At your choice, you can even end your trip with a ¾ mile walk in the sand of the Lake Erie beaches. A special note is that in late summer you will need a Deet containing insect repellent because the mosquitoes and deer flies are prevalent at this time and can be nasty.

Route

This walk begins at the southwest corner of the Rotary Pavilion parking lot. The Old Gas Well Trail goes through the woods as it crosses Marina Road and both lanes of the main road. Follow the trial to its end. Turn around and walk back to the entrance of Duck Pond Trail. This entrance may be hidden at times during the year. Follow this trail to where it is intersected by the Canoe Portage Trail, and follow it to the banks of Marina Lake. Retrace your steps back to Duck Pond Trail, and turn right onto it. Continue to its end at the Karl Boyes Multi-Purpose Trail, at the 3.6-mile marker. Turn left onto the Multi-Purpose Trail, and walk back to where it meets the Old Gas Well Trail. Turn right, cross the road, and follow the trail back to your car.

Special Features:

1. Active gas well
2. Fishing
3. Birding
4. Butterfly watching
5. Shoreline exploration
6. Wetlands and old-growth forest

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Walk #7: Sunset Point, Pine Tree Trail, and Beach #10 Loop

Description

This is a very short and easy walk taking you through one of the park's few pine tree covered areas. The beginning is at Sunset Point. Sometimes, this area is called "kite beach," because during summer weekends this beach is filled with bright kites. The color and fun offered on a Saturday or Sunday here is well worth a special trip. Pine Tree Trail is sandy and grass covered. It is wide and easy to walk. Turkeys are plentiful in this area, as are deer.

Route

This walk starts at the parking area for Sunset Point and follows the Karl Boyes Multi-Purpose Trail west for a short distance to the entry point of the Pine Tree Trail. Cross the road and turn left onto this pathway. Follow Pine Tree Trail its whole length to where it rejoins the Multi-Purpose Trail at the 7.4-mile marker. Turn left onto the trail, and stay on it all the way back to your car at Sunset Point.

Special Features:

1. Pine Forest
2. Birding
3. Shoreline exploration
4. Bird and butterfly migration

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Walk #8: Gull Point Walk

Description

This walk bisects Gull Point along a sand plain between and around ponds, ridges, dunes, and swales formed over the last fifty or more years by the wave action of Lake Erie. Much of the trail is on new land created by the lake since the 1960's. One part of the trail takes walkers to a picturesque isolated finger of water at the back edge of Thompson Bay. The plant and bird life on this walk are unusual and diverse. Some of the beach and dune plants prospering here are not found anywhere else in Pennsylvania. The walk is open, with limited tree cover along much of the trail. Three things are important to remember on this walk: take water to drink, use insect repellent, and wear a hat.

Route

This walk starts at the Beach #10 parking lot in front of the information Kiossk at the northeast end. Enter Gull Point Trail, which is clearly marked, and follow it to its end at the Thompson Bay area and Lake Erie. Turn around, and retrace your path back to your car.

Special Features:

1. Diverse bird life
2. Observation platform
3. Shoreline exploration
4. Photographer's and artist's heaven
5. Gull Point Natural Area (a closed bird sanctuary)

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Walk #9: Thompson Circle, Pine Tree Trail and Dead Pond Trail Loop

Description

This walk uses portions of three walking trails and the Karl Boyes Multi-Purpose Trail. It cuts along the isolated interior of the park. Parts may be wet or water-covered at certain times of the year. Other portions of the walk are dry, hot and covered with soft, deep sand. A bottle of water is recommended during the summer months and advisable at other times. The Dead Pond part of the walk runs right through the region where most of the park's coyotes, which avoid people, seem to congregate. This segment is open, so a hat and insect repellent are also advised from late May to October. The section on B-Trail can be wet from March to June.

Route

This walk begins at the 7.1-mile marker on the Multi-Purpose Trail, which is across the road from Thompson Circle. Turn left on this walkway and follow it 2/10 of a mile to the east entry of Pine Tree Trail across the road. Walk the length of this trail to where it intersects the Multi-Purpose Trail at the 7.9-mile marker. Turn left and follow this for 1/10 of a mile to the entry to B-Trail, which is across the road. Follow this trail to where it meets the Dead Pond Trail. This is clearly marked. Turn left onto Dead Pond Trail and follow it to its end at the 6.8-mile marker of the Multi-Purpose Trail. Turn left and return to your car.

