Map(s)
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Road map (823x621)
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Satellite view (999x1010)
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Scenery 
Despite the limited acreage, this lake has a HUGE shore line, measuring over 11 miles; longer than Round Valley. In late summer, this distance is cut down by 3 to 4 mi, thanks to the weeds. There are 3 main branches off of the main lake. These branches are weedy, but calm. The northeastern branch is shallow, dirty, and at times stinky. If the water level is high enough, you can paddle into a small stream. The narrow eastern branch is heavily tree-lined. There is condo (townhouse?) development at the very end. The southeastern sub-branch is very shallow, and has the most water fowl. Be careful, because I have gotten stuck here on several occasions. The southwestern sub-branch is nothing special.
Another boat launch area is in the western sub-branch, which also has picnic tables & real restrooms. From a gel-coated boat standpoint, this launch area / launch spot, has gone from usable to bad: The shoreline is a lined with small rocks.
The northwestern branch is the largest, extending beyond Styer Road (a.k.a. Marshall Road). Styer Road has a double-arched bridge. Beyond the bridge, it gets narrow, stronger current (north to south flow of Marsh Creek), but more important: rocks just below the surface (N40 05.339 W75 43.819), which are a problem for gelcoats. Do NOT expect to get this far north in the summer: On Independence Day, 2008, the weeds were so bad that they blocked my northern progress, 1/3 mi south of Little Conestoga Road.
Lots of trees in this branch. Plus nice houses and foliage. On some trips, I saw 2 very large white water fowl with black markings. Between making whale-like noises and NOT harassing me, I suspect that they are American geese. (Maybe Andean? Any ornithologists out there?) Be careful in this area during the month of September (goose hunting season). Bullets do not understand park boundaries.
Other interesting wildlife:
- Numerous osprey sittings (I counted at least 6 different birds on trip)
- HUGE snapping turtle sittings. These turtles were much larger than the hatches on most kayaks
Water levels were the highest that I have ever seen on my 3-Apr-2010 trip. Some of the highlights include:
- Landing at the western boat launch, without getting your hull scratched
- Safe to paddle the southern shallows without hitting rocks
- More shoreline (imagine that, with high water levels?)
Fees
See the Lake Nockamixon page for PA State Park fees. As of Jan 2009, PA Turnpike tolls have jumped! It used to be $5.50 from the Philadelpha interchange, now it over $8.
Hours of Operation
8:00 → dusk. Western launch area is open 24x7.
Directions
Take route 95 south, over the Delaware River to exit 46B. This is route 1 south. Take route 1 to the PA Turnpike; this is route 276, exit 351 (28) of the turnpike. Head west to Harrisburg, getting off at exit 312 (23); this is the Downingtown exit. Pay the $4.10 toll (as of Jan 2009) & head north on route 100. Get into the left lane AND stay there! On the 4th or 5th light, you will be in a left-turn-only lane ... when that situation occurs, make the left turn. (Ticonderoga Blvd is new & not on the linked map.) Take it all the way to the end, and make a left onto Park Road.
Follow Park Road into Marsh Creek. Once you enter the park, you will be driving along the lake. Turn right into the first parking lot, after seeing the marina on your right.
Parking
Good; I have never had a problem when arriving early in the morning. Change from Memorial Day weekend 2010: Parking south of the marina has too obstacles; sunbathers, picnickers, and now the rental craft. North of the marina is the way to go! There is a nice soft sandy beach between the racks of canoes.
Make the mistake of coming late (e.g. 11:00 AM) on a summer weekend, and the condition changes to horrid. The park rents peddle boats, sailboats, and cheap kayaks. Add fishermen, picnickers, and beach goers. Be smart & get here early.
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Distance to the Launch Area
It is a 15 to 30 sec walk from the parking area, depending on where you park.
Restrooms
There are restrooms in between the concession stand and the marina, to right of the launch area. They are closed during the off season. (I suspect that the 'off season' starts in Nov & ends in late Mar or Apr.) From late fall to early spring, there is a port-a-john. There are also restrooms at the western boat launch.
Status of Launch Area
Soft sand. But when the water is low, as it was in mid-October 2001, there are a number of stones mixed in.
Wind Conditions
The 3 branches are not bad, but watch out for the main part of the lake. For its size, this can be THE windiest lake, with occasional whitecaps. But on most summer days, it will be as smooth as glass. Before paddling, visit weather.com to get the wind forecast for Lyndell, PA; then add 5 to 10 mph to the wind speed.
Power Boats
Electric boats only; no gas boats.
Foliage
Good, but to be fair, I went several days prior to peak.
Rolling Practice?
If any place, practice in the large, northwestern branch. Most areas are either too weedy, or too windy. The southern shore of the eastern branch is also nice.
Boat Rentals
If the weather is nice, the Marsh Creek rental office is open. (But call 610-458-5040 to verify, if in doubt.) Interested in learning to sail? Private sailing & windsurfing lessons are $95 for 1 ½ hours, which includes the equipment.
| Paddle-driven |
| Single kayak |
$20 / hr | $50 / 4 hrs |
| Tandem kayak |
$25 / hr | $60 / 4 hrs |
| Canoe, 2 person |
$20 / hr | $50 / 4 hrs |
| Stand up Paddleboard |
$25 / hr | $75 / 4 hrs |
| Peddleboats |
| 2 person |
$10 / ½ hr | $15 / hr |
| 4 person |
$15 / ½ hr | $25 / hr |
| Sailing |
| Sunfish |
$35 / hr | $95 / 4 hrs |
| Windsurfer |
$35 / hr |
| Windrider |
$35 / hr |
| Windrider II |
$55 / hr | $95 / 4 hrs |
| Daysailor |
$55 / hr | $95 / 2 hrs |
| Motor-powered |
| Electric motor boat |
$25 / hr | $75 / 4 hrs |
Marsh Creek, being shallow, heats up fast. From June to mid-September, you are safe: But the during the spring, the water temperature could reach the upper 60's by late April or as late as Memorial Day weekend. Similar situation in the fall; sometimes it drops into the 60's by start of autumn or a week before Halloween. To deal with this, the rental office has wetsuits for $5/hr & $15/day ... less protection than a drysuit, but will help when the water is in the upper 50's to low 60's.
More Information . . .
For more info about Marsh Creek Lake, go to Marsh Creek State Park.
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