Special Features:

1. Pine forest
2. Open sand plain
3. Wildlife

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Walk #10: North Pier and Houseboats

Description

This walk is along Thompson Bay and the Lake Erie shoreline on rough and deep sand. In the spring, the beach in this area is littered with driftwood thrown ashore by winter's storms. In the summer, the waters offshore are filled with hundreds of anchored pleasure boats, mainly on Saturdays and Sundays. When the walk turns inland, it travels along Horseshoe Pond, which is the year-round home for twenty-four houseboats.

Route

This walk begins at the parking lot along North Pier and moves to the left along the beach running from the pier to Beach #11. You reach this beach by following the truck road beside the rest room at North Pier, and turning right onto a small path leading to the beach. When you reach the Beach #11 area, turn left, walk to the beach road, and turn left again. Follow this road past Horseshoe Pond to the parking lot at North Pier and your car.

Special Features:

1. North Pier
2. Houseboats
3. Bird watching

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Walk #11: Presque Isle Lighthouse, Beach and Sunset Point Loop

Description

This walk is mainly on sand and rough grass along the Lake Erie shoreline from the Presque Isle Lighthouse to Sunset Point. It returns on a little used inland path used by the park staff and also on the Karl Boyes Multi-Purpose Trail.

Route

This walk starts at the Presque Isle Lighthouse Historical Kiosk and follows along the Lake Erie shoreline to the right for one mile. When you reach a wide sandy beach area where the road becomes visible, you will have come to Sunset Point. Walk to your right about twenty yards and look again to your right for a wide sand ATV path leading back toward the lighthouse. This path winds its way west to Pine Tree Beach. At the Pine Tree parking area, the walk joins the Multi-Purpose Trail and takes you back to your car.

Special Features:

1. Beach photography
2. Driftwood and beach glass
3. Kite flying and windsurfing area
4. Hobbie-Cat beach

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Walk #12: Sidewalk Trail

Description

This is an easy, straight walk on an old concrete path. It runs between two bodies of water and is rich in bird life, waterfowl, and small animals. This walk has much to offer to the potential or experienced nature lover. This is a walk which Urban Naturalists (Urnats) will enjoy. At many points along the route, it will seem you are miles into a deep wilderness. This walk is the most popular on the park.

Route

Park in the Sidewalk Trail or Presque Isle Lighthouse parking area, and walk the length of the trail out and back. The sidewalk ends at the main road on the other side of the park by Misery Bay and is 1.25 miles long. There are three side pathways off the main route; these can be taken to view inland ponds. All these are found to the west of the trail at various points past the .75 mile mark in the walk.

Special Features:

1. Birding
2. Wildlife
3. Ponds
4. Oak/maple forest (great in fall)

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Walk #13: Stull Center Beach Walk

Description

This is a slightly more difficult walk because much of it is on soft deep sand amid a rough and rutted landscape. However, it is a fascinating trek for those interested in natural and out-of-the-way beach areas. Hikers will find beach glass, driftwood, and picturesque beach scenes on this walk.

Route

This walk begins at the Vista #3 parking lot across the main road from the Stull Center. Cross the road, and walk to the beach. Turn right, and walk the shoreline for about 8/10 of a mile where the walk comes close to the Old Lake Road. Today that road is part of the Karl Boyes Multi-Purpose Trail. Move to the trail, and turn left and follow it for 1/10 of a mile to the main road. Cross the road, and turn right on the Multi-Purpose Trail at the 2.0-mile marker. Follow this walkway back to your car.

Special Features:

1. Sunset vista
2. Bird watching
3. "The Feather" viewing platform
4. Beach environment
5. Wildflowers

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Walk #14: Niagara Boat Launch, Lagoon, and Long Boat Pond

Description

This walk highlights the diverse qualities of Presque Isle State Park. From recreation to deep woods experiences, this walk underscores the variety of interests and subjects bringing visitors to the park year after year. It is long but moderate, and uses the Karl Boyes Multi-Purpose Trail and a wooded and grassy trail called Long Pond Trail. Long Pond Trail is the subject of Walk #5, and in this walk, it is part of a loop taking the walker to the East Marina Pier. There are many interesting vistas, attractions, and wildflowers, which may lure the walker into straying off on short side trips to explore and photograph the scenery.

Route

Begin this walk by entering the Multi-Purpose Trail at the 2.7-mile marker near the Niagara Boat Launch Ramp. Turn right (east) on the trail, and follow it for roughly two miles to the 4.6-mile marker. Turn left onto Long Pond Trail, which is clearly marked. Follow this path until it returns to the Multi-Purpose Trail at the 5-mile marker. Turn right onto this paved trail, retracing your path back to your car, about 2.3 miles down the walkway.

Special Features:

1. Picnic grounds
2. Ferryboat landing
3. City views
4. Handicapped accessible fishing pier
5. Photographic vistas
6. Old climax forest
7. Wildlife

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Walk #15: East Pier, Sidwalk Trail, and Fox Trail Loop

Description

This is a longer walk almost entirely on paved surfaces, except the short portion on Fox Trail. It skirts the Presque Isle Bay on the Karl Boyes Multi-Purpose Trail, passing the Perry Monument, Lagoon Boat Launch Ramp and picnic area, Pontoon Boat Pavilion, Lagoon Boat Rental Service, and Misery Bay. After the Misery Bay section, the walk curves inland. It crosses the road and traverses the park on the Sidewalk Trail. It then follows Fox Trail and returns to the East Pier on the Multi-Purpose Trail.

Route

This walk starts at the East Marina Pier parking lot and crosses the road, turning right onto the Multi-Purpose Trail at the 4.7-mile marker. Follow this paved walkway to the entrance of the Sidewalk Trail, which is at the 6.1-mile marker. Enter the trail, and walk almost the entire length. When you reach the juncture of Fox, Marsh, and Dead Pond Trails, turn left onto Fox Trail. Follow Fox Trail to the point where it reaches the park maintenance road and a branch of the Multi-Purpose Trail. Turn left, and walk about fifty yards to a continuation of the Fox Trail, entering on a small grassy road to your right. This short extension ends at Multi-Purpose Trail. Turn right and walk twenty yards to the main Multi-Purpose Trail, and then turn left following the paved walkway back to your car at the East Marina Pier parking lot.

Special Features:

1. Wildlife
2. Wetlands
3. Oak and maple old growth forest
4. Fishing
5. Canoeing and kayaking
6. Photographic vistas
7. Handicapped accessible fishing pier

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Walk #16: Perry Monument and Vistas

Description

This is a short walk beginning at the Perry Monument. It follows the curving U shape of Misery Bay to the Lawrence Boat Launch, returning the same route. This walk is a photographer's or artist's dream and challenge. There are perhaps ten or more wonderful vistas along the walk to photograph or paint Perry Monument and Misery Bay's waters. The walk also skirts the edges of Graveyard Pond, both of which produce interesting vistas and chances to view birds and wildlife.

Route

Leaving the Perry Monument parking lot, join the Karl Boyes Multi-Purpose Trail at the 5.6-mile marker and turn right. Follow the trail for 8/10 of a mile to the 6.4-mile marker near the Lawrence Boat Launch, which is a dirt parking area with access to Misery Bay. Retrace your path to your car.

Special Features:

1. Historical panels
2. Birds
3. Turtles
4. Photographic vistas

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Walk #17: Thompson Bay Nature Walk

Description

This is a short walk along the shoreline of Thompson Bay. This is not an official Presque Isle State Park trail, and not listed on any of the park's maps. It uses a mowed path that is kept open for duck and goose hunters who build blinds along the shore during hunting seasons. During the fall and spring migration seasons, many waterfowl rest in Thompson Bay's sheltered waters. If you hope to view these birds in their natural habitat, you will need to spend an extended amount of time in the backwater area of this walk, sitting or standing quietly among the brush and reeds.

Route

This walk begins on a small path leading almost due north out of the far western end of the parking lot across from Thompson Circle. Follow the path until it comes to the water's edge at Thompson Bay. Turn left, and walk out the shoreline path until it ends, roughly one-half mile down the beach. Turn around and retrace your steps back to the original entry path. Turn right and return to your car. If you are interested in a longer walk, do not enter the return pathway, but continue walking along the shoreline's mowed path. The path continues to Beach #11. At Beach #11, there are two entry paths on your right, which you can take to the beach access road. Once you reach this road, turn right and follow it back to the Multi-Purpose Trail, at which point you turn right again and walk to your car.

Special Features:

1. Butterfly migration
2. Shoreline exploration
3. Birding

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Walk #18: Sidewalk Trail and Lighthouse Beach Loop

Description

This walk is mostly on sand and rough grass and uses the following trails: Sidewalk Trail, Marsh Trail, and Fox Trail. In addition, the walk meanders through an unofficial wooded trail ending at the back edge of Presque Isle State Park's maintenance area. It ends with a beach walk to the Presque Isle Lighthouse and the surrounding area. On this walk, you will experience the diverse nature of the park and might get the opportunity to view the wildlife.

Route

This walk starts at the Sidewalk Trail parking area and follows the trail about 1/10 of a mile to the junction with Marsh Trail, Fox Trail, and Dead Pond Trail. Turn right onto the Marsh Trail, and follow it to the end, where it joins the Ridge Trail. Keep going straight up the small dune hill onto an unofficial trail. Do not take the larger path, which goes off to your left; stay on the path that goes straight ahead. This path will take you to the back corner of the park's maintenance area. At the maintenance area, turn right and follow the road for about 2/10 of a mile to the main road. You should then cross the road, walk up the sand dunes onto the beach, and turn right. Walk along the beach for about 2/10 of a mile to the Presque Isle Lighthouse. Continue a short distance past the lighthouse and go between two clumps of trees, turn right, and walk across the wide beach back to your car.

Special Features:

1. Interior marshlands
2. Climax forest
3. Possible wildlife experiences
4. Beaver lodge
5. Presque Isle Lighthouse

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Walk #19: Long Pond Bridge and Fox Trail Loop

Description

This short and easy walk weaves its way through beautifully wooded sections of Presque Isle State Park. About 40% of the walk is on woodland trails with a few sand dune hills and surface tree roots. The rest of the walk is on paved sections of the Karl Boyes Multi-Purpose Trail.

Route

This walk begins at the small bridge spanning the western end of Long Pond, and follows the Multi-Purpose Trail about one hundred yards back in the direction you came from to an intersection in the trail. Turn right onto this paved branch, and walk twenty yards to the entrance of Fox Trail on your left. Follow this short section of the Fox Trail until it rejoins the Multi-Purpose Trail at the Presque Isle maintenance road. Turn right, following the curve in the trail back to your car.

Special Features:

1. Birding
2. Oak/maple forest

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Walk #20: Ridge Runner Walk

Description

This is one of the best walks on the park if you love wildlife and nature. It parallels the Sidewalk Trail for much of the route. It is on an unofficial trail, which is on top of a major sand ridge created by Lake Erie over two hundred years ago. Because it is not an official trail, most of this walk is not groomed nor maintained by the park staff. Therefore, it is rough in certain sections. An assortment of field guides is helpful on this trip, as you may see many unfamiliar bids, trees, flowers, and plants.

Route

Start at the Sidewalk Trail parking lot and walk 100 yards down the footpath. Turn right onto the Marsh Trail. Walk the junction with the Ridge Trail, but continue straight for roughly twenty yards up a small hill. At the top of this hill is an unmarked sand path to the right. Take this path, walking its full length as it weaves its way across the park. At the 1.1-mile point in the walk, this sand and grass path will curve back to the left and reconnect with the Sidewalk Trail. Turn left, and follow this concrete walkway back to your car, about 9/10 of a mile away.

Special Features:

1. Birding
2. Wildlife
3. Ponds
4. Oak/maple forest

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